Our favourite cafés and restaurants in Burleigh Heads

By Jacqui, your host at Abby’s Burleigh Haven. 2 November 2026. 4 min read.

Burleigh Heads has an enviable spread of places to eat, from a garden bakery to beachfront terraces. Here is our shortlist, with a few notes to help you choose.

Breakfast and coffee

Paddock Bakery

A much-loved cafe and bakery set in a charming garden, with pastries, sourdough and a brunch menu that changes. It is busy for good reason, so go early at weekends and expect a queue, which is half the fun.

Beachfront dining

Rick Shores

Dining right on the sand with the ocean in front of you. It suits a special occasion, so book ahead, especially for sunset and weekends.

The Tropic

On the northern side of Burleigh Pavilion, The Tropic has sweeping views of the Gold Coast horizon and is known for its sunsets and shareable Mediterranean-style plates.

Burleigh Surf Club

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club has a beach kiosk, a sports bar and a restaurant right by the sand. It is a relaxed, no-fuss place for a drink or a meal after a swim.

Dinner in the village

Jimmy Wah’s

Modern Vietnamese food with an Australian twist, and a local favourite since 2016. The sharing-style dishes suit groups, and there is a “Feed Me” option if you would rather leave the choosing to the kitchen.

A slow day: Greenhouse The Bathhouse

Not a restaurant, but worth a place on any Burleigh shortlist. Greenhouse The Bathhouse is a boutique thermal bathhouse in Tallebudgera Valley, a short drive from Burleigh, with heated mineral pools, a steam room, a red cedar sauna and a cold plunge. There is also a plant-based canteen, so you can follow a soak with lunch. Sessions need booking and it is not open every day, so check ahead.

Tips for eating out in Burleigh

• Book ahead for weekends, sunset tables and school holidays.
• Check hours and menus before you go, as they change often.
• Travelling with a dog? Ask each venue whether pets are welcome, and read our pet-friendly guide to Burleigh Heads.
• Prefer to stay in? Fire up the barbecue and pizza stone on the deck at the house.

Planning more than a meal? See our weekend itinerary for groups or our day-trip ideas.