Bar
Sueño
Rooftop bar above Norté at Mermaid Beach, with ocean-breeze terraces, a tequila and mezcal-heavy drinks list, margaritas, ceviche, tostadas and grilled asados.
Paloma Wine Bar
Walk-in wine bar on James Street in Burleigh Heads, a sibling of Restaurant Labart, with a curated list of Australian and international wines, cocktails and small plates.
At a glance
- Type
- Wine bar
- Area
- Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- palomawinebar.com
Good to know
- Walk-ins only
- Australian and international wines
- Cocktails
- Small plates
Why we recommend it
Paloma Wine Bar is a wine bar on James Street in Burleigh Heads. It is a sibling venue to Restaurant Labart, one of the Gold Coast's most awarded restaurants, and it was named Wine Bar of the Year by Gourmet Traveller in 2022, according to the official Gold Coast tourism organisation. That pedigree makes it a serious choice for anyone who cares about wine.
The focus is a long, carefully curated list of Australian and international wines, which suits both curious drinkers who want to try something unfamiliar and those who simply want a very good glass of something they know. Freshly shaken cocktails are also on offer for anyone who prefers spirits, and the kitchen serves small plates designed to go with the wine, so you can make an evening of it or treat it as a pre-dinner stop.
Paloma opens from 4pm until late, Wednesday to Sunday, and it is walk-in only, with no bookings taken. That keeps the atmosphere relaxed and spontaneous, but it also means it pays to arrive early on Friday and Saturday evenings if you want a seat, especially with a group. It is not listed as trading on Mondays or Tuesdays, so plan a visit for later in the week. The no-bookings policy also makes Paloma a good fallback on nights when the area's restaurants are full, as you can simply turn up and wait for a spot.
The bar suits couples, small groups of friends, wine lovers and solo travellers looking for a relaxed glass of wine. Because Labart and Paloma share a background, it is a natural pairing for a night that begins with a glass here and moves on to a booked dinner at Labart on West Street, or the reverse, with a nightcap after the meal.
James Street has plenty more to explore, from cafes such as Social Brew to the Burleigh Heads store of Fuel Bakehouse and Burleigh Heads Fishmongers for fish and chips, all in the same street. Other well-regarded bars in Burleigh Heads include Terronia, a cocktail bar in a lane off James Street, Rosella's and Malibu Racquet Club on the Gold Coast Highway, so the suburb rewards a bar crawl as much as a dinner.
Paloma Wine Bar FAQs
Where is Paloma Wine Bar?
At 1/12 James Street, Burleigh Heads.
When is Paloma open?
Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm until late.
Can you book?
No. Paloma is walk-ins only and does not take bookings.
Is Paloma connected to Restaurant Labart?
Yes. It is a sibling venue to Restaurant Labart.
Has Paloma won awards?
It was named Wine Bar of the Year by Gourmet Traveller in 2022.
What does Paloma serve?
A curated list of Australian and international wines, cocktails and small plates.
Is it open on Mondays and Tuesdays?
No. Opening days are listed as Wednesday to Sunday.