There’s a touch of retro Mediterranean chic in the mix at this sharply detailed wine bar in downtown Burleigh Heads with a deep list of European labels and stellar snacks.
It could just be the name – “paloma” means dove in Spanish – but there’s a touch of retro Mediterranean chic in the mix here. There’s a fab on-trend by-the-glass wine range – anything from Austrian riesling, Loire Valley sauvignon blanc and Aussie natural sparkling to skin-contact wines such as Gentle Folk’s Rainbow Juice. On the brass-accented back bar you’ll spot a tight line-up of spirits, too, but first and foremost Paloma is a bar dedicated to the pleasures of wine – and ultra-tasty small plates.
The décor leans European, neatly sidestepping worn-out coastal formulas. It’s a spot that feels airy during the day, whether in the long, narrow interior or at the alfresco tables, and is flatteringly lit at night, with a lovely bar clad in pastel marine-hued tiles stretching almost the length of the venue. It’s typical of the thinking here that above the padded-leather banquette along the opposite wall is a mirror positioned French bistro-style to ensure everyone has something good to look at. Out front, smart terrazzo tiling provides a jazzy counterpoint to a classic all-white exterior.
