Ready, Set, Brunch: Here Are 34 Of The Best Cafes On The Gold Coast

Need to get on the grizzlin’ grind? Bear Boy is your Scandinavian dream come true! As the menu changes along with the seasons, you can be sure you’ll always be treating your tastebuds no matter when you pop in! Remember to ask the baristas what rotation of single origin beans they have on for the week and make sure you try it out as a pour over – it’s definitely worth the hassle!

What’s more Aussie than a spaghetti and cheese jaffle? Absolutely nothin’! Trust me, Vector is Southport’s shining glory! Not only are they serving breaky classics like assorted jaffles and bagels, but they’re busy revving up locals with some down-right eye-poppin’ speciality coffee that can only be described as some sort of wizardry! It’s sweet, it’s simple, but it’s oh-so-good.

Located within the illustrious Brickworks homewares centre, you’re sure to have spotted the colourful creations of The Cardamom Pod on your Instagram feed at one point or another. Famous for their extravagant açai bowls and bold vegetarian takes of brunch classics, The Cardamom Pod believes in nutritious, clean eating, making sure every plate is a rainbow of colour that tastes just as good as it looks.

Vibrant, eclectic and oh-so-cool, Bumbles is your home away from home. The owners of this charming spot have transformed an average riverside home into an epic, multi-levelled café, adorning the walls with all your classic family home memorabilia and low-hanging lights. You’ll leave feeling loved from the inside out – just like you had a cuppa with Mum!

If you’re a Surfers local, then you’re sure to know about ESPL Coffee, tightly nestled under the luxurious Soul building. As you sip on their specially roasted coffee or munch on some of their artesian baked goodies, you’ll be treating your eyes just as much as your tastebuds as you look out onto the famous Surfers Paradise beach just across the road.

If you’re after a truly in-depth, coffee lover’s experience, then make your way down to the 4217! Boasting floor to (very high) ceiling windows, Paradox shines all the natural light on their highly impressive in-house roastery. With an equally impressive menu of delicious, locally sourced produce, this place is the definition of a win-win!

Step into this beachside greenhouse and experience one of GC’s most innovative brunch spots. Elk’s renowned team of chefs have been switching up the menu every season for over ten years, creating some truly inspiring and unique dishes. So, grab a cup of coffee, indulge in some epic flavour combos or even partake in their notorious boozy brunch special of unlimited mimosas – this place really does tick all the boxes!

If you’re after more of a city-chic experience, follow the lavish pathways of The Oracle Boulevard down to this Melbourne-esque, mono-chromed gem. Beginning its journey as a simple hole-in-the-wall coffee stop under the luxurious Oracle high-rises, No Name Lane has since expanded to a fully-functioning café and bar, featuring wrap-around glass walls with a menu worthy of the award-winning restaurants its surrounded by. Be sure to try their warming chorizo shakshuka or take a moment to sit back with a steaming cup of filter, featuring their single origin blend on brew for the week – no matter what you do, you’ll definitely feel prepped and pampered for the day ahead!

Be transported to the steps of Greece and indulge in this whitewashed haven. Dedicated to the philosophy of eating and living consciously, this sweet spot serves up vegetarian dishes and award-winning, organic coffee. Find plant-based twists on brunch classics like their lemon ricotta pancakes, vegan house nachos, and free-range pesto scramble, or try something different like their smoky baba ganoush on freshly baked sourdough. It the Mediterranean escape we’re all in need of!

A-hole-in-the-wall local fave located under the Mermaid SLSC, this is one of Mermaid’s most underrated spots. Known for their incredible smoothies and their housemade, super-cheesy toasties, Rafiki is packed day in, day out by local fitness fanatics and some of the cutest doggo’s you’ll ever see! If you’re after the perfect – but healthy – takeaway treat, this one can’t be beat.

Since their twice-baked pain au chocolat croissant got Matt Preston’s tick of approval, Bam Bam Bakehouse has been inundated with locals and tourists, all drooling for one of their unique and truly luxurious pastries. Bam Bam also offers amazing speciality coffee alongside an all-day brunch menu of quintessential brekkie options, as well as Japanese-style dishes like egg nasi and green tea noodle salad.

Right on the cusp of where Broadbeach meets Mermaid is where this coastal retreat resides; a stunning fusion of coastline and subtropical hinterland. Adorned head-to-toe with lush displays of greenery and fitted out with epic, whitewashed hanging chairs, this miniature beach-club is opened all day long and is the perfect choice for an early coffee or a long late lunch.

