Carly King, Managing Editor
What’s your coffee order and go-to cafe: Soy latte in winter, iced coffee of any milk variety in all other seasons. Ooh go-to cafe… wherever is closest, but love All-Time Coffee in Mermaid Beach, Sparrow Coffee in Nobby’s and Caffeine Kings in Miami.
Brekky catch up: Paddock, Tarte Beach House, BSKT, Elk or Bam Bam Bakehouse do an incredibly impressive spread, catering to a variety of sweet and savoury tastebuds, or porque no los dos?
Brunch with bubbles: See above but add Bloody Mary’s.
Long Lunch with the girls: The Tropic has to have one of the best views on the Coast, great for share food, and then within a hop, skip and jump to Burleigh Pav to continue the party.
Hang with the crew on Sunday sess: Any surf club along our coastline for the win.
Fancy Date night: If you have planned well enough in advance to get into Rickshores, you get my tick of approval.
The bomb takeaway comes from: No one does Butter Chicken and heat in a curry than Temple of Spices in Mermaid Beach. For the largest portions of Chinese I’ve ever seen, Magic Wok in Miami, IYKYK.
Where to boogie: Retro’s you have a piece of my heart always.
Fave store for retail therapy: I can spend hours in both Mecca Maxima and Bookface at Pacific Fair. Also Somm Wine Store for expert advice on matching wine to food.
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: The Exhibitionst Bar or anywhere with a chilli marg.
Belinda Symons, Assistant Editor
Coffee order and go-to cafe: Skim Cap. No Name Lane Espresso. Great coffee and it’s super close to home, so you’ll often find me grabbing a coffee there before taking Charlie (our puppy) for a walk on the beach. Social Espresso is right around the corner the corner from work AND they have a handy app so I can order as I leave home and the coffee is ready for me to swing by and pick up on my way into the office.
Brekky catch up: It’s hard to go past Tarte. I always order the chicken sandwich. I highly recommend it. And obviously everything from the treats cabinet is out of this world.
Brunch with bubbles: Elk. Elk can do no wrong. They mix up their menus seasonally, and their food is a work or art. There’s always something fun and new to try. And the option to upgrade to mimosas is a fun bonus.
Long lunch with the girls: Siblings. This ex-Pizza Hut spot has one of the best views on the GC and the food and cocktails are amazing. I don’t often head to Kirra so it feels like a little getaway, but is only 30 mins from home.
Hang with the crew on Sunday sess: Precinct Brewing
Fancy date night: Franc Jrs. I love the Old School pizza parlour vibes. Great mood lighting and ridiculously good pizza. You usually have to wait for a table – it’s that good – but you can enjoy a frozen margi on the sidewalk outside while you wait, so that sweetens the deal.
The bomb takeaway comes from: Temple of Spices
Fave store for retail therapy: Pac Fair. It’s my local. I’m a daily grocery shopper so I’m there all the time and I’m constantly walking around thinking how lucky we are to have such a great shopping centre. The Resort area in particular is gorgeous and I love that they always have something going on. Pops ups and new store openings.
Adele Micheletti, Digital Content Creator
Coffee order and go-to cafe: Cap 1/2 sugar from Social Brew, Burleigh
Brekky catch-up: Tarte Burleigh
Brunch with bubbles: Burleigh Heads SLSC
Long lunch with the girls: The Tropic, Burleigh
Hang with the crew on Sunday sess: The Pav, Burleigh
Fancy date night: Jimmy Wahs, Burleigh
The bomb takeaway comes from: Burger Urge, Burleigh
Where to boogie: Night Jar, Burleigh
Fav store for retail therapy: Silk Laundry, Pac Fair
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Local, Burleigh
Jessica Rodriguez Monro, Client Manager
Coffee order and go-to cafe: Best flat white coffee is from Bam Bam Bakehouse.
Brekky catch-up: Tarte Bakery & Cafe in Burleigh Heads for its delicious food and I love the outdoor seating, feels like a café in France.
Brunch with bubbles: The Island Rooftop delicious grazing boards and bubbles and fun atmosphere with dj music.
Long lunch with the girls: Edgewater Dining food and drinks are delish and chill vibes by the water.
Hang with the crew on Sunday sess: The Tropic great view of Burleigh beach, atmosphere and yummy food and drinks.
Fancy date night: Rick Shores for the romantic beach view and famous Moreton Bay Bug Roll.
The bomb takeaway comes from: Shiraz Persian Restaurant & Bar, sooo delicious and stays warm.
Where to boogie: The Avenue.
Fav store for retail therapy: Zara for its current fashion at affordable prices.
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Jimmy Wah’s chilli margarita because it’s absolutely delicious!
Sarah Watkinson, Client Manager
Coffee order and go-to cafe: Vanilla latte at BSKT Cafe
Brekky catch-up: Bam Bam Bakehouse
Brunch with bubbles: The Tropic
Long lunch with the girls: Rick Shores
Hang with the crew on Sunday session: Sandfire
Fancy date night: Jimmy Wah’s
The bomb takeaway comes from: More Thai
Where to boogie: My lounge room ha ha, but if you want another location The Star Gold Coast
Fav store for retail therapy: Louis Vuitton for something special or Zara for a quick top up
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: My back deck looking over the water with a glass of red once the kids are in bed
Filipa Scott, Art Department
Coffee order: Coffee order and go-to cafe: Always a mocha (love the smell of coffee, not so keen on the taste – needs the choccy… mmmm chocolate!)
Brekky catch-up: Go-to brekky order is the “Not so French Toast” at Cruize Espresso Chirn Park. Mmmmm Maple Bacon, yum!
