Varsity Lakes has a new Side Piece.
Varsity Lakes has a new Side Piece.
In years gone by, if those on the hunt for a hip new haunt had asked what’s happening in Varsity we’d have said, not whole a latte. As the old adage goes, build a business hub in a family-friendly lakeside suburb, and the trendy spots will follow. Okay so that’s not actually an old adage, or even a new adage, but our point still stands. With Varsity even welcoming their own tap house late last year, it appears that all business-no party rep is slowly on the way out (well, unless you’re one of the local uni students that is..)
For those who prefer to start their morning with a very different kind of brew (or even finish their day – as avid arvo coffee drinkers your secret is safe with us #oneofusoneofus) it’s time to break out the old ‘bedroom eyes’ because Varsity’s got a new side piece, or officially a new Side Piece Coffee and we think locals are going to lake it a lot.
For owners Dylan Jamsa, Miles Gaebel and Lee King, a hot tip about a cool new retail site under construction led the trio to look into the space, and with a little recon they soon realised it was set to be something pretty special for the area. Bringing collective previous experience in management and head barista roles for the likes of GC heavy hitters like No Name Lane and Moo Moo, they know a thing or two about livin’ la vida mocha.
Embracing the contemporary, urban surrounds of the newly-constructed precinct, Side Piece Coffee has taken up residence in the ground floor location conveniently nestled under one of the four new towers underway in the new development. Leaning into the industrial vibe, they’ve opted for polished concrete, accent copper pipes and pops of their trademark olive green to brighten our outlook until the caffeine kicks in.
There’s space for days, with the doors opening out onto the patio for those who want to linger for some sun-soaked alfresco bites, and for bonus points your furry friends are welcome too (and we do mean dogs, not your mate in desperate need of some #manscaping, though of course they’re welcome also).
Their Build your own toast option is perf for those who know exactly what they’re in the mood for (and, side note, is how they got their name), or go for the tried and true king of brunch – The B’n’E with bacon, egg, cheese, pickles and house-made BBQ sauce. On these cooler mornings, the lush Winter Porridge would be a treat with white balsamic strawberries, pistachio brittle, vanilla mascarpone & maple – and yes, we are just as surprised as you to be using the descriptor ‘lush’ in the same sentence as porridge.
For Varsity locals, it will absolakely be a blessing to have such delightful brews and chews on their doorsteps, and we think we can all agree this is one side piece we can wholeheartedly get behind.
Where: 2 Capital Court, Varsity Lakes
When: 7 days, 7am-2pm
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Belinda Symons.
Another week, another new coffee haunt. Awww, you shouldn’t have (srsly, you shouldn’t have, our raging caffeine addiction does not need any encouragement). And when it comes to new cafes, our self-control is nowhere to be found. Yes, the first half of that sentence was also entirely unnecessary #whereforeartthouselfcontrol.
And speaking of a total lack of self-control, we love any and every excuse to drop by Nobby’s, so the chance to sample a cute new coffee spot is reason enough for us. and we’ve been peachy-keen to check out newbies The Holliday Coffee ever since we heard whispers of their arrival on the scene.
Owners Marcus Wilkins and Olivia Ayres are two cool beans who know a whole latte about serving up our favourite nectar. Marcus co-owns Nook Espresso in Burleigh Heads, and Olivia has worked in the industry for 10 years. And when a certified GC hospo mastermind like Scott Imlach (behind names like Bine Bar and Dining, Tank Bar and Dining, Hideaway) offers up the opportunity to #sharesies some space backing onto his latest conquest, well, that’s an offer that’s pretty hard to refuse. Adjoining Nobby’s darling newcomer Okawari House, we get a twofer with The Holliday Coffee setting up a hole-in-the-wall coffee house round the corner/out the back – aaand would you look at that, we’re already lost.
