5 Chef-hatted Venues to Discover Fire and Smoke on the Plate

Dive into the rustic appeal of bold, smoky flavours as we continue our delicious drive around the country visiting Chef-hatted dining destinations.

Here are five venues where gourmet fare with flair is always on the plate:

Born in the beauty and fire of new beginnings, Karrikin restaurant on Coldstream Street in Yamba offers an ever-changing four-course set menu, crafted from local, seasonal produce and foraged delicacies. Named for the proteins that bind to soil and renew life in the aftermath of smoke and bushfire, this elegant space blends a cool colour palette with dark wood, artwork and softly glowing pendents to set the scene for inspired dining.

 

Taking cues from native surrounds, expect starting plates that excite and tempt the taste buds such as Yamba prawns with beetroot, miso cream and preserved lime; moving onto mains like wild venison, kibbeh, nayyeh, plum, pickled onion and herb salad.

What started as a boat trip through Asia to discover hidden food gems has culminated in a craft beer and foodie heaven known as Kekou, on Bridge Road in Richmond's trendy dining strip. Rocking a light-filled, chic space inside a 120-year-old building fitted out to preserve its historic charm with polished concrete, rustic brick, splashes of greenery and furniture made from recycled railway sleepers, Kekou is the definitive place to see and be seen.

 

Rotating craft beer and Eastern offerings are on a sharing menu, from small bites of octopus betel leaf with kerisik, finger lime, miang kum caramel and peanuts, through to large plates like Wagyu flank steak with scallops, lop cheong, rice noodles, bean sprouts and chives.

Hobart tapas lovers head to The Black Footed Pig Tapas Bar & Kitchen on Hunter Street to see and be seen. Relocating to the MACq 01 waterfront hotel - part of the former bustling wharf market precinct and later giant shipping shed - Black Pig creates a fun and funky vibe to mingle with friends over a drink of choice.

 

An ever-evolving menu using fresh local and ethically sourced produce, plates up mouth-watering morsels of grilled calamari, apricot picada and tarragon; for the main, perhaps share slow-roasted lamb shoulder, jus, mojo verde and sides of crispy potatoes and pan-seared greens.

Discover Gold Coast hidden gem, Eddy + Wolff, tucked away on Ron Penhaligon Way in Robina. This cosy 24-seat venue strikes the perfect balance between an intimate and lively atmosphere; adored by locals and visitors alike, it is a dining destination you don’t want to miss.

 

Be transported to another time, immersing you in authentic, heartful flavours of modern Asian fusion cuisine; kick start your culinary adventure with hot Korean chicken wings and house-pickled daikon; before pork belly in orange master stock with taro crips, leek and shiso.

Take a well-deserved hiatus after a busy day sightseeing in Sunshine Coast’s Maroochydore and head to Orleans Restaurant and Bar on Duporth Avenue. Recycled timber, mood lighting, pressed tin and exposed bricks come together to create a relaxed and modern dining environment, with a hint of old-world charm.

 

Drawing inspiration from the classics of New Orleans cuisine and finished with a modern French twist, a creative menu dishes up plates like buffalo wings and blue cheese dip to start, followed by smoked chilli beef fillet, potatoes, black garlic aioli, Creole salsa and red wine jus.