Picture this. It’s 3.30am on a rainy Saturday. When you’re suddenly awoken from your blissful dreams (the one where you’re flying) to the incessant screeching of your alarm, and beyond the depths of your doona is cold and dark. Buuuut, if you get up now, you can begin the 3 hour ordeal that is shaping, proofing and baking a loaf of fresh sourdough and *hopefully* be eating something that resembles bread sometime not too long after brunch…

Okay, so we think we’ve made our point, because who actually wants to be doing that? #hardpass #immastayinbed No, we’re going to do what the everybody else does, leave it to the pros and pick one up on our morning coffee pilgrimage at a respectable hour.

And if you’re based on the Southern end of the GC, specifically Currumbin, spreads at the ready because you butter believe your new dough-to is finally here. Baked good enthusiasts and those in the dough will probably already be well acquainted with the name Bread Social, and now the crew is making like an overgrown sourdough starter and spreading their (white) wings across the border. Because the brand new Bread Social takeaway kiosk has officially crumb to the GC, and they’re slinging all the good stuff: coffee, cakes, bread, sambos and – the only time we actually want flaky in our lives: golden, buttery pastries! #nom.

We’ve watched the Bread Social crew rise in popularity among carb-lovers ever since their humble debut at a little place called The Farm back in 2015 as an artisan Bakery with a passion for seasonal, local, organic produce and ingredients #thatsjusthowtheyroll. The mastermind trio behind the bread, directors Sam Saulwick, Tom Scott, Paul Giddings have stretched Bread Social strength to strength ever since, collecting new suppliers and locations along the way with #operationbakeover now officially commencing here on the Coast.

The remainder of the brand new 1200 square metre industrial-style HQ is slated to open later this year will house Bread Social’s new production facility, café and educational space along with our fave new takeaway kiosk of course.

And if your ears immediately lit up at the word café, and your brow quizzically furrowed at the phrase ‘educational space’, same. What we can confirm is that, while no, it’s not it’s not some kind of culinary institute (yet), the plan is to host bread and pastry classes for anybody and everybready willing to roll their sleeves up and learn a thing or two from the pros. The trio are excited to create a space that showcases their talents and involves the customer in all aspects of sourdough bread and pastry production – and the feeling is mutual.

Til then, stage one, aka our fave new takeaway kiosk is all-systems go, with the sunshine-y crew popping the window six days a week and reminding us yet again that good things really do come in small hole-in-the-wall sized packages. Just follow the yellow brick tiled wall and you’ll be greeted with all the to-go faves, and of course the wall of infamous loaves stacked up just begging to be taken home for the jar treatment – but the question is will it be PB, or jam?

And we don’t know about the rest of the GC, but we think we will manage cruuust fine with some too-frequent frolicking by the Bread Social kiosk for our daily bake-away fix, with hot coffee and all the Bread Social cult fave treats (heyyy, porto tart) on repeat.

Where: 2 Queensbury Avenue, Currumbin Waters
When: 6am – 2pm Monday to Saturday

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.

Ahhh Chirn Park, you’re the northern GC’s answer to Burleigh…minus the traffic and with an intimate village vibe. Embracing its increasingly trendy rep, Chirn Park is welcoming more and more cool/interesting/unique businesses to this once underrated neck of the woods. In fact, there’s now even a Chirn Park Festival, attracting an army of CP enthusiasts over its two-year lifespan. Us included.

Being the fans that we are, here are nine reasons why locals…and not so local locals….are flocking to Chirn Park en masse!

Cruize Espresso
It was love at first sight when we spotted the adorable logo alone. With a beautiful soft colour palette, swoon-worthy serve-wear, phenom wall art (Jai Vasicek, we see you…everywhere) and the instagrammable “I love you a latte” neon sign, the menu is as delicious as the fit-out. Think modern brekkie and lunch dishes beautifully presented with pretty-as-a-picture floral garnish, epic coffee, and the friendliest service in the land.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue

Quan 55
‘Quan’ is Vietnamese for bar, so no prizes for guessing what this Chirn Park fave serves! Host and owner Wynn serves up the same food as she does at home, even using her mother-in-law’s treasured 20-year-old crock pot! Now that’s authenticity personified! It boasts fabulous food and cocktails and ambience galore, thanks to the awesome interior and never-ending rotation of bums on seats.
Where: 4/55 Brooke Avenue

