When she’s not working on PR, social media or travel writing for clients, you’ll find Lauren Coulter with her nose to the ground looking for newcomers to the Gold Coast’s café scene.
With a penchant for a strong flat white and a slight smashed-avo obsession, it’s no surprise Lauren instinctively knows where to find the best breakie in town – just ask her.
BAREFOOT BARISTA
A regular with the local crowd, Barefoot Barista does casual, curb-side dining better than most. Just steps from the sand, shoes are optional and pooches are welcome at this popular Palm Beach café. Pull up a stool and tuck into their signature breakie board or grab a coffee (and a brownie) on the go. @barefoot_barista
THE SALT MILL
Look no further than this rustic, bolthole coffee shack on Currumbin’s sun-soaked esplanade for the perfect pre or post-surf caffeine fix, too-pretty-to-eat acai bowls, and wholesome raw treats that are actually good for you – yep, mornings don’t get much better than this at The Salt Mill! @the_salt_mill
MR BENGEL
One of the newest kids to arrive on Palmy’s block, Mr Bengel gets a perfect score for its cool beachside digs and drool-worthy breakie menu, where buckwheat banana pancakes loaded with berry compote and health-conscious green bowls are served up in a friendly, neighbourhood-style setting. @mrbengel
CAFE DBAR
Fancy your morning cuppa’ served with some of the best ocean views in town? Café Dbar is where it’s at – perched on one of the most sought after pieces of real estate on the southern end of Coast. Indulge in mouth-watering delights like French-toasted brioche fingers, sip on a ‘Summer Daze’ and watch seasoned surfers dancing with the ocean. @cafedbar
BLACKBOARD VARSITY
Enjoying a fresh new look, this industrial-style, suburban eatery, Blackboard buzzes from dawn ‘til dusk with the local business crowd, student population and weekend warriors – we’re not sure if it’s their signature espresso blend, breakfast cocktails or gorgeous paddock-to-plate style dishes that keep them coming back on the daily, but we’d say it’s a combination of all three… yum! @blackboardcoffee
PADDOCK BAKERY
With its charming weatherboard cottage, white picket fence and adorable alfresco setup, the postcard-perfect Paddock Bakery is a favourite among locals and travellers (and A-list celebrities), thanks to its scrumptious eats, including freshly baked bread, sweet treats and damn-fine all day brekkie and lunch menu. @paddockbakery
BSKT
Whoever said healthy food tastes bland clearly hasn’t tried Nobby’s resident health-conscious café, whose menu dishes up an array of wholesome plates that really pack a punch – from the BSKT Healthy Benny doused in drool-worthy kalenaise to the handmade Protein Falafel Plate and MVP Pancakes served with vegan honeycomb and coconut ice cream. @bsktcafe
ELK ESPRESSO
Nailing the art of coffee making while also taking out the gold-star in breakfast menu creativity (who knew a breakfast salad could taste THAT amazing?!), Elk Espresso on the park front at Broadbeach takes the cake for being one of the tastiest cafes in its ‘hood. @elkespresso
COMMUNE
Melting hearts with its vintage décor and flavorsome organic eats, Commune is one of Burleigh’s favourite brekkie hotspots, plating up some seriously scrumptious selections like the stacked banana pancakes or the coriander corn fritters – oh, and the meat-free Monday menu is quite a beauty too. @communeespresso
THE LATEST
News
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.