Is it not the best news ever that you can enjoy an island adventure, complete with exceptional eats and a beverage or two, without even having to leave the Gold Coast? You can even hire a little boat to get there should you wish to have an authentic experience.

The island we’re talking about today is, of course, Chevron Island, a little paradise unto itself bursting with exceptional foodie spots and pretty parks to laze about in having consumed all the exceptional eats.

The latest little newbie to grace Chevron Island with its’ presence is Mint Espresso, an intimate, rustically decked out space with both indoor and outdoor seating, painted a cheery shade of green (mint in fact) and lots of natural light flooding in.

It’s the work of a local Gold Coast family who are also the proud owners of the cutest baby French Bulldog there is in the world. Mint Espresso is their first venue and they’ve done quite the impressive job if you ask us.

The menu is made up of breakfast slash lunch eats along the lines of Shrooms on Toast (a favourite) with an array of tasty mushrooms on Turkish bread with grilled haloumi, basil pesto and poached eggs.

The Ultimate Eggs Benedict is also a winner; it’s Turkish bread topped with spinach, hash browns, sausage, bacon jam, poached eggs and truffle Hollandasie and it’s the perfect combination of breakfast goodies.

Everything is filled with flavour and absolutely stunningly presented to both delight your eyeballs and your Insta followers.

The coffee on offer is by the good folks at Byron Bay Coffee Co. and there are also cool, refreshing juices and of course, beloved milkshakes and thickshakes in case your inner child is calling.

Also, there are HOMEMADE baked goodies including brownies that will melt in your mouth and also come with ice cream.

In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a little island getaway complete with delicious brunch time eats and without breaking the bank, Chevron Island and newbie Mint Espresso are the go.

Prepare to be impressed.

LOCATION: 9/37 Thomas Drive, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 5.30am until 5.30pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

While it’s true that we believe all pasta dishes are worth eating carbs for, and don’t particularly care about eating carbs at all, some people do.

So, for those people, we’ve chosen the best of the best past dishes across the Gold Coast to make it worthwhile when the time comes to indulge in said carbs.

Here we go with the top 10 pasta dishes worth eating carbs for.

Fellini Ristorante – Linguette ai frutti di mare
Found overlooking the Broadwater at Marina Mirage, Fellini is adored for their exceptional service, luxurious ambience, and above all else – impeccable pasta. We say go for the Linguette ai frutti di mare which is pasta cooked with fresh mixed seafood in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chilli, fresh tomato and white wine parsley. The perfect pasta treat.
Where: Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach

Alfresco Italian Restaurant – Lasagne
This authentic Italian family run restaurant has been around since 1992 and we sure do know why. With a foundation built on family, the Alfresco Italian restaurant team consistently dish up amazing Italian cuisine. One of the signature dishes is the classic homemade style lasagne, simple but done absolutely perfectly.
Where: 3018 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Salt Meats Cheese – Flaming Cheese Wheel Pasta
This ‘too good to be true’ pasta dish will have you go up in flames. Watch as your pasta is prepared at your table in a flaming wheel of Parmesan cheese. This theatrical spectacle happens every Wednesday night from 6pm. Make sure you book ahead so you don’t miss out any longer.
Where: 10 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise

Cicchetti – Taglioni Al Granchio
Cicchetti Pizza & Pasta Bar treats you to all the cultural delights of Italy, including pasta, of course. The highlight on their pasta menu has to be Taglioni al Granchio – Spanner crab coated in a chilli, garlic, pepper, cherry tomato and white wine sauce tossed through house made taglioni. It’s an absolute treat for your tastebuds.
Where: 2G01/15 Via Roma, Isle of Capri

Gemelli – Spaghetti al Gamberi
The Gemelli twins James and Alec are known for creating an authentic Italian and all their dishes, including the mouthwatering pasta, are made fresh in house daily with all of the insane flavours. Definitely give the Spagetthi al Gamberi a try; think prawn cutlets, zucchini, chilli, garlic and olive oil, simple and extremely delicious.
Where: 2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach

Cucina Vivo – Fettucine Carbonara
Located on the first floor of The Star Gold Coast is Cucina Vivo, a rustic and traditional Italian restaurant overlooking the pretty pool situation and resembling a dleightful weekend away by the Italian seaside. The housemade Fettucine Carbonara is served in a rich, creamy sauce with pancetta, egg, cracked pepper and pecorino cheese and it’s the goods.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Lobby Level, Broadbeach Island

Goccia Italian Pizzeria
Serving up all the very best things in pretty little Mermaid Beach is Gocccia Italian Pizzeria, a relative newbie on the scene with their very own imported pizza oven and traditional recipes passed down for generations. There’s no going past the Beetroot and Potato Gnocchi served with pumpkin purée and roasted pine nuts for obvious reasons.
Where: Shop 1A-2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Justin Lane – Pappardelle, Wagyu Bolognaise
The team at Justin Lane take pasta very serious with their very own pasta bar to ensure everything is made fresh to order. All in honour of their catchcry, ‘Eat, drink and be messy’. You should probably go and try them all but if you have to choose go with the Pappardelle Wagyu Bolognaise, so very tasty.
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Pepe Italia – Spaghetti alla Positano Calzone
Burleigh’s moody Italian eatery, Pepe Italia, is owned and operated by three friends (one a chef) all of whom moved to Australia three years ago from northern Italy. Using traditional recipes handed down from Nonna, the menu is filled with all the Italian dishes you know and love. Try the calzone pizza cooked in the oven, filled with spaghetti in Napoli sauce, tomatoes, seafood and parsley.
Where: 11 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Balboa Italian – Roasted Lamb Cannelloni
Balboa Italian’s phenomenal fitout complete with the sparkliest of chandelier and a bright red Vespa are not all that’s noteworthy at this incredible Italian eatery. Their pizza is outstanding but most importantly, their pasta is to die for. Do yourself a favour, try the Roasted Lamb Cannelloni and report back with glowing reviews.
Where: 1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Words by Louisa von Ingelheim