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Welcome to the Gold Coast

The guide · 02

Coffee & breakfast

Cafés worth the early alarm. Some open at 5:30am.

Milk being poured into a cappuccino to make a rosetta
Photo: Tim Umphreys / Unsplash
Area
Good for
Showing 39 places

SouthCoolangatta to Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads · Wood-fired bakery & café · $

Paddock Bakery

A wood-fired bakery sprawling through an old weatherboard house, its gardens, loft and barn. Paddock was first on the coast with cruffins, and its sourdough, dippy eggs and loaded pastry cabinet still draw weekend crowds.

Local tip Walk-in only: arrive before 8am on weekends. The grill closes at 2pm; pastries and coffee run until 3pm.
Address
20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Good for
Bakery, brunch, families
The coffee counter, menu boards and shelves inside Quest Coffee Roasters
02

Photo: Google Maps

Burleigh Heads · Organic coffee roaster · $

Quest Coffee Roasters

Burleigh's homegrown roaster pours its own certified-organic beans from a small, friendly James Street shopfront. Come for precise espresso, stay for the house-baked cakes, and take a bag of beans home.

Local tip Open from 5:30am daily. Grab a takeaway for a walk along Burleigh beach.
Address
20 James Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Good for
Specialty coffee, early starts

Palm Beach · Creekside bakery café · $

Custard Canteen

Red-and-white umbrellas, garden seating and Portuguese tarts baked in batches all day, right beside Tallebudgera Creek. Expect brunch staples (try the croissant benny) and a holiday mood, even on a Tuesday.

Local tip Opens 5:30am daily. Pre-order pastries online, then let the kids paddle in the creek.
Address
1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Good for
Bakery, brunch, families

Currumbin · Waterfront bakery café · $

Tarte Beach House

Tarte's Hamptons-meets-Paris outpost sits right on Currumbin Creek: marble tables, checkerboard floors and a pastry counter worth the drive. Order the miso scramble, or linger over a steak-frites sandwich.

Local tip Opens 6:30am daily. The café is walk-in; book the restaurant side for groups.
Address
Shop 1, 2–4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin QLD 4223
Good for
Bakery, brunch, groups
The Vanilla Lily shopfront and sign on Marine Parade
05

Photo: Google Maps

Coolangatta · Ocean-view café & bar · $

Vanilla Lily

A sunny front deck looking over Greenmount Beach, a rose-quartz counter inside and a menu of nourish bowls and big breakfasts. Coffee from 6:30am, cocktails from mid-morning.

Local tip Arrive early for a deck table. Friday sunset sessions (4–7pm) can change, so check Instagram first.
Address
Shop 2, 110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Good for
Ocean views, brunch
The Palm Springs sign and orange umbrellas outside the cafe
06

Photo: Palm Springs

Burleigh Heads · Californian café · $

Palm Springs

Sun-soaked and whitewashed, this Southern California-inspired café serves breakfast and lunch daily. Get the Cali breakfast burrito and a dirty chai.

Local tip Walk-ins only, daily 6am–2.30pm. You can order ahead online to skip the wait.
Address
1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Good for
Brunch
Outdoor tables under the awning at Tarte Bakery & Cafe
07

Photo: Tarte

Burleigh Heads · French bakery café · $

Tarte Bakery & Cafe

French bistro chairs and mosaic tiles set the scene. Pastries are baked each morning, so arrive early for a kouign amann or cruller, or stay for Turkish eggs.

Local tip Walk-ins only, from 6.30am daily. Tarte Beach House, on Currumbin Creek, is its sister.
Address
1748 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Good for
Bakery, brunch
The white espresso bar at Next Door Espresso, open to the street
08

Photo: Tourism Australia

Burleigh Heads · Courtyard espresso bar · $

Next Door Espresso

A courtyard café inside the St Barts lifestyle precinct, pouring organic Moonshine coffee with acai bowls, banana bread and toasties.

Local tip Open from 6am, Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays.
Address
1/24 Junction Road, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Good for
Specialty coffee, early starts
Orange chairs and umbrellas outside Mohr Café & Deli
09

Photo: Mohr Café & Deli

Burleigh Heads · Chef-led café & deli · $

Mohr Café & Deli

A chef-led café and deli (say “more”) serving breakfast and lunch all day, from croque monsieur to shakshuka scramble.

