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Goto Restaurant

A fresh, new Japanese eatery for Southport.

Authentic Japanese food is one of the truly exceptional things this world has to offer and, if possible, we would eat it every single day of our lives. Which is why we are happy to discuss a brand new Japanese eatery that opened in Southport recently and it’s a good one gang.

Opened by Kozo Mitsuyama, former head chef of Reef Seafood + Sushi at The Brickworks in Southport, Goto is a stunningly fitout space at Southport Central bringing a fresh, modern vibe to the northern suburb.

The design is the work of OJ Thompson, whose fitouts you’ve seen at Iku Yakitori Bar and Etsu Izakaya, so you know it’s of the highest quality (and super unique). A table runs down the centre of the space with A-frame style wooden beams holding it in place and reaching from the sky while pendant lights hang down through the middle. Tables around the wall float from the ceiling, also connected to beams and giving the whole space an edgy, fresh feel.

You can also perch at the bar and watch the chefs work their magic in the kitchen using the freshest of fresh ingredients to make up the tastiest of tasty dishes.

Kozo’s plan when dreaming up Goto was t bring the traditional flavours of his hometown of Nagasaki to the Coast with produce, driven dishes using only the highest quality produce.

The signature dish of the coastal Japanese city is champon noodles, said to be the healthier take on ramen, the dish is made with both chicken and pork broths (made fresh daily in-house), plenty of veggies, seafood and noodles. Can confirm; it’s the goods.

There’s also possibly the largest range of sashimi we’ve ever seen on offer including all the usual suspects plus octopus, squid and egg omelette.

You can choose a few small plates to share and we highly recommend Shiokara – salted squid on potato salad and the deep-fried chicken wings with special honey soy sauce.

There are salads, tasty tempura things, Udon noodles and share platters in case you’ve got the crew on board.

To drink, all your fave Japanese beers are available as well as plum wine and sake to accompany the flavour sensations that make up the menu.

Get in there for a five-star Japanese feast.

LOCATION: Southport Central, 9 Lawson Street
HOURS: 12pm until late weekdays and 5pm until late weekends

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Southport Yacht Club

14 reasons locals love Southport

Mr PP's Deli & Rooftop Bar (Image: © 2017 Inside Gold Coast)
Mr PP's Deli & Rooftop Bar (Image: © 2017 Inside Gold Coast)

It may be home to the Gold Coast’s bustling business district but Southport can also boast a huge array of incredible eateries, culture and general good times.

We’ve rounded up 15 things locals love about the place and we reckon you might enjoy them too.

In no particular order, enjoy.

Southport Sharks
There is many a good time to be had at Southport Sharks including dining at one of the delicious dish-packed restaurants, drinking at Aviary Rooftop Bar overlooking the city, joining in on one of their classes at the Health + Fitness Centre or getting involved in one of their many good time events. The possibilities are endless. It’s the perfect spot for a family event or take the crew for a Sunday afternoon session. Happy days no matter what.
Where: Olsen Avenue and Musgrave Avenue, Southport

Southport Yacht Club
Waterfront dining is the name of the game at Southport Yacht Club with two venues to choose from and stunning scenes from whichever you choose. You’re also welcome to just sit back and kick up your heels with a cold beverage or two while gazing lovingly at one of the many beautiful yachts in the marina. It’s one of the Coast’s best locations and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Where: 1 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach

Zero Latency
Zero Latency is a free-roam, virtual reality experience like no other. With up to eight players per game, you’ll have the BEST time fighting zombies, exploring mystical places and challenging your friends on space stations. All you need to do is put on the VR headset, strap into the backpack and pickup the controller. Get 10% off here. It really is so good.
Where: 34 Smith Street, Southport

Panezski Distillery
The Coast’s first vodka distillery opened in Southport a few short months ago and what a treat. The family-owned business are whipping up three types of vodka, two types of gin and even a couple of beers on the premises and you can pop in to grab a bottle to go, or you can sit down and enjoy a cocktail and a charcuterie board and spend a bit of time. Very cool. 
Where: Unit 7/55 Bailey Crescent, Southport

