Lars Bar & Grill

Wood-fired steak, hyper-local seafood and a head chef with seriously impressive creds—Lars Bar & Grill has just opened in Mermaid Beach and we’re hyped about it. 

The modern steak and seafood restaurant is set to be one of the jewels in the crown of the soon-completed The Oxley precinct. Commanding a prime corner position on the main Mermaid Beach strip, Lars Bar & Grill stands out like a beacon to patrons. And patrons hungry for an incredible fire-kissed steak and seafood experience are in luck.

Top quality, hyper-local produce is at the heart of Lars Bar & Grill, and we love that they’re doing without the frills. Quite simply, the produce sings for itself. With a strong focus on wood-fired steak and fresh local seafood, almost everything that is served to your table has been touched by fire or dry-aged.

Start small with snacks and elegant small plates like anchovies on toast, hand-picked crab rosti, a delicate raw kingfish with blood orange and roasted pumpkin ravioli with brown butter sage and pinenuts.

The mains celebrate premium Queensland produce; think top-tier land and sea fare elevated with simple touches to make the meat shine. The grilled coral trout with smoked tomato and capsicum is a must and you would be remiss not to order the  pork tomahawk with burnt onion mustard and jus gras.

Now, let's get down to the juicy stuff. There's a selection of ten impressive steaks to choose from, primarily sourced from Stockyard Beef, the most-awarded family-run beef producers in Queensland. While we certainly can't pick favourites, the dry-aged T-Bone Black Angus and 400g NY strip Black Angus are seriously superb.

Heading up the kitchen is Lars Kollrepp, son of Gold Coast hospitality royalty, Marty Kollrepp of Oskars on Burleigh, who got his first taste for the kitchen when he was aged just six, helping out in the kitchen.

His culinary prowess and passion shine through his impressive two-decade resume, which mostly recently includes his role as Executive Chef at all of Simon Gloftis' iconic Queensland restaurants including Fish House, Hellenika, Nineteen at the Star, SK Steak & Oyster, Sushi Room, and Sunshine. So yes, you’re in safe hands. 

"My aim for Lars Bar & Grill is a restaurant where simplicity meets modern flavours, and quality dining and impeccable dishes meet a relaxed and welcoming vibe and where people can truly unwind and enjoy themselves," says Kollrepp.

Of course, you need top-tier drinks to pair with your feast and Lars' cocktail menu certainly delivers. The cocktails are centred around local Australian spirits and similarly, the extensive wine list stars local vinos with a touch of European flair, all carefully curated to make your steak sing. The watermelon martini with dragonfruit is like a taste of Gold Coast summer in a glass—don't miss it.

The 110-seat venue is just as beautiful as the menu is exquisite and there is a ten-seat private dining room—a rarity in Mermaid Beach—which stars a hand-crafted table from the Kollrepp family and we expect will be frequently booked out. 

And what we love most about Lars Bar & Grill? The team firmly believes that despite offering a top-quality, produce-driven menu, Lars Bar & Grill isn't reserved just for special occasions. Whether you’re after a cocktail and a bite, casual gathering, or just want to enjoy a simple glass of wine, everyone is warmly welcomed.

Image Credit: Lars Bar & Grill | Supplied