A slice of the European coast has officially landed in Surfers Paradise. Sweeping into the sun-drenched beachfront space at Peppers Soul, Valentina has opened its doors, bringing a vibrant new wave of Mediterranean dining to Level 2. If you have been mourning the closure of Hyde Paradiso, which wrapped up its beachside run on 4 May, this stunning evolution is exactly the winter lift you need.
Developed by Table For, Accor’s dedicated food and beverage group, Valentina marks the team’s highly anticipated Queensland debut. After launching a series of acclaimed Sydney venues since late 2025, Table For has turned its creative gaze north, translating the warmth and social energy of coastal Spain, Italy and Greece into a sleek beachfront sanctuary. The result is a venue designed to make you linger, whether you are stopping by for a quick afternoon spritz or settling in for a long, lazy lunch.
European coastal dining in the heart of Surfers Paradise
At the heart of Valentina is a powerhouse all-female kitchen team, guided by the culinary vision of Table For Executive Chef Rosy Scatigna and led on-site by Head Chef Chantelle Richard-Preston. Together, they have crafted a menu that celebrates the generous spirit of Mediterranean hospitality, utilising exceptional produce to deliver clean, unpretentious flavours.
“Valentina is inspired by the coastal restaurants of the Mediterranean, places where the food is instinctive, produce-driven and never overcomplicated. The menu is designed to feel relaxed and expressive, with a strong focus on seafood, seasonality and flavour,” says Scatigna.
The culinary journey begins with a playful and seaside-inspired selection of snacks and starters. Guests can tear into warm house-baked focaccia served with sesame and garlic butter, or slurp down pristine Pacific oysters paired with a sharp Vermouth mignonette. There is a silky taramasalata finished with fresh dill, and a delicate Byron Bay tuna crudo dressed with mandarin and chilli. If you are after something more casual to pair with an afternoon drink, the bar snacks are wonderfully nostalgic. Do not miss the playful Valentina ‘filet o-fish’ with tarragon tartar, the crispy chicken fritto served with a spicy Calabrese dip, or the tender beef skewers with yoghurt aioli.
Valentina’s Produce-driven menu and spritzes
When you are ready to transition to more substantial dining, the mains offer a beautiful exploration of classic European flavours. Pasta lovers can tuck into a rich king prawn orzo brightened with basil, or linguine tossed in a macadamia pesto and pecorino. For mains, choose between the free-range harissa chicken with smoked eggplant, market fish with puttanesca sauce, or a robust 300g Angus scotch fillet with shishito peppers. These are accompanied by generous salads and seasonal sides, including a classic smoked trout Nicoise and baked beetroot with blackberry and radicchio.
Be sure to leave room for dessert, where nostalgia meets comfort. The sweet finale features a coffee caramel semifreddo with dark chocolate, a lemon and almond torta served with yoghurt ice cream, and a refreshing mandarin sorbet finished with olive oil. For cheese lovers, there are gorgonzola-stuffed dates with walnuts.
To match the coastal flavours, the cocktail programme has been built in consultation with the world-renowned Maybe Group. Designed around the classic European aperitivo tradition, the drinks are bright, sessionable and perfect for keeping the afternoon rolling. Spritz enthusiasts can choose from a classic Veneziano with Aperol and prosecco, a zesty limoncello spritz, a sweet rosé and strawberry spritz, or a lychee spritz with Ketel One and citrus. For something unexpected, the signature cocktails twist familiar classics: an olive sour combining bourbon and banana with extra virgin olive oil, a passionfruit and jalapeño margarita, a coconut and thyme highball, and a peach sangria. There is also a sophisticated non-alcoholic list utilising Lyre’s spirits.
With weekly DJ sets spinning Latin-influenced beats and weekend bottomless long lunches, Valentina is set to become the perfect coastal playground. It is the perfect excuse to gather your favourite people and soak up the summery vibes.
Valentina | Gold Coast
Level 2, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, QLD, 4217
valentinagoldcoast.com.au
Hours
Lunch · Wed – Sun, 12 – 2:30pm
Aperitivo · Wed – Sat, 4 – 6pm
Dinner · Wed – Sat, 5 – 10pm (kitchen closes 8:30pm)
