Tucked discreetly behind a modest shopfront on the Gold Coast Highway, Little Truffle is the kind of place you hear about in passing and instantly add to your must-visit list—a Mermaid Beach fixture devoted to polished European flavours, immaculate service, and the warm local touch that’s always set it apart. 

After a refurbishment and a full re-style in 2023, Chef-owner Daniel Ridgeway’s smart modern Euro-classic dining room continues to be a beacon in what is largely casual hospitality across southern Gold Coast culinary landscape.

AMBIENCE >

Step inside and the hush of the outside world melts away: The windows are blacked out, plush carpets, rich velvet seating, moody lighting, and a convivial clink from the open kitchen invite you to settle in. Little Truffle manages a subtle, genuine elegance — a series of slightly evocative paintings line the walls. Seating is spaced thoughtfully, promising both intimacy and a sense of occasion whether you’re tucked into a corner with Champagne for two or out for a family celebration.

The style is not a modern architectural beauty or classic fine lines, rather it is comfortable and friendly (though perhaps a little stuck in a timewarp of restaurant styling from the 1980s).

EAT >

Chef Ridgeway and his team balance French technique with Mediterranean brightness. Begin with the house specialty — Tortellini filled with Moreton Bay bug & prawn and served with a sweet mustard fruit beurre blanc – an absolute winner and as fine a pasta as I have eaten any where in the world, delicate, sweet and with a sauce that had me consider if it was rude for me to lick the plate (answer yes it is rude, no I did not). The Gold Band Snapper, was served pan fried with crisp top and steamed black mussels & clams in saffron beurre blanc and a hint of caviar just to remind you this is special.

Plat du jour was Sashimi Grade Tuna seared and served with confit tomatoes, Parisian mash and a little more beurre blanc (yes a lot of the dishes feature the sauce and its very good, perhaps not so good for the cholesterol).

We finished by sharing a raspberry soufflé which was light as air and hit the right notes without being particularly memorable.

Other diners around us ordered mains that arrived with classic confidence: a famed roasted duck breast with confit leg croquette and bittersweet orange sauce, silky house-made gnocchi infused with truffled pecorino and asparagus, Angus beef fillet served chargrilled with potatoes dauphine and sauteed spinach. The sound of satisfied diners gave confidence that this is a menu you can order almost anything with confidence it will be cooked to perfection.

DRINK >

The wine list is compact but impressively curated, with boutique French, Australian, and NZ bottles, and staff are unerringly on cue with recommendations. We found a very reasonably priced bottle of Premier Cru Pinot Noir from Burgundy and a quite delicious glass of Chablis — each pour is given as much respect as the fine stemware it appears in. The staff are friendly and well trained and will bend over backwards to match a glass with taste and mood.

ALMANAK SAYS > Little Truffle remains a serenely polished spot along Mermaid Beach’s dining strip—where thoughtful plates, exceptional wine service, and the unstuffy grace of a passionate team make every visit feel like a gentle celebration. Sure the flavours and style are reminiscent of the late 1980s but this is Gold Coast dining at its most quietly confident (white loafers and gold chains are entirely optional!).

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Image Credit | ALMANAK & Little Truffle

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