The Gold Coast may once have been more renowned for its super cars and nightclubs than its dining offerings, but that’s fast changing thanks to an influx of new eateries along the coastal strip. Perhaps no one can boast better dining than Burleigh right now, with the beachside suburb now home to Rick Shores, Restaurant Labart, The Fish House and most recently Burleigh Pavilion. The latter is an epic 600-pax precinct right on the shoreline that is the first Queensland outpost for the Sydney-based hospitality team behind Manly Wharf Hotel, Mrs Sippy Sydney and Mrs Sippy Bali.

The two-storey oceanfront Pavilion hosts two distinct areas within its walls. At the northern end sits full-service (and slightly more formal) restaurant, The Tropic, while the front outdoor space has been dubbed The Terrace. The latter is far more casual offering, designed for a casual beverage straight after a dip in the ocean, or a surf (and comes complete with outdoor shower and surf rack). As for The Tropic, that’s to be manned by former Cottage Point Inn head chef Guillaume Zika and his team. “You really can’t beat the location,” he says. “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 Zika.

Zika and co have created a menu for the 240-seater which celebrates local produce from the south Gold Coast and northern New South Wales region. Evidently there’s seafood aplenty, with the seafood platter a must-have, and fellow fishy dishes ranging from a giant octopus to grilled tiger prawns with dry vermouth butter. “My whole seafood offering is from Australia and New Zealand. The pavilion seafood platter with prawns, oysters kingsfish, smoked salmon, pickled mussels, Morton Bay bugs, octopus and caviar is a must-try,” says Zika. But there are plenty of non-seafood dishes to indulge in as well, including a rather experimental wood-fired pig doughnut.

If you were craving something casual, make a beeline for The Terrace where you’re welcome to drop in straight off the sand below. The 400-capacity bar is focused on booze and snacks alike. Think wood-fired pizzas, beer-battered fish and chips, and a particularly tempting French Dip steak sandwich layered with grilled silverside, caramelised onions, pickles, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard.

Accompany your feast with a 90-strong wine list of local and international drops, in typical Queensland fashion offered in both small and large glasses. There are approximately 14 beers on tap including local favourites Balter, Stone and Wood, and Burleigh Brewing. There’s also an abundance of tropical cocktails, including a Rosy Gin Kombucha served with gin, Campari, lemon juice, fresh ginger with lemon and ginger kombucha, and the Burleigh Barrel with Bacardi Fuego spiced rum, Licor 43, strawberry, lime and vanilla sugar. It being the Sunshine State there’s also rum-favouring The Point, made with spiced rum, Malibu, pineapple, ginger syrup and lime.

Burleigh Pavilion is open daily from 11.00am till midnight while The Tropic will open doors from midday. Level 1, 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads; burleighpavilion.com.