Luigi & Sons Barbershop
The longest established barbershop on the Coast, Luigi and Sons now have 3 shopfronts with contemporary, fresh fit outs, and a passionate team trained to deliver amazing haircuts with old-fashioned service. Catering for all the modern man’s barbering needs, they fuse traditional skills with very ‘now’ techniques. Beard-shaping and cut-throat shaves are also a speciality, so book that manscape yesterday.
Where: 4/58 Brooke Avenue

Little Barista Espresso Bar
Looking for a consistently high-quality caffeine hit, all day breakfast or lunch? Call off the search coz Little Barista delivers all of the above. Perched in arguably the most prominent corner position in Chirn Park, this rustic coastal gem is always buzzing. You can smell the glorious aroma of award-winning brews as you walk up the street, and don’t forget to bring Fido as pooches are welcomed with open arms.
Where: 3/39 Musgrave Avenue

Lambar Pizza
If pizza and pasta aren’t the answer, srsly what was the question? Whether you’re channelling takeaway, a meal in-house or perhaps have a private function on the horizon, Lambar is your BFF in waiting. Making all meals with love using the freshest, locally sourced produce, it’s impossible to go wrong here. And the pepperoni on the pizza is that you can BYO wine. Did someone say unicorn?
Where: 4/37 Musgrave Avenue

Daark Espresso
I mean, if they were to rename Chirn Park, it would be Daark Espresso. Well worth the queue, it’s the go-to for the professional brunching set. The coffee is as good as it gets, and the nosh is #goals (Spanner Crab Eggs Benedict, come at us!). Pull up a pew inside this rustic gem, or opt for a table outside on the wraparound balcony. Add a super buzzy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an institution.
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue

5B2F Bakehouse
If you’re mad for a bakery and srsly who isn’t, step this way and tell us you’ve had better! With classic French pastries and artisan sourdough for days, one look in the cabinet choccablock with THE most spectacularly crafted baked goodies and you’re sold. The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef extraordinaire Moonsun Yoo, we are well and truly buttered up.
Where: 55 Brooke Avenue

Ground & Sound
Cooking whole food from scratch and serving up specialty single origin PNG caffeine, this is where coffee meets music. Ground & Sound hosts live artists several times a week, music trivia night every second Wednesday night, plus there are regular open mic nights for budding artists. Inside, peruse musical memorabilia from the 60’s and beyond, or plonk yourself outside and soak up the epic tunes.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue

Moss n Stone
Moss n Stone offers the freshest and most on-trend blooms, arriving in-store daily. Delivering to all areas of the Gold and Tweed Coast, there are flowers and foliage for all occasions and persuasions.  Also stocking an exquisite range of giftware, babywear and homewares, it’s your one stop shop for all things lovely, with a hint of uniqueness.
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Biscoff lovers, buckle up because this list is about to get biscrazy! From thick shakes that’ll have you dunking straight into dessert heaven to gooey cupcakes oozing with the sauce of the gods, the Gold Coast’s food scene is giving us more Biscoff than we ever dreamed possible.

Let’s unpack who’s who in the zoo when it comes to our local Biscoff boffins. Warning: side effects may include sugar highs, food comas, and an uncontrollable urge to go back for seconds.

Custard Canteen
You’ll find this little GC gem a few sandy footsteps from the iconic Tallebudgera Creek. In addition to their delish all-day brunch options, their pasties – made fresh daily on site may we add – are THE business. Biscoff buffs, grab a Twice Baked Croissant dipped in rum syrup with a centre of frangipane and Biscoff crème Pat, topped with Biscoff crumb and flaked almonds. Well worth the extra calories.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Pop’s Milk Bar
The iconic Aussie Milk Bar is officially back thanks to Pop’s. Serving 1950s vibes with a modern glow-up, think bright colours, service with a smile and of course, fab food – made from scratch! Speaking of fab, it’s not just the food that’ll knock your socks off, the Gelato Thickshakes lovingly blended with housemade gelato will too. Our pick? You guessed it – the Biscoff Gelato Thickshake.
Where: Southport Park Shopping Centre, 163 Ferry Road, Southport

