A famous Gold Coast restaurant will shut its doors after 40 years in business.

Tamborine Mountain’s The Polish Place will close on the day of its 40th anniversary on September 3.

Owners Ania and Phil Sowter made the “difficult” to close the family business which has operated since 1983.

“We first opened 3rd September 1983 (and) it’s only befitting we celebrate 40 years to the day, and close at sunset on the 3rd September, 2023,” they said in a statement.

“Our family-owned business started as a coffee shop in 1983 and quickly expanded to a Polish restaurant, with five self-contained cottages and gallery.

“Over 40 years, we have met thousands of guests and employed at least 400 local staff.”

The Polish Place is a Gold Coast Hinterland landmark, made popular by its Polish roast duck and Polish cuisine.

In 2016, the restaurant was gutted by fire, however the Polish community rallied including Ambassador Pawel Milewski and threw their support behind the venue which was rebuilt.

“Everyone has a story about The Polish Place – whether they enjoyed a Polish meal and vodka, while taking in our views, sunsets and birdlife (and) more importantly, they experienced a little bit of Poland in Australia,” the Sowters said.

“Despite a fire destroying our restaurant and home in 2016, it was with the local community support we were able to rebuild and reopen the restaurant.

“We have been humbled to receive many awards over the years, including ‘Best Specialty Restaurant’ on the Gold Coast in 2020 and ‘Best European Restaurant’ three years running by the Restaurant & Caterer’s Association.

“Our proudest achievement was the opportunity to grow our business and raise our family within (and) who knows what’s around the corner, but we want to thank you for your patronage, your stories and repeated visits.”

Jonathan Jackson, 23^rd August 2023