What can you do? If you do one thing this week, support a local small business.
There are so many deserving venues to choose from, but here are our top picks:
St Helens Bar & Restaurant – Kirra
St Helens is your friendly neighbourhood restaurant, celebrating food you can actually sink your teeth into.
Featuring one-of-a-kind burgers and other classic favourites with a gourmet spin, Chef Jess Hayes has created a menu that is simple and unpretentious, yet simultaneously extravagant.
Pair with one of their signature cocktails and you are set for the perfect night (or day) out.
Don’t take our word for it – they have been racking up several Traveller’s Choice Awards now.
Why we love them: $12 cocktails every Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm. PLUS Happy Hour by the Beach every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5pm.
Haig St Cafe– Kirra
Haig St IS the heart of Kirra.
Emma Collingwood the owner, has struck the rare balance between finding staff who both reflect the town’s laidback surf culture and provide silver service.
Open from sunrise 7 days a week, staff are always ready to welcome you with a warm smile and an even warmer cup of Dimattina coffee, as you check the surf conditions along WSL favourite, Kirra Beach.
The menu caters for the whole family, serving all your favourite breakfast and lunch classics; as well as freshly-squeezed juices and real fruit smoothies for the health conscious; old-school milkshakes and a special menu for the kids; wines and local beers for an early knock-off; and house-made cakes for a special treat.
Why we love them: It’s the place to go to when you want to feel at home, but you don’t want to cook!
Xenia Bar & Grill – Coolangatta
Just because you can’t travel to any exotic and faraway islands right now doesn’t mean you can’t pretend!
Xenia Bar & Grill is the next best thing, transporting your senses to the Greek Islands, while you relax and enjoy a beach-side lunch or dinner with loved ones.
Indulge in authentic, traditional Greek delicacies such as souvlaki and meze; while sipping on the finest cocktails, most refreshing wines and coldest beers outside of Mykonos.
Why we love them: Enjoy a drink on the deck while overlooking vibrant Coolangatta Beach and watching the sun go down. Yasou!
Backbone Bar & Kitchen – Tugun
Relax, unwind and be completely yourself in this truly comfortable and relaxed environment.
Backbone’s casual dining menu and fun décor pays homage to our GC lifestyle and the street culture that makes Tugun such an edgy suburb these days.
Enjoy a fabulous tapas menu full of fresh Asian “street eats” including light bites, dumplings, bao buns, healthy bowls, large plates and sweets; paired with a great craft beer and wine menu.
Why we love them: Their vegan and GF menu is beyond!
The Collective – Palm Beach
Housing an eclectic array of food offerings – for foodies made by foodies – this unique, market-style destination is like a mini-Expo.
With five separate kitchens serving American, Italian, Mexican, Asian and Greek offerings, even that one fussy member of your group will be satisfied. (Relief.)
Stay a little longer and sample their exciting new cocktail menu, including the Au Lait Martini (espresso martini served in a waffle cone) and Boozy Tea Cups (Portuguese Breakfast with gin, Cointreau and homemade marmalade).
Why we love them: The huge rooftop bar is perfect for group hangs, special occasions, sunset drinks and weekend vibes, looking out over the hinterland.
So, what are you waiting for?
It really doesn’t matter. Simply get out there and #supportlocalbusiness
