Best Food in Burleigh Heads: Where to Eat Near ULTIQA Burleigh Mediterranean Resort
ULTIQA Hotels & Resorts Team
Staying at ULTIQA Burleigh Mediterranean Resort puts you on The Esplanade at North Burleigh, steps from the beach and an easy stroll from some of the best food in Burleigh Heads. You can grab a beachfront coffee in the morning, walk the coastal path to James Street for lunch and finish with sunset dinner and drinks overlooking the ocean. Here are our picks for where to eat in Burleigh Heads for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with approximate travel times from the resort.
Best Breakfast in Burleigh Heads
Burleigh is known for its cafe culture. Whether you want a quick coffee before a swim or a slow weekend brunch, these breakfast spots are an easy start to the day.
North Burleigh Surf Club
Location: 293 The Esplanade, Miami
Approximate travel time: 5 minutes on foot
The closest option to the resort, North Burleigh Surf Club sits right on the beachfront with views along the sand to Burleigh Headland. Its casual menu covers classic breakfasts alongside lighter options, and it is a relaxed spot for families after an early swim between the flags. Meals here also help support the volunteer lifesavers who patrol North Burleigh Beach. Check the club's current trading hours before you go, as breakfast times can vary across the week.
Borough Barista
Location: 14 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads
Approximate travel time: 15-20 minutes on foot
Follow the beachfront path south from the resort and you will reach Borough Barista, a long-time local favourite overlooking Burleigh Beach. It is ideal for a specialty coffee and all-day breakfast after a morning walk, and its position at the southern end of The Esplanade makes it a natural starting point for exploring James Street and Burleigh Head National Park.
Paddock Bakery
Location: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
Approximate travel time: 5 minutes by car
Set in a restored Queenslander cottage with a leafy garden, Paddock Bakery is one of the most popular cafes on the Gold Coast. Its wood-fired sourdough, doughnuts and pastries draw a crowd, so arrive early on weekends. Paddock does not take bookings and orders are made at the counter. Pick up a loaf on the way back and enjoy it in your apartment's fully equipped kitchen. For more Burleigh coffee recommendations, see our guide to the best cafes on the Gold Coast.
Best Lunch in Burleigh Heads
Lunch in Burleigh can be as simple as a bakery stop or as leisurely as a long afternoon above the beach. These venues cover both.
Sandfire
Location: Level 1, 293 The Esplanade, Miami
Approximate travel time: 5 minutes on foot
Upstairs from North Burleigh Surf Club, Sandfire has ocean views stretching from Miami to Burleigh Headland and a menu of globally inspired share plates, seafood and cocktails. On weekends, its Spritz & Share brunch is designed for groups who want a slow, social lunch by the water. Friday Social includes complimentary canapes from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, and there is live music on Sunday afternoons. Sandfire is an 18+ venue, so it is best suited to couples and adult groups.
Tarte Bakery & Cafe
Location: Corner of James Street and West Street, Burleigh Heads
Approximate travel time: 20 minutes on foot
Opened by the original founders of Paddock Bakery, Tarte is a bakery and cafe at the top of James Street with plenty of leafy outdoor seating. Its New York-style bagels are a popular lunch choice, and the pastry cabinet makes it hard to leave without something sweet. It is a convenient stop while browsing the boutiques along James Street.
Burleigh Pavilion
Location: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Approximate travel time: 20-25 minutes on foot
Overlooking Burleigh Beach and the point, Burleigh Pavilion is one of the busiest beachfront venues on the Gold Coast. Its relaxed bar and dining spaces suit a long lunch, a casual drink after a walk through Burleigh Head National Park or a catch-up with friends. Expect a lively crowd on weekends.
Best Dinner in Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads restaurants range from iconic beachfront dining to casual street food. Choose a sunset table by the ocean or keep it relaxed close to the resort.
Rick Shores
Location: Shop 3, 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Approximate travel time: 20-25 minutes on foot
Sitting directly on the sand at the southern end of Burleigh Beach, Rick Shores is one of the Gold Coast's best-known restaurants. Its Asian-inspired menu is built around seafood and share plates, and the famous bug rolls are a must-order. The ocean outlook makes it a favourite for sunset dinners and special occasions. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.
The Tropic
Location: Burleigh Pavilion, Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Approximate travel time: 20-25 minutes on foot
Located on the northern side of Burleigh Pavilion, The Tropic offers a more refined dining experience with sweeping views across Burleigh Beach to the Gold Coast skyline. It is a good choice for couples or a celebration dinner when you want to dress up a little. Book ahead and request a table with a view.
Miami Marketta
Location: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
Approximate travel time: 5 minutes by car
For a casual night out, Miami Marketta brings together street food stalls, bars and live music in a warehouse-style setting just north of Burleigh. With food from around the world, it works well for families and groups who all want something different. The Marketta also hosts concerts and themed events, so check its calendar before visiting.
North Burleigh Surf Club
Location: 293 The Esplanade, Miami
Approximate travel time: 5 minutes on foot
For an easy, affordable dinner close to your accommodation, head back to North Burleigh Surf Club. The menu includes Australian pub classics, seafood and lighter options, and the ground-floor beer garden often hosts live music. It is a relaxed choice for families when no one wants to travel far after a big day at the beach.
An Easy Day of Eating in Burleigh
Start with a coffee and a beachside walk south along The Esplanade to Borough Barista, then wander up James Street and pick up lunch at Tarte Bakery & Cafe. Spend the afternoon on Burleigh Beach or back at the resort's pools, then head upstairs at Sandfire for sunset drinks before dinner at Rick Shores.
Prefer a night in? Pick up fresh seafood and local produce during the day and cook dinner in your apartment or on the resort's rooftop barbecue area, with ocean breezes and views across North Burleigh.
Burleigh Food Guide FAQs
Where is the best place to eat in Burleigh Heads?
Rick Shores and Burleigh Pavilion are two of the best-known places to eat in Burleigh Heads, both with beachfront views. For breakfast and brunch, Paddock Bakery and Borough Barista are local favourites.
Can you walk to Burleigh Heads restaurants from North Burleigh?
Yes. The beachfront path connects North Burleigh with James Street and Goodwin Terrace, and most venues in this guide are within a 25-minute walk of ULTIQA Burleigh Mediterranean Resort. North Burleigh Surf Club and Sandfire are around five minutes away on foot.
Do I need to book restaurants in Burleigh Heads?
Bookings are recommended for popular dinner venues such as Rick Shores and The Tropic, particularly on weekends and during school holidays. Many cafes, including Paddock Bakery, operate on a walk-in basis.
Stay Close to the Best Food in Burleigh
ULTIQA Burleigh Mediterranean Resort is located on The Esplanade at North Burleigh, moments from the beach and within walking distance of the surf club, cafes and the Burleigh Heads dining precinct. With self-contained one, two and three-bedroom apartments, indoor and outdoor pools and rooftop barbecue areas, it is a relaxed base for exploring Burleigh Heads and the wider Gold Coast.
Heading further south? Read our guide to the best food in Coolangatta.
Contact us today or book your Burleigh Heads accommodation directly with ULTIQA Hotels & Resorts.
Travel times are approximate and calculated from ULTIQA Burleigh Mediterranean Resort at 220 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads. Restaurant menus, opening hours and availability can change, so check directly with each venue before visiting.