There’s something special about a long lunch. It’s the unhurried clink of cutlery, the third bottle of wine, the laughter that gets louder as the sun drifts across the table. Whether seaside, city-bound or countryside, a long lunch isn’t just a meal—it’s a ritual of relaxation and reconnection.
Here are five of the best venues to settle in, order that second entrée and turn lunch into your favourite part of the day.
Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill – Broadbeach, QLD
A Gold Coast icon of elevated dining, Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill sets the bar high for long lunches done right. Overlooking Victoria Park, this award-winning restaurant brings modern design and serious steak credentials to the table—with not a hint of the old-school steakhouse bravado.
Begin with grilled wild-caught prawns or tempura scampi, and work your way into a show-stopping spice-rubbed Wagyu rump cap roast, carved at the table and served with buffalo ricotta, pear, vincotto and fried potatoes. Pair your feast with a bottle from their exclusive Wagyu-focused wine list and forget about the time—this is an afternoon made to savour.
Manolas Deli Bar Bistro – Surfers Paradise, QLD
For over 25 years, Manolas Bros has delivered the kind of Mediterranean fare that makes long lunches feel like homecoming. Tucked on the Isle of Capri, the venue hums with the warmth of family, laughter and shared plates, whether you’re dining alfresco under the sun or inside by the fire of the wood-fired oven.
Start with char-grilled lamb cutlets or kingfish ceviche, then move onto slow-braised beef pappardelle or a perfectly blistered wood-fired pizza, leavened for 48 hours and baked to golden, crunchy perfection. With a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio and a spoonful of tiramisu to finish, you’ll wish all meals took this long.
Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar – Broadbeach, QLD
A sun-kissed slice of the Italian coast in Broadbeach, Sofia’s combines style, comfort and crave-worthy European fare in one stunning space. Think whitewashed walls, timber details and a coastal playlist that makes every meal feel like a summer escape.
Oysters shucked to order and zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta start things off, before mains like prawn linguine or the iconic cacio e pepe, prepared tableside in a 40kg wheel of aged Parmesan, steal the show. Whether you're dining inside or breezing through a long lunch on the terrace, Sofia’s is pure dolce vita.
Nestled in the leafy surrounds of the Yarra Valley, Rowanos brings hearty Italian hospitality to the table with a side of warm familiarity. It’s the kind of place where you walk in as a guest and leave feeling like part of the family.
Indulge in starters like sticky chilli-glazed pork belly or lemon-laced
scallops, then dive into slow-cooked beef short ribs with red wine jus and
creamy mash, or a pizza topped with smoked salmon, rocket, dill and crème
fraiche. This is a lunch designed to linger over, preferably with a bottle of
local Pinot Noir and nowhere else to be.
Long lunches are an art form—equal parts food, wine and great conversation.
Whether you're by the beach, among the vines or sitting streetside with good
friends and no plans, these five venues prove that sometimes the best moments
are the ones you don’t rush. So order the entrée, the main and maybe dessert
too. After all, the afternoon is young.
