The Fish House: Gold Coast dining

Sitting directly across the road from the beach in beautiful downtown Burleigh Heads, The Fish House has been drawing a crowd since it opened several years ago. Restaurateur Simon Gloftis, who also owns Greek favourite Hellenika in nearby Nobby Beach, wanted a place where people could experience fresh, top-quality seafood—and with a menu printed daily highlighting the day’s catch, he has done just that.

Stepping inside and receiving a warm welcome instantly sets the tone for the night. Bi-fold windows across the front of the restaurant are pushed open, welcoming the evening breeze, and the sound of the surf crashing in the distance allows you to switch into holiday mode.

Stepping inside and receiving a warm welcome instantly sets the tone for the night. Bi-fold windows across the front of the restaurant are pushed open, welcoming the evening breeze, and the sound of the surf crashing in the distance allows you to switch into holiday mode.

Once settled into a window seat and with a cocktail list proffered, menu deliberations can begin. The service is consistently helpful and friendly, with explanations about the fish caught that day and the ways in which they can be cooked. A cocktail to start seems like a good idea, and the Hendrick’s Fizz (Hendrick’s Gin, cucumber, citrus, crushed ice) only adds to the ‘on holiday’ vibe.

The menu of the day is the best way to sample all the highlights, with the chef selecting an array of dishes. Accompanying wine matches are available and are a great way to have a taste of a variety of wines on offer. Alexandra the sommelier provides details about each wine served and how the flavour of the wine works with the flavour of each course. If you choose not to select the matched wines, the well-edited wine list has more than 25 wines available by the glass as well as a very good selection of bottles from around the globe.