Valentina Restaurant + Bar, Surfers Paradise (image by Andrea Paez)
The Gold Coast’s love affair with long lunches, ocean views and exceptional cocktails just got a little more serious.
Taking over the iconic beachfront space formerly occupied by Hyde Paradiso, Valentina Restaurant + Bar has opened, bringing a slice of Mediterranean sunshine to Surfers Paradise. And if that wasn’t enough to get your tastebuds tingling, the drinks menu has been crafted alongside the legends behind Maybe Sammy, one of the world’s most celebrated bars.
Yes please.
Lemon Almond Torta, Valentina Restaurant + Bar (image by Tess Hayley)
Perched on Level 2 of Peppers Soul, Valentina is the first Queensland venue from Table For, Accor’s dedicated food and beverage group, the team responsible for a string of acclaimed Sydney venues including Flaminia, Bar Allora and El Vista.
Inspired by the warmth, hospitality and effortless charm of coastal destinations like Barcelona, the Amalfi Coast and Andalusia, Valentina has been designed as the kind of place where one cocktail turns into three, lunch becomes dinner and nobody’s in any hurry to leave.
Angus Scotch Fillet Steak, Valentina Restaurant + Bar (image by Andrea Paez)
And honestly, with 180-degree ocean views stretching across the coastline, can you blame them?
The Mediterranean-inspired menu has been created under the guidance of Executive Chef Rosy Scatigna and brought to life by Head Chef Chantelle Richard-Preston and her all-female kitchen team. Expect vibrant, produce-driven dishes designed for sharing, grazing and lingering.
Kitchen Team, Valentina Restaurant + Bar (image by Andrea Paez)
To start, there are Pacific oysters with vermouth mignonette, Byron Bay tuna crudo with mandarin and chilli, creamy taramasalata finished with dill and warm focaccia served with sesame and garlic butter. Then come the playful crowd-pleasers, including Valentina’s take on a filet-o-fish with tarragon tartar, chicken fritto with Calabrese dip and beef skewers with yoghurt aioli.
For something a little more substantial, you’ll find king prawn orzo with basil, linguine tossed through macadamia pesto and pecorino, free-range harissa chicken with smoked eggplant and market fish with puttanesca sauce. There’s also a 300-gram Angus scotch fillet for those who believe every good meal should involve steak.
Valentina Restaurant + Bar, Surfers Paradise (image by Tess Hayley)
Of course, no Mediterranean escape would be complete without a cocktail in hand.
The beverage offering leans heavily into aperitivo culture, with a dedicated spritz menu featuring everything from classic Venezianos and limoncello spritzes to rosé and strawberry spritzes and lychee-spiked creations. Signature cocktails bring a little extra personality, with highlights including an olive sour finished with extra virgin olive oil, a passionfruit and jalapeño margarita and a coconut and thyme highball.
For those choosing to skip the booze, there’s also a thoughtfully curated zero-alcohol selection using Lyre’s spirits.
Lychee Spritz, Coconut Thyme Highball and Lemon Daisy, Valentina Restaurant + Bar (image by Tess Hayley)
Beyond the food and drinks, Valentina is shaping up as a destination rather than just a restaurant. Weekend bottomless long lunches are already on the agenda, alongside a regular music program featuring local DJs and Latin-inspired sounds designed to complement the venue’s coastal European energy.
The spacious venue offers both indoor dining and an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean, accommodating up to 130 seated guests and as many as 250 standing for private events and celebrations.
Filet o Fish, Valentina Restaurant + Bar (image by Tess Hayley)
In short, it’s bringing together three of the Gold Coast’s favourite things: incredible food, world-class cocktails and spectacular views.
Which means our social calendars may have just found their newest obsession.
When: Wednesday – Sunday for Lunch: 12pm – 2:30pm, Aperitivo: 4pm – 6pm and Dinner: 5pm – 10pm
Where: Level 2, Peppers Soul, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Words by Belinda Symons
Dining and Cooking