Happy days Helensvale, your quality coffee and epic ears prayers have been answered in the form of a brand new brunch spot, Bear Boy Espresso.

Having only opened their doors in the last week, the new space on Hope Island Road (just off the motorway) has already become a firm favourite amongst locals and if you’re not a northern dweller, we suggest scheduling in a little trip ASAP.

Bear Boy, named for owners Brodie and Andy Howard’s love of the name Bjorn (meaning bear in Scandinavian), can be found on a corner block and it’s open and spacious with high ceilings and both indoor and outdoor seating.

A peachy terracotta bench inspired by travels through India is the centerpiece of the newbie with greenery dripping from the ceilings and a neon bear face on the back wall bringing it all together. We love.

The menu is filled with the breakfast and lunch staples you know and love but all with a little bit of extra goodness and some boasting a little Asian twist.

Come 2020 (so like, tomorrow), the menu will be changed seasonally so you can probably manage to try something different every time you go.

For now there are tasty treats like Mango Bao made up of a cinnamon spiced, fried bao with fresh mango, compote and coconut ice cream. So good.

There’s also the Big Bear Benny with a crispy potato waffle – made in-house, two poachies, housemade hollandaise, wilted spinach and your choice of bacon, garlic and thyme mushrooms or Tasmanian smoked salmon. Also very tasty.

For lunch, the Skinny Bear Salad Bowl was quite special with a house falafel, quinoa, kale, pickled red cabbage, radish, avocado, sweet potato, ginger puree, edamame beans and drizzled with sesame oil. LOVED this.

There are also lunchtime burgers and a chorizo linguine that sounds like absolute heaven on a fork.

Coffee-wise the crew are using Single O out of Surry Hills for two reasons; the first being, it’s excellent and the second being the brands’ ethical practice when it comes to paying farmers properly and ensuring dollars go back into the farms to continue the quality of bean growth. Great.

Bear Boy’s house roast is called Killer Bee but they’ll also be featuring micro roasters throughout the year and will focus on educating folks on specialty coffee including hosting cupping events.

All in all it’s a beautiful space with both quality food and coffee and will no doubt lead the charge in the northern Gold Coast’s growing foodie scene.

Get up there and show them some love.

LOCATION: Shop 66, 502 Hope Island Rd, Helensvale
HOURS: 6am until 4pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

As we Gold Coasters know, there are certain things that make an eatery one you want to go back to time and time again.

First, a cocktail list packed with fresh, mouth-watering sips, an interior you want to model your house off, the tastiest of pizza and as much cheese as you can eat.

It’s a delicate balance of goodness and one that’s been absolutely nailed by Burleigh Heads’ newest venue, La Bella Cellar.

If you’ve wandered down Deodar Drive lately you will have noticed the white-washed bricks, terracotta tiles and lone cactus both intriguing and perfectly at home in our beloved beachside suburb.

Inside though, is where the magic really unfolds.

You’ll step through the entrance and directly into a wine cellar, one side of which is a door that opens into the space.

It’s the most best thing we’ve seen in a venue’s interior for quite some time because honestly, who doesn’t want to be in an enclosed space surrounded by wine?

Step through the wine-laden door and you’ll find a sleek, all white space dotted with cactuses, greenery and ceramics by local gal Kelly Bignell.

There are high, concrete tables and low, tiled ones and it’s all brought together by a piece of art in the back corner. We’ll let you discover that for yourself.

La Bella Cellar is the work of local lads and longtime pals Adam Farrugia and Josh Bailey, whose company Studio Build brought the space together and we’re big fans. As you will be.

To eat, there’s an Italian-inspired menu packed with fresh, delicious pizzas, share plates and the very best part, cheeseboards for which you may choose upwards from three locally sourced cheeses including the likes of Salt Bush Chevre, Bleu d’auvergne and Gorgonzola Dolce.

May as well add them all though obviously.

To drink, a selection of wines from said front entrance cellar including varietals from Italy, Australia, France and Argentina. There are plenty of unique sips, an orange wine option and some Pet Nats of course.

The cocktail list is a must-sample with Head Barman Aaron Howard shaking up some flavours you absolutely haven’t seen before. There’s an Espresso Martini with vanilla Galliano foam and a house favourite, The Vatican with gin, chartreuse, honey rosemary syrup, fresh lemon and smoked rosemary.