Local tip Open from 6.30am daily, beside Common Ground. No bookings, but you can order online; it also caters for events, with platters and set menus.
Address
4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Phone
0402 868 707
Good for
Brunch, catering

Burleigh Heads · Gelateria · $

Al Bacio Gelato

A family-run gelateria churning gelato from scratch the Italian way, with seasonal produce and no powdered bases. Try the signature chocolate-hazelnut.

Local tip There are vegan sorbets too. Look out for its gelato cart at Miami Marketta.
Address
7/1840 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Good for
Families, an afternoon treat
Loaf's green kiosk and outdoor tables in Palm Beach
11

Photo: Inside Gold Coast

Palm Beach · Beachside breakfast kiosk · $

Loaf

A beachside breakfast stop for acai bowls, avo toast, crumpets and Supreme coffee, with a grab-and-go window and a dog-friendly deck.

Local tip Open daily from 5am until noon, so it suits an early call. It is on the corner of 15th Avenue.
Address
1237 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Good for
Brunch, early starts, dogs

Palm Beach · Bagel bakery · $

Ue Bagels

Bagels baked fresh every day, in rotating flavours with a cream cheese that changes weekly. The Breaky Bagel is the best-seller.

Local tip It closes at 1pm (noon on Sundays), so come early. There are also stores in Miami and Varsity Lakes.
Address
10 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Phone
0482 018 559
Good for
Bakery, breakfast on the go
A barista pouring coffee at Bread Social
13

Photo: Bread Social

Currumbin Waters · Artisan bakery · $

Bread Social

In a converted warehouse, this artisan bakery lets you watch the bakers through glass. Come early for custard tarts, almond croissants and sausage rolls.

Local tip Open daily 5.30am–2.30pm; the best bakes go early.
Address
2 Queensbury Avenue, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223
Phone
07 5625 6464
Good for
Bakery, families

Currumbin Waters · Split-level café · $

Lobby

A split-level café in The Warehouses precinct, pouring Reuben Hills coffee with jaffles and Bread Social pastries.

Local tip Order the roast tomatoes with mascarpone on sourdough. Burly Bar is in the same precinct for a drink later.
Address
60 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223
Good for
Specialty coffee, brunch

Currumbin Waters · Courtyard café · $

Home Currumbin

Run by the Currumbin Surf School team, this courtyard café makes everything in-house, from the bakes to the sambal.

Local tip Try the overnight French toast. Dogs are welcome in the garden; open from 5.30am on weekdays and 6.30am at weekends.
Address
4a/42 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223
Good for
Brunch, families, dogs

Tugun · Café · $

Stable Coffee Kitchen

In the Cornerstone Stores courtyard opposite Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, this café pours Seven Seeds coffee with a health-focused menu.

Local tip Grab a sunny outdoor table. Open daily 7am–4pm, so it's handy before or after the sanctuary.
Address
1/570 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun QLD 4224
Phone
0413 095 005
Good for
Specialty coffee, brunch
Diners on the deck at Black Dingo Café, above the beach at Point Danger
17

Photo: Must Do Gold Coast

Point Danger · Clifftop café · $

Black Dingo Café

On the balcony beneath the border marker at Point Danger, this walk-in café serves specialty coffee and house-made pastries over the waves.

Local tip Watch for whales from June to November. The café sits on the NSW side of the border, an hour ahead from October to April.
Address
1 Tweed Terrace, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Phone
0422 723 935
Good for
Ocean views, specialty coffee
People leaning on a rail, watching the surf
18

Photo: Love Street Store

Kirra · Café, surf shop & gallery · $

Love Street Store

Café, surf shop and gallery in one. Order a smoothie or acai bowl, then browse homewares and beach essentials from local makers.

Local tip Open daily from 5.30am, a short walk from Kirra Beach.
Address
1 Churchill Street, Kirra QLD 4225
Phone
07 5659 2745
Good for
Brunch, browsing

Kirra · Brunch café · $

Our Tribe Café

A family-run brunch spot a short stroll from the beach, pouring Seven Miles coffee. Order the signature rosti benny: a house-made hash brown with poached eggs.

Local tip Walk-ins only, for breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Address
Shop 1, 1–3 Douglas Street, Kirra QLD 4225
Good for
Brunch, families
Two '94 matcha drinks in branded cups
20

Photo: '94

Palm Beach · Matcha & coffee café · $

'94

A pocket-sized café devoted to ceremonial-grade Kyoto matcha, whisked by hand with house-made syrups. Strawberry is the signature. Vintage styling, vinyl on the turntable and sunny kerbside seats.

