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Start Your Day At The Best Cafes on the Gold Coast
Scroll through our list of the best cafes on the Gold Coast to discover blissful breakfasts and lunches worth lingering over.
Whether you’re down for a day trip or are spending a long weekend in the sunshine, the Gold Coast is one of the best stay-cay style escapes from Brisbane. The endless stretch of beaches, quirky vintage stores and of course, the dining scene, make it the perfect place to wander around and explore something new.
You might even say that the Gold Coast has experienced a bit of a glow-up in the last decade or so, with gorgeous new venues at every turn that ensure the food and lifestyle precincts in this sunny coastal spot are constantly popping.
If you’re planning to spend some time on the GC, we’ve got you covered with the best cafes on the Gold Coast for breakfast, lunch or a top-notch coffee to sip as you stroll the streets or along the surf.
House of Hälsa
Every tiny detail at House of Hälsa, the Gold Coast’s newest wellness destination, is impeccable, from the burgundy sunken lounge (or ‘conversation pit’) to the plating of food, intended to spark joy and creativity. Going beyond the typical health cafe go-tos, House of Hälsa is serving up plates of blackberry toast with rosemary and goat cheese, simple dishes for children and even treats for the pups.
The space has been designed to linger, encouraging locals and visitors to indulge in a wellness moment, not just for the body, but the mind, too.
1/2453 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters
Mohr
A sunny courtyard, elite coffee, a sleek backdrop and seasonal brunch plates — what Mohr could you want? As if this brand new deli/cafe/coffee shop hybrid wasn’t already bringing enough to the table, they also offer fresh take-home meals from their fridge. Once you taste what you’ve got to offer, you’ll be considered a regular in no time.
4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh
ConKaBar
This family-owned cafe is bringing the best of both worlds together with Burleigh coffee culture and Mexican flavours, or as they like to say, ‘Brexican’. They’ve got fun drinks covered (think Mex caramel and strawberry cloud foam toppers), breaky burritos, chorizo omelettes and plenty more.
Office 2/3 37 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads
Kefi Cafe
Are you craving a taste of the Med? Kefi Cafe will deliver. Named for the Greek word that encapsulates a sense of joy, this is exactly how a dish from Kefi will make you feel.
The menu here showcases a colourful mix of brekkie faves like acai bowls, eggs benny and hotcakes, all with a fresh new Mediterranean take. Visit for coffee, cocktails or a long lunch with your besties.
Corner of Griffith and McDonald Street, Under Reflections Tower 2, Coolangatta
Paddock Bakery
Well-known for their top-notch pastries, pies and clever twists on brekkie favourites, the Paddock Bakery is a Burleigh Heads staple. Located on Hibiscus Haven, this old Queenslander home was relocated from Redcliffe to the Gold Coast in the seventies, before lying dormant and unloved for some time. Now, the building is unrecognisable as it bustles with friends, families and couples vying for a table as locals and visitors alike flock to this iconic brekkie spot.
Operating on walk-ins only, you can nab a seat in the gardens, cottage, loft, rooftop or barn, so if you visit more than once we wager you’ll get a change of scenery each time. At the heart of the kitchen is the wood-fired oven, made with salvaged red brick and doors from the first bakery in Tasmania.
The menu is updated regularly, but our favourites are the tried and true Dippy Eggs, two soft-boiled eggs with buttered wood-fired sourdough served in a cute little egg carton with bacon bits, labneh and parsley. Don’t forget to round out your savoury meal with a sweet — you can’t go past Paddock’s famous doughnuts!
20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
The Milkman’s Daughter
The Milkman’s Daughter might be known for its top-tier brunch fare, but their La Marzocco machine (and skilled baristas) also make a mean brew.
in line with their ethos of selecting each and every ingredient with intention and care, this Gold Coast favourite uses organic beans from local roasters Paradox. The Purple Rain blend lends their brews notes of tangy apricot, sweet brown sugar and chocolate almonds.
They also have a wide range of alternative lattes and a bright brunch menu.
Sitchu Tip: The Baby Bear pancakes are perfect for the little person in your life.
2/43 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach
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Bear Boy Espresso Helensvale
Bear Boy Espresso in always a good time, with founders Brodie and Andy sharing their love of the Gold Coast with visitors and locals alike.
Pouring specialty coffee and serving an inventive menu made from local produce (ethically and sustainably produced wherever possible), the Bear Boy team have even expanded to Brisbane, bringing some of the best breakfasts in the Sunshine State to Windsor as well!
Shop 66, 502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
Tarte Bakery & Cafe
Serving options, Tarte Bakery and Cafe have two venues for you to choose from. For something casual, swing by their leafy West Street location in Burleigh and pick up some sweet treats. You can also pop-in for all your brunch favourites.
Tarte also has a location right on Currumbin Creek. Home to three venues — an upstairs restaurant, downstairs cafe and the Tarte Tea Garden — it’s very much choose your own adventure here. They also facilitate SUP hire on the creek. A delicious breaky or lunch and a sun-filled activity? Sounds like the recipe for a perfect morning!
Sitchu Tip: Have an event or dinner party coming up? Order something fancy for dessert from Tarte. The cherry pie and baked ricotta cheesecakes have our vote!
Burleigh Heads & Currumbin
Palm Springs Burleigh
Bringing Southern Californian vibes to the shores of the Sunshine State is the gorgeous Palm Springs. Palm Springs is a visual dream, with rendered white archways, tiled countertops and rocky cactus gardens.
We love the balcony seating upstairs where you can watch the laidback Gold Coast locals traipsing by. The coffee beans are Paradigm, locally roasted of course, and the menu is chock-full of dishes with a Southern Californian twist.
Think breakfast burritos, breakfast tacos, chilli scramble and sandos are always on rotation. Bring your point-and-shoot or have your phone at the ready, cause this gorgeous desert-style oasis is picture-perfect.
1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Commune
A long-standing favourite on the Burleigh brunch scene, Commune offer plenty of gluten-free and vegan options on the laidback menu of brunch favourites (think eggs benedict, buckwheat pancakes, acai bowls and eggs florentine).
The organic coffee is also a major draw card here, pull up a seat at the breezy and bright tables and savour the magic in a cup.
1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Bam Bam Bakehouse
Bam Bam’s pastry cabinet is a true thing of beauty. Stuffed with mouthwatering bakes, you’ll have a hard time choosing from the wide, decadent and endlessly enticing selection. Hot custard and jam croissant? Maybe you’re feeling something a little more tropical, like a mango and cheesecake croissant basket? Or go traditional with a delicate strawberry tart.
If you’re looking for something a little heartier, Bam Bam also have a bunch of larger meals on the menu, pastry inclusive, of course. We can’t go past the Bam Bam benny which is served on a warm, layered Bam Bam croissant.
2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Now that you’ve conquered the best cafes on the Gold Coast, it’s time to explore the rest of the area! We’ve got you covered with our list of the best things to do on the GC, and dinner plans will be easy with our edit of the best restaurants on the Gold Coast.