The Pope himself would approve of that one. Maybe. Who cares.

There are plenty of Italian flavours on offer within the cocktail menu, think almond, white peach and of course rosemary to name a few.

Is there anything better than all things Italian? We think not.

La Bella Cellar opens on Saturday 12th December, perfect timing for those Christmas drinks we know you haven’t booked yet.

Happy days Gold Coasters, you’re gonna love this one.

LOCATION: 9/3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 5pm until 12am Thursday to Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Takeaway could well be the greatest thing ever invented and if wasn’t so bad for you, you’d probably get it every day right? WELL GUESS WHAT! According to this very article, takeaway food doesn’t have to be bad for you and that could be the greatest news ever not invented.

Here’s a list of the top 9 restaurants offering healthy takeaway options. Happy days.

Raw Energy, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads
Located on the corner of Marine Parade in Coolangatta is Raw Energy, a healthy food and lifestyle café that started on the Sunshine Coast. Their focus is on fresh food, served fast in a funky environment. Raw Energy’s got you covered, offering anything from healthy smoothies or juices to macadamia and lentil burgers, YUMM!
Where: 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

The Pocket
If you haven’t been there yet, put this one on your ‘to do’ list! The Pocket in Burleigh’s Connor Street is an absolute favourite amongst locals and offers a great range of healthy take away options (with an extensive vegetarian/gluten free menu). The Pocket aims to be a conscientious restaurant serving locally sourced, wholesome food, often using produce grown by owners David and Michelle.
Where: 13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Marie Anita’s Gluten Free Health Cafe
Marie Anita’s offers a solely gluten free and sugar free menu designed to provide dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and raw alternatives. With the aim to source from local suppliers and to use as much organic produce as possible, Marie Anita’s challenges the image of healthy eating.
Where: 2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
A personal favorite is Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, the holy grail of all healthy food. With the motto ‘anything you can do, we can do vegan’ they’re onto something, because they are busy every day of the week. But not to worry, they do take away, too! All produce are sourced from trusted suppliers and farmer’s markets – food is medicine and it should nourish the mind, body and soul. Amen!
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami and 1/140 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

BSKT Cafe
BSKT Cafe (Biscuit) was founded with the belief that people care about their health. They just needed the right place to deliver these health options in an indulgent and accessible manner.
All products are designed to inspire through nutritional quality, taste and a global conscious. Made from high quality plants and free from refined sugar and anything artificial. All products are hand crafted with love using traditional methods busting the myth Vegan and Paleo products can’t be delicious as well as nutritious.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach

The Shack Superfood Cafe
The name says it all, the Shack Superfood Café in Nobby’s is a health freaks paradise with real and fresh food that tastes great and is nutritious! On offer is quinoa, acai, smoothies and juices, breakfast, takeaway lunch and dinner boxes, plus tea and coffee. If you are looking for a hassle free, convenient and easy takeaway option look no further and go give the team at the Shack a visit.
Where: 2221 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach 

Cardamom Pod
Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach is a vegetarian and plant-based restaurant inspired by the art of creative and tasty cuisine. With an extensive salad bar and delicious hot meal options such as curries or lasagne, Cardamom Pod is the perfect place to get some tasty and healthy takeaway, and word on the street is there are opening one in Brickworks! But be warned, their desserts are out of this world, especially the raw peanut butter cups.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Govindas
Govindas is without a doubt one of the most popular vegetarian, eco-friendly take-away restaurants on the Gold Coast. They offer a variety of pure vegetarian foods (vegan and gluten free options available) including vegetable dishes, basmati rice, dhal, potato bake, samosas and a variety of salads, desserts and drinks. Veggies are sourced locally and all dishes are prepared daily using the freshest produce. The buffet style approach lets customer create their own meal at reasonable prices. YUM.
Where: James St, Burleigh Heads

Giri Kana Cafe
The Giri Kana Cafe is a fresh take on vegan and vegetarian food, with a wide selection of freshly made vegan / vegetarian items (many organic and gluten free options also), including an extensive dessert menu. Their emphasis is on fresh and wholesome foods, which are good for the body, as well as the mind and spirit – and to this end, food is cooked with love and devotion. Try one of their signature tofu or vegie burgers served on turkish bread or as a gluten free option the Open Burger on rice. All so good!
Where: Cnr of Nind St and Gold Coast Highway, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith