Gold Coast's Best Cafés: Where Fresh Flavours Meet Laid-Back Vibes

The Gold Coast has long been famed for its stunning environment, enviable weather and active lifestyle, so it’s no surprise that it’s also home to a thriving throng of healthy cafes. As more diners embrace health-conscious eating, the Coast’s café scene has stepped up with a vibrant array of venues focused on fresh, organic and locally sourced ingredients. 

Whether you’re a tourist discovering the region, an adventure seeker refuelling after a morning surf, or a local on the hunt for your next favourite brunch spot, you’ll find plenty of cafés that cater to every taste and dietary preference. From plant-based menus and gluten-free treats to gut-friendly, wholefood creations, these spots are redefining what it means to dine well on the Gold Coast.

Best Healthy Cafés on the Gold Coast

Pasture & Co

The beating foodie heart of the famed Currumbin Ecovillage, Pasture & Co embraces and embodies the (literally) down-to-earth philosophy of its surrounds. Inspired by fresh and natural ingredients, Pasture & Co creates wholesome, exciting meals that please the gut and warm the heart. 

From using sustainably sourced ingredients to operating as self-sufficiently as they can, the passionate team endeavours to nourish their visitors and lead by example when it comes to running an eco-friendly business. 

Best Dishes: Steaks, burgers and fries with healthier and sustainable twists are all on offer for those who normally enjoy the more indulgent side of life, while the moreish Miso-glazed mushrooms and Roasted cauliflower salad are curated more for the lighter eaters and plant-based friends among us. But be warned: the menu is huge.
Location: Currumbin Ecovillage, 6 Village Way, Currumbin Valley

Greenhouse Canteen & Bar

It’s kind of fitting that the lush and verdant surrounds of the Tallebudgera Valley would play host to Greenhouse Canteen & Bar. Green by name and green by nature, this plant-based wholefoods café has made a name for itself over the years with its “sometimes naughty, mostly nice” menu that features something for… well… pretty much everyone! They’ve even got their very own luxe bathhouse next door, if you’re up for a relaxing soak before you chow down. Grab the bestie and make a day of it, trust us.

Best Dishes: Right now we’re seriously obsessed with charred hot honey brussels and beets on a bed of whipped almond ricotta. But if you’d like something a touch more filling, the Gnocchi alla vodka and Jackfruit nachos will satisfy the hungriest bellies.
Location: 268 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Tallebudgera Valley

BSKT

Famously home to Gold Coast’s OG vegan soft serve, Cocowhip, and boasting a unique menu loaded with all manner of made-from-scratch goodness, BSKT has certainly earned its spot as one of the city’s most iconic healthy cafes. Set right next to a glorious stretch of beach in Gold Coast’s south, this Nobby’s gem serves up an extensive array of mouth-watering dishes that pack all of the nutritional punch without sacrificing any of the taste. The special pup menu will keep your doggo healthy and happy, too.

Best Dishes: If you’re going to try Cocowhip, might as well have it at its original home! Acai lovers among us will dig the Oakberry organic acai bowls with unlimited – yes you read correctly – toppings. We also adore the Vegan Huevos Rancheros, with spice-packed tofu scramble and seriously loaded corn tortillas.
Location: 4 Lavarack Road, Gold Coast

The Cardamom Pod

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for most of your life, you have likely heard of – and probably visited - award-winning vegan eatery The Cardamom Pod. Even the most hardened carnivores among us have been won over by the rich, colourful delights on offer at this longstanding Gold Coast institution. 

The biggest problem is choosing what to try from the generous menu: Sweet or savoury? Share or hoard? Breakfast or lunch? We’ve discovered that multiple visits are really the only way to get a true understanding of the Cardamom Pod vision. 

Best Dishes: You’ll struggle to believe the drool-worthy red velvet latte is actually good for you, but that’s our story and we’re sticking to it. Also, the ultra-loaded Snickers Acai Bowl? Don’t mind if we do. The vegan ramen is a warm, comforting hug-in-a-bowl, regardless of what the weather is doing. Gah. We told you choosing is an issue!
Location: Brickworks Ferry Road, 3/3 Brolga Avenue, Southport

Currumbin Valley Harvest

Serving up light fare that features the freshest organic produce from local growers, Currumbin Valley Harvest most definitely lives up to its name. This peaceful community hub takes pride in its meaningful connection with organic food by lovingly curating a small seasonal, local menu that is the ultimate testament to healthy and sustainable eating. 

Not only can you sit among the splendorous natural surrounds to enjoy your Ayurvedic-inspired meals, you can also take a little slice of the harvest home to your own table in the form of fresh produce, Australian-grown bulk food and eco-friendly home products. 

Best Dishes: The soothing Ayurvedic porridge with fruit, nuts and tahini is the ultimate in traditional and gut-friendly breakfast options. Later in the day, the Garden Bowl overflowing with crisp valley greens and whole food protein will leave you feeling like a million bucks.
Location: 1380 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley

Buoy Oh Buoy

Brekky salad, anyone? Buoy Oh Buoy, does that sound like a nourishing way to start your day. This modern Paradise Point eatery is open 7 days a week and serves up the perfect balance of decadence and health. 

