Taste your way around casual coffee, bustling brunch and lunch deliciousness with the best cafes on the Gold Coast.

Out-of-towners will cotton on quick — the Gold Coast is an early morning city, with residents rising at the crack of dawn to hit the beach or gym, comb markets and sniff out that obligatory AM caffeine jolt. Catering to such crowds are some of the best cafes in Australia, angled to embrace their natural surroundings and, in doing so, luring top-shelf, super creative baristas and chefs from around the country.

Saturated with goodness — whether you’re craving the perfect bacon and jammy egg roll, creamy yet punchy coffee, buttery flaked pastries or calming water views before the day washes in — the best cafes on the Gold Coast are awake and ready for you. Presenting tried-and-tested navigation into a slightly overwhelming barrage of ripper options.

The shortlist

Best coffee: Tarte.
Hidden gem: Stone’s Throw
Best pastries: Paddock Bakery
Family-friendly spot: Pasture & Co.
Best views: Cafe Twelve91

1. Tarte.

If you’re exploring the southern beaches, Tarte. is unavoidable, for good reason. Its O.G. bakery sits on a Burleigh Heads corner, within strolling distance to the best Burleigh Heads restaurants, and despite opening up two additional locations in burgeoning Currumbin, the flagship is still packed daily. Line up for your takeaway on West St or grab a seat (stay alert, they’re snapped up quickly) on the tree-lined Gold Coast Highway before stepping into the corner doors and succumbing to a glass cabinet full of sweeties. The strawberry muffin tops are our favourite, crunchy yet gooey with Lindt white chocolate, but the Dulce de Leche crueller is similarly ridiculous.

If you’re visiting its little siblings, Tarte Beach House and Tarte Tea Garden in Currumbin, the menu’s the same. We recommend taking your always-smooth coffee hit, plus a Twice Salmon Bagel with crispy capers, and bringing the party down to the picnic table-dotted area right by the sand of Currumbin Creek. Meanwhile, the Tea Garden rolls out towers topped with miniature versions of their signature creations as lush greenery creates a secret garden and one of the best high teas on the Gold Coast.

Cuisine: Pastries and modern Australian dishes

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Chilled across all three locations

Locations: 2 West St, Burleigh Heads, Shop 1, 2-4 Thrower Dr, Currumbin, and the Tea Garden is just next door at 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

2. Bam Bam Bakehouse

Here for the pastries? Don’t we know it. Bam Bam Bakehouse is a straight-up institution, offering all-day brunch, super indulgent pastries and sweet treats, and house-baked bread. One of its claims to fame is the fact Margot Robbie did an artisan baking course here during her 2016 hen’s celebration, but Bam Bam doesn’t need star power to lure crowds. Just one taste of its twice-baked almond croissant, dipped in rum syrup, filled with cream custard and dusted with frangipane and flaked almonds, will hook you. Expect to queue for a table as the Gold Coast cafe is always busy, however there’s always the small playground just up in the park to help kill time (and their boredom).

Cuisine: Pastries and modern Australian dishes

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Bustling

Location: 2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

3. Stone’s Throw

We can’t count the number of times we’ve sat on Stone’s Throw’s wooden deck with a cup of liquid gold and a homemade banana and giant choc-chip muffin fuelling our mornings, but let’s just say this Gold Coast cafe is a true Australian Traveller favourite. Co-owner Mel is a burst of sunshine, adored by locals, while her brother and co-owner Cameron spins magic in the kitchen. Bring the kids — they’ll love playing in the itty-bitty vintage caravan and sand pit before tucking into the kids’ picnic platter of toast, fruit, vegetables and sweets. Meanwhile, grown-up food is always made with love, including the beloved Saag Aloo which nails Indian flavours with flair.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with international influences

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Location: 4/9 Station St, Currumbin Waters

4. Cafe Twelve91

You won’t find splashy interiors or even that much signage as you’re zipping down the Gold Coast Highway, but step into Cafe Twelve91 for a front-row seat to the waves. In summer, this Gold Coast cafe attracts a mainly cozzies-only-clad crowd of locals who smash out a morning body board before sinking into a deck chair on the grass and gazing into the beauty beyond. It’s located on the bottom level of the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club so we’re talking sandy concrete at your feet inside and salt-laced breeze for days. The menu is filled with sweets (they bring on a new cake weekly), while seasonal stars like soul bowls loaded with roasted vegetables, brown rice and sesame-seeded avocado, provide a heartier breakfast. They’re only open until 12pm daily, so you’ll need to lean into those early mornings to embrace this hidden secret.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Lowkey and local

