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Restaurant

Cantina

2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

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Find Cantina

2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218, Australia

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+61 405 607 729
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Cantina

Mermaid Beach regulars guard this candlelit spot for good reason—it catches the unhurried rhythm of the tapeo without a trace of pretense. The kitchen runs on a tight seasonal board: croquetas pooled in romesco, baked scallops, and crusty baguettes sourced from Paris. Behind the bar, the crew navigates dietary notes with an easy grin while mellow tracks hum through the dining room, leaving guests to mop up the last swipe of sauce straight from the plate.

  • Market-Led Tapas: A focused, rotating board driven by fresh seasonal produce, spotlighting Paris-sourced baguettes and croquetas in rich romesco.
  • Hole-in-the-Wall Ambience: Moody candlelight, vintage bottles, curated vinyl, and front-row bar seating create an intimate neighborhood retreat.
  • Intuitive Hospitality: Thoughtful, family-style hosts tailor cocktail picks and handle dietary restrictions without missing a beat.
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What's On at Cantina

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose Cantina

Discover why Mermaid Beach locals consider this intimate tapas den an essential neighborhood fixture—book your table now to experience it firsthand.

  • Curated Vintage Hideaway

    Cantina cultivates a cozy, Melbourne-inspired hole-in-the-wall feel marked by dim moody lighting, vintage liquor displays, and playful pop-culture details.

    The space feels lovingly curated with old posters, quirky photos of Bill Murray from The Life Aquatic, beautiful vintage liquor bottles, and just the right amount of moody lighting.

    Lex Stanley

  • Atmospheric Candlelight and Soundtracks

    Low candlelight, welcoming hospitality, and a distinct soundtrack give the intimate dining room an irresistible, transportive hum.

    Dim candlelight, great music and warm, attentive service make you feel right at home.

    Kosta Koko

  • Seasonally Evolving Tapas Menu

    A focused, tightly curated food program rotates according to market availability and seasonality, offering guests new preparations with every visit.

    Also love that they change the menu flavors according to seasons/produce.

    Teresa Wong

  • Authentic Iberian Flavor Profiles

    Cocktails and tapas stay true to Iberian culinary roots, bypassing cloying syrups and heavy sauces in favor of crisp, balanced flavors.

    Fantastic, authentic Spanish/Mexican food and drinks. Not like a lot of westernised places that serve sugary cocktails and dishes overpowered by sauces.

    Jesse Corigliano

  • Ideal for Casual Celebrations and Catch-Ups

    An electric, hospitable dining room makes group catch-ups and celebrations feel special without any stiff formality.

    best spot for an after work catch up or celebration. Staff are so nice, always a warm welcome and unbeatable service.

    Emma Maidens

  • Family-Style Hospitality

    Genuine, warm hosting turns first-time visits into familiar rituals where groups feel embraced the moment they step through the door.

    From the second my friends and I arrived we all felt like family.. Staff were all extremely friendly and attentive....

    Stephen Roach

Seasonal tapas and savory plates consistently celebrated by guests.

  • Baked Scallops

    best scallops I've ever eaten

    ana wares

  • Croquettes

    romesco sauce on the croquettes that could be bottled up and sold!

    Grant Gabriel

  • Stracciatella

    every time we visit there’s a different take to the Stracciatella and it still tastes amazing.

    Teresa Wong

  • Anchovy Toast

    anchovy toast is to die for.

    Lex Stanley

Other favorites

Handcrafted cocktails, imported bread, and sweet finishes that round out the dining experience.

  • Sticky Toffee Pudding

    to top it all off one of the best sticky toffee puddings we’ve ever had.

    Leonie Davidson

  • Suze Sour

    The Suze Sour and El Pepino are my standouts.

    Lex Stanley

  • Cherry Cola Cocktail

    drank the cherry cola cocktail....

    Stephen Roach

  • Parisian Baguette

    Dinner was fantastic, from the baguette sourced from Paris to the romesco sauce on the croquettes that could be bottled up and sold!

    Grant Gabriel

Beyond the menu

From imported Parisian baguettes to intuitive hospitality, Cantina leans into the thoughtful details—book ahead to secure your spot.

  • Proactive Bread for Sauces

    Staff proactively offer extra bread when they see guests savoring every drop of sauce from their plates.

  • Thoughtful Allergy Accommodation

    Staff attentively listen to guest dietary restrictions and allergies, handling accommodations with genuine warmth and care.

  • Parisian-Sourced Baguettes

    Cantina pairs its croquettes and tapas with authentic crusty baguettes sourced directly from Paris.

  • Whimsical Vintage & Film Accents

    Dim candlelight illuminates curated vintage liquor bottles, retro posters, and framed photos of Bill Murray from The Life Aquatic.

Before you head over

Practical advice to make the most of your dining experience at this intimate Mermaid Beach tapas bar.

  • Pull Up a Seat at the Bar

    In an intimate hole-in-the-wall setting that stays lively, pulling up a stool at the bar is ideal for solo diners or duos who want to stay close to the cocktail action and kitchen energy.

  • Pace Your Order for Snacks or Dinner

    Dish portions are structured for flexible sharing, meaning you can drop in for a couple of tapas with drinks or comfortably order broadly across the compact menu for a complete dinner.

  • Flag Dietary Requirements Early

    If you are dining with dietary restrictions or allergies, let the hosts know when ordering—the front-of-house team is attentive, listens carefully, and accommodates modifications smoothly.

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