Whether you’re partial to the odd stretch-induced sweat sesh, or you’re a daily mind-body devotee, finding a perfect yoga studio that ticks all the boxes is like striking gold. We mean, is a spacious yet cosy, modern but not clinical space with a great vibe aaaand *dramatic inhale* a convenient location really so much to ask?!

Which is why, if you’ve noticed yoga circuit stalwart, Floating Lotus Studio MIA in recent weeks, we’re happy to report we can all breathe an (ocean breath sized) sigh of relief. Join us in breaking out the Sun Salutations as the fan-fave blossoms into its elevated new era as Flolo Studio… aand, exhale.

Widely considered one of the best by the Gold Coast’s bendiest, Floating Lotus Studio has gone from strength to strength in recent years. After helping Gold Coasters achieve Asana, feel energised and move like we never left our 20’s for some seven years now, owners Nalini and Jason Tebbey felt it was time to embark on a total transformation to better reflect the evolution of their brand’s bespoke wellness offering.

Now sporting a slick new moniker to go with the top notch yoga and pilates experience we know and love, Flolo Studio encapsulates their vision for a modern, accessible, and memorable wellness space. Plus, it’s just downright fun to say.

Proudly boasting a broad variety of membership options, class styles and teachers, local down-dog disciples can get everything from their flow yoga to barre fix out of two lush locations in Helensvale and Robina. Originally taking the reins of the OG Helensvale studio back in 2017, Nalini and Jason focused their efforts into transforming the flagging space into a thriving community; later moving to a larger location at Homeworld Helensvale to keep up with demand.

Bolstering their offering with a yoga-retreat vibing second location in Robina early last year, the dreamy new addition has been going great ‘guns’ since (see what we did there… flexes arm Arnie style). Both promise a boutique studio experience that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. The two spaces provide a sense of yin yang, balancing a light and airy Helensvale vibe with a soothing, moody ambience in Robina. And hot tip, flexibility fiends, you can even go between the two depending on your mood with any of the memberships or passes on offer.

For Nalini and Jason, living and (literally) breathing this yoga business is their passion. At its core Flolo is about “making movement as accessible as possible to as many people as possible” and having fun in the process, adding “our studios have a strong community focus, it is an absolute joy to see the connections that our members make in studio, to themselves, and to each other”. Om, anyone else feel those FOMO levels suddenly skyrocketing?

There’s clearly something pretty special in the water here, folks.

As a special treat just for Inside Gold Coast readers, Flolo Studio has hooked us up with an exclusive special so we can experience that difference for ourselves. Click here for 7 days of unlimited classes! Ahh, just the nudge we needed.

Let the good times flow.

Where: 2/217-219 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina and Shop 69/502 Hope Island Rd, Helensvale.
When: Open daily (hours vary, check website for info)
Website: www.flolo.studio
Instagram: @flolo.studio

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY FLOLO STUDIO

If a bakehouse café is your jam (doughnut), then go to Doughed, go directly to Doughed. Do not collect $200….and if you’ve never played Monopoly, you’re hearing crickets right now. This Hope Island newcomer is literal heaven, serving up cracking good coffee (and mind-blowingly good matchas), taste-bud-titillating toasted focaccia sangas, and the holy grail of sweetness, doughnuts.

And if you’re thinking ‘oh but my waistline…’, stress not because the centre is 100% fat free #EatMoreHoleFoods. They also specialise in choice chunky NYC style cookies, fresh outta the oven and straight into your belly.

This gastronomic Graceland is the brainchild of prior café owners and smart cookies Alannah Bell, Kyle Davidson, Yuki Soga, Jay Jeon, who wanted to revolutionize the GC dining experience with a one-stop-shop satisfying every craving. Recognising the immense potential of Hope Island and its promising trajectory for growth, they landed on northern Gold Coast fave, Hope Island Marketplace to set up shop. On behalf of all northerns, we salute you.

Opening to a frenzy of food lovers in mid March, locals were instantly wooed by the vibrancy and vitality Doughed brought to their ‘hood. Providing both indoor and outdoor seating options, it’s more than just a place to grab a bite; it’s the perfect spot for friends and fam to come together and share their passion for doughlicious food.

Inside, they’ve crafted a clean, minimalist vibe with just the right splash of color courtesy of their bright blue logo and eye-catching packaging. It’s a space that’s both calming and invigorating, setting the perfect backdrop for your Doughed experience.

Everything on the menu will evoke your inner foodie, but let’s take a moment to shout out their signature dishes. The Early Riser Focaccia Sandwich is available all day and rises to any occasion. The slice of life we all need features maple bacon, a fried egg, hash brown, American cheddar, tomato relish, and everyone’s fave; aioli. If you’re keen to grab another, their other focaccias are just as smashing including Chicken Schnitzel, The Doughed Reuben, The Benny, Mortadella Medley, and The Vego.