Location: 1291 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

5. Elk Espresso

On the glitzy side of town, Elk Espresso is renowned for its morning crowds, opposite the beach on the bottom level of the Oasis shopping centre at Broadbeach. The star attraction is undoubtedly its boozy brunch offering, on offer daily from 10am to 1:30pm and pouring one hour of unlimited mimosas alongside your choice of main dish for $49 per person. Fuel your day sans-alcohol with coffee crafted from Elk’s own beans and seasonally led dishes like the blueberry and apple panna cotta, an even more photogenic take on the Acai bowl.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Beachy

Location: Shop G044, The Oasis, Surf Parade, Broadbeach

6. Social Brew

Nestled in James Street, the well-trodden main street of Burleigh Heads, the always-crowded Social Brew is a mecca of nooks and corners made for all-morning unwinding. From bright yellow cups to the splashes of greenery, this Gold Coast cafe promotes wellness and its menu (mostly) follows suit. Pick from gourmet toasties, sugar-free treats, savoury breakfast bowls and fresh smoothie combos, or throw the towel in entirely and cave to the Nutella-dripped buttermilk pancakes with vanilla ice cream.

Cuisine: Modern Australian (and great fresh smoothies)

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Lively

Location: 34-36 James St, Burleigh Heads

7. Paddock Bakery

Built inside a renovated old Queenslander, Paddock Bakery creates what’s widely judged as the best wood-fired sourdough around — and we concur. We also strongly recommend taking a seat in this Gold Coast cafe’s crowded open-air courtyard where you’re invited to bring your dog and indulge in comfort. Dishes are abundant and loaded with trimmings, like the Dippy Eggs with organic labna which you can upgrade with bacon bits and goat’s feta. The milkshakes are showstoppers, too, especially the Birthday Cake Shake which throws chunks of vanilla sponge into the glass and tops it with frosting, sprinkles and whipped cream. As a walk-in-only establishment, you’ll find additional seating in their cottage, garden, rooftop, loft, and barn areas.

Cuisine: Pastries and modern Australian dishes

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Homely, but busy

Location: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

8. The Milkman’s Daughter

Known for its ‘eat consciously, live consciously’ philosophy, The Milkman’s Daughter is popular for its calming space and exclusively vegetarian menu – plus beautifully plated presentation, too. From a lemon ricotta tartine and shakshuka to custard pancakes and the fully loaded Farmer’s Breakfast, flowing with falafel, hash browns, grilled vegetables, baked beans, eggs and avocado, every nourishing dish is thoughtfully created. Dogs are welcome and this Gold Coast cafe also opens every Friday and Saturday evening for sunset tapas plates.

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Location: 2/43 Alfred St, Mermaid Beach

9. Bear Boy Espresso

With a minimalistic Scandinavian aesthetic, warmed via pops of terracotta, timber and ceiling-hung greenery, Bear Boy Espresso (found within the Homeworld complex) is a stunning piece of hospitality design. The team, who also run a similarly serene spot in Brisbane’s Windsor, serve an all-day seasonally constructed brunch menu with signature dishes like the Big Bear Benny with potato hash, Boy Breakfast Burger on a milk bun with bacon and a fried egg, and chicken and waffles with Sriracha hollandaise. Additionally, the coffee is creamy-superb.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Stylish

Location: Shop 66, 502 Hope Island Rd, Helensvale

10. Commune

The ever-lively Commune, famed for its quirky vintage decor and laidback hippy vibes, dishes up health-conscious meals focused on organic ingredients. Grab a curbside table or one under the umbrellas to the side of the Gold Coast cafe to indulge responsibly. While the views are mostly concrete (a block back from the beach across the highway) the scene is always thriving as menu favourites including the sweet potato brekkie bowl with quinoa, rocket and feta, plus the long-loved fish tacos, provide delicious morning kick-starters.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Mexican influences

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Hipster

Location: 1844 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

11. Custard Canteen

Located just a few sandy steps away from the iconic Tallebudgera Creek, Custard Canteen dishes up an all-day brunch, epic sweet treats (they’re the same crew behind Bam Bam Bakehouse), and darn good coffee, too. Don’t leave without sampling their famed Portuguese tart, almost as gooey-delicious as authentic Lisbon creations, or classic strawberry tart with their perfect vanilla custard. If you’re enjoying life by the creek and don’t want to leave, turn brunch into lunch and dive into the likes of a grilled Korean prawn burger on a bed of pickled daikon and gochujang aioli, or Owen’s Avo, an eternal safe bet with goat’s cheese and pickled red onion.

Cuisine: Modern Australian (and the coast’s best Portuguese tarts)

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Location: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

12. The Bread Social

Descending on the Gold Coast in 2024 after winning the carb-devoted hearts of northern NSW locals, The Bread Social technically operates two Gold Coast locations these days, however its Isle of Capri outpost is more to-go than cafe. Head straight for its southern beaches’ eatery, a slick shopfront and paved zone positioned out front of its mammoth factory operation (which you can spy through windows if you find a seat inside). The bread is, truly, next level, crafted from quality local ingredients, but they also nail coffee and a completely irresistible variety of savoury pastries and pies. We love the focaccia-like schiacciata, with flavours changing with the seasons but always drizzled with parmesan and basil oil, and the chicken, nduja, sweet potato and kafir lime pie, made with buttery pastry you’ll never get enough of.

