Out with the old and in with the new! With no trace of the old K-bar and Meze in sight, the newly renovated space, Little Mermaid brings a bright and beachy eatery to Mermaid Beach.

When the team from K-bar ripped out their coffee bean roasters, they knew this was the perfect time for a makeover. Co-owner Tobias Diamandopoulos explains that this time around they didn’t go for what was ‘on trend’, they went only with what they liked. I guess there is something to be said for going with your gut, because Little Mermaid has quickly become one of the hottest restaurants on the Gold Coast.

Although a play on words, Little Mermaid has nothing to do with Ariel (sorry Disney fans), but has been fitted in light colours and plenty of plants, giving the space a tropical vibe.

Co-owner Joe Hutchines l has used his background in design to make the most of the rectangular space. By use of partition, swings and elevations, Little Mermaid has at least six spaces with different different vibes all under 1 roof.

If there is one common thread running throughout the whole restaurant it’s the ‘as you’re ready’ theme. Although a wait staff is available, Tobias has told me they are aiming to have Little Mermaid feel like you are at home. Are you hungry? Hop up and order from the counter. Need a water? There are plenty of water stations situated around the restaurant. Booze? No problem, the friendly bartenders are ready and waiting. Nothing is forced, its a non-pretentious local hangout with delicious food and drink on offer for when you are ready. The boys at Little Mermaid aim to have locals and visitors alike flock to Little Mermaid for an experience they may not be able to get anywhere else on the coast. Not only are they hoping the laid back vibes will draw them in, they are hopeful the food will too.

Dishing up plates to please any palate, the Inside Gold Coast favourite was the Stone & Wood beer battered fish-n-chips because it has a twist, the chips are actually big delicious potato wedges! Served wrapped in butchers paper, it’s got that old school fish-shop feel that we all have come to know and love. We also had a taste of their two favourite salads pear & walnut salad and the crispy Asian salmon salad. Although each salad has a unique flavour of its own, both can be described as refreshing and tasty. An absolute must-have.

Another must have are the cocktails. There is a whole selection of tasty cocktails made with Sol cold pressed juices delivered fresh every few days. If you haven’t quite figured out what that means, it means drink all night and feel great the next day! No more sugary hangovers (however, we can’t guarantee that for the lushes)! Cocktails are available by the glass, but we bet you can’t have just one, so you might as well opt for the jug/watering canister (hey, it’s half healthy anyway!).

A new campaign they have introduced is ‘Street of the Week’. As an appreciation to their local clientele, Little Mermaid is giving away free coffee to anyone living on the ‘Street of the Week’ for an entire week! Talk about a morning pick me up!!

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week, head over and fall in love with this unique eatery like we did. We are dying to go back and try the Green Eggs and Ham, so if you try it before we do, make sure to tag us in your pic! #Inside Gold Coast

Located at 1a/2557 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

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By Marleigh Kelly

There are very few things in the world better than coffee but the experience of consuming the magical liquid can of course be enhanced.
How can it be better I hear you ask? Well, by the location at which you’re consuming it for one thing and drinking more than one cup at a time for another. And let’s be honest, coffee with a view of the beach or the bush should be mandatory when you’re living on the Gold Coast!

Black Dingo Cafe
Tucked beneath the iconic lighthouse, find Coolangatta’s latest lurking mere meters from where sand meets sea, overlooking Point Danger’s sweeping outlook. Creating a venue that ‘celebrates the beauty of the ocean and the joy of sharing it with loved ones’, there’s certainly more to Black Dingo than meets the tastebuds – though the allure of an especially tantalising all-day eats selection sure won’t hurt the cause in the slightest!
Where: 1 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta (Point Danger lighthouse)

Café Catalina
Found on the Broadwater up Southport way, Café Catalina overlooks well, the Broadwater and all the fancy yachts you can never afford. They also have tasty eats and you can take your doggo for a puppychino if that’s his/her thing.
Where: 10/11 Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Highway, Southport

