It has been quite some time since we’ve brought news of a café opening on the Gold Coast but here we are with exactly that. Which makes us very happy.

Bonnie’s Industrial Café is the first cab off the rank post being homebound for what felt like a billion years and so, here’s the lowdown on the newbie you should absolutely pop into ASAP.

Found in yes, the industrial area out Ashmore way, Bonnie’s is serving up some absolutely delicious eats and as you’d expect in this day and age, they deliver said delicious eats to a few areas around the place in case you’re still not keen on leaving the house.

Tucked away on Expo Court, the café fits in perfectly with it’s surround featuring a space set with a high bench table, plenty of greenery throughout and steel barrels laden with flowers. At the front, there’s an undercover outdoor eating area that gets plenty of sunshine so you can take five out there and watch the world go by.

While you eat all of the things of course. What kind of things you ask? Well friends, cafe-style things but done extra well.

For example; a burger with the lot on a 100% butter brioche bun, a Roasted Roll of the Day with 14-hour slow cooked meat on a brioche sub with mustard, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion (YUM) or for breakfast, a Maple Bacon Hash Stack with hash browns (love you), smashed avo, rocket, maple bacon, poached eggs and Hollandaise.

All absolutely next-level.

You may also indulge in a mixed plate with your choice of 14-hour slow cooked meat (seasoned chicken, rosemary lamb or honey mustard beef) plus a salad and chips for just $14.90. The goods.

Of course, there are fresh salads and rolls to-go plus fried things like chicken tenders, potato scallops, fish and calamari.

If you’re popping in for a morning brew you’ll be sipping Cr8ive Coffee fresh out of Nerang and owned by a local family.

Owner Bonnie (obvs) moved to the Gold Coast from Melbourne chasing the warm weather with many years hospitality ownership under her belt to deliver us something very, very good that we will absolutely be returning to as often as possible.

Hooray for new venues doing epic things.

LOCATION: 2/26 Expo Court, Ashmore
HOURS: Monday to Friday 6am until 3pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

There are a few simple pleasures in life that, no matter your mood, will make your day better. We’re thinking along the lines of watching an epic sunset, biting into hot pizza just out the oven, or sipping back a frosty ice-cold beer.  And it’s the final point that brings a lot of people much joy here on the Gold Coast, as Queensland has steadily garnered itself a reputation for impressive breweries.

Always ready to taste and explore the flavours of Europe, we’re pleased to announce the opening of a very special Belgian brewery in Ashmore. Going by the name of Madocke — and not entirely new as they’ve been brewing beer for three years already — this family-run business is sure to make its mark on the craft beer scene and delight Ashmore locals and visitors alike.

Curious about the name, and how have they been brewing for three years already? Well, husband and wife team Annelies and Jimmy Nijskens and son Noah emigrated from Belgium to the Gold Coast in 2016. Living in Paradise Point, it didn’t take the family long to satisfy their desire to brew beer in their double garage completely fitted out with custom-made brewing apparatus! Over the next three years, they enjoyed batch brewing and trialing a series of Belgian-style beers with a growing fan base. The little setup proved so popular that a nomination for the best new brewery at the 2019 Beersies even followed.

For those curious to know, the name Madocke comes from Belgian folklore, telling the story of a mischievous fox and how the local king assigns certain animals to try and capture him for his wrongdoings. For those with a keen eye, you may even draw similarities with the tale of Robin Hood — check out the Disney adaptation from 1973, and you’ll even notice the cast played by animals of the forest!

With this all in mind, Madocke are excited to share unique Belgian-style beers with a sense of place and story. We’ve seen an enormous craft beer revolution in the last few years, with amazing and inventive hop-driven flavours. But efforts here will be taken to produce beers with earthy tones and more yeast-driven palates — taking things back to basics a little.

Their impressive venue in Ashmore hosts not only their remarkable brewing process but also an inviting taproom, with an outside area aptly positioned to catch some afternoon sun as you tuck into some excellent tasting ales. Currently, the brewery is making 16 different lines, such as their popular Lager and Blonde. They have, however, been creating some exciting hybrids such as a White IPA named the Celebration beer, a careful admixture of Belgian-style white beer with the bitterness of English style IPA… can confirm it’s delicious!

Presiding over all of the operations is their mascot and top dog, Stella. Come into the taproom on any given day and not only will you find yourself with great beer in hand but also a meet and greet opp with the four-legged friend. After having only opened over the last weekend of October (to a huge crowd), the brewery plans on finding its feet a little first before offering tours of the back of house and the wonderful process of making beer, as well as live music and events. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of beer, you’ll be pleased to find the venue stocks a host of other local Southeast Queensland spirits and wines from Brisbane to Mount Tamborine and everywhere in between!

Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12pm – 7pm, Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Where: 286 Southport Nerang Road, Ashmore

Words by Alex Mitcheson.