Back to the sweet stuff, their signature dish Chunky NYC Cookies race out the door faster than Jono hooking up with Ellie post MAFS, including Hot Cocoa, Ferrero, Biscoff, Salted Caramel Pretzel, Red Velvet to name a few. For the doughnut devotees, have a go of Vanilla Glazed, Crème Brulee, Tirimisu, Apple Crumble, Gaytime, Strawberries and Cream and more. Apologies in advance to your dentist.

A visit to Doughed isn’t complete without a beverage and our vote goes to their signature Iced Strawberry Matcha. Using the highest possible qualiTEA, we dare you find a better drop.

Coffee lovers are in for a treat too with their already-famous coffee brews, or if you’d like to cool off with something fruity, grab an Allie’s Cold Pressed Juice, available in flavours like Watermelon, Daily Greens, Sublime Pine, or Valencia Orange. They also serve frappes, standard teas, and sparkling iced tea.

So, dough’nt delay! Pop in and say hi (and nom) to this new kid on the block, where focaccia fantasies, doughnut dreams, matcha memories, and cookie castles-in-the-sky are made.

Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island
When: 7am- until sold out (due to high demand), Monday to Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Cookies, pizza, burgers, donuts… food just tastes more delicious when it’s round #facts. And if the mere mention of these god-tier circular greats already has the tastebuds tingling, strap in, because it’s about to get a hole lot better. Gold Coasters, donut delay, it’s time you meat Burg World.

Officially open as of September 30, get ‘around’ the new spot sending the Northern GC into a daze glaze, an un-bun-lievable new gourmet burger and donut joint also dishing up a signature creation that will no doubt have tongues simultaneously wagging and watering (and cholesterol spiking).

Cardiologists, look away now.

Because Helensvale’s new gourmet burger joint on the block, Burg World – is also set to roll out a signature dish combining not one but two GOAT’s of the rotund-eats hierarchy, burgers and donuts, into one epic franken-food creation. Cheesus take the wheel.

For dynamic doughnut duo doing their very best to convince us the best things actually come in round packages, Darren Kelly & Stacey Kelly are on quite the roll. Burg World is not their first foray into the realm of decadent eats, as the husband and wife team have already been slingin’ some very sweet spherical treats from their Daisy Hill gourmet doughnut shopfront – Doughnut World, going on 3 years now.

As luck would have it, it was the second birthday bash for their first venue which inspired the new concept, the lightbulb moment crumbing to them after the masterminds (or madlads, depending on how you look at it) dreamed big and dished up a special donut-burger creation in honour of the occasion. The creation was such a hit, that the pair was inspired to combine a one-stop burger and donut shop.

And #holeyeah they did.

Tactically taking up residence in the same neighbourhood as the GC’s theme park circuit, Darren and Stacey hope to add one more stop to the list of must-do northern attractions (hence the name Burg ‘World’). Which will no doubt soon become a superhero-worthy side quest for famished visitors and locals alike to refuel after a jam-(donut)packed day of thrills and spills.

After struggling to secure trades to complete the fitout, the duo have ambitiously taken on the fresh new fitout for Burg World themselves (admittedly with a little help from fam, friends and the university of Youtube, #thankyouinternet).

The new space offers indoor and outdoor dining for 25+, with a vibrant lavender and red colour palette offset by the perennial cafe classic combo: white subway tiles and black pendant lighting. The resulting aesthetic is giving ‘modern diner, but make it fun’, with plenty of plush red booths at which peckish visitors can perch (before subtly farewelling ye olde pantaloon top button).

To satisfy both our morbid curiosity our salty-sweet cravings, new venue will be smashing out the the flagship dish: Doughnut burgers stacked with smash burger patties, cheese and pickles all devilishly sandwiched between glazed donuts masquerading as buns. Smash or pass, indeed.

Though purists less keen for a dinner and dessert hole-in-one can of course opt to savour their salty and sweet treats separately, with the range of Doughnut World classic flavour-ites on offer at the new venue. Also available will of course be the usual burger joint suspects such as fast-food style chicken, chippies and boujee burgers sans the sugar-rush, like the classic Cheeseburger (to pickle, or not to pickle – that is the question?)

A rotating burger menu of monthly specials starring a different burger inspired by flavours from around the globe offers plenty of incentive to make this little pit-stop a very regular occurrence (as if the call of those delectable donut cravings wasn’t already reason enough).

And if you’re still yet to sate those salty-sweet cravings? If the Biscoff Thickshake to wash it all down doesn’t do it, nothing will.

Where: 20 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
When: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 8pm

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Carly King.