Not too fancy, just fancy enough…. it’s more stressful that deciding what to wear. We’ve taken the guesswork out of courtship and present you with the best places for first dates on the GC.
ALOHA BAR & DINING | BROADBEACH
If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, say Aloha to Broadbeach’s favourite tiki bar. Woo your love interest over Dirty Hula Girls with West Winds Gin, Gosling’s Rum, cachaca, coconut sugar and kaffir lime leaf – or show off your alcohol tolerance with a rum soaked Zombie. We recommend ordering some crispy wonton tacos to go with your tiki drinks to prevent becoming an ACTUAL zombie.
OLD TOM RESTAURANT & BAR | BROADBEACH
Gin there, done that? If you’ve been in the dating game for a while, chances are you’ve been to Old Tom a couple of times – but there’s nothing stale about this cosy little spot. Get to know each other over plates of Kurobuta Pork Cheek, spanner crab toasties and Kangaroo tartare and hope they’re not too fond of skippy. Sip on Black Tom Collins and hope you don’t get the activated charcoal on your teeth!
LUPO RESTAURANT & BAR | MERMAID BEACH
Nothing says romance to us quite like locking eyes over a giant bowl of pasta. We recommend not going full Lady and the Tramp (we’ve tried it), but keep it slightly more chill with melt in your mouth beef shin ragu, fluffy parcels of potato gnocchi and glasses of Small Fry Tangerine Dream amber wine.
IKU YAKITORI BAR | BURLEIGH HEADS
Bringing the best of Japan to the GC, Iku Yakitori is the perfect place for a first date bite. You’ll be sure to skewer their attention over chicken and meatball yakitori, plates of raw Hiramasa kingfish and beef tataki. Thirsty? Sip on sake, shochu and Japanese whisky and slurp back fresh oysters.
HIDEAWAY KITCHEN & BAR | BROADBEACH
Where better to have a first date than hidden away from the prying eyes of the public? With a focus on casual Asian-style dining, Hideaway is known for its small plates and bold flavours. Share plates of pork and prawn sugarcane lollipops, succulent duck breast pancakes, Freemantle octopus charred with lime sambal and yuzu soy and bowls of delicate soft-shell crab salad with pomelo watermelon and yellow eggplant curry. Sip on lychee bellinis and coconut mojitos and craft beers.
So pick out that perfect outfit and go forth – just take it easy on the cocktails!
Read more: Valentine’s Day date ideas