Whether you’re having a cheat day, dining with a mixed group of eaters or on a summer health kick, you’ll find something downright tasty that will fill your tum without emptying your wallet. The best news is your dog is welcome, too.

Best Dishes: The absolutely scrummy Honey chicken chipotle bowl has the perfect combo of protein, complex carbs, good fats and veg to keep you going all afternoon long. Ditto the freshly baked daily quiches. And since you’ll have been so well behaved with your main, you can enjoy a small tropical treat like their little coconut cake with tangy passionfruit icing.
Location: 27 Falkinder Avenue, Paradise Point

The Milkman's Daughter

Conscious eating and conscious living is the mantra of this delightful vegetarian sanctuary born from a love of high-quality dishes, made - wherever possible - from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. 

This thoughtful, tranquil café has been inspiring leisurely lunches and mindful eating since 2018, and we hope will continue to do so for many more years to come. Every dish has a vegan and gluten free option available, and did we mention they do tapas in the evening, too?

Best Dishes: The Lemon ricotta tartine is exactly as delicious as it sounds, while the simple Eggs any way is divine any way (anything served with whipped butter gets the thumbs up from us). Go big or go home with the Farmer’s breakfast featuring all the full English brekky faves with meat swapped out for avo, falafel and grilled veggies, because #health.
Location: 2/43 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach

Blendlove

Another long-time plant-based fave on Gold Coast’s impressive foodie scene, Southport’s Blendlove have been slinging their famous raw cheesecakes to the masses since 2013. 

These days their full menu of ample Asian-inspired dishes and modern Australian classics with a twist has seen them grow in popularity to such a degree that they’ve had to open up a new bakery-only location in Surfers Paradise just to keep up with demand. Not that anyone’s complaining.  It’s all about satisfying, wholesome soul food that’s great for your body, too.

Best Dishes: You won’t believe the fist-sized falafels on the No Eggs Benedict until you try them, so get amongst it without delay. For dessert, top things off with one of the simply divine guilt-free desserts from the cabinet or a truly heavenly sunrise smoothie packed with mango, raspberries, mint and orange.
Location: 1/253 Ferry Road, Southport Q 4215 and Uni’s Bakehouse at Shop 4/35 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise

Helen's Café & Juice Bar

It’s all about healthy habits at Helen’s Café and Juice Bar in Burleigh Heads, where they make a confident claim to the best acai bowls in Australia. Is it true? There’s one way to find out! With a menu that’s over 80% organic and plant-based, this crew isn’t messing around when it comes to healthy eating. 

Best Dishes: The aforementioned acai bowls, of course! And don’t forget to tell the team what you think, because they love them some customer feedback. And you really can’t go somewhere called a juice bar and not get a fresh juice or smoothie, whether you’re indulging in a special house blend or designing your own.
Location: 1/29 James St, Burleigh Heads
   

Nobby's Shack

Fresh juices will never not be popular with the health-conscious Gold Coast crowd, which makes this next venue yet another essential entry on this list. Nobby’s Shack is a sunny, cheerful spot with a drinks menu that is actually bigger than its food menu! That’s how seriously this team takes their smoothie game. 

This friendly, family-run business adopts a food as medicine model and ethically sources their ingredients for the most guilt-free eating and drinking experience possible.

Best Dishes: Good luck choosing between the array of fruit-packed cold drinks and the range of healthy hot bevvies, including the special herbal tisanes. You’d probably better get one of each. If you’re feeling a mite peckish, check out the simple yet delicious brekky burrito.
Location: 2241A Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Seeyo Café & Bakery

Pretty much every café around will offer up some kind of gluten free alternatives these days. But for coeliacs who can’t tolerate so much as a crumb of wheat, dining out can be less of pleasure activity and more of a high-risk gamble. 

Enter Seeyo Café & Bakery in Mermaid. With a menu, kitchen and indeed, entire venue that is 100% free from gluten, it’s the perfect destination for coeliacs who would like their brunch without a side of digestive roulette. The other benefit of a bakery that specialises in using only gluten free ingredients in their products is that they’ve gotten really, really good at it. So stop in for a meal and take home a loaf for the week and a sweet treat for later without any worries. And it’s guaranteed to please your gluten-loving friends, too.

Best Dishes: It’s hard to say no to a classic style eggs benny when it’s as lush as the one at See Yo, and we particularly love the crispy, craveable Vietnamese pancake loaded with goodness. If you’ve got a celebration coming up and need a cake that just about anyone can eat, this is the place to go, too. The raw salted caramel cheesecake is highly recommended!
Location: 2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
     

From beachside brunch spots to hinterland hideaways, these healthy cafés Gold Coast locals and visitors love, prove that nourishing food can be seriously delicious. Explore the city’s thriving healthy café scene and discover for yourself just how good eating well can taste.

Want to explore more? If you love to dine in the sunshine check out Gold Coast's best outdoor dining experiences.