Ciabatta try them all.
Ciabatta try them all.
Oh baked goods, why do you taunt us so. Taste sensations, tick. Better with butter, tick. Comforting when cold, tick, tick, tick. They’re almost too good to be true but, as demonstrated below, they are true and there are Gold Coast bakeries galore which is just fine by us.
Here’s a list of the top 11 bakeries within which you’ll find said exceptional baked treats and happy carb loading Coasties.
Custard Canteen
By the insanely talented team also behind Bam Bam Bakehouse, Custard Canteen is the newest of the bunch, serving up absolutely next-level Portuguese custard tarts, almond croissant tarts, the gooiest of cookies and various breakfast and lunch goods. Find them down Talle Creek way and good luck floating gracefully once you’ve sampled a few (thousand) of those.
Where: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
The Pastry Emporium
While it may be a slightly fancier version of the good old fashioned bakery, it is still in fact, a place where goods are baked and some of the most incredible goods you’ve ever tasted at that. Now with two convenient locations, The Pastry Emporium creates magical, almost other worldly cakes and desserts while also whipping up a croissant you would probably die for. They also do the breads and the coffees and if you moved in there, we wouldn’t judge you. Please invite us over.
Where: Shop 2, 90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters and 4/28 Campbell St, Bundall
Bam Bam Bakehouse
Needing no introduction is Mermaid’s Bam Bam Bakehouse – creators of the most original baked treats the Gold Coast has ever seen and the absolute love of our lives if we’re honest. Known for creations such as Gaytime Eclairs and Ink Gin Choux Bomb, it’s another level of baked treat magic and everything tastes more delicious than you could possibly imagine.
Where: 2519 – 2521 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Paddock Bakery
Hidden amidst a little garden oasis is Paddock Bakery, a café/garden wonderland in Miami also cranking out insane baked goods. How about a Milo Milkshake donut? Yah. Wagon Wheel donuts are also a thing and baby Nutella bots are the real deal. The donut selection changes all the time but there is always something available to blow your dessert loving mind. And your other minds.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami
Fosters Bakery
A Nobby’s institution, Fosters has been serving up the baked goods dreams are made of, for many a year. Their pies are some of the best around and we may have been known to indulge for breakfast, lunch and dinner many days running. Classic pastries from Fosters are also always a good idea, there’s vanilla slice, custard tarts and donuts and you should absolutely get one of everything.
Where: 1/2227 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Burleigh Baker
For the love of sourdough, this place is the goods. We are quite partial to the olive sourdough, because olives are life but there are many varieties, all of which are the perfect addition to a warming soup and/or lathered with butter. Oh and all their sourdough is of the organic and artisan varieties AND they do incredible cakes like a Raspberry and Pistachio with honey frosting and honey caramel drizzle. Two please.
Where: 13/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Fuel Bakehouse
So many delicious things come out of this delightful place you guys. Some of the best doughnuts around, tasty delicious pies that are quite large and very filling, croissants, danishes, all of the very best things. There are two Fuel Bakehouse locations so you need not worry about missing out. And you absolutely don’t want to miss out.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters and 39-45 Tweest Coast Rd, Cabarita
Coolangatta Pie Shop
Pies are one of Gods greatest gifts to all of us, particularly at 3am after a night of tearing up the dance floor. Conveniently, the iconic Coolangatta Pie Shop is open 24 hours a day on the weekend for literally all of your late night/early morning baked good needs. It’s one of lifes greatest luxuries right on our doorstep. There’s also tasty sweet treats and we recommend the Macadamia Slice thingo because caramel.
Where: 50 Griffith St, Coolangatta
Gumnut Café/Bakery
Oh god there are donuts and they are A M A Z I N G. Cream filled and caramel topped, we have died and gone to donut heaven. Nothing else matters. Except there are also pies and they are so good and everything is made fresh on the premises and by people who care that you are happy with their baked goods. Which you will be. Did you know Mudgeeraba is also a heavenly, away-from-the-city paradise you should definitely visit ASAP? Yep.
