Beautiful Burleigh is the destination of choice for laid-back locals and in-the-know travellers, who've discovered there's more to the Gold Coast than the glitter strip.
It's a beachside precinct with style and substance without pretension. Bustling James Street is at its heart, creating a cool café and fashionable retail hub with a breezy, laid-back beach vibe. What's not to love?
Foodies are flocking to Burleigh Heads for its growing list of culinary hot spots. It's home to beachfront coffee spots, casual cafes for brunching, fine diners for sophisticated long lunches and cool rooftop bars for sunset drinks.
Enjoy our tips for the best places to eat, drink and stay in Burleigh Heads!
Where to Eat
Canteen Kitchen
Canteen Kitchen is our go-to spot for brunch in Burleigh. Tucked down a bustling arcade, you'll find this gem and its sister café next door, Canteen Coffee. Serving Middle Eastern inspired eats, we're a sucker for their avocado on sourdough toast with pistachio dukkah and Joseph olive oil. It's amazing what the team create out of this teeny-tiny kitchen!
Location: 3 Park Ave, Burleigh Heads
Urbanistar Burleigh
Further down the same arcade, if you need a little Free WiFi, this café is a great spot for our coffee loving, café hopping, laptop carrying friends. With an eclectic fitout featuring warm timbers, French Bistro chairs, pops of yellow from pendant lights, striped awnings and colourful mural all make for a cheery spot for an afternoon coffee.
Location: 21 Park Ave, Burleigh Heads
The Fish House
It's worth travelling to Burleigh alone to experience a long lunch at The Fish House. The Fish House is one of the Gold Coast's most celebrated restaurants and for good reason. Top-notch service, stunning coastal setting and sophisticated seafood menu make for a memorable dining experience. For seafood-lovers, this is a must visit!
Location: 50 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Rick Shores
One of the newest additions to the Burleigh food scene, Rick Shores offers modern Asian dining, matched with one of the Gold Coast's most iconic locations. Perched absolute beachfront, you're in a prime position to admire the GC coastline and enjoy cuisine by Chef Ben Bertei and sip on coast inspired cocktails.
Location: 3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Commune
Away from the beach and in an unassuming location on the Gold Coast Highway, settle in amongst the quirky furnishings for some retro-relaxing! Serving Campos Coffee and a side of sunshine, it's a fun spot for brunching on the GC.
Location: 1844 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Where to Drink
Justin Lane
With a brilliant rooftop bar, you simply can't go wrong at Justin Lane! With sunny skies and shady market umbrellas, enjoy an afternoon of killer cocktails, cool tunes and views of Burleigh Beach. If you linger longer, stay for handmade pizza and pasta, ideal for long, lazy summer days.
Location: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Ze Pickle
Opening its flagship store in Burleigh, Ze Pickle is all set to make waves in the burger-world having already opened outposts in Brisbane and Sydney. Grab a seat under the black and white striped awning and kick back with a coldie from a rotating selection of 12 craft beers on tap from around Australia and abroad.
Location: 1/37 Connor St, Burleigh Heads
Nook Espresso
For a fast caffeine fix, this hole in the wall coffee joint serves excellent coffee beachside in the cutest little Instagram worthy cups!
Location: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Shop
Indiana
Our favourite store on the James Street strip, Indiana is inspired by luxe living and lifestyle with a beautiful curated collection of homewares and gifts. Indiana captures a chic, luxurious coastal style with Moroccan, Turkish and Indian influences.
Location: 3/52 James St, Burleigh Heads
Village
Another beautiful homewares store is Village. With a strong Moroccan influence there's a wide selection of decorator items, cushions, furniture, lighting and rugs on offer.
Location: 1/50-52 James St, Burleigh Heads
Urban Groove
Urban Groove is a cute gift shop oozing with character and charm, offering a great selection of fun, colourful homewares and gifts. Loved the gorgeous stationery and foiled prints by Papier d'Amour.
Location: 8 James St, Burleigh Heads
Big 'B' Books
Love this new and second hand book store brimming with a great selection of novels, perfect to discover your next beach read! Best of all they run a book exchange if you don't want to carry your book back home post-holiday.
Location: 16/50 James St, Burleigh Heads
Where to Stay
Bujerum Apartments
The pick of where to stay in Burleigh has to be Bujerum Apartments. These designer apartments are in a boutique block of just 5 apartments, directly overlooking Burleigh Beach. Our favourite is the three bedroom penthouse, spacious, light and airy with long verandah to enjoy sundowners with friends or family.
Bujerum Apartments from $215 per night
Browse our full collection of Gold Coast accommodation and book online with no fees at alluxia.
Did we miss your favourite? Share your Burleigh Heads tips below!
Image credit: Canteen, Fish House, Rick Shores, Weekend Edition
