The new Burleigh Pavilion has opened with excellent beachfront views in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. The crew behind the venue have previously opened Sydney’s popular Manly Wharf Hotel, Mrs Sippy in Double Bay and the Seminyak beach club of the same name.

Aside from the view, the highlight of the venue is the large open kitchen, which allows diners a front row seat to see Head Chef Guillaume Zika and his team at work. “You really can’t beat the location. It’s so special. Locals and visitors can enjoy whatever takes their mood – whether it be a casual bite, a finer dining experience, or just a short cool off from the beach,” says Guillaume. The Pavilion is split in two: at one end is The Tropic, offering fine dining. The Terrace, situated at the opposite end, provides a more relaxed atmosphere.

The Tropic’s produce-driven menu showcases ingredients from the local area and northern NSW region with standouts being the seafood platter and the woodfired pig doughnut. Other dishes on the 240-seater restaurant’s menu include buffalo curd, fresh figs, grilled sprout and orange dressing; giant octopus; grilled tiger prawns with dry vermouth butter, shellfish oil and basil; rib eye on the bone; and a dessert of roast yellow peach, coconut sorbet, gin and pistachio. “My whole seafood offering is from Australia and New Zealand. The pavilion seafood platter with prawns, oysters, kingfish, smoked salmon, pickled mussels, Morton Bay bugs, octopus and caviar is a must-try,” says Guillaume.

The Terrace is a more casual spot where you can step straight up from the sand, have a shower and rack your board off to the side. The 400-capacity bar area offers an extensive list of tasty bar bites. The menu includes classics like wood-fired pizzas and beer-battered fish and chips, as well as specialties like seared barra and a French Dip steak sandwich.

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