Pokkoi Kitchen — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Pokkoi in Coolangatta and opted for the 10-course degustation and it was hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve had on the Gold Coast. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and looked after. The owner and head chef was not only incredibly talented, but also hilarious and personable. His personality brought so much character to the evening, and his passion for food was obvious in every course that came out.

One of the things that really stood out was how accommodating he was with dietary preferences. My wife is pescatarian, and without skipping a beat, the chef curated an incredible pescatarian-friendly version of the degustation for her while still serving me the full range of meat dishes. The attention to detail and balance in both versions of the menu was impressive, and it never felt like we were compromising on flavour or experience.

The drinks were equally impressive and complemented the food beautifully. We started with the oysters (all three types) and they were fresh, vibrant, and completely unique. Each preparation brought something different to the table, and they were the perfect way to kick off the night. The fresh catch taco was bright and full of texture, and the Hiramassa kingfish was delicate and zesty with a beautiful turmeric coconut finish. The popcorn cauliflower was a surprising standout (crunchy, spicy, and completely addictive). The grilled wagyu was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with the perfect balance of garlic and nuoc cham. The BBQ barramundi belly had the most incredible crisp skin and crackling, and the prawn dumplings were silky and full of flavour with just the right kick from the chilli oil.

The pumpkin pad seuw was a hit with my wife, the exotic mushrooms and Thai basil gave it so much depth. The barramundi curry was another highlight rich, spicy, and full of complexity, with pickled chilli and roasted cashews adding great texture. For dessert, the Panacotta was amazing, not too sweet and perfect blend of textures from all of the different components.

At one point during the meal, I asked the chef about the beef rendang donut, and he actually brought one out just for me. It was absolutely incredible, crispy on the outside, rich and tender on the inside, with coconut cream and peanut giving it a whole other dimension. That gesture alone summed up the entire experience, thoughtful, generous, and full of heart.

Pokkoi is a place where the food is exciting, the energy is warm, and the people behind it truly care about what they do. The chef’s ability to blend humour, hospitality, and culinary creativity makes this spot something really special. Whether you’re a serious foodie or just looking for a great night out, Pokkoi is a must-visit. We’ll...

I am so glad friends told us about this place! OMG!! It is very rare to find a restaurant that ticks all the boxes, with fabulous food, service and passion. We went for a Sunday lunch, something that we don’t do often. The restaurant is off the Main Street so is quieter with less traffic and people. We were greeted so warmly by Josh (the barman who makes amazing cocktails) and our Col our waiter. We had a shared meal between the two of us of the beef rendang donuts (2), the duck salad and pork belly. Everything was full of flavour and had all the things you should be able to taste in Asian food, sweet, sour and spicy. We lived in Singapore for 7 years and I believe this beats anything we ate there. The presentation was perfect too - eating with your eyes is such an important part of dining. Cameron the chef, greeted everyone in the restaurant and is very personable. This is a seriously amazing restaurant and we will be back again very doing. I can’t wait to work my way though the menu and try dishes like the lamb curry. Also the meals were generous and prices were...

After dining at Pokkoi three times in 10 days (yes, it's that good), I feel like I’ve just come back from a whirlwind trip around Southeast Asia, eating in all the top restaurants. Pokkoi captures the best features of cuisine from Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with a fusion of ingredients so skillfully combined that you’d think you’ve just tasted a new cuisine from a country not yet discovered. After three visits, I still haven’t tried the whole menu, but I can honestly say I can’t pick a favourite dish—they were all so good. From the beef rendang donut to the crispy fish dry red curry, your taste buds will be in heaven. Each dish has so many unique ingredients that complement the overall flavour, like togarashi, yuzu, pickled chilies, ginger and daikon along with lots of fresh Asian herbs. The staff are attentive, and the chef is passionate and lively—he’s clearly found his calling. I plan to eat here often, as this is the kind of place that will undoubtedly become a hatted restaurant, with bookings likely...