St Helens Bar & Burgers

Right across from the Kirra Beach surf breaks—where the salty breeze collides with the unmistakable scent of hot grill smoke—St Helens Bar & Burgers is dropping the kind of proper, handmade patties that make burger purists weak at the knees. Word around the Gold Coast is this joint absolutely nails the classic, juicy American-style build—expertly seasoned, boasting a supreme crusty char, and dripping with a perfectly balanced house sauce. But the menu flexes genuine Aussie coastal muscle, too. Seafood hounds are borderline obsessed with their signature Bay Bug Burger, while the maple-glazed Kirra Chicken option is a deadset knockout. Grab a table out front for unmatched people-watching and stellar views stretching all the way to the Surfers Paradise skyline. Pair a towering stack of fresh, shatter-crisp onion rings with a top-tier craft pour—they champion heavy-hitters like Mountain Culture—or a killer sunset cocktail. It’s that rare, laid-back beachfront hangout where the crew treats you like an old mate—an essential pitstop after a heavy session in the swell.