Written by Kate Veling
Cafe culture is strong in this city. Gold Coasters take their caffeine seriously and our local barista plays a vital role in our morning routine (And mid-morning. And lunch.) From fresh, French and al fresco to healthy beachside vibes and brews made from locally grown beans, we’ve got a good coffee buzz going on.
Rise Bakery - Hope Island
Bringing a touch of Parisian style to Sanctuary Cove, Rise Bakery is known for their fluffiest, flakiest, most perfect pastries, including eclairs, croissants, seasonal treats and artisanal bread. Chef Adrien Marcinowski is a master of French patisserie and creates truly exquisite sweet treats and quiches. Prepare for culinary pleasure - your eyes will roll back in your head when you take a bite of his incredible creations. In traditional style, each concoction is a delight for the eyes as well as the palate.
Adding an extra French flair, is the accompanying Champagne bar, so you can pair your pastry with a glass of real French bubbles. Cheers!
Must try: Mille feuille
1 Masthead Way, Hope Island | @risebakeryau
Stairwell Coffee - Surfers Paradise
Channelling some Harry Potter vibes, this inner-city cafe is tucked away under a stairwell in a Surfers Paradise alleyway. And just like our favourite wizard, the baristas here brew up some magic in the form of consistently excellent coffee made from locally roasted beans. The non-dairy drinkers love Stairwell for the extensive range of alternative milk on offer. A menu of mouth-watering jaffles and toasted bagels complement the drinks list and make the perfect breakfast option. With limited seating, Stairwell is more of a takeaway joint, but there are a couple of tables where you’ll see a steady stream of regulars and their doggos stopping in for their daily caffeine fix.
The Centre Arcade, Surfers Paradise | @stairwellcoffee
BSKT Café - Mermaid Beach
First things first - it’s pronounced ‘biscuit’. And from sunrise onwards, the dawn patrol, dog walkers, fitness enthusiasts, plant-based babes and families gather here for lunch, brunch, breakky, coffee and Oakberry acai bowls. Be sure to bring your dog down to this buzzing beachside hub and treat your pet to the BSKT Puppy Board featuring a puppacino on oat mylk and an organic dog cookie.
For humans, the all-day breakfast and lunch menu is full of fresh, healthy house-made wholefoods, bursting with flavour, and there’s something for everyone including gluten free/vegan/vego/paleo/keto diets. Parents appreciate the little play area out back to keep toddlers entertained, and the sandy shores of Nobby Beach are mere metres away. Order takeaways and watch the waves roll in as you imbibe the blessed brew for a nourishing start to your day.
4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach | @bsktcafe
Commune - Burleigh Heads
Commune is a neighbourhood favourite and it’s easy to see why. This cafe has local character and a laid back, social feel - it’s the kind of place where groups of friends gather and people stop on the way back from the beach, barefoot with their dog in tow. Take a seat in the sunny courtyard and sip on supremely good Campos coffee or fuel up on fresh, wholesome fare like healthy bowls, salads, juices, breakfast classics and hearty lunch options. You’ll want to linger longer and try something from the cake cabinet.
1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh, Gold Coast. @communeespresso
Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation
If you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, take a trip to Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation in the Hinterland. Book a Crop-to-Cup tour to see first-hand how coffee is grown and processed, then head to the onsite cafe to experience a brew made from home grown beans carefully roasted and blended to highlight the unique flavours.
Housed in a quaint old Queenslander complete with white picket fence, the cafe has a sun-drenched al fresco terrace and sprawling, shady lawn where you can relax and enjoy a meal. The menu here changes with the seasons and fresh, local produce is the hero in gourmet sandwiches, juicy burgers, salads, cakes and share plates. Pair with craft cocktails, local tap beer and wine for a superb Saturday afternoon. Take a bag of freshly roasted beans home with you.
64 Alpine Terrace, Mount Tamborine @tamborinemtcoffee
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