Have you bean to Willy’s Beans yet?
Have you bean to Willy’s Beans yet?
The GC’s transformation into somewhat of a cafe mecca over the last few years speaks to our voracious appetite/total reliance on our daily cup…s (let’s be honest it’s definitely plural) of joe.
Though a competitive coffee scene means our standards are at an all time high, those with a reputation for plying us with the perfect brew, living and breathing (and drinking) their craft quickly earn our undying loyalty (and solid chunks of our disposable income).
Coffee fanatics will be buzzed to learn that there’s a latte to love about a new boutique operation that’s just opened its warehouse doors, with Burleigh Heads welcoming Willy’s Beans in late July.
For owner Jayson Mathiou Willy’s Beans marks quite a professional tree-change, which was inspired by a stint in Colombia as physiotherapist to pro athletes abroad. After Jayson fell in love with the Colombian community and culture, he was inspired to find a way to bring a taste of that life home to lucky punters here on the GC.
Jayson set out to create a unique experience, pushing the concept of a specialty coffee house one step further, resulting in what is a coffee lover’s equivalent of a cellar door experience. Willy’s Beans is a destination that celebrates and educates, showcasing the journey of coffee from bean to brew.
Step inside and you’ll soon see that not only is exceptional coffee the star, it’s also the entire cast and crew of this particular operation, with Willy’s Beans resembling a shrine of sorts – an ode to the art of coffee making.
Upon entry, you’re greeted with the signature red Willy’s Jeep sitting pride of place – an iconic symbol that’s synonymous with Colombian coffee production. Also doubling as the namesake for the venture, the Jeep has been modified for coffee on the go. And #challengeaccepted, we are so ready to be playing a Coast-wide game of Where’s Willy. It’s also immortalised in the oversized mural that adds a colourful point of interest to the industrial space, drawing the eye up to the loft level beyond where some of that behind the scenes magic takes place.
While there’s plenty to feast your eyes upon, you only have to follow your nose to the gleaming La Marzocco machine atop the espresso bar to grab your preferred pick-me-up. A brew made with one of the nine single-estate origin beans on offer will no doubt put a (delicious) pep in your step. Though, if you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the specialty menu – including the exotic Summer Gesha bean that made it to the semi-final in the World Barista Championship. Clocking in at $36 a cup, this coffee, arguably the most expensive on offer on the Coast, is best reserved for special occasions, but don’t despair as Willy’s also offers delicious options for your everyday coffee desires.
Willy’s Beans pride themselves on ethical and sustainable practices, with their Rainforest Alliance-certified beans sourced direct from the farms they work closely with – resulting in delicious coffee we can feel good about indulging in (if, perhaps a little too often).
As well as an exceptional offering of specialty brews, also on offer is the chance to go behind the beans scenes with private tours and tastings of their specialty and exotic coffees.
For a coffee experience that’s willy something special, swing by Willy’s Beans to see what’s brewing.
When: Warehouse open 6.30am-12.30pm Monday-Friday. Events and private tastings/bookings available by appointment.
Where: 1/4 Ramly Drive, Burleigh Heads
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
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.
