Breakfast and Burleigh go together like all of our favourite things. Bread and butter, eggs and bacon, macaroni and cheese, gin and tonic… you get this gist. And as you can probably tell, we’re partial to a good old breakfast.

What’s not to love about breakfast? And even more, what’s not to love about Burleigh? You’ve got sun, sand, surf and a boat load of egg-cellent spots to fill up and fuel up to get the day going. It is the most important meal of the day after all.

We took it upon ourselves to do the hard task of eating our way around one of our fave beachside suburbs to determine who exactly has the best brekky’s on offer and it did not disappoint. Here’s our pick of 10 of the best breakfast eats in Burleigh. Just don’t scramble to get to them all at once!

Commune
Back to where it all began, Commune has stood the test of time when it comes to bringing the breakfast goods and if you’ve been, you’ll know why. Recently taken over by the Blackboard crew, the menu is brimming with classics and new flavours. Their Eggs Florentine stacked on one of the best potato rosti’s going around is an all-time pick of ours. They’ve got acai bowls on tap along with their fan-fave chorizo burrito – it’s an IYKYK situation.
Where: 1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Palm Springs
You’ve no doubt seen this Palm Springs inspired brekky haunt taking pride of place on the Gold Coast Highway. It’s hard to miss the slice of California desert in the heart of Burleigh. Take it from us, the food is as fabulous as the space is gorgeous. Their Breakfast Tacos are an obvious front-runner for our favourite breakfast pick. We adore the Chicken & Waffles with southern fried chicken, chipotle mayo and maple syrup for a delicious taste of the US.
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Tarte Bakery
It’s the spot that almost doesn’t need an introduction because if you haven’t been to the Euro-inspired café then where have you been?! They’ve been reinventing the breakfast game with dishes like their loaded bagels (hello Bullseye Bang) and their iconic Tomato Soup – if you’ve seen it, you’ll get it. If you’re more about a liquid breakfast then the Parisian Hot Chocolate is a no brainer, or the Breakfast Mary if you like a bit of a kick. We’re also pretty sure it’s illegal to leave without one of their baked goods. Get the strawberry muffin top and thank us later.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Local
Right in the heart of Burleigh you’ll find this spot that’s become a firm favourite among locals – that’s right, it’s not just in the name. It’s big, it’s busy and it serves up a mean breakfast – which is obviously a prerequisite on a breakfast list. Local is our go-to for those tried and tested brekky must-haves, think French Toast for the sweet tooth and Chilli Scramble (because what’s not to love). No acai bowl? No problem because they’ve done one better – the Acai Panna Cotta with coconut sorbet is the freshest twist on a GC staple but we’re into it.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Social Brew
James Street has long been the heart of Burleigh when it comes to all things food, fashion and fun and tucked away in the Big B Arcade is Social Brew. A bustling melting pot of Gold Coasters, from brekky dates to catch ups with friends and people working over a bite to eat, the people watching is almost as good as the food. Stay for a good time and a long time if that’s your vibe, with breakfast turning into lunch on the reg. The Truffle Mushroom Bruschetta and Nasi ‘Brew’eng are must-try’s for a reason.
Where: 34-36 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Paddock Bakery
Remember when Paddock Bakery changed the game with their epic sweet treats and loaded donuts? How could we ever forget, we’re grateful for it pretty much every day. But they’re so much more than just baked goods, tucked away in their little weatherboard haven is a bakehouse so as you can imagine – they’re big on bread and their menu shows. The best part? After you’ve filled up on food, you can take home some of their bakehouse goods – whether it’s an Almost Croissant Cookie or their signature Sourdough.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Two Yolks
If anyone knows a thing or two about eggs, it’s these guys – some may even call them eggs-perts. And what’s breakfast without eggs? As far as we’re concerned, even breakfast time is burger time so you bet we were pumped when we saw the menu loaded with things like the Triple B (Big Brekky Burger) and the Two Yolks Grande Burrito filled with scrambled eggs (naturally), tater tots, guac, bacon, halloumi and chipotle aioli. The unsung hero of their brekky menu is the Tater Tots aka potato gems though, get the morsels of crispy goodness as a side or you’ll have fomo later.
Where: 13 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads

Pretty Handsome
They’re baaaack and they’re better than ever, if we do say so ourselves. With a schmick fresh look and their ripper original menu – plus some new additions of course – Pretty Handsome has been a sight for sore eyes and we’re just pretty darn happy that we’ve got their Breaky Wrap Combo back. Seriously, what’s not to love about a wrap and a coffee combo for $12.50 – we’re in a cost of living crisis, people!
Where: 18 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Heads

Plantation House Cafe
This pretty little spot is all about great breakfast and gorgeous interiors, with fresh clean interiors, a lush green wall and of course, a hot pink neon it’s giving Instagrammable and we love it. The team at Plantation are big fans of a sweet breakfast moment and you will be too with Pancakes served with poached pear, salted caramel, crumble and ice cream – we’re drooling just thinking about it. If savoury is more of your flavour then try the Fritter Stack, we promise it won’t disappoint.
Where: 1/43 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Burleigh Heads

Parlour Coffee
It might not be in the centre of the Burleigh hustle and bustle but does that mean we love Parlour Coffee any less? Absolutely not. In fact, that’s one of the things we love about it most. Seasonal menu. Tick. Epic coffee. Tick. Space to soak up the sunshine (with SPF obviously). Tick. Dog friendly. Tick. It’s got everything we look for in a brekky spot and more. Treat yo’self with the Benny Croissant and if that’s not enough indulgence, try a twist on your usual coffee with their Tiramisu Latte.
Where: 34 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Burleigh Heads

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

Push your shakeable pancake mix to the side — you deserve more. In fact, you deserve the best. Save yourself the hassle of heating up the frying pan: here is where you can have a heap of perfectly cooked pancakes on the Gold Coast placed right in front of you with an impressive medley of toppings and extras.

