Located up a flight of dingy stairs in a dim alleyway, (keep reading, it’s okay, it gets better!). What this venue lacks in street appeal it certainly makes up for in cool decor, friendly staff and coffee that is to die for.
Full of memorabilia and old books, this retro cafe tucked away in Surfers’ Paradise is groovy and affordable.
Bumbles Cafe at Budds Beach
Bumbles Cafe at Budds Beach is a Gold Coast institution. The Cafes is a favourite weekend breakfast destination and its clientele is varied. From smiling local Book Club members to hurried high-flying executives picking up their morning brew. With a cutesy, arty interior and a delicious menu, the icing on Bumbles’ cake (and there are plenty of those, too) is the quality of their delicious coffee.
Commune at Burleigh Heads
Commune at Burleigh Heads is a not-so-hidden gem run by a couple who love great coffee, organic food and who are keen to support local artists. The result is an eclectic space with vintage lounge chairs and tables, art-filled walls and there’s even a little eco shop thrown in the mix. We dare you not to take a pic while you are there. Don’t accept – you’ll fail.
Sheoak Shack Gallery at Fingal Head
Sheoak Shack Gallery at Fingal Head is awesome! Great food and live music right on the water … thongs, kids and dogs (the Gold Coast trinity of bliss) are welcome
Grab A Motorbike And Do The Ride Of Nirvana
Up over Tamborine Mountain, down the goat track to Canungra and stop at one of the cafes there.
Walk along the street and drool over the hundreds of bikes that are lined up there on a fine Saturday or Sunday.
Then up over Beechmont (try not to get distracted with the views) and through to Tyalgum where there is Flutterbies Cafe.
Yes, we brought you all the way out here because the banana caramel pancakes are divine (almost as good as the ride). Head out through Murwillumbah and back to the coast via Currumbin.
Hipster Hangouts
These are three of our faves, plus they have awesome caffeine. The Collective at Palmy or Justin’s Lane at Burleigh or head up to Snapper to watch the surfers and whales breaching off the headlands, mixed in with coffee/wine/awesome food at D’Bar.