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Best cafes, bars and eateries in Burleigh

Updated: Aug 14, 2024

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.  

Engulfed in charming sea views, Rick Shores is a crown jewel in the Burleigh dining experience.
One of the Gold Coast's hidden dining treasures - a stunning little restaurant-bar whose entry is via a wine cellar
An exquisite Thai street food restaurant and bar nestled within Burleigh Heads' bustling shopping and dining strip
The Burleigh Pavilion, with its relaxed, buzzing environment and spectacular view, is essential in any visit to the Gold Coast.
A chic Mediterranean restaurant and bar serving delectable home-style Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine
Palm Springs Burleigh is a Southern Californian inspired cafe channelling a desert oasis
A gorgeous tapas bar with a chic beachy vibe and stunning ocean views tucked away on top of North Burleigh Heads SLSC
The place to stop for specialty coffee, all-day breakie and lunch right on Burleigh Beach
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
Twin delights, Canteen Kitchen and Coffee offer traditional Middle Eastern flavours and a premier espresso bar
A bright and casual eatery bringing an authentic and unique taste of Italian street food to Burleigh Arcade
Tucked down an alleyway off James St, you'll find this charming Mexi-Cali eatery, serving delicious tacos and cold margaritas
A tiny intimate restaurant on the other side of the Gold Coast highway, where owners address all customers by name like in a VIP lounge.
Woodbox Café is home to coffee made with passion, food that is wholesome, organic and so tasty
Heritage listed Plantation House Café is a rustic treasure with welcoming vibes and fresh home-made fare
Under a lush green canopy, this trendy Burleigh café serves up wholesome goodies and excellent coffee.
A vibrant and funky breakfast and brunch hotspot, Commune is a must do for lovers of organic food and coffee.
Pancake Diner is a 1950's retro American diner bringing a touch of Happy Days to Burleigh Heads
A secret Hacienda-style cocktail garden whose patron saint is Dolly Parton, tucked away next to Mo's Desert Clubhouse
A hidden gem of a cafe tucked away in a home centre and serving delicious all-day breakfast
Sobah Brewery & Cafe is Australia's first non-alcoholic beer company, proudly Aboriginal owned and located in Burleigh Heads
Tarte Bakery & Cafe is a little slice of France on a corner of Burleigh Heads' popular James St precinct
Burleigh Baker is an unassuming little white store on the corner of James St that is in a league of its own
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.
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.

By Michaela Lyons.

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