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From beachfront espresso bars and leafy local cafés to seriously good specialty roasters, the Gold Coast knows how to do coffee. Whether you’re chasing the perfect flat white, a silky latte, an iced coffee after a morning swim or a grab-and-go caffeine hit, there’s a café brewing something delicious nearby.
We’ve rounded up some of the best coffee shops on the Gold Coast, taking you from Paradise Point and Labrador in the north to Burleigh and Coolangatta in the south. Discover local favourites, specialty coffee spots and laid-back cafés worth seeking out, with plenty of great breakfast and brunch options to go with your morning brew. Grab your KeepCup and get ready to explore the Gold Coast, one coffee at a time.
Paradise Point
Buoy Oh Buoy - 8/27 Falkinder Avenue, Paradise Point
The friendly crew at Buoy Oh Buoy are slinging steaming cups of Blackboard Coffee from their nautical-themed café seven days a week, from 6am. While you’re waiting, it’s highly likely you’ll decide to sample something from the menu - it's all very hunger-inducing, from healthy quiches and salad bowls to baked goods traditional breakkky bites. Dogs are welcome too - it's pet-friendly.
Labrador
Darrk Espresso - 2/41 Musgrave Avenue, Labrador
Locally sourced, and brewed with love, the caffeine hits just keep coming at Daark Espresso. Sip on their range of smooth, strong signature brews and single origins alfresco style on the large, leafy wraparound deck. The seasonal menu changes with the season, but is consistently delicious.
First Fruits Coffee - 129-133 Olsen Ave. Labrador
One for true coffee connoisseurs, First Fruits roast their own coffee and supply cafes across Australia. At their Labrador cafe you know your coffee is made by experts in the art of brewing. Order a coffee flight to sample four different concoctions or treat yourself to one of their decadent dessert drinks - Sticky Date Latte anyone? Fill your belly with yummy brunch offerings like eggs benny, breakky burrito and Biscoff pancakes.
Helensvale
Bear Boy Espresso - 66/502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
With a chic Scandi-stye interior, lots of greenery and terracotta hues Bear Boy’s aesthetic is just as appealing as their drinks menu. Their exclusive ethically sourced house brew hails from Colombia and you can taste the goodness in each sip. The menu is packed with hearty breakfast options brunch bites with a twist - chicken and waffles, a brisket toastie and breakfast gnocchi.
Southport
Café Catalina - 10/11 Gold Coast Highway, Southport
Perched on the edge of the Gold Coast’s sparkling broadwater, Café Catalina boasts one of the best views for breakfast plans. Pouring super smooth Dimattina Coffee, this sweet spot is dog-friendly so you can bring your four-legged friend along for your daily cuppa. Smoothies and cold pressed juices are also avaailable along with a full breakfast menu. It’s open for lunch and dinner too, so perfect for an arvo pick me up if you’re craving coffee later in the day.
Vector Coffee - 18A Young St, Southport
This coffee spot in the CBD got so popular it recently expanded from a hole-in-the-wall to a diner style venue with booth seats and colourful artworks. Vector is the kind of cafe that makes you feel right at home. Knock back a quality coffee with breakfast classics and insanely good sandwiches and toasties - the Reuben and Slow Cooked Beef Dip deserve an honorable mention. Not into hot coffee? Treat yourself to an Earl Grey Iced Matcha or Choc Espresso Cloud - a double shot of espresso, coconut water and coconut cream.
Main Beach
Hot Shott - 3/17 Tedder Ave, Main Beach
A northern Gold Coast institution, coffee lovers come from far and wide for the excellent brews and amazing service at Hot Shott. Located on a bustling strip in Main Beach, sip on Single O coffee while your four-legged friend downs a puppycino, Tuck into traditional breakfast fare with flair - they put a delicious twist on classics. If you’ve woken up with an appetite, their trio of brekky sliders is a must try.
The Winey Cow - 5 Woodroofe Avenue, Main Beach
Enjoy a memorable alfresco breakfast, with a cheeky tipple from the mimosa menu to start your day with a sparkle. Pair with excellent coffee and inspired all-day brunch dishes like lemon curd and raspberry waffles, or prawn benedict for something different and delicious. This beloved breakfast spot is open from 5.30am daily so you can catch sunrise on your morning walk.
Surfers Paradise
Stairwell Coffee - 67/3131 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise Nestled in the heart of Surfers Paradise down Asian Alley, visitors and locals alike can’t get enough of this hole-in-the-wall spot slinging excellent coffee on the daily. Serving a tasty, local roast, Stairwell Coffee offers every single milk variation you could think of including Norco lactose free, Milk Lab (macadamia, almond and coconut) and Bonsoy – so everyone is guaranteed a morning pick me up. Just add one of their delicious toasties for the full breakkie experience. Bonus points at Stairwell Coffee for regulars who bring their dog on the coffee run.If you like stunning ocean views with your cuppa then you’ll want to make your way to ESPL, located just across the road from Surfers Paradise beach. Serving a signature Colombian/Brazilian blend (and bulletproof coffee) the baristas know their way around a coffee machine and always serve it with a smile. Pair your coffee with an artisanal pastry or gourmet sandwich - and a pup cup for your four-legged friends who are welcome at this beachfront cafe.