Sandbar
Overlooking Surfers Paradise beach and with abundant people watching opportunities, Sandbar is the perfect spot for a coffee or two. In the last year, they’ve had quite the revamp so you can go from breaky to lunch and from coffee to cocktails.
Where: 52 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Custard Canteen
Custard Canteen delivers on epic coffee right by one of the Coast’s most beautiful beaches – Tallebudgera Creek. They’re pet friendly so you can take your pooch for a long walk on the beach post-caffeine fix and if you’re craving a sweet treat, you can’t go past their iconic Portuguese Tarts.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Dune Café
Watch the paddleboarders cruise by on Currumbin Creek at hidden paradise Dune Café. It’s nestled inside the park (which is epic by the way) and close to the dog beach and with delicious breakfasts and all the laidback vibes, it’s the perfect spot for a coffee or three.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Neptune Kiosk
Tallebudgera Creek’s resident coffee slinger, Neptune Kiosk – recently unveiled its cheery new spruce up to go with the impeccable vibes Talle’s idyllic inlet dishes up daily. Once again churning out Marvell Street coffee, croissants AND hot cinny donuts from its sunshine-y new facadem it’s a triumphant return of the oh-so-convenient caffeine and treat fix creek-goers have grown rather fond of.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Rafiki
It’s earned its status as an institution for good reason – locals can’t get enough of Rafiki. Pooch friendly, ripper coffee (and a cookie on the side, yes please) but it’s also home to their flavour bomb seasoning so you can take home a little taste of the good life.
Where: 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach

MADE
Fronting the corner of Musgrave & Miles St, the cosy 25-pax venue offers a mix of indoor and kerbside seating for Kirra’s peckish perambulators. Frequents whom the cafe gods are looking favourably down upon can either nab a table, or perch up at the bar and watch the world go by in front of the breezy bifold windows which span one wall.
Where: Corner of Musgrave & Miles St, Kirra

The Salt Mill
Home of the most ridiculous acai bowl selection, Salt Mill serves up some of the best coffees around while also being just a hop, skip and a jump from Currumbin Beach. It’s a little space with a whole lot of soul and it’s extremely loved by those who live close by and visitors from further suburbs.
Where: 784 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Tarte Beach House
One of the newer kids on the block, Tarte Beach House has brought the goods from Tarte Burleigh in the Creekside spot on Currumbin Alley. The same brew you know and love but with one of the best views on the Coast, why not pop off for a paddle board after before coming back for a cheeky refuel after – we can never say no to a strawberry muffin top.
Where: 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Kinship
Currumbin can’t stop delivering the goods with this beachfront beauty. You’ll find Kinship right by Currumbin SLSC pumping out coffees until 2pm, with the whole of Currumbin Beach at your feet it’s the perfect spot to take the fam and let the kids run loose.
Where: 766 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

The Galley Café, Boatworks
We’ll forgive you for missing this hidden gem, The Galley Café is the perfect spot for a brew for you Northern Gold Coasters. The marine inspired fit out is a hit for boaties and the kids love it too, bring the fam and keep watch as the yachts cruise through the river all day long.
Where: 1 Boatworks Drive, Coomera

26 & Sunny
Sip away on your coffee right on the beachfront at 26 & Sunny, nestled below The Langham it’s the perfect coffee pitstop for your early morning beach walk. They’ve also got epic eats if you’re craving a bite, bonus point for it being the ultimate spot to dog on the boardwalk watch if you’re sans furry friend.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Bumbles
If you haven’t been to Bumbles, then where have you been? Budds Beach has long been a locals secret but there’s good reason why Gold Coasters have been flocking to this hot spot for 10+ years. Get your coffee fix, some snacks and set up on the edge of Budds Beach for the ultimate start to the day. Yes please.
Where: 19 River Drive, Surfers Paradise

Flying Bean Café
If you’re looking for a different kind of view, Flying Bean Café is the place with sweeping views of the hinterland all the way through to the Gold Coast. Get at one with nature, good coffee and great views at this little gem of the Scenic Rim. Because how could you forget, the Gold Coast isn’t just about those beautiful beaches when we’ve got this lush hinterland at our doorstep.
Where: 1696 Beechmont Rd, Beechmont

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.