We’ve put together the perfect Burleigh weekend itinerary to give you a much-needed getaway to the Gold Coast’s hippest seaside district.

From boutique hotels to chic cafes and cheeky artisanal tipples, our food-focused 48-hour itinerary is jam-packed with gourmet goodness.

Friday

Leave Brisbane mid-afternoon to beat the traffic on the 1.5-hour drive to Burleigh.

If you’re keen to sleep in a chic Gold Coast boutique, Crystal Pacific can’t be beat. The slick whitewashed number houses a small selection of self-contained apartments a stone’s throw from Tallebudgera Creek. Breezy balconies, Instagrammable sunbeds, and a refreshing mineral magnesium pool seal the deal.

Leaning towards a luxurious Airbnb?

Hilltop Escape is a stylish three-bedroom home with floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up those lofty seaside views. The neon-lit pool room is as cool as a cucumber. Loved-up couples might opt for Talle Creek Tree House Studio instead. This vibrant one-bedder boasts direct access to the Gold Coast’s most beloved ocean-fed inlet.

Once you’ve settled into your uber-boujee digs, it’s time to duck out for a tasty Burleigh meal. We recommend the sublime set menu at Labart Restaurant. This divine gourmet offering spans kingfish cumquat to BBQ king prawns and wagyu hanger in a roasted potato sauce. Order the wine pairing for optimal indulgence.

If you’re keen to quaff more vino, kick on at Rosella’s. The tongue-in-cheek Aussie-themed venue does a mean Blinky Bill cocktail, too.

Saturday

Kickstart your day with a hearty (or healthy) breakfast at Palm Springs Burleigh. The dreamy, So-Cal-inspired venue does a solid selection of international brekkie classics, including nutritious options like acai bowls.

Swing by Tarte Bakery & Café to pick up a few tasty takeaway baked goodies to fuel your Saturday meanderings.

Stressed-out weekenders could treat themselves to a soothing sesh at Greenhouse the Bathhouse. The weatherboard wellness centre offers a slew of sumptuous organic soaking sessions. Top-notch beauty products restore your radiant shine.

Alternatively, make your way to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre for the popular Walk About Tour. Indigenous guides lead you through stunning Burleigh Heads trails while sharing their age-old traditions.

Now you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to indulge in a long lunch at Rick Shores, a long-standing Burleigh institution. The oceanfront establishment does outrageously tasty Morton Bay Bug Rolls, plus a wide range of exotic Pan Asian flavours.

Clamber upstairs to Burleigh Pavilion and watch the sunset with a cocktail or two. Budget-conscious boozers could grab their poison-of-choice from a nearby bottlo and quaff atop Burleigh Hill. Either way, you’ll savour sensational coastal views as the sun sinks over the horizon—bliss.

If Rick’s decadent set menu didn’t totally bloat the stomach, waddle over to Justin Lane for a delicious wood-fired pizza pie. Other standout dinner options include Asian fusion goodies at Light Years and pancake-like okonomayaki at Oi Izakaya. The latter is the Goldie’s top Japanese restaurant.

Craving more vino?

Paloma is a swanky little spot with one of the best wine selections in Burleigh.

Sunday

Make a beeline for Paddock Bakery to fill your booze-battered belly with sourdough-based breakfast treats. Re-caffeinating in its leafy garden has become a quintessential Burleigh weekend experience. Get in early, or you may have to queue.

Now you’re nourished, it’s time to quash those unshakable retail cravings at a stylish Burleigh boutique. Emte offers an elegant range of hand-crafted accessories plus fashionable summer-inspired apparel.

For a memorable memento, pop into Sean Scott Photography to peruse his mind-blowing collection of all-Australian landscape works. Sizeable canvas prints are available to buy in-store—they’ll look amazing on your wall.

Lunch is at The Tropic, a laidback Mediterranean-inspired venue specialising in shareable seafood treats. As it’s set in the same beach-facing building as Rick Shores and the Burleigh Pavilion, epic vistas are all but guaranteed.

Treat yourself to a low-key Sunday session with a sampling paddle at Precinct Brewery. Set in a converted Miami auto shop, the welcoming venue pumps out an impressive selection of hoppy craft beer. If gin is more your jam, the legendary father-and-son distillers at Granddad Jack’s make the finest small-batch spirits in town.

Head back to Burleigh Hill to watch the sunset again while you sober up for the drive back home.

Enjoy the Perfect Burleigh Weekend with Kiff & Culture

Smitten with this itinerary?

Then let us handle the logistical legwork on your behalf. We organise fully-customisable private foodie itineraries throughout South East Queensland.

Or, if you’d rather wax lyrical with newfound chums on a public tour, check out our Eat & Drink the Gold Coast excursion.