Vinnies Dive
Who doesn’t love a good dive bar. Particularly one that doubles as a live music venue and has a huge range of your favourite beers on offer (and some you may not have heard of). Head in there to discover some new music from both local and interstate bands and if you’re in the mood for a party, which we know you are, you can hire the space out for your next one.
Where: 44A Nerang Street, Southport 

Boudoir Lounge interior (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar 
On the ground floor of the building you’ll find the deli section of the establishment, with an array of delicious meats and cheeses that will be brought together in platter form for your feasting pleasure. Upstairs, the rooftop bar boasts tasty cocktails, even more delicious eats and views across the city. It’s a real good time.
Where: 43 Nerang Street, Southport

Randy Wallhole
To put it bluntly, you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted a Randy Wallhole bagel. There are eight flavours to choose from which means you have multiple per day if you so choose. Go for the Pulled Bas first up, it’s got Smokey BBQ pulled beef, peri mayo and apple slaw. Wash it down with some of the best coffee on the Coast and be on your merry way.
Where: 4/21 Nind Street, Southport 

Boudoir Lounge
A newbie amongst the Southport bunch, Boudoir Lounge is the very best spot for a tasty brunch with the girls or simply a few cocktails after work. Found on Como Crescent, it quickly became the go to spot for those looking for some delicious eats, in a sweet setting and with unique sips of course. Inside there’s also a hair and beauty bar so you can get fabulous before you head out on the town. Perfect.
Where: 410/1 Como Crescent, Southport

Broadwater Parklands
Whether you’re four or 40, theres tons of fun to be had at Broadwater Parklands. For starters, you can sit and stare out at the yachts you’ll never set foot on. Then, there’s the bouncy pillow (maybe don’t go on there without a child), a kiddies train, a water playground and weekly events from theatre shows to foodie markets. See, fun.
Where: Marine Parade, Southport

D Point Ten
Oh donuts, how we love you. D Point Ten can be found on Stevens Street and, in keeping with the general donut vibe, is a little hole in the wall space pumping out the freshest of donuts we may have ever excitedly shoved into our greedy mouths. In all the best flavours no less. Go the Ferrero Rocher for sure.
Where: 6/1 Stevens Street, Southport

Cardamon Pod
The delightful folk at Cardamon Pod are serving up delightful dishes with a focus on clean eating but of the prettiest variety. They offer vegan and gluten free options for breakfast and lunch with a side of organic coffee and vegan desserts. All very delicious and it’s very hard to stop at just one thing or not to post on your Instagram.
Where: Brickworks Centre, 3/3 Brolga Avenue, Southport

Panezski Artisan Distillery (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
Southport’s centre of swimming is something for all of us to be proud of. It’s as pretty as a collection of swimming pools can be and, as it was home to all the Commonwealth Games water activities, it’s world class. The architecture is sleek and there’s a training room featuring pits filled with foam for the divers to practice in.
Where: Marine Parade, Southport 

Escape Hunt
Imagine being wrongly accused of murder, chained to a wall and having to rely on your friends’ detective skills to free you. Who you gonna call? Welcome to Escape Hunt, Southport’s brain bending game guaranteed to test your problem solving skills like they’ve never been tested before. There’s a few scenarios you might be faced with, all of which involve solving a mystery with a set of intricate clues. It’s the most fun you can have inside a locked room. Make sure to take your smart friends. Grab 10% off here.
Where: 2/162 Scarborough Street, Southport

Brickworks Centre
Where to start. There are SO many excellent places to peruse at the Brickworks starting with Ferry Rd Market where you can nab yourself everything from beautiful flowers to the freshest breads, seafood and fruit and veggies galore. God it’s good. Within the Centre, there’s also stunning homewares, fashion and design stores and health and beauty services. Oh, there’s also always some really cool events.
Where: Ferry Road, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre (Image supplied by Destination Gold Coast)

6 outstanding Gold Coast Japanese restaurants

Kiyomi, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
Kiyomi, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

As some of the world’s most highly revered cuisine, it’s little surprise that Japanese food is loved worldwide. The depth of flavours and incredibly focussed and precise cooking techniques are the foundation for some damn tasty food — and that ain’t no lie.