Now, it’s up to you to decide which pancake style stacks your excitement the most (all of them can be your answer).

Sens Fusion
Looking for the perfect souffle pancake? We’ve found it! Sens Fusion is flipping the script with light-as-air Japanese soufflé pancakes. Whether you’re team sweet or savoury, these viral pillows of deliciousness are worth the wait. Trust us, you’ll be on cloud nine with their fluffing amazing pancakes! We went for the OG, served with melted butter and maple syrup, but if you’re feeling decadent, we’d suggest the Matcha Souffle served with matcha cream, matcha crumble and matcha ice cream. Get ’em while they’re hot—and fluffy!
Where:  129 Queen Street, Southport

Milkman’s Daughter
What’s not to get in a crush over at the Milkman’s Daughter? Apart from pouring epic coffee and being one of Mermaid Beach’s best hangouts, they are serving up pancakes you have to see to believe. The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are bathed in vanilla turmeric custard, passionfruit reduction and topped with pistachios and edible flowers. The healthiest AND tastiest pancakes ever to exist? Quite possibly!
Where: 2/43 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach

Kefi Cafe
Drop everything and pick up your fork. You can now have your cake and eat it in pancake form, all while getting a coffee hit! You heard correctly. Kefi is trying to put us in a food coma with their tiramisu-inspired Kefi Hotcake. We’re talking about coffee-infused pancakes topped with caramel, chocolate soil, maple syrup, mascarpone, and whipped Kahlua. We consent!
Where: 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta

Chut & Co
Don’t let the title ‘pancake tacos’ confuse you- we’re not about to mix taco spices with maple syrup. However, we are about to tell you that Chut & Co have reimagined the perfect way to present pancakes; in a taco stand. It’s three little buttermilk pancakes, all in a row, piped generously with vanilla mascarpone and topped with raspberries, strawberries and an Oreo crumble. Who knew pancakes could be taco-licious?
Where: Mermaid Plaza, 2400 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Hudson and Rosie’s Table
Spoiler alert- these are the best pancakes on the Gold Coast. Sorry, you can’t contest, for this is a fact. These banoffee pancakes are truly bananas! Let me set the scene; the pillow-like ricotta pancakes are lush, standing tall on your plate and soaked in and surrounded by fresh banana toffee, maple pecan crumble and fresh berries. A velvety scoop of espresso mascarpone cream sits atop, proud and donned with pretty flowers. You reach your last mouthful and wonder, can life get better than this?
Where: 106 Alexander Drive, Highland Park

Palm Springs
If it’s a sweet treat you want, then it’s a sweet treat you’ll get. They call it the ‘palm pancakes‘, which sounds innocent enough. But Palm Springs wasn’t flippin around when they decided to conjure up this plate of pleasure: a deep-dish buttermilk vanilla pancake, dulce de leche with vanilla ice cream and Biscoff crumble. Pick your jaw up off the floor—you have a table reservation to make.
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Hot Shott
You thought food combos peaked at cronuts and cruffins, didn’t you? Don’t worry, we did too. Until we discovered the valhalla of food combinations; a cinnamon scroll meets pancake. We’re not spinning fiction, although it does sound like a fairytale. Hot Shott has combined two of life’s greatest edible pleasures to deliver their cinnamon scroll buttermilk pancakes with vanilla ice cream, roasted macadamia, mixed berries and maple syrup. One word: cinna-mazing.
Where: 3/17 Tedder Avenue, Main Beach

Pancake Diner
Of course, we had to include a chocolate pancake edition on our list! Who are we, the Grinch? Then we thought, if we’re going for chocolate, why not make it a black forest? The Pancake Diners black forest-inspired stack starts with two chocolate pancakesserved with fresh strawberries, blueberries, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream with chocolate fudge, and chocolate chips. Because if you’re going to indulge, why not make it decadent?
Where: 16/221 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Heads

Pancakes on the Rocks
The humble apple crumble has been flipped. It’s your nan’s specialty, taken to a new level by Pancakes on the Rocks. Imagine buttermilk pancakes so fluffy they could make clouds jealous, crowned with marinated apples and a dollop of cream and ice cream. As if that wasn’t enough, a homemade crumble adds a crunchy, sweet finish. If you don’t feel like betraying sweet granny on this occasion or feel something a bit more savoury, their crepes are equally delicious!
Where: 4 The Esplanade, Shop T1.31, Surfers Paradise

No Name Lane
It’s a classic: the mixed-berry pancake stack. What a crowd-pleaser! While perfect as is, No Name Lane has made a good thing great, adding some seriously mouth-watering editions. Keeping a classic base, they top the perfect pancake rounds with mixed berry compote, mascarpone, vanilla anglaise, cinnamon crumble, white wine glaze, and vanilla ice cream. They’re berry-nice. Te-he!
Where: 16 Charles Ave, Broadbeach

Words by Chelsea Ipsen