Coffee culture on the Gold Coast has exploded in recent years, with new espresso bars, roasteries and boutique breweries seeming to open every week. And that’s where it gets controversial. You might love a corner in Palm Beach somewhere, but your friend swears his Southport hangout is the best place to get his caffeine fix.
It is no easy task to search for the best coffee on the Gold Coast, but happily we have drunk many cups of the good stuff, all in the name of research. Check out our picks for the best coffee on the Gold Coast and we’re sure your taste buds and Instagram followers will thank us. the only thing left for you to decide is how you like your coffee.
Reading: Best coffee gold coast
wavy bone
south port
The Gold Coast definitely has no shortage of trendy coffee shops, but when you hear that a retro coffee caravan turned specialty coffee parlor has opened, you check it out ASAP. Originally pumping quality drops out of a vintage coffee caravan, Wavybone has opened its first bricks and mortar location in Chirn Park and boy, do we love it. This culturally created coffee spot oozes trendy vibes and you can look forward to a cup of locally brewed slate coffee brewed to perfection anytime you visit.
did barber & barista
tugun
tugun continues to impress us with their delicious meals and amazing coffee, and made barber and barista fall into the latter category. tugun newbie made barber is as much a modern barber using classic traditions as it is an espresso bar. the team has designed a space that is not only for the men’s toilet, but also a common space for the community, where people can gather and enjoy the simple pleasures of a fantastic cup of coffee. serves delicious coffee made by moonshine roasters, as well as some sweet treats, in a simple, minimalist space that’s the perfect place to kick back with a top-shelf beer.
burleigh sea dog
burleigh heads
This little corner café has quickly become one of the best places in burls for quality beer on the go. Squeezed into bustling James Street, this four-square-meter hole in the wall (literally) sits where an ATM once stood, and offers top-notch coffee to start your day off right. when it comes to quality coffee, you don’t need more space; all you need to know is that seadog offers organic coffee from peru as the house blend or for those long black sips, it’s blessed with a new bean every week, showcasing a global range of boutique blends.
blackboard coffee
university lakes
if you drink coffee and live on the gold coast, you know slate coffee. A long-time favorite and contender for best coffee, their specialty slate coffee blend has been sprinkling caffeinated goodness up and down the coast for years, and where better to try it than their signature coffee? With their own wholesale distribution line (and Nespresso-friendly biodegradable pods), the good folks at Blackboard love their coffee and sure know how to make a good one. Check out their cabinet and you won’t be able to resist their gigantic donuts, gravity-defying cakes, and delicious bowls of granola.
espresso motorcycle
palm beach, mermaid waters
espresso moto opened its doors to passing locals and vagrants, hungry for a refined and welcoming space in palmy and with hearty meals and friendly, unpretentious service. launching some of the best cafes now they have just opened a new location in mermaid waters so if you are in the area we definitely recommend you visit.
caffeine kings
miami
early risers, rejoice. Pouring from 6am all week long, Caffeine Kings are the hole in the wall you’ll never want to leave. Fueling your creativity with dirty alley art, your motivation with killer tunes, and your soul with unlimited coffee, this Miami laundromat turned café can’t go wrong. With free wi-fi flowing via radio waves (ask for the password at the counter) and power points available to recharge the lappy, you can even enjoy a faux drink from 10am to noon.
dark espresso
labrador
If you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, then dark espresso should already be on your favorites list to serve up some of the best infusions on the coast. The welcome team at Daark take their coffee very seriously and it shows in their delicious caffeinated goodness, intricate latte art (expect swan-level art), and dedicated cult following. pair your coffee with your drool-worthy meals: do hot smoked salmon and feta croquettes tickle your palate? add dark wood furniture, touches of lush greenery, and an elegant wraparound deck and you have a beautiful space you could happily spend all day in.
freshly ground
coomera
We love coffee. but more than coffee, we love passion. Beyond serving some of the best beers on the northern Gold Coast, Freshly Ground is a family-owned coffee shop that has secured a special place in the hearts of locals, with its passionate and friendly approach. The eclectic spot lovingly serves up the smooth merlo concoction and features a variety of delicious cabinet food. Tucked away on Dreamworld Parkway, a stone’s throw from the M1, chances are you’ve passed through fresh ground. we’re here to tell you… don’t even think about doing it again. it’s a silly mistake and once you’ve had your first cup of caffeinated goodness in this coffee, you’ll never do it again.
See also: What are All Purpose Coffee Grinders?
barefoot barista
multiple locations
The Barefoot Barista has long been known as a coffee pioneer on the local scene: The Palm Beach Cafe has apparently been going since it opened eleven years ago. A testament to his success, Barefoot now offers boutique cups of joe from its locations in og palm beach, mermaid beach, burleigh and currumbin, so there’s no excuse not to stop by. You’ll find this much-loved dive packed with surfers, locals, and workers who are understandably hooked on its tasty drops. if coffee isn’t enough to convince you, try one of their epic halloumi mushroom rolls or their crispy hash browns and you’ll be hooked.
stairs cafe
surfers paradise
skip the queues for maccas and head straight to the central arcade stairwell cafe, tucked under the stairs, you guessed it! This cute-as-a-button coffee spot serves up delicious locally roasted coffees and cold brews, delicious jaffles (with a side of pringles), and creative bagels. Look for its minty exterior, you can’t miss it.
encouragement & black
multiple locations
This specialty coffee chain describes itself as “a growing movement taking specialty coffee to unexpected places.” Yes, is cool. foster & black espresso bars are true diamonds in the rough: artisan cafes located in metropolitan malls, providing a brief escape and pause to enjoy a delicious beer. we are lucky to be blessed with foster & Black’s smooth semi-professional coffee drops at both Pacific Fair and Westfield Coomera, so the next time you’re out shopping in the middle of a storm, brighten your day a little with a visit to these gems.
