Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

We actually debated my review for a while. I wanted this place to live up to it's reviews but found a few major flaws.

For the most part, the food was decent. Husband got the LeBron, one friend got the Mini Phat, I got popcorn chicken, other friend got street Tacos.

Over all, 3 of us didn't have complaints, but the street tacos were a mystery to me, proving that cultural appropriation is real when people believe that you can throw anything into a tortilla and call it a taco. That irks me. The chicken was wrong, the tortilla is NOT a street style tortilla, WHO puts mayo on a taco, much less SLAW. She pulled the chicken out of the tortilla and didn't even eat it as a "taco." It could have just been a wrap, guys.

Second big hit was the lack of attention to their own Covid guidelines. Our friends were already seated when we arrived and no one was at the front so we just walked through to look for them. I watched for a while as no one stayed at the front enforcing the sign-in policy (which a lot of restaurants are pretty thorough about).

Next, the cleaning. Tables were wiped down after each group, but benches/seating were not wiped down. At least pretend. I've seen more attention to cleaning at McDonald's.

And finally, this was the big one for me. A credit card is required to reserve the booking through Open Table. For 4 people? In 2020? Seems very retro, paranoid, and aggressive. Especially the threat to charge $25 per person if you don't show or are late. Most meals on the menu don't even cost $25.

For a "laidback" eatery, this policy is a bit ridiculous. I've booked several restaurants through Open Table recently (including larger parties), and I've also booked accommodation through another booking platform - none of which required a credit card.

And now my credit card is...what? Sitting in Longboard's records somewhere to be hacked by a 12-year-old? Paranoia begets paranoia. I hate that ya'll have my credit card number for absolutely no reason. This isn't a 5-star restaurant.

So. Would I go again? No. The itch has been scratched and the food wasn't quite worth the other things that I found to be cons.

Should you visit? Sure. But don't bother booking ahead - it wasn't even busy on a...

Very poor. Would not recommend or go back. The food was very average. Just poorly designed and executed. Pretty much the lowest form of dining you could get. Bland tasting with particular poor texture for the burger. If you're going to run a restaurant in the middle of a busy tourist area like Surfers Paradise you need to be better than that. No wonder the place was empty. The staff were just ok. They did their job but just barely, kind of moping around doing the bare minimum. No smiles or welcoming greeting. The worst thing by a long way however unfortunately is a common theme in QLD, so it's not just this place. But they literally start closing the whole place down at 8:30pm! We're sitting there having our meal and they're actually rolling down the shutters to close off the bar. Had to rush over to see if we could get a last beer in at 8:35pm (face palm) and even though we got the drink it was quite the chore for them to do it.

Clearly a culture issue. Don't go there. There's a plethora of options within walking distance of this place that will make you feel welcome, serve half decent food and not shut the place down and turn the lights off while you're sitting at your table before 9pm at night

I really just cannot understand how there are any positive reviews based on what I...

Up front, I’m going to review this as a bee and burger bar, not a restaurant.

I dined at 1:30pm on a windy winter Wednesday. It was unpleasant outside, but surprisingly comfortable inside. The decor was Gold Coast chic - surfing pictures, boards and the like. The area bordered the pool of a neighbouring complex, adding an even more water based theme.

I shared the space with 2 other diners, but I reckon this place would be bangin’ on weekends.

I elected to sit in a booth and to order using the app. There was vast array of mergers and some enticing share food options and seafood dishes. The booth was spacious and comfortable.

The drinks list was extensive, with some particularly appealing draft beers.

My beer arrived very quickly, with the food not far behind. The chips were perfect and the aoli dressing to die for. I elected to not add anything to the burger. It was excellent, with the patty cooked to the right level. It was a big burger - much bigger and it would have been hard to eat. That said, I was able to eat it without it exploding or being covered in it.

The meals were appropriately priced, as were the beverages.

The staff were friendly...