Nerang's next-level newbie.
Nerang's next-level newbie.
If you were deprived of a parent who made fresh, fluffy muffins for your school lunchbox (yes, hi), here’s the chance to rectify that no doubt devastating time in your life.
It comes in the form of Nerang newbie Helena’s Espresso and their exceptional range of eats (including of course said muffins). Hooray for Nerangsters! Our beachside suburbs have been super selfish when it comes to newly opened thangs and now you lot are in on the action.
The recently opened space is filled with smiling faces (probably because they ate the muffins) and is all your favourite on-trend hues perfectly melded into Instagram-worthy magic.
Glossy white tiles play host to the prettiest coffee machine on the Coast (matte gold, what’s up). Greenery is stacked on wooden shelves and Helena’s slogan, “where food brings people together” beams the good vibes out from the back wall.
Open for breakfast and lunch, Helena’s offers most of your faves but with a bit of a twist. The ‘Helena’s Benny’ comes with a delicious saffron-infused Hollandaise sauce and the Fruit Jalad is fresh fruit, crunchy granola and yoghurt in a pretty little jar (see Insta-worthy).
For lunch there’s a Pulled Pork and Slaw Burger you should definitely eat along with a range of healthy bagels and gourmet sandwiches.
Owner Helena and her Chef Mitch receive a delivery of fresh produce every morning and from there decide on the menu variations for the day. A seasoned local café connoisseur, Helena used to own the much-loved café at Royal Pines Resort and after taking a much-needed break opened her latest space.
Many of her previous customers have followed her across the motorway and, having created a welcoming, magical-muffin baking space, it’s easy to see why.
Make the trip, your muffin-deprived inner child will thank you.
LOCATION: 2-4 New Street, Nerang
HOURS: 7am until 2pm Monday to Friday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
Dogs are man’s best friend. There’s no disputing it and we don’t want to hear a word said against it.
But in all honesty, we doubt any of you locals out there are going to argue against this ethos — as it’s rather easy to see we utterly love our dogs here on the Gold Coast.
Did you know that on Tuesday the 23rd of March it’s National Puppy Day? An occasion to remember how much these guys bring to our lives in way of their cuteness and unconditional love. Because let’s face it — where would we be without them.
If they aren’t running at breakneck speed down the beach, pottering about in a body of water somewhere, or just drooling themselves into a comatose under the couch, there’s a good chance they can be found with their loving owner sharing a coffee and living their best life in one of our many great cafes.
Knowing which cafes are more receptive to your four-legged friend is sometimes a bit tricky. To alleviate the puzzlement, we’ve put together the finest and most convenient cafes where taking your pooch is most certainly welcomed.
Double Barrel Kitchen
Two locations mean double the doggie good times. Double Barrel Kitchen not only serves up delicious eats and plenty of good vibes, they also allow pups to join in the fun.
Where: Shop 4/64 Karbunya Street, Mermaid Waters and 1 The Concourse, Benowa
Ground N Sound
House-made cakes are one of the greatest things cafes can do. Wash that down with a cuppa, (or some wine if you like) a bit of live music, and your dog by your side and that’s pretty much the best time we reckon you can have. Do it at Ground N Sound.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
Papercup Coffee
The prettiest of spots, found in two locations Papercup Coffee has some stellar coffee and of course some delicious treats you can share with your furry mate. Perfect. Puppacino, anyone?
Where: 16 Frank Street, Labrador and 201 Ferry Road, Southport
Cafe Catalina
Cafe Catalina is located along the picturesque shores of the Broadwater Parklands and is the absolute perfect way to end a walk of your furry friend around the parklands. Sit on the deck and watch as the world passes you by both on land and sea!
Where: Broadwater Parklands, 10/11 Gold Coast Highway, Southport
Roller Door Espresso
At the heart of it, this hole-in-the-wall nook is incredibly easy on the eyes. After you’ve managed to peel your gaze off all of the incredible interior goodness, it’s down to business with fine baked treats and welcome arms for you and your doggo.
