Having recently won some of Australia's most respected food and wine awards, Gold Coast restaurateurs continue to emerge as a constant favourite among travellers and food critics alike, creating an impressive and evolving food scene right here in South East Queensland.

Last week, TripAdvisor announced its 2015 Travellers' Choice Awards for restaurants around the world with the Gold Coast's The Fish House awarded second place in the Top 10 Restaurants in Australia.  This is the second consecutive year the Gold Coast has taken second place, with this prestigious award going to Allure on Currumbin in 2014.

Earlier this year, the Gold Coast also emerged as the biggest winner in the 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide, with Gold Coast restaurants receiving an impressive 14 Chef's hats.

“In recent years, the Gold Coast has quietly undergone a food revolution with a diverse range of new restaurants delivering exceptional dining experiences all along the coast,” Gold Coast Tourism CEO, Martin Winter said. “It's encouraging to see through these esteemed awards, the rest of the nation is recognising and embracing the Gold Coast's evolving dining landscape,” he added.

“Our restaurants have taken out some prestigious awards this year, proving that the Gold Coast has really raised the bar in the culinary scene to become a desirable dining destination.

“The Gold Coast offers a vibrant mix of culinary experiences – from bustling street food markets to funky hole-in-the-wall cafes and fine dining with magnificent views unmatched anywhere else in Australia.

“Our culinary culture has grown up and it is great to see that our local restaurants and chefs receiving the national recognition they deserve,” Gold Coast Tourism CEO, Martin Winter concluded.

Ten of the Gold Coast's award-winning restaurants:

The Fish House, Burleigh Heads

Second place, 2015 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for Australia's Top 10 Restaurants

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food & Travel Guide

Two Chef Hats, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Best Restaurant, Courier Mail Queensland's Top 100 Food Experiences

Finalist (Two Wine Glasses), 2015 Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards

With stunning views over the iconic Burleigh Beach and coastline beyond, The Fish House is Simon Gloftis' speciality fish and seafood restaurant.  The Fish House boasts the freshest seafood (flown in from across Australia daily) matched with a vast selection of excellent wines (with over 25 available by the glass) from all over the globe. Try the Patagonian Toothfish or the oven baked Petuna Ocean Trout.

Kiyomi at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Broadbeach

Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Best Prestige Restaurant, Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence

Best Restaurant, Courier Mail Queensland's Top 100 Food Experiences

Chef of the Year (Executive Chef Chase Kojima), Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence

Best Employee – Food & Beverage (Head Bartender Thomas Angel), Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence

Since opening its doors in December 2014, the Japanese restaurant Kiyomi at Jupiters Hotel & Casino has won several awards for its cutting-edge approach to dining. Kiyomi has been labelled by many as an unsurpassed culinary experience, with its spectacular menu crafted by internationally recognised Executive Chef Chase Kojima who was recently awarded 'Chef of the Year' at the Australian Hotels Association 2015 National Awards for Excellence.

Allure on Currumbin, Currumbin

Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Second place, 2014 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for Australia's Top 10 Restaurants

A constant favourite among travellers and food critics, the brasserie offers a classic French menu with an Australian touch. Guests can indulge in classic French favourites, such as Duck a l'orange, and locally-caught seafood. The elegant casual dining concept means guests can expect excellent service and outstanding culinary creations in a relaxed atmosphere on the estuary at Currumbin.

Seaduction Restaurant and Bar at Peppers Soul, Surfers Paradise

Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food & Travel Guide

Seaduction offers guests an exclusive fine dining experience with uninterrupted ocean views from every table. The acclaimed menu is contemporary Australian, influenced by an abundance of local and seasonal produce and carefully matched with selected local and international wines.

Salt Grill at Hilton, Surfers Paradise

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food & Travel Guide

Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Treating guests to the renowned culinary flair of celebrity Chef Luke Mangan, Salt Grill combines a modern Australian menu with a boutique selection of wines. Through the excitement and theatre of an open kitchen, Salt Grill embraces the energy and vibrancy of Surfers Paradise.

Vanitas at Palazzo Versace, Main Beach

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food & Travel Guide

Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Vanitas offers an exceptional culinary experience perfectly situated in an elegant dining room with sparkling lagoon views and an exquisite 13-metre painting presenting the life of Gianni Versace. Enjoy a beautifully crafted signature degustation dining experience with matching wines, guaranteed to take your taste-buds on an unforgettable culinary journey. 

Songbirds Rainforest Retreat, Mt Tamborine

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food & Travel Guide

Nestled into the green hills of the Gold Coast Hinterland, the restaurant at Songbirds Rainforest Retreat takes guests on an unforgettable culinary journey of aromas and flavours that leave your taste buds longing for more. Songbird's creative culinary team selects the finest ingredients and uses organic produce when possible to prepare meals in a fresh, innovative style, served in a beautiful environment.

Cucina Vivo at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Broadbeach

Best Restaurant (Accommodation Hotel Division), Queensland Hotels Association Awards for Excellence

Drawing on traditional Italian food culture, Cucina Vivo offers an Italian menu with traditional favourites, as well as inspired interpretations of the classics. Overlooking the newly-renovated pool, the restaurant is Jupiters' first outdoor dining venue. Its centrepiece is a two-metre long wood-fired oven, with Jupiters' own pizzaiolo at the helm. Make sure you book in for Cucina Vivo's pizza making classes!

room81 at Sofitel Gold Coast, Broadbeach

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Discover the flavours of room81's menu featuring fresh local ingredients paired with fine wine and creative cocktails. Relax in a dynamic but intimate setting and observe the techniques and prowess of Chef Sam Moore and his team as they prepare each dish.

Videre at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Benowa

Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

Videre offers a European inspired menu of innovative creations and mouth-watering flavours. Boasting two Chef Tables, a private dining room, a dedicated bar area, and an open kitchen, the restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience. Take in the stunning views of the surrounding hinterland, golf grounds and city skyline while indulging in tantalising dishes made from the finest Queensland seasonal produce.

Other award-winning Gold Coast restaurants:

• Chill on Tedder, Main Beach- Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

• Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, Main Beach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

• Hank Dining & Bar, Broadbeach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

• Hellenika, Nobby Beach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

• JoneZ on Food– Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

• Little Truffle Dining, Mermaid Beach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide

• Moo Moo Gold Coast, Broadbeach – Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

• Ristorante Fellini, Main beach - Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide and 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

• RockSalt, Broadbeach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide and 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

• Social Eating House, Broadbeach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide and 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide; Best Restaurant, Courier Mail Queensland's Top 100 Food Experiences

• Ten Japanese Restaurant, Broadbeach – Chef Hat, 2015 Australian Good Food Guide and 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide; Best Restaurant, Courier Mail Queensland's Top 100 Food Experiences

• Verve, Broadbeach – Chef Hat, 2016 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide

Image 1:  Restaurateur, Simon Gloftis at his Award-winning Fish House.    
Image 2:  Gold Coast dining comes of age, the Fish House.

About the Gold Coast: Australia's Gold Coast is a diverse city, offering action-packed days and fun-filled nights enjoyed by more than 11 million visitors each year. The 57 kilometres of sand and surf, 100,000 hectares of Heritage-listed rainforest, award winning dining, active pursuits and an ever-evolving events calendar and more than 300 days of sunshine annually confirm the Gold Coast as a year-round destination of choice.

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