Food & drink guide

Where to eat in Burleigh Heads

Choose Rick Shores for a beachside sharing lunch, Labart for a small dining room and a changing menu, Jimmy Wah’s for modern Vietnamese food, or Maman for a Mediterranean-style evening on James Street. For breakfast, keep it simple with a café near the part of Burleigh you want to explore.

By ParadiseGrove editorial team Last checked 9 September 2026
Burleigh Beach in late-afternoon light
Make time for a beach walk around your meal. Burleigh Beach in 2021; photo by Misaochan2, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized. This is a beach photograph, not a view from any featured restaurant.

Restaurants

Rick Shores

Setting:
Beachfront, 3/43 Goodwin Terrace
Style:
Pan-Asian food designed for sharing

The dining room sits directly beside Burleigh Beach, making the setting part of the occasion. The Southeast Asian menu is intended for sharing. We would choose a daylight meal if the view is the main reason for booking, then leave time for a walk rather than rushing to another reservation. Ask about seating preferences when booking; a particular table is not guaranteed.

Official Rick Shores website

Restaurant Labart

Setting:
Neighbourhood dining room, 8 West Street
Style:
Contemporary European bistro

Labart’s changing menu offers à la carte dining or a shared set menu, currently A$95 per person. Groups of seven or more use the set menu. Dinner runs Wednesday–Saturday, with lunch Friday–Saturday. Choose it for a menu-focused evening in Burleigh; its small room has no pram or high-chair space and no children’s menu. See the restaurant’s booking details for dietary arrangements.

Official Restaurant Labart website

Jimmy Wah's

Setting:
Central Burleigh dining room
Style:
Modern Vietnamese

At 1724 Gold Coast Highway, Jimmy Wah’s serves modern Vietnamese sharing food, with current dishes including soft-shell-crab banh mi and Vietnamese pancake. Lunch and dinner run seven days a week. Choose it for a sociable meal with several dishes to try, especially if the group wants a different direction from European bistro dining. The menu also lists vegetarian choices; discuss allergies with the restaurant.

Official Jimmy Wah's website

Maman Bar & Kitchen

Setting:
49 James Street
Style:
Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates, cocktails and wine

Flatbread, dips, halloumi and spanakopita give Maman’s sharing menu a Mediterranean direction. It suits a James Street evening when you want to order for the table. Published service starts at 5pm Tuesday–Thursday and noon Friday–Saturday. For menu format, current pricing and a walkable meal plan, see our James Street dining guide.

Official Maman website

Coffee, breakfast and lunch

Quest Burleigh Cafe

A small cafe at 20 James Street serving coffee, baked items, toasties, salads and breakfast snacks. Seating is limited—the official site lists about 12 places—so it suits a quick stop better than a large gathering. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are listed, but speak with staff directly about allergies.

Official Quest Burleigh Cafe page

Commune

At 1844 Gold Coast Highway, Commune is a useful breakfast stop for stays north of the James Street cluster. The café opens at 6am, the kitchen runs 6:30am–2pm and coffee service finishes at 3pm. Compare it with Paddock’s garden-bakery setting in our breakfast guide.

Official Commune website

Plan before you go

  • Book ahead for popular dinner services and beachfront tables.
  • Check the operator's current menu for dietary needs; kitchens and menus change.
  • Ask the venue directly about step-free entry, accessible toilets and seating arrangements.
  • Confirm trading hours around public holidays and special events.