Where: 25 Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba
Horner’s of Sorrento
Horner’s was born from a passion for the smell of freshly baked bread and that is something we can get behind. Their particular type of baked magic comes in the form of artisan breads, from pull aparts to French sticks, and some of the very best sweet treats around. We’re particularly partial to the Melting Moments and the Lemon Meringue Pie, oh yes. We could eat all of these things all of the days.
Where: Sorrento Shopping Centre, 20 Bundall Road, Bundall
Flour of Life
People of the plants rejoice, these amazing folks make all the baked goods without all the gluten, meat, dairy and egg bits. That’s right friends, it’s a vegan bakery with all the incredible treats you’ve come to know and love. Think donuts, cakes, slices, pies, all the most delicious things. We have it on good authority (ours) that the donuts are absolutely next level and pretty as an Insta picture too.
Where: 22-32 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Words by Kirra Smith
In what might just be the most perfect start to any week in the history of weeks, the team behind Gold Coast favourites Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse (love y’all) have opened a new venue and we are happy dancing all over the place.
Its called Custard Canteen (another winner in the name department) and as of right now, it can be found at Talle Creek within the Recreation Centre complex and oh yes friends, it’s the goods.
You won’t miss the newbie, red and white striped flags are dotted throughout the expansive garden area and of course there will be heavenly scents wafting out from within.
Pull up a seat on one of the two outdoor decks, under said umbrellas or lay out a picnic rug and kick back on the grass with your furry mate (or your regular mate). There are flowers and plants everywhere and it’s a little garden oasis complete with some of the very best eats around.
Let’s discuss those shall we. Now as you’d know, if you’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling any of the teams’ other goodies (if you haven’t, are you even a Gold Coaster) they’re the very best around. A WHOLE LOT of research goes into every single thing Ben, Ursula and their crew create to ensure consistent perfection.
Which is exactly what you’re going to experience at Custard Canteen, particularly in the form of their hero product, Portuguese Tarts. Heaven on Earth you guys.
So they’re layers of crisp, pastry encasing warm, sweet love-of-our-lives custard that kind of explodes in your mouth when you bite into it. In the most amazing possible way obviously.
Besides those, there are Almond Croissant Tarts, which are indeed tart versions of their famous Almond Croissants and gooey, melty cookies that are the love of our lives also.
If you’re in the market for a savoury something, there’s a whole menu for that too. From the Butter Boy (their little mascot) Benny with streaky bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise on a puff pastry parcel to their (also famous) Prawn Po Boy with crispy buttermilk prawns, salad things and remoulade on a milk hoagie, it’s all delightful.
Oh and there’s also exceptional Bacon and Egg Rolls and a must-try French Toast Toastie which is a sourdough Monte Cristo with ham, Swiss cheese, maple and cinnamon sugar. Plus burgers and a hot dog and all your favourite roll-off-the-sand treats.
So basically all you need to do is frolic in Talle Creek, pop over for some goodies, rinse and repeat. Best time ever.
Custard Canteen, what are you waiting for Gold Coasters?
LOCATION: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Daily 6.30am until 2.30pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
The magical Miami wonderland that is Paddock Bakery can’t stop, won’t stop creating mouthwatering foodie masterpieces (and spaces to consume them in).
Just when we thought there couldn’t possibly be any more ways to impress us, everyone’s favourite leafy oasis goes and opens a sweet little, goodie-filled Milk Bar.
A big old louvered window swings skyward in the back corner of the garden so you can peek in over the bar and watch the magic unfold. It’s a nod to the milk bars of old and perfectly at home with glossy green tiles and understated copper adornments dotted about.
The space has been a few months in the making with Paddock’s owner Chloe taking the time to perfect the milkshake and smoothie flavours now available for your sipping pleasure.
And perfect them she did friends. As with everything Chloe and the team create, these are no ordinary milkshakes. They are blow-your-mind, how-is-this-even-possible milkshakes and please, allow us to elaborate.