Brunch with bubbles: The Sheraton at Main Beach (fav middle child works there), plus you can’t beat the tropical vibes and beach views.
Long lunch with the girls: Usually a team lunch (thanks Carly!) can be supporting anyone of our awesome clients…
Hang with the crew on Sunday sess: Last catch up with the girl crew was at Garden Kitchen & Bar, (loved the igloos for winter).
Fancy date night: For special event nights we head to Videre at Royal Pines (when they have them), top sunsets from the top floor!
The bomb takeaway comes from: Kampung Malay, must order at least one of the Rainbow Beef dishes (if not two).
Fav store for retail therapy: Just one store? Fav shopping destination is Pac Fair . . . so many stores to choose from.
Bianca Trathen, Writer
Coffee order, go-to cafe, brekky catch-up and brunch with bubbles: All roads lead to Substance at Runaway Bay. Soy double-shot cap is my jam (their coffee is the business), the food is always top-notch, booze is available from 10am, and the fabulous owners & beautiful people who work there are like family. Our twins were basically raised there!
Where to boogie: Sorry (not sorry) but Retro’s cannot be beat. I’m eternally in my 90s/naughties girl era and this place always belts out the bangers.
Fav store for retail therapy: ALL of the stores ha ha but Aje, Dissh, David Jones, and Mecca are my biggest Achilles heel.
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Anywhere that serves a mean chilli marg. Special shout-out to The Exhibitionist Bar at HOTA’s House Hot Marg. If you know…
Chelsea Ipsen, Writer
Coffee order and go-to cafe: It’s an almond cappuccino- hello, chocolate sprinkle!! My fav coffee shop is Social Espresso in Burleigh 🫶
Brekky catch-up: hmmmmm I’m going to have to say Tarte Bakery. What can I say, if I’m going to do a breaky date I’m going to do it in style
Brunch with bubbles: Farm and Co, Sunday Brunch!
Long lunch with the girls: oooh. How about a rug on Burleigh Hill BYO wine and nibbles!
Fancy date night: Has to be Etsu. Or for a sunny summers day, Tommy’s in Currumbin.
The bomb takeaway: My partner and I have a weakness for Fishbowl.
Where to boogie: I can’t stay awake late enough for dance floors to come alive hahah. But maybe the Pav
Fav store for retail therapy: I’m a nerd. It’s Bookface. I grab a coffee or Chai latte from their coffee shop and wander the store for like an hour. That’s my kind of therapy!
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Rosellas. Their wine selection is amaze and their cocktails are even better.
Jacqueline Bojanowski, Writer
Coffee order and go-to cafe: I’m an oat latte girl but I’ll shake it up for an iced one come spring and it’s got to be from Milkman’s Daughter
Brekky catch-up: Tarte Burleigh
Brunch with bubbles: Palm Springs but let’s skip the bubbles and go straight for a spicy marg
Long lunch with the girls: Jimmy Wah’s is my forever favourite – the food and vibes are unmatched
Fancy date night: Social Eating House
The bomb takeaway comes from: Poke Poke
Where to boogie: I may or may not be partial to a boogie at Atrium Bar after a few too many Prosseco’s
Fav store for retail therapy: I’m a Pacific Fair Stan and you’ll find me doing damage in Dissh (can’t stop, won’t stop)
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Cantina in Mermaid – bonus that the food is epic too
Mathilde Bouby, Photographer
Coffee order and go-to cafe: I’m all about a good, long black (I know, kinda boring haha). My go-to spot is Stables at Cornerstone. That’s usually where I go to do my editing, when working from home gets too much. Plus, they have a French breakfast!
Brekky catch-up: Custard Canteen, by the creek. Their halloumi roll is delicious! Best part is you can dive into the creek for a swim right after breakfast.
Brunch with bubbles: Farm & Co. all the way for a brunch. The peaceful farm atmosphere adds a special touch to the experience
Long lunch with the girls: Tweed River House. It is a bit of a drive but it’s so worth it! The food, service and atmosphere are top-notch.
Fancy date night: Rick Shores is my top pick, the view makes a date night even better!
The bomb takeaway comes from: Sticky Rice. Discovered it recently and it is by far my favorite place to get takeaway from. The prawn on betel leaf and red curry duck are my favorite dishes on the menu.
Where to boogie: Apres Surf or Cambus Wallace. Music never disappoints and the crowd is always up for a good time there!
Fav store for retail therapy: Strange Days in Palm Beach, they have the coolest selection of vintage pieces
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Paloma, my favourite wine bar on the Gold Coast! Their wine selection never disappoints. Plus, food there is amazing.
Kirra Smith, Photographer + Writer
Coffee order and go-to cafe: Large almond cappuccino at Dune Cafe – it’s right near my house and the beach where I take my Staffy Jagger.
Brekky catch-up: The Bread Social in Currumbin – love an early morning pastry
Brunch with bubbles: The Tropic for brunch because you can’t beat that view.
Long lunch with the girls: Labart in Burleigh Heads – a beautiful dining experience all round (and a fab wine list)
Hang with the crew on Sunday sess: Kirra Beach Hotel – they have live music and a good crowd on Sunday’s
Fancy date night: Haha I don’t go on dates
The bomb takeaway comes from: I’m not really a takeaway gal but The Collective for a burger if I do.
Where to boogie: Burleigh Pavilion for a dance
Fav store for retail therapy: Emte Boutique in Burleigh stocks tons of my fave brands and always has something cute to take home
You’ll find me grabbing a drink at: Bar Evelyn – unmatched Dirty Martinis
