Best Cafes Gold Coast, Australia

Gold Coast Top Cafes

If there us one thing the Gold Coast has  an abundance of, its cafes and good ones at that. From the super hip suburbs of Mermaid Beach, Burleigh and Palm Beach, to the super busy tourist hub of Surfers Paradise, the Coast just does a cafe right and is why its home to the best breakfast Gold Coast can offer.

With a city full of early risers, and summer sun rising at 4 am the cafes are often packed by 7am. Churning out delicious food and brewing top quality coffee this city just doesn’t disappoint.

Where Is The Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a city half way up the east coast of Australia 1 hour from Brisbane to the North and from the South just over an hour from Byron Bay. A long coastal city made up of many suburbs all rolling into one another.

So Lets Get Started

After 12 years of living in this city we tried a far few cafe and a fair few have lasted the distance, so with that and in no particular order, here are our choice best of the best.

The Cafes

Darrk Espresso

On the northern end of the Gold Coast lies Daark Espresso. Set in your typical Queenslander building, Daark has grown from a tiny 6 table boutique coffee shop to a newly refurb establishment which has doubled in size. With the luxury of now dining in or out on the decking looking out at the morning sun.

The food speaks for itself, with popular choices being Persian feta, cherry tomato and crushed avocado toast to more elaborate specials like southern fried chicken benedict.

Coffee is known as one of the best around with single origin options available.

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Website

Monday to Sunday 6am to 3pm

Elk Espresso

Like Daark, Elk Espresso started life in the suburb Of Broadbeach in a small building resembling a house, which if to be honest we liked the homely feel. But has since moved into bigger premises right on the end of the Oasis Center in the center of Broadbeach. Only a stones through from the beach has made this ever popular cafe even better.

A favourite of my mine here would be the breakfast burger with the added option of jalapeños to kick-start that morning, certainly one of my best breakfast choices.

Elk is known for there goodness bowls. Bowls pack with greens, poached eggs and homemade lebnah. Offering a healthy start to any morning, and the bowls always being seasonal menu items.

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Website

Monday to Sunday 5:45 to 4pm 

Blackboard Coffee

One of the original trend setters for Gold Coast cafes is Blackboard Coffee located in the suburb of Varsity Lakes. A hip vibe is perfect for this university town café, with students flocking to try the decedent food and smooth coffee.

Although known for a hang out for university students it is also a destination cafe for local Gold Coasters, especially with its philosophy of locally sourced food where possible.

Musts are truffled scrambled eggs and the slow cook brisket. Brisket for breakfast you may ask yes, when its paired with homemade corn bread, salsa and jalapeno hollandaise. The café always has a seasonal menu always being up to date with the best and up to date cuisine.

Details

Website

Monday to Sunday 6am to 3pm

Bam Bam Bakehouse

Bam Bam Bakehouse offers something a little different, a great café with the added flair of a artisan style bakery with all baked goods and treats hand crafted and there is certainly no stone un turned here.

Located in the trendy Mermaid Beach suburb with a short stroll trough the park to the beach.

Renowned food critic and former Masterchef judge Matt Preston has often graced this café on visits to coast says it all.

Bam bam are known for there crossiants which are all homemade. And when they paired one of these with karage chicken, slaw and kewpie mayo it was a stroke of genius. With the croissant game being so strong pairing it with a eggs benny is also another great touch.

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Website

Monday to Sunday 6:30am to 2:30pm

Commune

Another one of the original occupiers of the trendy Gold Coast Café scene is Commune. Another Queenlander style building. The feeling of home oozes out of Commune and the garden with its mismatched furniture certainly emphasizes that.

Commune was somewhere I liked to keep it simple and have bacon and eggs. The homemade relish that accompanied them was always delicious, and if you ask for soft poached eggs always perfectly cooked. When done right simple is sometimes the best way.

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Monday to Sunday 6am to 3:30pm

Paddock Bakery

Again and continuing the recurring theme of cafes in Queenslander houses lies Paddock Bakery. Set amongst houses in the backstreets of the suburb of Burleigh Heads. Rugged outdoor furniture and hipster feel another candidate for a cafe with the ultimate cosy and homely feel.

At Paddock bakery you must try the bagels, a little slice of NYC on the Gold Coast. Another favourite of ours would be the forest mushrooms on toast, earthy and delicious.

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Website

Monday to Sunday 6am to 3pm

BSKT

One of the most renowned and first health conscious cafes on the Gold Coast. Been feeding the massives there nutritious treats from this beachside spot at Nobbys Beach since 2013.

BSKT also designed one of the first vegan, bio – fermented soft serve ice cream in the world. Now that’s pretty impressive.

A crowd pleaser at BSKT would be the Navajo native breakfast (these homemade beans are great) and you can’t go past the haloumi and egg burger with homemade relish.

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Monday to Friday 6am to 3pm

Saturday and Sunday 6am to 4pm

Cardamon Pod

Taking Vegan food to new heights is the Cardamon Pod. Bright, energised and flavourome food, for someone who is non vegan my most visited cafe in the last few years was the Cardamon pod.

You must try the Indian Dosa, this homemade Dosa with spiced potatoes is to die for. Another favourite would be the vege big breakfast, I love the peanut fritters on here.

Cardoman Pod is also renowned for its elaborate range of acai bowls which taste amazing and are certainly insta worthy captures

Details

Website

Monday to Sunday 8am to 3pm

Bare Foot Barista

With its funky industrial look concrete walls, floor and black steel, giving Barefoot its unique look.

A popular destination for the early riser with doors opening at 5am and only moments away from the beach located in the trendy Palm Beach suburb.

The breakfast board was always a hit here, with all the breakfast favourites and another popular choice would be corn fritters always so moist and flavoursome.

Details

Website

Monday to Sunday 5am – 4pm

And Finally

I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite one here, they all bring something good to the table and all never seem to fail on quality. Maybe a trip to the Gold Coast would need to be 10 days long to try them all.

And why not consider once your fed and watered in one of these top cafes head off to some of the wonders of the Gold Coast.

See the hidden tracks of Tallebudgera Valley’s Hidden Gem and be alone in this peaceful wonder.

Or head off to the mountains of Springbrook and catch the stunning naturally forming rocks of Natural Bridge or see the mammoth 200ft waterfall of Purling Brook Falls.