It’s been a minute since we’ve had the pleasure of venturing out Varsity Lakes way but here we are with news from the crew there.

A new venue has arrived and it’s bringing all your whisky sipping, tasty snack eating dreams to life. It’s called The Rusty Barrel and it’s the work of local lad Billy Crean who sought to breathe some newness into Varsity’s bustling little business precinct.

And that he has with a new bar and eatery that’s serving up something quite different to the norm.

You can find The Rusty Barrel just behind Hotel CBD, it’s a 70-seat space with both indoor and outdoor seating areas and a sweet little garden area soon to be overgrown with greenery.

Unsurprisingly, the space is decked out with rum barrels, sourced from Beenleigh Distillery, a mural taking up the length of one wall and a delightful neon sign shining out from another stating “we’re all mad here” and same, to be honest.

Let’s chat drinks first and the cocktail list has been created by local legend Jesse Chan, who knows all of the things about tasty tipples and there are many on it you should sample.

Starting with a Kaffir Lime and Agave-infused Old Fashioned which smells as good as it tastes and (as with many of the cocktails on the list) is infused with a housemade syrup and is so very delicious.

Not only that one though, The Chilli Jam is made with House made chilli tequila, agave, grapefruit and lime and is a little party in your mouth. We also loved the PBJs which is made with Vizor Peanut Butter Schnapps, J Cartron Coconut Liqueur, strawberries, lemon and peanut crumble.

All the good sips guys.

To eat, there are both share-style and keep-to-yourself-style options so you can choose your own adventure in that regard.

Small plate-wise there are dishes like Port Lincoln Kingfish Ceviche with pickled jalapeno, coriander, kaffir lime, avo mousse and beetroot Wagyu, King Prawn and Barramundi Sugarcane Skewers and Koji-marinated Tuna Tartare with Buckwheat Bark. Tasty.

You may also indulge in big old burgers like the Barrel’s Brisket Ragu Burger, the Zucchini and Corn Cheese Burgers and the BBQ Peri Peri Chicken Burger. There’s a tasting trio of sliders if you fancy a little bit of everything.

Not only all of that though, there’ll also be live music on Saturday nights. How fun.

Get into Varsity and give them some love.

LOCATION: 11/228 Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes
HOURS: Wednesday until Sunday 11.30am until late

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Finally, a day dedicated to eating the best food on earth. It’s International Doughnut Day on Friday 5th June and can we get a hallelujah.

The day was created by The Salvation Army during the Great Depression in 1938 to honour the women (also known as Dough Lassies) who volunteered to serve donuts to soldiers in World War I and to help raise funds for those in need.

Since then, the sugary treats have come a long way and to this day, are one of the best around. Here are the best spots to stock up on the Gold Coast:

D Point Ten
These guys can be found in a couple of spots on the Coast, which is great news because D Point Ten have got the goods! Think flavours like Gaytime, Ferrero Rocher, Passionfruit (LOVE), Oreo, Tim Tam, Salted Caramel, Strawberry with M & M’s, the list goes on. They’ve quickly become firm favourites, stocked in cafes across the city and you’re definitely going to want to sample these ones.
Where: 6/1 Stevens Street, Southport and 2791 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Blackboard Coffee
The guys at Blackboard Coffee got behind the doughnut craze early on in the game and brought us the injectable donut, a syringe filled with a delicious salted caramel sauce stuck in a donut – yum! The best thing about it? You get to inject the gooey caramel sauce yourself. But be warned, they usually sell out early!
Where: Shop 7/240 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes

Krispy Kreme
It’s safe to say that anyone who loves doughnuts has dabbled in a Krispy Kreme. After all, they are the top dogs amongst the doughnuts. To celebrate International Doughnut Day in style, Krispy Kreme have teamed up to launch limited edition Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme donuts that will make all your sweet dreams come true. Get ‘em while they’re sugary.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach

