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Best cafes, bars and eateries in Burleigh

Burleigh Beach Burleigh Heads

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Bohemian Burleigh is home to one of the most iconic and beautiful beaches in Australia, with its idyllic crystal-blue waters and white-sand beach, protected by a sacred fauna-and flora-covered headland. It is also home to one of the most popular café, bar and restaurant scenes on the coast, offering everything from hole-on-the wall coffee kiosks to a more curated culinary experience. Walking distance from the beach is a hive of hip coffee-hangs and quality-yet-casual cafés, and just over the hill you’ll find more hidden gems, spoiling foodies for choice. Find out about ten of the best.

Rick Shores Burleigh Heads

Engulfed in charming sea views, Rick Shores is a crown jewel in the Burleigh dining experience.

The Laneway Burleigh

Exterior seating

A cosy Burleigh favourite for stone-baked pizzas, fresh pasta, cocktails and relaxed local dining.

Limlay Thai Burleigh Heads

An exquisite Thai street food restaurant and bar nestled within Burleigh Heads' bustling shopping and dining strip

Burleigh Pavilion

The Burleigh Pavilion, with its relaxed, buzzing environment and spectacular view, is essential in any visit to the Gold Coast.

Choubidou Café

Outdoor seating

Choubidou is a sunny pocket of France with delicious eats tucked away in Burleigh Heads.

Manny's Wine & Fish

Exterior of Manny's Wine & Fish Burleigh Heads

Manny's Wine & Fish is a rustic little Greek taverna-style restaurant and bar that is like finding a true slice of Greece in the heart of Burleigh Heads

Palm Springs Burleigh

Palm Springs Burleigh Heads

Palm Springs Burleigh is a Southern Californian inspired cafe channelling a desert oasis

Familiar Spirits

Entrance to Familiar Spirits Burleigh Heads

Familiar Spirits is one of the Gold Coast's true hidden treasures - a cool and chic tropical bar and cellar door tucked away in an industrial zone

Fletcher’s Pantry & Espresso

Outdoor tables

Fletcher's Pantry and Espresso is a cosy café in Burleigh Heads, serving up delicious pastries and hearty meals.

Sandfire Bar North Burleigh

A gorgeous tapas bar with a chic beachy vibe and stunning ocean views tucked away on top of North Burleigh Heads SLSC

Mohr Cafe & Deli

Customers seated outside Mohr Cafe Deli

Mohr Cafe & Deli combines a cool beachy neigbourhood vibe with a delicious chef-led menu in the back streets of Burleigh Heads

Positioned at the northern side of the Burleigh Pavilion, The Tropic offers sweeping views of the iconic Gold Coast horizon and a refined dining experience.

Jimmy Wah's mouth watering dining experience in Burleigh will have you blown away

Canteen Kitchen & Coffee

Canteen Kitchen & Coffee Burleigh

Twin delights, Canteen Kitchen and Coffee offer traditional Middle Eastern flavours and a premier espresso bar

Piada Co Burleigh Heads

A bright and casual eatery bringing an authentic and unique taste of Italian street food to Burleigh Arcade

Mr Hizola's Burleigh Heads

An opulent lantern-lit restaurant and bar serving up delicious contemporary Cantonese cuisine in the heart of Burleigh Heads

Sunny Days Distillery

Exterior facade of Sunny Days Distillery

Sunny Days is a funky vodka distillery and taproom tucked away in a massive warehouse in an industrial back street of Burleigh

Tucked down an alleyway off James St, you'll find this charming Mexi-Cali eatery, serving delicious tacos and cold margaritas

Facade with plants of Masu Izakaya

Masu Izakaya is a hidden gem of a restaurant serving up some of the best Japanese food to be found anywhere on the Gold Coast

George's Pizza Wine Bar

Whitewashed wall and entry to Georges Pizza Wine Bar

Georges Pizza Wine Bar is like the Gold Coast's own slice of the Greek Islands, found nestled on the edge of Burleigh Heads National Park

Plantation House Café

Plantation House Café

Heritage listed Plantation House Café is a rustic treasure with welcoming vibes and fresh home-made fare

Mexicano Del Rey

Mexicano Del Rey Burleigh Heads

Mexicano Del Rey is a family-run Mexican restaurant, dishing up an extensive menu of authentic Mexican eats, mouthwatering margaritas and a friendly atmosphere

External venue shot

Located between the beach and James St, Apres Surf is set to be your new favourite spot for all things comfort food and cocktails!

Conkabar's outdoors seating with tables and chairs on Connor St Burleigh Heads

Conkabar introduces 'Brexican,' a mash-up of classic Aussie brunch with a Mexican twist, in the heart of Burleigh Heads

Under a lush green canopy, this trendy Burleigh café serves up wholesome goodies and excellent coffee.

Pretty Handsome

Rooftop seating with umbrellas

Feel on top of the world at Pretty Handsome in Burleigh Heads. Their rooftop seating area is the perfect spot to enjoy your brekky!

Commune Burleigh

A vibrant and funky breakfast and brunch hotspot, Commune is a must do for lovers of organic food and coffee.

Rosella's Burleigh Heads

Rosella's is an Australiana-inspired bar dishing up Aussie-themed cocktails and delectable bar bites in Burleigh Heads

Doko Demo V, Burleigh Waters

DokoDemo V offers healthy, animal-friendly whole foods with a twist

Pancake Diner Burleigh Heads

Pancake Diner is a 1950's retro American diner bringing a touch of Happy Days to Burleigh Heads

Exterior of El Ranchero Burleigh Heads

A secret Hacienda-style cocktail garden whose patron saint is Dolly Parton, tucked away next to Mo's Desert Clubhouse

Metro Coffee Burleigh Heads

A hidden gem of a cafe tucked away in a home centre and serving delicious all-day breakfast

Crispy Italian Bar

Exterior Crispy Italian Bar Burleigh Heads

One of the Gold Coast's hidden gems - an authentic little Italian bar tucked away on the westside of the Gold Coast Highway

The Malibu Racquet Club

The Malibu Racquet Club, Burleigh Heads

The Malibu Racquet Club is a cool Californian-inspired cocktail bar in the heart of Burleigh Heads

Tarte Bakery & Café

Tarte Cafe Bakery Burleigh Heads

Tarte Bakery & Cafe is a little slice of France on a corner of Burleigh Heads' popular James St precinct

Burleigh Baker, Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Baker is an unassuming little white store on the corner of James St that is in a league of its own

Pink Monkey Bar & Grill

A rooftop dining and bar experience, featuring delicious wood fired pizzas, this Burleigh eatery is a gem.

Ze Pickle is the unconventional cool kid on the Burleigh Heads block – a craft beer, cocktail and burger bar where edgy urban street meets cabin in the woods.

Nightjar Burleigh Heads

A laidback, back alley dive bar tucked away down Burleigh's Justin Lane.

A hidden gem, this secret traditional Japanese eatery sits in an arcade just off Burleigh's esteemed James St.

People seated outside at Local Burleigh Heads

Local is Burleigh Heads' convivial dog friendly neighbourhood bar, eatery and beer garden, located in the main dining precinct

By Michaela Lyons.

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