Broadbeach's Best Coffee
Paradox Coffee Roasters Cafe - 4 Charles Ave Broadbeach
Paradox have been keeping Gold Coast caffeinated for over a decade, selecting, importing and roasting the finest (and sustainably sourced) coffee beans from around the world. Expect expert level barista skills! They raise the bar on breakfast too with dishes like Chicken Karaage Naani, Hash Benny and Warm Rice Pudding.
Elk Espresso - 4 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
A mainstay of Broadbeach, Elk is a gathering place for the local coffee community. There’s a laid-back buzz about this cafe and with indoor and outdoor seating it’s a popular brunch spot every day of the week. Sample the seasonal menu and you’ll know why. Their dedication to the craft of coffee is evident in every sip. Whether you like it black, white, steaming hot or over ice, they nail it every time.
No Name Lane Cafe & Bar - 17 – 19 Elizabeth Avenue, Broadbeach
A sleek espresso bar that wouldn’t be out of place in the inner city streets of Melbourne, No Name Lane is for the serious caffeine addicts out there. Local office folk line up for their daily dose each morning, but it’s worth making time for a sit down breakfast. Alongside chilli scramble, breakky burger and smashed avo, more exotic options include Apple Crumble Porridge, Pork Belly Yaki Udon and gourmet toasties.
Mermaid Beach and Nobby Beach
The Holliday Coffee - 2251 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid BeachLook for the striped yellow umbrellas and a little throng of people chatting as their coffee gets. Holliday has become a local hangout for hot coffees, cold brew and delicious cold foam flavours that take your coffee to a new dimension. Fuel up on jaffles, crumpets, croissants and sourdough with a tempting array of toppings.
Moustache - 3/2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Part of The Oxley 1823 precinct, Moustache brings a local laneway vibes to Nobby Beach. This venue leads a double life - coffee shop in the morning, wine bar in the evening. The baristas whip up quality coffess and the maple cold foam has gained a cult following. Stop by and try it next time you’re in the Nobby neigbourhood.
Miami
Palm Springs - 878 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
A bright, breezy venue with a retro aesthetic and sunny courtyard, Palm Springs, serves up breakfast and lunch options with a delicious twist and a side of So-Cal style. Pair a pastry with a
signature blend for a more traditional breakky or go green with a vegan option, the Nourish Bowl. They serve cocktails as well as quality coffee so if you're keen for a boozy brunch, you've found your spot.
Small and unassuming, this beachfront cafe has a big fan base. Expect expertly made espresso, smooth flat whites and plenty of grab-and-go options if you’re on the move, plus a casual atmosphere that makes it just as easy to linger - plenty of customers are still in wet togs from a swim or surf. Hot tip: Order takeaway at Piccolo Espresso and bring it on a beach stroll.
Burleigh Heads
Quest Coffee Roasters Cafe - 20 James St, BurleighAs a local roastery that supplies cafes and restaurants with ethically sourced organic beans, Quest Coffee’s Burleigh Cafe has extremely high standards when it comes to a cup of coffee. The baristas are trained rigorously and every cup they serve is exceptional. You can buy your own beans - the selection is impressive! - and if you’re hungry tuck into epic toasties, salads and homemade cakes.
The name is fitting - this lively cafe is a meeting place for coffee lovers to sip and socialise. Tucked away just off James St, adorned with mini jungle of lush hanging plants and cosy booth seating, it’s worth taking time to dine in at Social Brew. Complement your coffee with something from the cabinet brimming with baked goods and fresh salads, or off the menu which features all day breakfast, acai bowls and breakky buns.
Palm Beach & Tugun
Barefoot Barista - 15 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Barefoot Barista is the kind of neighbourhood café that nails the essentials: seriously good coffee, a relaxed, beachy vibe and a menu that activates your appetite. Their expert baristas serve up quality coffee alongside a tempting lineup of breakfast and brunch favourites - a laid-back local favourite to grab your morning brew, settle in and soak up the local café scene.
Stable at Corner Stores - 570 Gold Coast Hwy Tugun
Nestled inside Tugun’s Cornerstone Stores, Stable is the perfect spot to settle in for a cuppa. Their talented baristas are pouring St Ali coffee from Melbourne which goes perfectly with their tasty menu that changes with the season but always showcases wholesome, healthy and home made. Cornerstone Stores is a collective of cute boutiques and businesses with a sunny courtyard, perfect for brunch and a browse.
Coolangatta
Kefi Cafe - Corner of Griffith &, McDonald St, Coolangatta
Kefi Cafe has rave reviews for the warm service, Med-inspired menu and good vibes. Fuel up on Five Senses Coffee, a matcha latte or a cheeky affogato. With healthy, wholesome dishes and no seed oil used in cooking, everything you eat here is nourishing and delicious. The Turkish eggs are out of this world. A sweet and sunny spot for breakfast, lunch and morning beverages.
Public Supply - 10/29 wharf street, Tweed Heads
Public Supply has gained a city-wide reputation for their epic cinnamon scrolls that come in exotic range of sweet and savoury flavours like lemon curd and berry compote, salted caramel and apple crumble and pepperoni, hot honey and Stracciatella. Soft, doughy and utterly delicious they are worthy of the hype. Munch on one and wash it down with a matcha, cold foam creation or hot coffee for the perfect morning pick me up.
Want to explore more? Check out Gold Coast's Best Outdoor Dining Experiences
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