La Bella Cellar

LA BELLA CELLAR HAS CLOSED.

La Bella Cellar is one of the Gold Coast's absolute hidden dining treasures - a stunning little restaurant-bar whose entry is via a wine cellar in a back street of Burleigh Heads.

Nestled in a line-up of shops alongside The Little Plate, from the street La Bella Cellar, which boasts an award-winning chef and a first class wine selection. looks like a hole-in-the-wall, with little clue as to what lies inside. 

Customers can take a seat on the covered terrace outside or the cosy Medierranean-style interior with its creamy white-washed walls, arched mirrors, banquette and planter boxes along one side and charming backlit bar at the rear.

On the exquisite eclectic menu are small plates that you'll want to try every each and every one of, starting with the melt-in-the-mouth LBC fried cauliflower with mango chimichurri, black garlic chilli and pomegranite gel; and coal kissed kingfish with ponzu, shichimi togarashi and fresh wasabi.

Must-try as well are the Korean beef tacos (bulgogi beef, kimchi and kewpie mayo and the curried sausage (baby goat fried curry leaves & coconut, kafia lime) or the goulash (Wagyu beef shin, baby veg and Uborksalata).

Also highly recommended is the Saganaki Flambe (Kefalograviera, roast honey walnuts & cranberries); and the smoked duck croquettes with vanilla-carrot puree and red wine sherry gel), both of which are served with a side of theatre.

Large plates are every bit as delectable, with choices such as lamb rack with Jerusalem artichoke puree, winter bean salad and jus; lobster bisque (snow crab, Moreton Bay bugs & horseradish creme fraiche; or Geese 2 ways, with spätzle, blaukraut & chestnuts.

There's also pumpkin gnocchi or Hangar steak with parsnip puree, roast fennel and honey poached shallots with pepper sauce; while for dessert there is a choice of lemon meringue pie or white chocolate panna cotta.

As well as an impressive carefully curated wine selection from around the world in the ceiling-to-floor walk-through cellar, La Bella Cellar serves killer cocktails such as White Choc and Ginger Mojito, Salted Caramel Espresso Martini; Lychee and Coconut Nectar; and Melon Spritz. 

Need to know - There is a limited amount of street parking in Deodar Drive, which is a cul-de-sac.