Share This Article

Social Eating House + Bar delivers one of Broadbeach’s most confident, social-leaning dining experiences—a place where well crafted plates and an electric, cosmopolitan mood bleed seamlessly from afternoon aperitif hour into late-night stories at the bar.

Nestled on the Oracle Boulevard and just steps from the Gold Coast’s rolling surf, Social Eating House has always felt ahead of the curve: unfussy yet urbane, a step apart from cookie-cutter tourist haunts without tipping into fine-dining stiffness. There’s a humming openness to the interior—high ceilings, artful lighting, terrazzo floors, and plush banquettes—paired with an always-packed communal table, all encouraging one more plate, one more glass, one more hour among friends. That infectious warmth is matched by the pitch-perfect, professional floor team: sharp enough to handle the heaving weekend crowds, casual enough to sprinkle in a joke or a story when the hours slow.

EAT >

The kitchen’s mantra is sharing—and the menu roams widely but with laser focus. The staff imbue a charming European familiarity, recommending a snack or a wine could just as easily be a recommendation for a little hard to find but special enoteca in Puglia.

Start with their signature charcuterie and cheese, or crisp pork belly squares scattered with apple and chilli—salty, sticky, with just enough bite. Snapper croquettes pop with saffron and bright lemon aioli; king prawns come licked by flame, doused in harissa butter. Mains are sized for the table: think wagyu flank, chargrilled and served with choron sauce, or whole roasted lamb shoulder with crushed peas and garlic—rich, slow-cooked, and the centrepiece for a Sunday gathering. Local produce takes top billing, and there’s always enough on the grill or the rotisserie to tempt regulars into another round.

DRINK >

The bar keeps up with the menu—crisp G&Ts, playful Gold Coast-leaning cocktails (think passionfruit, lime, fresh herbs), plus a sharp wine list balancing international heroes with modern Aussie stars. The sommeliers are happy to steer you toward something rare by the glass, or an old-world favourite, and there’s always something cold and unexpected on tap.

AMBIENCE >

Peak summer sees the restaurant throbbing with Gold Coast energy—families, friends, date-nighters, even the odd hotel chef off shift. Sound levels can rocket, but the hum feels distinctly celebratory, never forced, and there’s always a breeze sweeping in from the ocean to cool the afternoon. Tables turn briskly but never rushed, and late arrivals cluster at the bar, drawn by the promise of another shared plate.

Ultimately Social is un-fussed, the presentation is fine but it is not fine dining. The tables lack tablecloths, the staff are lovely but not formal. The food is tasty but not memorable. There is no doubt that when you visit Social it will probably be your favourite restaurant on the GC and that is because it is what it is rather than being a cloned pretender.

Social Eating House isn’t just a local mainstay—it’s a Gold Coast essential, where high-quality produce, pitch-perfect service, and a sense of occasion are always on the menu.

Click on images below to launch the lightbox