There are days when you need to skip school (well, home school) and close the laptop, and head out to lunch. Today was one of those days. The inbox was overflowing and the maths lesson we were working on were far too challenging for our creative brains, so we jumped in the car and headed to the newly opened Kirra Beach House.
Over a decade ago, when we first moved to Northern New South Wales, Kirra Beach Hotel looked very different. It was a small hotel, right across from the beach, popular with guys having a beer and watching the surf, and football on the TV.
A few years ago it was knocked down, and we were left wondering what would replace it, and today we found out; a stylish building, with stage one opening early December. At street level is Kirra Beach Hotel, with a sports bar, and bistro. On level two is the terrace restaurant; Kirra Beach House, which is where we found ourselves for lunch.
Being right across from the best beach on the Gold Coast, Kirra Beach, in Coolangatta, I did worry that parking would be an issue, with it being the perfect summer beach day. We were delighted to discover that Kirra Beach House offers free undercover parking, so we nabbed ourselves a spot and then took the lift to level 2.
The lift doors opened and we stepped out onto stylishly patterned tiles, and into one of the most beautifully designed spaces I’ve ever seen. We’d booked an indoor table (outdoor tables can’t be booked, and are just whatever you can grab when you arrive), but decided to sit outside because we were the first people to arrive (a perk of living on NSW time, and visiting a QLD restaurant), and there was ample space.
We were greeted by the friendliest waitress, so much so that Lacey said that she felt like we should hug her, “She’s just so nice!” who brought waters for the table. The menu is conveniently accessed by a QR code on the table, and we immediately started drooling over the seafood-heavy options.
Feeling like sharing, we didn’t look past the share plates and quickly ordered bug rolls, ceviche, croquettes, fries and fried calamari with yuzu & lime mayo.
Tempura bug roll is always a favourite, and a specialty up and down the Gold Coast (Thank you Rick Shores for starting the trend). Priced the same as Rick Shore’s, $24 for a small roll, it feels almost overpriced for what is essentially a bread roll with a bug in it, but from first bite we’re immediately delighted and contemplate ordering another. The milk bun is soft, the tempura bug crunchy, and the dressing had a hint of heat thanks to the smoked cocktail sauce.
The calamari was the winner of the day, it was just so fresh, and the best calamari I’ve ever eaten, anywhere (and I’ve eaten some calamari in my time), teamed with the yuzu and lime mayo, it’s a total taste sensation and just melted in our mouths. The ceviche was fresh and flavourful, perfect for beachside dining. We rounded out our options with a ham hock croquette which was deliciously creamy and crunchy all in one.
Despite being full and satisfied, we felt it was only right to end with something sweet, because who says no to a Golden Gaytime? Not me.
We ordered both dessert options, the Kirra Golden Gaytime and the Pina Colada Ice Cream with Torched Meringue. While the Pina Colada option was delicious and zesty (so good that we started with it, and then decided that it needed to be the last mouthful we left with, and move to the Gaytime), the Golden Gaytime was even better than it’s iconic ice cream inspiration. It was equal parts creamy and crunchy, and memorable, the kind of dessert we’ll be thinking of each night when we’re home and craving something sweet.
We left happy, and eyed off the beach as we left (and made a mental note to return later for a dip) and headed home and back to home school and all the emails. It was a great respite from having our heads in our laptops, and is somewhere we’ll definitely be returning to, and hopefully we’ll get past the share plate section of the menu, and explore some of their other delicious options.
The MENU
The Bill
Skin on fries: $12
Smoked Ham Hock Croquettes: $12
Tempura Bug Roll: $24
Fried Calamari: $19
Kingfish Ceviche: $25
Kirra Golden Gaytime: $14
Pina Colada Ice Cream: $14
Total Cost: $120
We paid for all our own meals and drinks during our visit.