First of all there’s the Coco Pops milkshake, which is made with, you guessed it, Coco Pops milk and decorated with Nutella and more crunchy Coco Pops. Then there’s the Cookie Monster made with vanilla bean milk and topped with Paddock’s famous cookies (be still our hearts).
The Doughnut Shake is doughnut-flavoured milk (see, mind blown) topped with a semi-sourdough doughnut bot and Paddock’s doughnut chips. Seriously, how.
The fun doesn’t stop there of course – there’s also Strawberries and Cream, S’mores and Salted Caramel flavours and each has a magical little Paddock twist.
If smoothies are more your thang, you may choose from five epic flavours of those guys including Acai, Banana, Mango and Coconut (YUM), Junky Monkey and the Greenie.
Chloe’s reasoning behind opening another incredible section was completing the brunch picture and the people of the Gold Coast are eternally grateful.
So, here’s what you need to do: once you arrive at Paddock, go inside and order at least three pastries (plus an extra to take home for later), head down to the Milk Bar and choose your milkshake then pull up a seat in the garden, kick back and give thanks that Paddock Bakery came into our lives.
Hallelujah. The end.
LOCATION: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami
HOURS: 7.30am to 2.30pm Thursday to Monday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
Not long ago, Bam Bam Bakehouse decided to blow us all away by announcing they were opening Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for dinner.
Bam Bam is no secret hot spot. There is a constant explosion of people lining up to taste one of their delicious strawberry tarts or signature Bam Bam Benny’s. In fact, tables fill up so quickly that Bam Bam has started handing out picnic blankets and delivering baskets to people willing to really soak up the alfresco dining experience in the adjacent park.
So when announcing they were opening for dinner, we couldn’t wait to see if the menu was worth gathering the squad for.
Looking over the quiet park at night, the atmosphere in the venue is warm and private. The decor hints French countryside meets New York industrial. Think fresh flowers and delicate tiles contrasted by recycled timber and a mixed height tables paired with metal stools. Twinkling candle light gives an eternal dusky mood while the warmth from the outdoor heaters will keep the winter chill at bay.
The distinction between the day/night menu is clear with the Asian additions like Steamed White Fish Dumplings made fresh with shitake mushrooms and Coconut Prawns battered in Stone & Wood. The Katsu Sando with panko dumbed chicken schnitzel, white cabbage, house Tonkatsu sauce and Paddock Bakery Scotch loaf is irresistible. If you didn’t know, Paddock and Bam Bam are sister restaurants. Paddock makes the breads and Bam Bam makes the sweets and then they swap. But back to food, the Thai Beef Salad featuring hot smoked beef, roasted peanuts and Naam jim is perfect for a lighter taste explosion. If you want to bust out the big guns (which we suggest you do) you’ve got to get a side of the Special Soft Shell Crab Chinese Fried Rice with your order. Put a little Sriracha on the side to detonate serious flavour.
On Thursdays be sure to hit up Holy Schnit! night featuring $18.90 Chicken Parmi, rocket salad, chips and a Stone & Wood (what a deal!).
Since dinner is only served Thursday – Sunday it would be a sin not to indulge in at least one of their cocktails. The Elderflower Margarita is a best seller, but we thought the Midori & Cointreau cocktail, the classic Japanese Slipper really packed a punch! The Ink Gin & Tonic is just so pretty too.
As Bam Bam Bakehouse is a patisserie by day, it’s unacceptable to leave without trying one of their Sweet Thangs. The interactive Choux Bomb Sundae is truly the way to go. Crispy choux pastry, crunchy praline croustillant, caramelised hazelnuts, vanilla soft serve and a pour-it-yourself nutella hot fudge sauce is a flavour combination so deadly, we can’t guarantee you won’t die of happiness.
Monday – Sunday – breakfast / lunch 7:00am – 3:00pm
Thursday – Sunday – snacks 2:00pm – 5:00pm, dinner 5:00pm – late
2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