If you’re driving through Mermaid, you might just miss this humble gem hidden behind a minimalist black and white storefront. But trust me, where there’s a modest façade, it’s usually worth a closer look inside! Crunch your way through some of Goldie’s best buttery toasties, while also sippin’ back some seriously good caffeine.

If you’re after a holistic approach to breakfast whilst feeling the breeze over you, then we’ve got the place for you! Located just a few steps from the sun-soaked Nobby Beach, BSKT Café prides themselves in delivering a holistically produced menu, with a myriad of gluten-free and dairy-free options for all types of eaters.

Fuelling you for all your pit stop needs, Espresso Moto is definitely a must-visit for a good cuppa and breakfast to match. You’ll never see either one of these joints quiet, so make sure to pay these guys a visit, get your engines pumping for the day ahead, and see for yourselves what all the fuss is about!

Recognised as one of the OG café kings of the Goldie, Blackboard Varsity is always humming with uni students and locals alike, chowing down on their delectable all-day menu. But what Blackboard is most well-known for is their own roast of deliciously smooth coffee that you can now find featured in many cafes across the coast. Nothing compares to sitting back in one of their enormous, wooden booths with your bestie sipping on a fresh brew from the roasters themselves.

Just around the corner from the bustling streets of Burleigh Heads lies one of GC’s most recognizable spots. If it’s not their newly renovated, multi-levelled Queenslander providing a cozy spot for a hot drink, or their expansive and lush open-aired garden out front drawing you in, you’ll definitely be caught up by the tantalizing smell of wood-fired sourdough bread, baked fresh on the daily. Locals know you can’t talk about Paddock without mentioning their incredible pastries, rotating weekly depending on seasonal produce and flavours. There’s always a lengthy line up at this joint for a reason, but it’s truly worth the wait!

Fancy a quick trip to Paris? Venture no further than Burleigh for a little slice of parisian heaven. With pastel blues, crisp whites, and gorgeous mahogany furnishings, Tarte is a treat for your eyes, just as much as it is for your tastebuds. Although they offer a mouth-watering menu showcasing their delicious fresh artesian bread (hello Turkish Eggs!), Tarte’s spécialité is their house-made pastries including apple and custards galettes, dulce de leche cruellers and the most adorable little cookie cups, filled to the brim with fresh, steamed milk. L’amore!

Imagine exposed timber, rustic sheds and a vibrant front yard full of green shrubbery and blossoming flowers – it almost sounds too good to be true! Lucky for you, this is no imagined wonderland. Common Ground is what neighbourhood tranquillity is all about. As you grab one of their speciality cups of coffee, make sure to try their epic avocado smash or their towering hot smoked salmon bagel! Fresh, simple, and unassuming, Common Ground is definitely not to be forgotten about in this sea of GC café hotspots!

Whether you’re in for a quick catch-up or simply to grab an aesthetically pleasing Insta pic, Palm Springs Burleigh is definitely the place to be seen. Inspired by the desert landscape of Southern California, the architecture and design of this two-story café truly encapsulates those eternal-summer vibes all year round. Apart from their obvious attention to detail in interior decorating, the crew at Palm Springs Burleigh also display their years of experience within the café scene by providing quality coffee and breakfast eats day in, day out.

Just over the highway from Burleigh’s beachfront, amidst local surfer-shacks and humble boutique stores lies this quirky and eclectic café. You’ll be looked after from the inside out, as you relax back on their vintage furniture while munching down on one of their fresh meals, like their coriander corn fritters or their jam-packed fresh green smoothie.

This Mediterranean-inspired alfresco café displays all the brilliance St Bart’s designers have to offer, transporting you worlds away from the industrial precinct of Burleigh in which it resides. Featuring a menu of classic brunch and lunch options, their plating is just as pretty as their furnishings, offering everything from vegan spiced bircher, zesty fresh bruschetta, and simple toasties using locally sourced organic sourdough. Best yet, if you like any of the mugs or plates that you use, everything is available for purchase inside their adjoining boutique showroom, so you can take the bohemian Next Door experience home!

