Etsu Izakaya

Etsu Izakaya sits on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach, on one of the coast's most established and sought-after dining stretches between Broadbeach and Burleigh. Specialising in izakaya-style Japanese dining — small plates, drinks and a lively, share-and-socialise atmosphere — it's earned a strong following for its authentic, flavour-packed offering.

The appeal is that combination of flavour-rich Japanese small plates, a great drinks offering and a buzzy, convivial setting, ideal for a casual dinner, drinks and shared dishes or a fun night out. The izakaya style makes it a great fit for a sociable evening, and it's clearly resonated on a popular Mermaid Beach strip.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 1,600 reviews, it's clearly delighting its diners. Menus, opening hours and pricing change with the seasons, and a popular restaurant fills up on weekends, so it's worth checking current details and booking directly before you go — particularly if you're dining with a group, after a table at a peak time, or keen to settle in for a round of izakaya plates and drinks.