11 Of The Best Waterfront Dining On The Gold Coast

Keen for a dinner with a view? There’s nothing like watching the sun go down from a comfy seat at a nice restaurant. Throw in a margarita, and you’ve got yourself a magic combo. Luckily, the Gold Coast is one of the best spots to chow down while staring at the waves!

Here are some of my favourite restaurants with an ocean view on the Gold Coast, from North to South.

Glass Dining and Lounge Bar - Marina Mirage

There’s nowhere better to sit and sip a Negroni in Main Beach than at Glass Dining and Lounge Bar. Located at Marina Mirage, this venue has floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the marina. It’s a nice romantic date night spot if you’re in the area!

Like most of the menus on the Northern end of the Gold Coast, it’s seafood-focused, but they also have a nice juicy Wagyu if you’re so inclined. The wine list is quite extensive as well!

Surfer’s Pavilion - Surfers Paradise

Surfer’s Pavilion might have earned a reputation as a bit of a party venue since it opened in the last few years, but don’t be fooled - during the day, this venue can be a beautiful spot where you can have a nice meal with a stunning view. Is it a bit of a tourist trap? Yeaaaah, a little. Like anything in Surfers, it’s a bit expensive for what you’re actually getting.

But back to the view: the back of the venue faces straight down the Nerang River. It even has a little marina where you can moor your boat, if you’re feelin’ fancy.

Now I’m not going to lie to you and say the food at Surfers Paradise is five-star worthy, but it’s FINE. They have a whole seafood station plus little nibbles, and every time I’ve had food there it was generally yum. Their cocktails are tasty too. Just don’t expect a fine-dining level of quality, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
(Pro tip: unless you’re down to party, try to steer clear of the venue after 10pm as it gets quite loud in thurrr.)

Hyde Paradiso - Surfers Paradise

Kind of like Surfer’s Pavilion, Hyde Paradiso is a bit of a tourist trap but at least the view is nice! They’ve also refurbished their venue in the last few years so it’s a cool spot where you can dress up a little and sink a few drinks while watching the sunset.

Seascape Restaurant & Bar - Surfer’s Paradise

Repeat after me: if it’s in Surfers, it’s most likely a tourist trap. But that doesn’t mean it has a bad view!

Perched at the top of a three-story venue, Seascape offers a killer ocean view that’ll make you feel like you’re dining in the clouds. Sort of. It’s a mix of classy and casual, so you can roll in straight from the beach or dress up for a night out.

As for the menu, think standard seafood: oysters, prawns, sashimi. Highlights: crispy skin salmon, grilled Moreton Bay bugs, and truffle fries.

Kurrawa Surf Club - Broadbeach

I love Kurrawa Surf Club! It’s just your standard surf club, but it’s massive and the ocean views are really nice. Their snacks are sizeable and they always have decent brews on tap.

Edgewater Dining - Isle Of Capri

If you’re looking for a relaxed and intimate dining experience a bit off the beaten path, Edgewater has you covered. It’s nestled on the Isle Of Capri, with stunning views of the waterways and the Surfers Paradise skyline. It’s also a great spot for a tasty long lunch.

You can expect a “modern Australian” menu, which means a rotating menu of classic Aussie dishes depending on what’s in season. Highlights: lamb shoulder, seafood linguine, sticky date pudding.

Burleigh Pavilion & The Tropic - Burleigh Heads

The Pav is a bit of an institution among locals and tourists alike. It’s got the best of both worlds: a casual pavilion-style dining venue on one side and a swankier restaurant (The Tropic) on the other.

Both venues offer spectacular views of Burleigh Beach and they’re less fussy/expensive than Rick Shores, which is just below. The trade off is that the food isn’t as good as Rick Shores, but you win some, ya lose some.

Burleigh Pav slings pizzas, chips and finger food, while The Tropic menu has more of a Mediterranean flair, e.g. grilled octopus, charred broccolini.

Rick Shores - Burleigh Heads

You haven’t visited the Gold Coast if you haven’t been (or heard) of Rick Shores! It’s a pretty iconic venue, known for its modern Asian fusion menu (I honestly still don’t know what that means) and unbeatable views. You’re so close to the water, you can feel the spray of the ocean.

The highlight on the menu is the Bug Roll, which has reached legendary status among Rick Shores aficionados. There’s also a Moreton Bay bug curry and pork belly. Drinks are also a must-try. If you feel like a Margi, the Coconut Margarita is a must!

Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club - Currumbin

If you want to step into the 80s, Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club has you covered. From the carpeting to the greasy bartop, this place is a relic from the past. I love it.

Plus, it’s quite literally on the beach. Super relaxed vibes, family-friendly, and a whole cast of fun characters—what more could you want?

The menu is just classic surf club fare — think fish and chips, beer battered calamari, seafood basket, etc. I love coming here early on Friday afternoons and just watching the sun set — it’s spectacular.

Siblings - Kirra

Siblings is my favourite restaurant on the Gold Coast, HANDS DOWN. I love coming here - the food is always amazing, the drinks are great, the vibes are on point and the water view is soothing.

Everything I’ve had off the Siblings menu has been delicious (except for the apple crumble - that was a bit disappointing the last time I had it).

Any protein or sides here are tasty (I love the charred broccolini) and the flatbread is SO addictive. Siblings is always a 11/10.