Doughed
This gastronomic Graceland has bought all things doughy and delicious to Hope Island Marketplace. Whether you’re vibing something sweet or savoury…or both…this is your one-stop-shop. Everything on the menu will evoke your inner foodie, but let’s take a moment to shout out their NYC Biscoff Cookie. It’s so good that it often sells out (as do many of their noms) so get in early to enjoy this crowd-fave Biscoff banger!
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island

Cheeky Waffles
If it’s orgasmically good desserts you’re after, Cheeky Waffles is here to fill that (genitalia shaped dessert) hole in your life. Yup, you read that right (insert immature but unavoidable giggle). We can’t go past the Biscoff-inspired topping that sounds so good it should no longer be considered G rated: waffle dipped in Caramilk chocolate with a crumbled Biscoff topping and gold powder. If it’s #literalfoodporn you’re after, do yourself a favour and head to Cheeky Waffles for happy endings all round.
Where: 3189 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Milkman’s Cookies
At Milkman’s Cookies, you can literally nab yourself a box of Biscoff infused cookie goodness by the dozen for those sugar cravings that just won’t quit. Their Biscoff White Choc creation features the Milkman’s signature cookie dough with white chocolate chips and a stuffed Biscoff cookie butter centre. Did we mention it’s topped with extra Biscoff and a lotus biscuit? #i’llbestuffed
Where: Bundall HOTA markets every Sunday

Yo-Chi
Swirling Gold Coasters into a frenzy, fro-yo fans will already be well acquainted with Yo-Chi for (soft) serving up their sweet treat fixes and resulting brain freezes – #worthit. As mega Yo-Chi fans, we hope (and pray) the warmed Biscoff topping NEVER comes off the ever-rotating options of sweet toppings.
Where: 89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach, Chevron Renaissance, 11/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise, Soul Boardwalk, Shop T1.05A/4 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, Shop 1009/19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and 27 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Milky Lane
Hello? It’s the dessert/drink of our dreams calling! If the sound of a Biscoff Espresso Martini doesn’t already have you drooling, let us elaborate. We’re talking vodka, fireball, and cold drip coffee, with biscotti sauce and lotus biscuit. Yeah, we’re ded.
Where: 1/38 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise

Burleigh Gelato Co.
If you can’t cone-tain your love of gelato, we’ve got the scoop on one mash-up you don’t want to miss. Introducing the Biscoff Cookie Pie with Biscoff ice cream. No this is not a drill and yes – get into our bellies!! With more Biscoff than you can poke a stick at, this is the MVP. Tried and tested by us….on repeat.
Where: 9 Connor St, Burleigh and 3/10 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach

Side Piece
If you’re in the mood for non-boozy brews and chews, anyone who frequents Varsity Lakes will tell you Side Piece Coffee is the best. Overhauling their mouthwatering menu earlier this year, they’ve also introduced a new permanent staple to their treat cabinet -and we’re frothing! Do yourself a favour and scoff down a Biscoff Caramel Slice. We assure you, it might be your first but it certainly won’t be your last.
Where: 2 Capital Court, Varsity Lakes

My Favourite Baker
Planning a birthday for someone, have an event coming up, or completely forgot about a special occasion and need some ten-outta-ten cake goodness pronto? My Favourite Baker to the rescue! These guys have endless five-star reviews and can call just about every high profile biz on the GC a customer. Our pick is the Lotus Ooze Cupcakes; vanilla cupcakes with an oozing Lotus Biscoff sauce and caramel buttercream. They had us at ooze….
Where: 4/1 Inventory Court, Arundel

Paddock Bakery
Have we saved the best for last? All we can say is donut sleep on this – three words: Biscoff. Cheesecake. Doughnut. (We’ll let you be the judge.) What started as a special, was soon welcomed as a Paddock staple. A semi-sourdough doughnut dipped in a Caramel glaze, filled with a Biscoff Cheesecake filling, sprinkled with cookie crumb & a Biscoff bikkie (for dipping, obvs). We’ll take two #prettypleasewithabiscoffontop
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

Words by Bianca Trathen