Just steps away from the glistening shores of Tallebudgera Creek, this lil’ canteen is crazy for pastries. Of course, the team at Custard are also just as passionate about producing delish coffee and an all-day brunch menu that’s easy to take back down to the beach, perfect for on-the-go families! But, if you’re going to try anything from Custard, make sure to indulge in one of their famous Portuguese custard tarts – the team here bake them in batches every 30 minutes across the entirety of the day, so you’ll always have fresh, flaky cocoons of warm custard to indulge in after your swim.

Known for bringing the lively café culture to the streets of Palmy, Barefoot’s flagship store is a popular hangout any day of the week. With multiple locations in Currumbin, Burleigh Heads, and Mermaid Beach, Barefoot clearly knows how to keep locals buzzing all day long. And, with a passion for ethically produced and authentically prepared food, Barefoot’s menu showcases flavours from all across the globe, so you’re sure to find everything you need here for a truly wholesome start to your day.

Smack bang on the corner of the GC Highway and Palm Beach Ave, you have a small sanctuary free from Palmy’s morning time rush! Highline specialises in providing a simple but oh-so delicious menu, all with a side of freshly brewed batch.

Located in the very aesthetically designed Cornerstone Stores, Stable is an easy choice for anyone dining with totts. Their grassy space is ideal for kids to play in and explore, while you sit back with a hot mugga in hand. Bring a picnic blanket and stay on ‘til dusk – this place is definitely worth a regular visit!

Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, omnivore, and gluten-free? No worries, this place has you sorted! Located in the environmentally conscious and self-sustainable Ecovillage, just a short drive from the stunning Currumbin beach, Pasture and Co have made it their priority to put your well-being first, boasting an organically produced, allergen friendly drink and brunch menu! But, the best thing about this quaint little spot is the location! Think acers of rich greenery, 100-year-old giant fig trees and, of course, casual encounters with local kangaroos! Yeah, this cafe is pretty freakin’ epic!

A superfood café with award winning açai bowls? Say no more! Nice & Co’s menu is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat, only using the freshest ingredients they can get their hands on. These guys not only offer all your classic café needs – with a healthy twist of course – they also have an entirely separate smoothie and açai bowl menu, taking their niche seriously.

Being one of the only coffee stops open 365 days of the year (that’s right, Christmas morning is sorted!), you’re sure to always start your day right with these guys! A sure-fire favourite for all those living a little closer to the border, Good Day Coffee definitely serves up some steamin’ good latte’s as well as delectable toasties set to settle those rumbling tummies.

It may be young, but locals are swearing by this new kid on the block. Promising quality coffee, refreshing juices and mind-blowing açai bowls, Ground Coolangatta is definitely worth the trip down south! Better yet, grab your order to takeaway and enjoy the beauty of Coolie’s untouched beaches. It’s the morning routine dreams are made of!

When you’re looking for excellent coffee and a satisfying sandwich, MC’s Sandwich House is the place to be. Whether you’re popping in first thing or a lil’ later in the day, the team at MC’s will warmly welcome you into the relaxing space they share with their sister store love-connection and art gallery Time & Space. Their sausage, egg and cheese muffin is a crowd favourite, but their kimchi Reuben is something else! So, pop by MC’s the next time you’re craving a succulent sandwich.

Tucked away behind Stockland in Burleigh Heads, Butler’s serves up brunch classics alongside innovative dishes inspired by international cuisines. They also serve cocktails from 10am, so if you’re planning a boozy brunch with your besties, booking a table at Butler’s Noshery & Bar will ensure everyone is able to have a beautiful beverage with their chosen dish, whether they prefer a classic margarita or bloody mary.

Up in the hinterland between Oxenford, Maudsland, and Upper Coomera, you’ll find Terrarium, a small café with a menu full of the most beautiful dishes you’ll ever lay your eyes on. Sweet treats are decorated with either an array of fruit or a bouquet of edible flowers, while savoury dishes and salads are filled with vibrant vegetables and greens. When it comes to eating the rainbow, Terrarium has got you covered. So, if you’re looking for healthy eats that look almost too pretty to eat, Terrarium is the place to be.

It doesn’t get more Gold Coast than Love Street Store, where you’ll get nothing but amazing coffee alongside tasty meals, beautiful bites and when you’re done, you can browse through their carefully curated coastal clothing store! They stock everything from takeaway coffee cups to beach towels, linen co-ords and swimwear. So, when you head down to Love Street, there’s no need to rush. Take your time and enjoy not just the coffee and food, but the amazing shopping as well!