Where: 2/85 Ashmore Road, Bundall
Palm Springs
What these guys don’t know about coffee isn’t worth knowing. With the freshest looking aesthetic around, this new Burleigh Heads hangout is a great place to bring your pooch grab a coffee and just watch the day drift by. Plus, with surroundings as good as this, how could you not want to do a quick photoshoot of your pup?
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Wildflower Distillery
Seems every man and his dog is making craft spirits these days, and we couldn’t be more thankful for it if we tried. Wildflower is the place to round up your crew and go sample some great gins, and now fantastic vodka. Don’t forget to take your furry friend as well because they are made most welcome!
Where: 2/486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes
BSKT Cafe
BSKT Cafe makes taking your dog out for a date easy, as you won’t need to remember to pack water as they have plenty of dog bowls placed in the outside area. So you can sip on your favourite juice while your furry companion keeps hydrated too!
Where: 4 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
The Henchman
The big Miami beauty boasts plenty of space for all of your daily dose of tail wagging. Who knows what can happen when there are opportunities for your pooch to make new friends? Grab yourself some tasty eats and kick back in a hammock at The Henchman while the dogs have a play date.
Where: 8 Henchman Avenue, Miami
Paddock Bakery
Arguably one of the hottest breakfast spots on the Coast, Paddock Bakery is a stylish weatherboard cottage with a leafy garden that welcomes you and your four-legged friend any day of the week. Dippy eggs + doggos = good idea.
Where: 18 Hibiscus Haven, Miami
Lakeview Cafe
Lakeview Cafe is a hidden Burleigh Waters gem and an absolute favourite amongst the locals (not only humankind either). You can buy doggie treats and have your dog join you in the spacious outside area.
Where: 100 Burleigh Street, Burleigh Waters
Commune
Your favourite Burleigh local has a huge outside area with plenty of shade for you and your pup to enjoy. Weekend brekkies just got that much better!
Where: 1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Street Corner Espresso
The family-run lower Gold Coast Highway cafe has great food, great service and a spacious outside area that any dog will love to lie down and soak up the sun in. Sounds like paw-fection!
Where: 1/1840 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Espresso Moto
Tried and tested many a time, Espresso Moto is as pup-friendly as they come. There’s a bowl for doggo drinking water and, if you’ve got a very good boy (or girl) on your hands, they may be lucky enough to score a treat. Fun for everyone.
Where: 2/1389 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach or 1/88 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters
Portside Coffee
Portside Coffee is an entire family-friendly cafe in Currumbin’s industrial area. When we say ‘entire family’ we mean your fur baby too. It’s an entirely outdoor area so there’s plenty of space so you can soak up some sunshine while you’re getting caffeinated.
Where: 42 Currumbin Ck Road, Currumbin Waters
The Salt Mill
Merely steps off the beach, this popular hole-in-the-wall has seating and will often have a congregation of dogs mingling with each other as their owners sip coffee and enjoy one of the coast’s best acai bowls. Once you’re done, slip onto the sand and take your puppy for a paddle!
Where: 785 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
Le Vintage Boutique Cafe
This VERY popular little spot found in beautiful Worongary is serving up some of the best coffee around. And they’re all about the doggo’s too. It’s a unique little spot, once you’ve found it, and one you’ll want to lock in to visit again.
Where: 1 Kurilpa Street, Worongary
Parkway Coffee
The newest of the bunch is Parkway Coffee, a sweet little garden hideaway by the gals at Third Base Coffee, Palm Beach. There’s great food, great coffee and the best thing of all, pups are of course welcome!
Where: Robina Quays, 16b, 361 Robina Parkway, Robina
South East Cafe & Bar
This southern extremity is bringing great food and even better coffee to the beachy back streets of Coolangatta. Better yet, when you’ve come off the sand and have salty hair swing by here for the best dog-friendly vibes.
229 Boundary Street, Coolangatta
Barefoot Barista
This laid-back Palm Beach institution dishes up amazing food and consistent quality coffee, best of all – they’d love you to bring your dog along.