Finding exceptional examples of far eastern delicacies isn’t as easy as you may think. Sure, there are a great many good Japanese restaurants out there, except here we are only eager to discuss and dissect the exceptional ones!

We’re talking about the kind of places with that undeniable ‘X’ factor and take your taste of the orient to an entirely new level. Lucky for us, there are a mustering of such venues here on the Gold Coast, so start practicing your chopstick skills as we run you through the places that are exceptional odes to Japan — minus the 10-hour flight.

Kiyomi
Often regarded as the flagship Japanese restaurant on the Gold Coast, you might think their inclusion on this list required little thought. Yes, Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima has created amazing mouth-watering dishes on the robata grill, and the tempura menu is a tantalising read as any menu you’ll come across. But here, the finer things and the premium setting speak for themselves, like highly sought after Beluga Caviar and Char-grilled Queensland grown Wagyu, which are lovingly dished up and are sure not to disappoint.
Where: Lobby Level, The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

RaRa Ramen dish (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)
RaRa Ramen dish (Image: © 2021 Inside Gold Coast)

RaRa Ramen
What these folks don’t know about ramen simply isn’t worth knowing. After opening their first Queensland venue, in blissful Burleigh, we were a tad excited earlier this year. The team behind some of Sydney’s best-received ramen bars takes their noodle and broth game extremely seriously, so much so there was a severe amount of time spent in Japan learning and researching the craft before their first bowl was even served. Atmospheric, welcoming and stacked full of great drinks: go ahead and slurp as if nobody is watching!
Where: 21a/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Kemuri
Tucked away in Carrara and simply waiting for you to discover it is the small and quaint Japanese-style eatery of Kumeri. They dish up nothing short of authentic flavours and unadulterated Japanese dishes. How do crispy hand-rolled gyozas matched with incredible examples of European wines sound? A little too good to be true, perhaps. However, let owner — and qualified sommelier — Hiro guide you through his extensive collection of European and boutique Australian wines for a well-rounded and unique dining experience.
Where: 3/124 Pappas Way, Carrara

Etsu Izakaya (image supplied)
Etsu Izakaya (image supplied)

Etsu
Everyone’s favourite Japanese restaurant is still the light of our lives and knocking out superb food in Mermaid Beach. It was certainly groundbreaking a few years back, and now it seems a slew of other Japanese restaurants have caught up to the party — however, the dedication to service, great seasonal produce, and an impeccable drinks offering has never wavered one bit. Ideal for a midweek escape and perfection for a weekend feast; the standout features of this establishment are, without a doubt, its down-to-earth and charming decor and an ever-evolving cocktail list worthy of anyone’s attention.
Where: 2440 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Cafoo Izakaya
For a while now, the locals of Palm Beach — plus those in the know — have been quietly enjoying the spoils of this Osaka-style back alley Izakaya all to themselves. But we think it was about time it was shared! Deeply authentic and brimming with a menu of carefully constructed and drool-inducing dishes, including the ever-famous Okonomiyaki savoury pancakes. What sets this place apart is the dedication to cultural accuracy — oh, and the fact you can book out the entire restaurant should you have the occasion that calls for it (and enough friends)!
Where: 6 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach

Misono - JW Marriott Gold Coast (image supplied)
Misono - JW Marriott Gold Coast (image supplied)

Misono
When it comes to a hearty combination of flavour and showmanship, teppanyaki-style dining is a surefire way to beat hunger — with a slice of entertainment thrown in there for good measure. One of the best in the business, and an unsurpassed way to experience this highly revered form of Japanese cooking, is Misono at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa. Let their talented and affable chefs delight you and your friends with an abundance of flames and flavour.
Where: Level 3, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa,158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

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