Cuisine: Pastries, bread and sandwiches

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Slick

Location: 2 Queensbury Ave, Currumbin Waters

13. Barefoot Barista

Looking for an idyllic yet laidback eatery by the seaside? Barefoot Barista is the spot, offering a hearty menu of breakfast classics before dialling up the creativity for lunch with the likes of fish and chips, burgers and seasonally led salads. To quench your post-swim thirst (the cafe is across the road from stunning Currumbin beach), take your pick from both caffeinated or non-caffeinated drinks ranging from plain old black coffee to cold-pressed juices and more. If you’re in the hood of an afternoon, this Gold Coast cafe switches gears in the evening, so stick around for Bruce, a wine and cocktail bar serving up sleek small plates from 3pm to 10pm, every Thursday to Sunday.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Salt-kissed

Location: Shop 1/794 Pacific Pde, Currumbin

14. Pasture & Co.

Surrounded by serene greenery in the beautiful Currumbin Valley, Pasture & Co. is adored for its family-friendly location and farm-fresh, local, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. Head to the al fresco area, right beside the greenhouse, to spy its vegie patch which evolves with the seasons but flows year-round with brilliant herbs. The setting is glorious, with plenty of grass for little ones to play upon and one spectacular ancient fig tree providing fairytale wonderment, while the food caters to all dietary requirements — vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, paleo, and omnivore, no diner is left behind. We love the breakfast hash with chorizo and chimichurri, plus the crab omelette, but there’s also jam-packed sandwiches (and giant cake slices) in the window as you queue that often prove equally tempting.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Rustic

Location: 639 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Valley

15. Stable

As one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes on the Gold Coast, Stable features a beautiful interior with floor-to-ceiling windows at one side, a cement breakfast bar, potted plants and warm timber furnishings. The menu champions Australian seafood, organic meats, and sourdough from local artisan bakers including The Bread Social, while the vibe is serene, complete with a grassy patch that overlooks a creek running through the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s perfect for curious children, who delight in spying the creek’s resident water dragons (and bin chickens). Our pick of the food, you ask? The Szechuan chilli eggs with crispy shallots is a game-changer, while the avocado tartine utilises bush dukkah and goat’s cheese to jazz things up.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Sophisticated

Location: 570 Gold Coast Hwy, Tugun

16. Niche and Co

Niche and Co is a long-adored superfood cafe in the heart of Tugun at the Gold Coast’s southern end, plating up healthy meals and reliably good vibes. Rock up for the likes of crafty acai bowls (you won’t be alone), banana pancake stacks, cold press juice and smoothies, all while quiet Tugun beach sits just a block away.

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Health-conscious

Location: 449 Golden Four Dr, Tugun

17. Hazel Espresso

Home to the Instagram-friendly cinnamon French toast, dressed in pink fairy floss and berry coulis, Hazel Espresso is a buzzing Gold Coast cafe rolling out creative dishes with a smile. You’ll find breakfast classics but more notably, a South East Asian splash of flavour lights up lunch. The sizzling beef, a deconstructed bahn mi with pate and Vietnamese sausage, and Honey Stacker, crispy chicken on thick toast, are guaranteed to steal your camera lens for more than a few snaps.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Asian influences

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Instagram-friendly

Location: 9 Davenport St, Southport

18. Sunnyboy Espresso

The clever team at Elk opened Sunnyboy Espresso at the end of 2024, bringing their signature boozy brunch further down the Gold Coast highway much to the delight of southerners. You won’t miss the yellow and white umbrellas, or the Connect 4, hole-punched bench seats doubling as al fresco walling, but you may have to queue for your coffee as lines form most days. Menu-wise, expect indulgent dishes like a chorizo truffle scramble topped with crispy kale and Persian feta, and one helluva steak sandwich with fried eggs, skinny fries and chimichurri hollandaise.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Easy, breezy

Location: 168 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach

19. Palm Springs

A picture-perfect slice of retro Cali positioned on the Gold Coast Highway, Palm Springs is more than a pretty face. While crowds queue on the weekends for quality takeaway coffee and fruity smoothies, it’s also a magnet for serious foodies given the quality of the cooking going on inside the Instagram-delicious fit out. Breakfast tacos, filled with smashed hash browns, fluffy egg scramble, bacon bits and more, are mouth-watering while the Cali Breakfast Burrito adds Pico De Galo and a fluffy tortilla to the equation. Can’t shake your sweet tooth? The Loaded Biscoff Pancake, topped with a Biscoff crumb, is never a bad choice.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with California homages

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Friendly

Location: 1878 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Originally written by Jemma Fletcher with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

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