
best of... the Gold Coast
19th February 2025
Considering I called this place home for 18 months and lived in four different areas during this period, I feel as though I've scoped out a pretty decent list of all my best Gold Coast recommendations for you. And believe it or not, this place does have a lot to offer (even if the coffee isn't as good as Melbourne).
When I'm trying to find things like this online, I end up scrolling through an article for three minutes trying to just find a clear and concise list or even just the fucking name of the place.
So with that in mind, I've comprised a no-frills attached, less-is-more, recommendation list for all the coffee, food and drink recommendations you could possibly need, split into category and location, and/or cuisine type.
Whether you've just moved to the goldy or are only travelling for a few days, give this a screenshot and pull it out whenever necessary.
NORTH GOLD COAST
BROADBEACH/ MERMAID / NOBBYS / MIAMI
COFFEE
BROADBEACH -
-
Alchemist
-
No Name Lane
-
Elk Espresso
MERMAID / NOBBYS -
-
Rafiki
-
BSKT
-
Bam Bam Bakehouse
-
Buoy
-
Holliday
-
Alfred's Apartment
-
The Little Mermaid
-
The Milkmaids Daughter

- The Holliday, Nobby Beach
FOOD
BROADBEACH / NORTH -
-
Hideaway - Asian fusion
-
Maggie Choo - Asian fusion / sushi
-
O Bagel - Lunch
-
Orzo - Italian
-
Sofia's - Italian
-
Gemelli - Italian
-
Fig and Frankie’s - Tapas
-
Misono - Japanese
-
Mozza Mozza - Italian
MERMAID / NOBBYS -
-
Cheese Me Baby - Lunch
-
Etsu - Asian fusion / sushi
-
Temple of Spices - Indian
-
Franc Jr's - Pizza

- Bam Bam Bakehouse, Broadbeach
DRINKS
BROADBEACH -
-
Kost
-
The Loose Moose
MERMAID / NOBBYS / MIAMI -
-
Tropic Vice
-
Mexi Cali
-
Miami Marketta
-
Lost Palms Brewing Co
-
Bine
-
Nightcap
-
The Arc

- Mexi Cali, Nobbys Beach
BURLEIGH HEADS
COFFEE
-
Next Door
-
Magnolia Lane
-
Palm Springs
-
Tarte Bakery
-
Commune
-
Social Brew
-
Paddock Bakery
FOOD
-
Light Years - Asian fusion
-
The Tropic - Seafood
-
Paloma - Small plates
-
Justin Lane - Pizza
-
Ze pickle - Burgers
-
Hail Mary - Mexican
-
Govindas - Salad / takeaway
-
Hr Hizola’s - Asian fusion
-
The Little Plate - Seafood / small plates
-
Kami - Asian fusion
-
Jihmmy Wah’s - Asian fusion
-
Two yolks - Fast food
-
Freddy's - Fast food
-
Rick Shores - Asian fusion
-
Zurozuro - Ramen
DRINKS
-
The Malibu
-
Apres Surf
-
Rosella's
-
Paloma
-
Justin Lane
-
The Local
-
Burleigh Pavillion
-
Pink Monkey
-
Rick Shores

- Tarte Bakery

- Paddock Bakery

- Social Brew

- Zurozuro Ramen
SOUTH GOLD COAST:
PALM BEACH / CURRUMBIN / KIRRA / COOLANGATTA
COFFEE
PALM BEACH -
-
Mylkwell
-
Dune
-
Barefoot Barista
-
Vegepatch
-
Good Day Coffee
-
Well Bread
-
Custard Canteen
-
Third Base Coffee
CURRUMBIN -
-
Tarte Beach House
-
Salt Mill
-
Refinery
-
Dust Temple
-
Stable
-
Appervito
-
Bread Social
-
Pasture and Co
-
Bruce
-
Stone Studio
KIRRA / COOLANGATTA -
-
Rockleigh
-
Love Street
-
Made Kirra
-
Kefi
-
Black Dingo Cafe
FOOD
PALM BEACH -
-
Costa Taco - Mexican
-
Frida Sol - Mexican
-
Cadillac Super Club - European
-
Down 2 Earth - best Açai
-
Balboa - Italian
-
Burgster - Burgers
-
Toro's Pizza - Italian
-
The Collective - International
CURRUMBIN -
-
Sticky rice - Thai
-
Tommy’s - Italian
-
Lucia - Spanish / Tapas
-
Tommy's Taco Bar - Mexican
KIRRA / COOLANGATTA -
-
Franc Jr's - Pizza
-
Bar Evelyn - Italian
-
Siblings - Seafood/Italian
-
Billy Chow - Asian Fusion

- Vegepatch, Palm Beach

- Mylkwell, Palm Beach

- Bar Evelyn, Coolangatta

- Costa Taco, Palm Beach
DRINKS
PALM BEACH -
-
The Collective
-
Suga
-
Tank
-
Cadillac Supper Club
COOLANGATTA -
-
Cooly Hotel
-
Rattlesnake
-
Eddie's Grub House
-
Metabar

- Cadillac Super Club, Palm Beach