espresso corner
burleigh heads
good coffee is worth the wait, and the usual local crowd queuing outside is a strong indicator of the steady decline in quality served at the popular burleigh espresso, a hidden corner. it’s the perfect place to recharge after surfing, grab a quick pick-me-up on the morning wall, or sit back and watch the sun rise over the waves. there is no doubt that the corner and good coffee go hand in hand like a flat white and a chat with your barista in the morning.
paradox coffee roasters
surfers paradise
Tasting as good as it looks, it’s hard to miss this cafe in the 4217 Surfers Paradise resort. cavernous with vaulted ceilings, low lighting, red brick and industrial finishes, paradox coffee roasters is the kind of cafe that excites those with a lustful desire for warehouses and contemporary design. what else excites us about the paradox? yes, it’s the coffee. The passionate team roasts in their on-site commercial roaster every day and spreads their caffeinated joy to cafes across Eastern Australia. their custom blends and single origin coffees are truly phenomenal and unlike anything you’ve ever tried before, but don’t just take our word for it, see you there.
cafeteria
mermaid beach
the beach and coffee are a perfect match and the smart people at bskt know it. A stone’s throw from the salty waves, BSKT Cafe boasts healthy and nutritious food and the hordes of walkers, bikers and surfers lining up for coffee attest to its beers. grab your caffeine fix and kick back on the beach or venture inside the space’s simple style, adorned with murals and dim lighting Bonus: This dog-friendly spot attracts some of the cutest dogs, so be prepared for lots of caresses.
commune
burleigh heads
This quirky coffee spot is one of the legends of the burleigh coffee scene and stays true to its ethos of good coffee, good company and good vibes. antique furniture fills the space, quirky posters cover the walls, and lively conversation flows. yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. escape to commune’s outdoor garden, curl up in one of the retro armchairs and sip one of their cups of liquid gold.
espresso next door
burleigh heads, tweed heads
See also: 8 Best Coffee Shops in Greensboro, North Carolina
Walking into the open-air cafe next door will get your heart racing with its sharp decor, understated style, and upbeat Mediterranean vibes. from the solid teak tables imported from jakarta to the cozy blue and white striped seating, the designer rattan loungers, the olive tree centerpiece and the freshly planted white bougainvillea and jasmine vines that will soon make their way through the outskirts, next door is laid-back, bohemian luxury. . you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite organic moonlight coffee, sourced from the small town of federal, along with a delicious new menu that lends itself to the compact kitchen.
bear boy espresso
helen valley
The north end of the coast has a surprisingly low supply of trendy cafes, so when one shows up, be aware. Bear Boy Espresso is a classy terracotta-hued spot tucked away in the homeworld of Helensvale, a stone’s throw from the highway. Looking like it belongs on the streets of New York, this hip joint brews specialty beers that are the perfect pick-me-up before work, with friends… well, anytime really. jump in the car, visit this aesthetic cafe and enjoy some of the best coffee on the north side of the city.
moose espresso
wide beach
Guaranteed to draw a crowd any day with a craving for its delicious coffee, Moose Espresso is a longtime favorite on the Gold Coast dining scene. elk has special single or blends, but for those of you who like to spice up your morning cup of joe, keep an eye out for their regularly rotating lineup of guest roasters. Of course, you can’t leave without trying (and falling in love with) their imaginative menu that oozes luxury with a modern twist. changing with the seasons, the hash brown has amassed a cult following, the mango weis waffle bar is to die for, and you can’t get past their signature breakfast panna cotta.
stable coffee & kitchen
tugun
featuring coffee beans from melbourne’s seven seeds specialty roaster, balter on tap (yes, they’re licensed), signature drinks like a japanese-inspired bloody mary, kombucha from probiotic kitchen, and lightly sparkling lavender rose water from madame dry honestly we are ready to move to stable cafe & kitchen and never go out. stable not only serves some of the best coffee, but it’s also one of the prettiest cafes on the gold coast you’ll ever see, so if you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?
bam bam bakery
mermaid beach
You simply can’t talk about coffee on the coast without talking about the bam bam bakehouse. Loved by just about everyone, every time you pass through this breezy space it will be packed with coffee fanatics in need of their fix of the best coffee on the coast. Bam Bam’s signature mix is Byron Bay’s Marvell Street and let us tell you, it’s pretty darn good. The magic of Bam Bam has spread to sister places Custard Canteen and Cubby Bakery, which are loved for their traditional French-style artisan baking and delicious pastries. Pair your cup of Bam’s Bam Elixir with crispy choux bombs, decadent eclairs, and indulgent cruffins.
watson flower
palm beach
first class coffee? plant-based meals? We’re Hearing Watson Bloom is one of the best new hangouts to come out of Covid and this unique coffee hub has already made its mark on the bustling palm tree cafe scene. This simple, modern cafe offers a smooth blend of house and bellissimo coffee rotating single origins daily from 5:30am to 5:30pm. m., perfect for your morning ritual. they’re doing their part for the planet by offering a completely plant-based menu (other than organic whole milk), including some drool-worthy treats like their warm vegan cinnamon donuts.
ocean 4218
mermaid beach
ocean jam 4218 is raising awareness about the state of the homes of our marine life. these legends are committed to reducing the plastic waste that reaches our seas (5.25 trillion pieces, FYI). and because of this, they are totally plastic free. so if you’re looking for a fantastic coffee that doesn’t harm the planet, ocean 4218 is your place.
Drunk your way through our list of the best coffee spots on the gold coast? It’s time to put your caffeine energy to good use and take in some morning rays at our best sunrise-watching spots.
image credit: kaitlin maree photography, brooke darling photography, hayley williamson photography
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