Where: 15 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Working from home is all well and fine until you begin to feel the walls closing in, and the only interaction you have with another living thing is when you water your plants.
It’s high time you escape the confines of home — giving your data allowance a break — and finding a break from the norm at one of the many great cafes around the Coast that happens to offer free Wi-Fi. And we know all too well that not all venues offer complimentary internet; and sure, they might have fantastic coffee and eats, but when megabytes matter, you need to know where to head, right?
Luck for you, and us, there are an abundance of hotspots on the Gold Coast offering free Wi-Fi with sides of delicious food and/or coffee. Because science has proven working without data restrictions whilst being highly caffeinated is a one-way ticket to success (and productivity)!
Griffith Street Larder
After a morning spent surfing world-class waves, what better way to get on top of things than with some amazing breakfast before diving into some free Wi-Fi courtesy of The Strand. Griffith Street Larder is a great spot to take advantage of this free-flowing data whilst sipping everyone’s favourite Gold Coast roast, Blackboard Coffee.
Where: 85 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
Caffeine Kings
Also fully licensed, Caffeine Kings in Miami is better known for its super silky, smooth coffee. After you’ve smashed that deadline, why not stay for lunch too? If you want our advice, the burgers are the business.
Where: 1920 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
BSKT Cafe
Sitting in front of a laptop for too long can take a toll on your health — and sanity — so it’s a good idea to devour one of BSKT’s healthy-as super-food smoothies or one of their many nourishing brunch dishes to keep you fueled to power through.
Where: 4 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
Barefoot Barista
Barefoot Barista Palm Beach is a sweet spot to eat an epic breaky, sip a tasty brew, and work the day away. We HIGHLY recommend the always-delicious Crispy Potato Hash: because you need crunchy potatoes paired with smokey pulled ham hock to get you through those mundane tasks.
Where: 15 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Dust Temple
Art gallery, slash coffee spot, come architectural delight, pretty much sums up the space that is the Dust Temple in Currumbin. It’s an inspiring space that will ensure you pump out some of your very best work, all whilst soaking up the uber-cool industrial vibes.
Where: 54 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin
Street Corner Espresso
A locally loved gem, Street Corner Espresso is, yep, on a street corner in Burleigh Heads and just tucked away enough for you to enjoy some quiet, laptop time and a beautifully brewed cuppa or two. It’s a family-owned business, so you’ll always feel welcome and receive a beaming smile or two.
Where: 1/1840 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Little Mermaid
You could probably stay here all day, what with all the pretty greenery and laidback good vibes. Little Mermaid is your home away from home. After a post-beach swim or sunbake, be sure to bring your laptop and make yourself comfortable!
Where: 2557 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
The Ranchero
Newly opened, this cruisey courtyard space area is just screaming out for you and your laptop to settle in for a cosy session of answering emails and watching cat videos. With moreish coffee and acai bowls from Moreno Espresso and tasty eats from Beats N Feeds, you won’t want to move anywhere else.
Where: 6/36 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads
Blendlove
The healthy treats game is strong here — and so is the Wi-Fi at Blendlove in Southport. Head in there for a raw dessert or two, a strong coffee: sure to invigorate a get-it-done attitude. It’s an awesomely d̶i̶s̶t̶r̶a̶c̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ pretty space to spend some time in too.
Where: 253 Ferry Road, Southport
The Marine Village – Sanctuary Cove
Whether you’re there for boutique shopping or several excellent cafes and eateries, you’ll always have super-fast and free Wi-Fi at your fingertips. We say, buy yourself something exquisite and then make a beeline for somewhere to rest those legs with a coffee, cocktail or even gelato!
Where: The Marine Village, Masthead Way, Hope Island
The Backyard Cafe
The Yard is a little bit of a well-kept secret found between the golden sand of Nobby Beach and the general excitement of Nobby’s main precinct. It’s the perfect spot to get your coffee fix while surfing the web and hiding away from the world.
Where: 17 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