Local tip Open daily from 5:30am, ideal before an early start.
Address
Shop 1A, 1114 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Good for
Breakfast, coffee & matcha

CentralMermaid Beach and Broadbeach

Sunnyboy Espresso's yellow awning and busy coffee window
21

Photo: Sunnyboy Espresso

Mermaid Beach · Beachside brunch café · $

Sunnyboy Espresso

Sunshine-yellow umbrellas mark this corner café steps from the sand, run by the Elk Espresso crew. Golden French toast leads a seasonal brunch menu, backed by a house-blend flat white.

Local tip Walk-in only, so come early on weekends. Bottomless mimosas run 10am–1pm in one-hour sittings.
Address
168 Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Good for
Brunch, families

Mermaid Beach · Vegetarian brunch café · $

The Milkman's Daughter

An all-vegetarian brunch spot a block back from the beach, calm and grown-up, with inventive iced lattes. The lemon ricotta pancakes are the move.

Local tip Meals from 7am. Book ahead on weekends; there's free two-hour parking opposite.
Address
2/43 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Good for
Brunch, vegetarian

Broadbeach · Specialty roaster flagship · $

Paradox Coffee Roasters

The Gold Coast's own award-winning roaster relaunched its Broadbeach flagship in 2026, with booths and communal tables around a central bar. Expect seasonal single origins, batch brew on tap and polished brunch plates.

Local tip Open 5:30am daily (kitchen from 6:30am), a short walk from the Broadbeach North tram stop.
Address
4 Charles Avenue, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Good for
Specialty coffee, brunch, laptop work

Nobby Beach · Corner coffee stop · $

The Holliday Coffee

A corner coffee stop serving coffee, jaffles and treats from 5.30am.

Local tip Come early: it closes at 1.30pm on weekdays and at noon at weekends. Walk-ins only.
Address
2251 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach QLD 4218
Good for
Specialty coffee, early starts
A Yo-Chi cup piled with toppings
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Photo: The Urban List

Broadbeach · Frozen yoghurt bar · $

Yo-Chi

A self-serve frozen yoghurt bar: choose a probiotic base, including dairy-free coconut, add toppings and pay by weight.

Local tip Open daily until late (10pm on Fridays and Saturdays). There is another Yo-Chi in Burleigh Heads.
Address
89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Phone
07 5599 0317
Good for
Families, a late treat
A Brooki chunky chocolate chip cookie
26

Photo: Brooki Bakehouse

Broadbeach · Cookie bakery · $

Brooki Bakehouse

Brooke Bellamy's viral bakery, known for New York-style cookies that are crisp outside and gooey in the centre, baked fresh all day.

Local tip Open daily 10am–10pm, so it works for an after-dinner treat.
Address
88 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Good for
Families, a sweet treat

Mermaid Beach · Coastal café · $

Little Mermaid Café

A breezy, dog-friendly coastal café with a Middle Eastern accent. Order the shakshuka or Turkish eggs.

Local tip Bring the kids: there is a gated play area.
Address
Shop 1A, 2557 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Phone
0420 527 071
Good for
Brunch, families, dogs

Mermaid Beach · Scandi wellness café · $

House of Hälsa

A Scandi-inspired wellness café known for smoothies made with sea moss, collagen and adaptogens. Try the Stockholm Plate: boiled egg, parmesan, butter, jam and rye toast.

Local tip Open daily 5.30am–3pm, with laneway seating out back.
Address
1/2453 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Good for
Brunch, smoothies
A barista in an Alfred's Apartment T-shirt with a takeaway coffee
29

Photo: Allpress Espresso

Mermaid Beach · Coffee & clothing store · $

Alfred's Apartment

A homegrown clothing label and coffee shop on the Nobby Beach strip, pouring Allpress coffee.

Local tip Order the maple oat iced latte. The coffee bar opens daily 6.30am–2.30pm.
Address
4/2225 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Good for
Specialty coffee, shopping
Coffees in the sun on a table at Velvet Café & Lounge
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Photo: The Urban List

Miami · Café & lounge · $

Velvet Café & Lounge

A moody café and lounge bringing European wine-bar style to breakfast. Order the French toast fondue or the Spanish tortilla.

Local tip Stay on for an espresso carajillo. Open daily 6am–3pm (kitchen until 2pm).
Address
6/3 Ozone Parade, Miami QLD 4220
Good for
Brunch, something different

Robina · Rustic café · $

Harvest Foodhouse

A rustic 110-seat café serving breakfast all day, with lunch dishes from midday. Order the pancake tacos or the beef and French onion dipping sandwich.

Local tip It's a big room, so it suits a group. Check Instagram for opening hours.
Address
Shop 16B, 361 Robina Parkway, Robina QLD 4226
Phone
0466 991 437
Good for
Brunch, families, groups
Diners at the outdoor tables in front of the bar at Moustache
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Photo: Must Do Gold Coast

Nobby Beach · Espresso & natural wine bar · $$

Moustache

A pint-sized espresso bar by morning and natural-wine bar by night. Come early for ceremonial matcha and cold foams, or in the afternoon for European small plates and a glass in the laneway sun.

Local tip Coffee daily from 6am to noon. Wine bar Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm.
Address
Shop 3, The Oxley 1823, 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Good for
Coffee, wine

NorthMain Beach and Southport

The Winey Cow at Main Beach, with yellow umbrellas over the outdoor tables
33

Photo: The Winey Cow

Main Beach · Brunch café & mimosa bar · $$

The Winey Cow

An airy, polished brunch room serving chicken and waffles, wild-mushroom croissants and a proper mimosa bar. Doors open at 5:30am for early call times; the bottomless brunch suits slower days off.

Local tip Book online for weekends. The kids' menu runs from nuggets to waffles.
Address
5–11 Woodroffe Avenue, Main Beach QLD 4217
Good for
Brunch, families
Vector Coffee's open shopfront, with the café counter inside
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Photo: Google Maps

Southport · Specialty espresso bar · $

Vector Coffee

Run by a physicist who treats extraction like an experiment, Vector has grown from a hole-in-the-wall into a warm, diner-style café. Expect weekly guest roasters, a yuzu cold-brew spritz and house-baked ciabatta sandwiches.

Local tip Ask which guest roaster is on this week, and try it as a batch brew.
Address
18A Young Street, Southport QLD 4215
Good for
Specialty coffee, brunch, laptop work
The Hazel Espresso shopfront, with plants and an arched window
35

Photo: OpenTable

Southport · Viet-Japanese café · $

Hazel Espresso

A couple-run café in Chinatown blending Vietnamese, Japanese and Aussie brunch: crab scramble on croissant, tamago sandos and a silky Hanoi-style egg coffee, beautifully plated and warmly served.

Local tip Treat the egg coffee as dessert. It's in Southport's Chinatown, with parking close by.
Address
9 Davenport Street, Southport QLD 4215
Good for
Brunch, something different
The Gelato Messina shopfront in Surfers Paradise
36

Photo: Gelato Messina

Surfers Paradise · Gelateria · $

Gelato Messina

Sydney's cult gelato maker, with 35 classic flavours and five rotating specials churned in store, plus gelato cakes and thick shakes.

Local tip It is at the beach end of Cavill Avenue, open until late (11pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
Address
2a Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Phone
07 5689 2535
Good for
Families, a late treat

Main Beach · Gelateria & coffee · $

Rosé Gelateria

A pink-and-gold gelateria with up to 24 flavours, including rosewater topped with petals and vegan options, plus Allpress coffee.

Local tip Open daily from midday until 9pm (10pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Take a cone for a stroll along Tedder Avenue.
Address
Shop 6, 19–21 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach QLD 4217
Good for
Families, an afternoon treat

HinterlandCurrumbin Valley, a short drive inland

Currumbin Valley · Organic farm café · $

Pasture & Co

Tucked inside the Currumbin Ecovillage under century-old figs, with kangaroos grazing nearby, this organic, local-first café caters to every diet. Come for ricotta pancakes and good coffee; leave with a slice of the famous lemon meringue pie.

Local tip No dogs: it's a wildlife area. Make a morning of it with the Cougal Cascades walk, further up the valley.
Address
Village Way, Currumbin Ecovillage, Currumbin Valley QLD 4223
Good for
Brunch, families
Two people at the rail at Currumbin Valley Harvest, looking over the green valley
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Photo: Must Do Gold Coast

Currumbin Valley · Organic market café · $

Currumbin Valley Harvest

An organic produce market and café overlooking green hills, with a medicinal herb garden.

Local tip Open Thursday to Monday, 8am–2pm. Go early and order a buckwheat wrap; the Currumbin Rock Pools are just down the road.
Address
1380 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley QLD 4223
Good for
Brunch, families

Keep exploring

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