The Gold Coast, traditionally known for its beach culture, has undergone a culinary transformation, with diverse and exciting food offerings in the southern region. Myffy Rigby explores what's good in the Gold Coast Hood.
AUDREY’S – THE CONTINENTAL SORRENTO (1 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento)
Audrey's is a restaurant named after chef Scott Pickett's grandmother. The menu focuses on seafood but includes a sumptuous David Blackmore wagyu rump cap with Bordelaise sauce and potatoes. Young Chef of the Year Nicholas Deligiannis presents a menu that features Mornington Peninsula squid ink noodles and a delightful vacherin dessert.
LE CAPUCIN (Shop 1/3770 Point Nepean Road, Portsea)
Le Capucin is a French-style café run by Loïc and Kirsty Duchet. It caters to early risers who enjoy croissants and cappuccinos by colorful outdoor tables. Their beef bourguignon pie, made in-house, is a flaky, gravy-soaked delight. This cafe is perfect for a post-dawn swim meal.
MONTALTO ESTATE (33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South)
Montalto Estate offers a bucolic setting with a focus on fresh, locally sourced produce. Chef Matt Wilkinson crafts a menu cooked on a central wood-fired grill, featuring dishes like wood-fired rump cap and slow-cooked lamb leg with house-made XO sauce. Guests can enjoy their meal outdoors while savoring the fresh air.
PORTSEA HOTEL (3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea)
Portsea Hotel is a unique Tudor-style hotel on the Australian coast with unparalleled views of Port Phillip Bay. Established in 1876, it offers a famous Portsea burger, and a diverse menu includes pizzas and a crab cocktail. A must-try is the meatballs with house-made passata.
TEDESCA (1175 Mornington-Flinders Road, Red Hill)
Tedesca in Red Hill is the brainchild of renowned chef Brigitte Hafner. The restaurant features a wood-fired oven and carefully grown vegetables, including juicy lamb cutlets served with polenta and beans. The warm and inviting ambiance, lined with art, makes it an ideal place to savor the fresh, locally-sourced food.
FOXEYS HANGOUT (795 White Hill Road, Red Hill)
Foxeys Hangout is a modest winery known for its team camaraderie and spicy meatballs. Guests can enjoy these delightful bites along with a yogurt dipping sauce while gazing at the winery views and sipping on a juicy pinot.
JOHNNY RIPE (284 Main Creek Road, Main Ridge)
Johnny Ripe offers small-batch pies that are a regional pastry delight. Located near a lavender farm, their chunky beef pie is a standout, complemented by tomato relish and an apple pie for dessert. Perfect for a relaxing picnic experience.
MANTONS CREEK ESTATE (240 Tucks Road, Shoreham)
Mantons Creek Estate combines fine dining with the best local produce. Chef Vincenzo Ursini presents dishes like handmade pasta, pepper steak using beef short rib, and That's Amore burrata with 15-year-old balsamic vinegar. The restaurant's commitment to fresh ingredients shines through.
The Mornington Peninsula offers a diverse culinary landscape with options ranging from coastal seafood to farm-to-table experiences and winery delights, making it an exciting destination for food enthusiasts.