Like little ferrets sniffing out our prize, we’ll just follow our noses and that unmistakable aroma wafting down the street from 5.30am daily. Delivering the morning glow in more ways than one, once you spot the trademark cheerful, peachy pops you’ll know you’re in the right spot.
Providing the perfect spot to catch the morning sun only sealed the deal for Marcus and Olivia, and finally, someone who gets the importance of soaking up some morning rays (after we get our coffee, that is #priorities)
Benny Young of Young Built designs helped them bring their small but mighty fit out to life, with a modern palette of white and dark timber finishes to let those warm pops of colour shine. If you’d prefer to linger a little longer, sidle up to one of the street tables under one of those cute af umbrellas that we’re definitely not trying to work out how to smuggle in to our beach bags.
But The Holliday is so much more than just a pretty face, coz they’re also dishing up light bites of happiness on a plate – think casual cafe fare like coffee (obvs), jaffles, croissants and crumpets. Imagine breaking open a crispy, lava-filled Spaghetti and cheese jaffle on a crisp winter’s morning… or perhaps a freshly buttered (macadamia & honeycomb butter – no less!), crumpet drizzled in honey aaand hello? Is anyone still here or are we all officially stampeding The Holliday to get a toast of that action?
… We’ll see you there, coz #same.
You can officially forward all our mail care of The Holliday Coffee, because like the rest of the GC we’ll be wanting a peach of that goodness daily, thank you very much.
(Don’t actually do that tho, jaffle grease on our important docs is never a good look)
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway (corner of Wave St), Nobby Beach
When: 5.30-1.30 weekdays, 5.30-12 weekends
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Belinda Symons.
With a name like Two Mates Taphouse, you just know the place is going to be a big, warm, amber ale-infused hug. And you’d be bang on the money.
The passion project of Lismore lads Grant Smith and Andrew Newton, the Two Mates Taphouse story is quite the, well, story. These beer and good time vibing larrakins started their taphouse tale in their hometown, opening the popular Lismore enterprise. A hit with folk from all over the Northern Rivers region, they began to chew the fat about expanding their empire and launching a second Two Mates on the Gold Coast. Then something completely unforeseen happened, altering the course of their journey in ways they never imagined possible.
Like so many people in their ‘hood, they copped the full wrath of the Lismore floods, which completely ravaged their booming business. Being 11 metres above the river, they thought the taphouse was safe as houses. It wasn’t…
The unwavering support from the community saw locals rally around the gents, dedicating six months to helping clean every last waterlogged inch of their favourite watering hole. They say every cloud has a silver lining and this particular (very dark) cloud had two. Firstly, it shone the spotlight on true mateship, the foundation of their business and secondly, it gave them a push (more like a shove really) to get cracking on their second taphouse. After securing the prime location in Varsity Parade, fast forward to present day and now us Gold Coasters can experience the Two Mates ‘live, laugh, learn’ philosophy firsthand.
Like their ‘first born’ taphouse, the Varsity site was born from a love of families and friendship. A space bringing communities together to form and nurture friendships, the sips and nosh compliment this sentiment to a tee (or beer). Offering indoor and outdoor seating, the vibe is welcoming, approachable and relaxed – just like the fellas.
Settle in with your crew for craft beer and magnificent handmade artisan brews and unlike Lismore, the Varsity Two Mates has a fully operational kitchen. This means they’ve switched out the food truck eats for nosh cooked in-house by Head Chef Kaine Hunt and well played gents. Offering a fusion of eats to pair perfectly with your favourite brewski, it’s a hard yes from us.
We see nothing but blue skies ahead for this new kid on the block and its tenacious, cup is half full founders. So next beer-o-clock, head down to Varsity to support the blokes, and say cheers (on repeat) to mighty fine ales, feeds, and friends.
Where: 2/235 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
When: 3pm – 8pm Tuesday – Thursday, 12pm – 9pm Friday & Saturday, 12pm – 8pm Sunday. Closed Monday
Images by Brittany Kreskas.
Words by Bianca Trathen.