Donut Empire
If getting donuts delivered sounds like a good idea (and it obviously does), look no further than Donut Empire who yes, make some absolutely smashing donuts and will also deliver them to your door. They invented the Donut Cookie Pie, which is indeed as good as it sounds and they’re got quite the selection of epic flavours in all things sweet. Order some now why don’t ya.
Where: Find them on Insta at @donutempirehq

Doughnut Time
We got our beloved Doughnut Time back again recently and we are super stoked about it. These stacked beauties come in the most interesting of flavours and their names will amuse you too. The Liam Hemsworthy is a vegan red velvet doughnut with a cookies and cream frosting, crushed choc ripple biscuits and a chocolate glaze drizzle! Love him, love it.
Where: James Street, Burleigh Heads 

Paddock Bakery
When you think of Paddock Bakery, doughnuts will definitely cross your mind. Get there for baby Nutella bots (tiny doughnuts filled with Nutella), vanilla malt milkshake doughnuts or their signature doughnuts filled with salted caramel and topped with a pretzel cookie crumble. They often create themed doughnuts for special occasions and they are always absolute bangers. Keep an eye out.
Where: Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Easy Tiger
If there was ever a place to indulge in 33 cinnamon doughnuts at one time it is Easy Tiger, the newest of the bunch and an absolute must-visit. They’re serving them up fresh daily and theirs are perhaps the tastiest in all of the land. They’re soft and fluffy inside and a little bit crisp on the outside and we’re been known to eat nine in one day. Yep.
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Fuel Bakehouse
The makers of some of the fluffiest doughnuts on the Gold Coast are Currmbin (and Cabarita) legends Fuel Bakehouse. Theirs come in changing flavours and we’re big fans of the Salted Caramel, Nutella and Passionfruit cream, for obvious reasons. You can pop in for one or pre-order a whole bunch for the doughnut party you’re no doubt having. Perfect.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin and 39-45 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita

All-Time Coffee
Sitting conveniently on the Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach is All-Time Coffee serving up serious delicious coffee and vegan doughnuts. If you are questioning if a doughnut can be any good without eggs or dairy, stop right there. With flavours like the Fairy Bread, Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel or the traditional Jam Doughnut, but all vegan, we know why these doughnuts fly out the door.
Where: 1/2478 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Words by Kirra Smith

Whoever invented doughnuts did the world a favour so big it can never be repaid.

Imagine someone just baking up a storm with their Nanna in the kitchen one morning, rolling leftover dough into shapes, dropping it into a pan and coating it in all of the sugar only to be rewarded with one of the tastiest flavour combinations ever known to man. Accidental genius (maybe).

A little while later (we did not research the timeline), icing was added, then SPRINKLES and recently, entire chocolate bars, flavour infusions, custard centres. It’s head spinning stuff.

Obviously we’re of the belief that the more doughnuts there are the better and so it brings us much happiness to report that Southport doughnut extraordinaires D Point 10 have opened up a second space in Broadbeach bringing their tasty creations to more lucky folks.

D Point 10 2.0 (that’s fun) can be found on the highway in the little precinct where Sushi Train also lives so you can grab some lunch and then some dessert and call it a very good day.

It’s a sweet little space with lots of natural light and pops of colour where you can sip Social Espresso brews while nibbling on many a variety of exceptional doughnut, which are baked fresh daily on site.

There are SO many amazing flavours to choose from starting with cinnamon and vanilla and moving on up to Nutella, jam and custard filled varieties.

Then there are flavours like Gaytime, Oreo, Ferrero and Red Velvet and they are the EXACT taste you would expect from such names and they are fluffy and perfect and we love them so much.

Oh Crème Brulee and Strawberries and Cream are winners too.

Honestly, they’re all so very good and we don’t know how they do it but the boys are slinging some of the best doughnuts on the Coast.

Do yourself a favour and get u to D Point 10 today, your tastebuds deserve a doughnut party do they not?

LOCATION: 2791 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
HOURS: Open daily from 7am until 3pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith