For us the Gold Coast is all about drop-dead-gorgeous beaches, beautiful waterways, boat trips and the green hills of the hinterland, but wherever we travel we like to get acquainted with the best coffee and cake. It was time to taste test and bestow our Best Cafe Gold Coast award and we dedicated ourselves to the job.
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Best Coffee and Cake Cafe Gold Coast
Our first choice of Gold Coast Cafe was Borough Barista, where Marty was taking me to try a special cake he’d found. By the time we arrived on Sunday morning they had unfortunately sold out, but Marty described it as a deep fried doughnut/muffin, coated in cinnamon sugar and filled with Jam. Evidently this rock star cake sat on the counter in all it’s un-named glory. Muff-Nut anyone?
Borough Barista
14 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads. Hours 6 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.
With all the freshly baked items sold out, my gaze shifted to the fridge and a pile of take-away containers that housed some rather handsome looking salted caramel brownies. One between two of us seemed totally appropriate, after my recent indulgences and warmed up it was moist and rich with a real salt crunch. I’ve noticed that salted caramel often has no discernible salt taste at all, but this brownie lived up to it’s name.
Sunday at Borough was busy, with lycra clad cyclists and dog walkers waiting for take-aways. Most of the tables were full with an steady procession of interesting brunch boards exiting the kitchen.
Borough Barista – a good place to start.
Caz and Craig from Ytravel blog love talking cafes and pointed us to our next choice. We love getting tips from locals, so we soon found ourselves on the lower level of the Gold Coast Highway in search of a cafe called Commune.
Commune Burleigh
1844 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads. Hours 6.30 – 3.00 p.m.
I felt an instant attraction to this cafe. Maybe the name conjured up my plethora of Hippy memories, but I loved, the decor and the multiple choice seating areas. I quickly claimed it as my favourite Gold Coast cafe.
Inside was an eclectic mix of stools, chairs, tables, benches, walls plastered in posters and music that echoed the sound track from my twenties. One outdoor area overlooks highway street art while another cosies up to a creeper clad wall.
We shared the mother of all muffins – as bold and eclectic as it’s surroundings. Topped by a blob of peanut butter, a raspberry and sliver of banana, the dense muffin was filled with pieces of chocolate and whole berries. Chunky goodness cooked and served old style in brown paper.
p.s. Our waitress confessed that the aroma of the cooking muffins drove her crazy with anticipation.
I could have communed all day and even as I write this I find myself drifting back.
At the southern end of the Gold Coast we arrived at Coolangatta Beach front, which on that Sunday in August was hosting the Arts and Craft Market. Right there in the middle of the market we found Peace of Cake.
Peace of Cake
Gold Coast Arts and Craft Market. Broadbeach, Burleigh and Coolangatta
Strictly speaking Peace of Cake is not a Cafe, but their cakes belong in one.
We had merely been browsing in the market until we found this stall. I could tell by the display, that pastry chefs and partners Aaron and Anne-Marie loved their art. My browsing ceased the minute I saw the Pear and Blueberry tart. I’ve been a tart freak my whole life and have only tasted one other as good.
NOW SPECIALISING IN DONUTS AND CRONUTS!!!
Coffee Vixen’s cart was obligingly close by so we sat beneath the Pandanus, sipping and feasting. This is what holidays are about and the beach was right there.
Next was a l.o.n.g. beach walk.
Street Corner Espresso Burleigh
1,1840 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads. Hours 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Street Corner Espresso is in the same block as Commune, with one outdoor area facing the colourful highway and another on the wide side street footpath. I was swayed by price and ordered the Special of a coffee and a Choc/Orange slice, but probably should have ignored my budget instincts and gone with my first choice.
We liked the look and feel of this street corner and have returned several times. Each time they are on point, delivering great coffee and cakes.
The best part about this area is the coastal Headland beyond which lies Burleigh Head National Park. The Sunday evening we were there, the grassy headland overflowed with people, six packs/cartons, cheese platters and picnics. I wondered if we were about to witness some special celestial event, but it was just a normal Sunday.
Nook Espresso Burleigh Heads
43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads. Hours 6 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Weekdays 6 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Weekends.
You will find Nook, a hole in the wall, right on the waterfront at Burleigh Headland, by it’s steady stream of customers. It is perfectly positioned for walks along the foreshore or for when leaving the beach is just too much effort. Service is surprisingly fast with snacks packed ready to go. The coffee is good, the muffins tender and the view unbeatable. Love that it’s open so late.
We enjoyed each of the cafes visited. There were more that caught our attention and we will be trying them next time.
My favourite Cafe this time around was Commune.
Marty’s favourite was Borough Barista for their coffee and fresh baked cake.
Budget
Burleigh Heads is situated mid-way between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast of Queensland.
The cost of 1 large coffee, 1 small coffee and 1 cake is approx. $14 AUD.
While you’re here leave your favourite coffee and cake suggestions in the comments.
I’ve linked to Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox for Travel Photo Thursday.
Add your link below.
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Pinky Poinker
September 22, 2015 at 2:25 pmMy mouth is watering. The Muff-nut sounds extremely yummy. I love the way you’re allowed to have your dogs with you at cafes on the Gold Coast. Burleigh in particular!
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 4:46 pmI know Pinky, Townsville is a bit behind in that regard.
Life Images by Jill
September 22, 2015 at 2:33 pmI love the cafe scene and you have dished up some fabulous cafes to sit and sip and chat at.
Happy travels.
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 4:45 pmIt is nice to indulge when on holidays Jill!
Kathy Marris
September 22, 2015 at 4:04 pmOh my goodness! You have just taken me on a tour of all of my favourite coffee shops, except the one in Palm Beach! Commune and Street Corner Espresso are just a hop, step and a jump from where I live and Nook is where my son’s girlfriend works part-time. Also Borough is where I do coffee with my girlfriends every Saturday morning. Great post Jan!
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 4:44 pmI’m happy you approve my choices Kathy, seeing that you are a local. 🙂
Jo
September 22, 2015 at 4:23 pmI’m seriously impressed with your attention to coffee and cake detail and realise that it was all in the name of research 😉 Burleigh Heads sounds like a great place to wander and sip and munch. Beam me up Scotty!
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 4:44 pmMarty loves Cafes and I have jumped on board too!
Linda ~ Journey Jottings
September 22, 2015 at 7:30 pmWhat a wonderful selection of cafes – and great that you kept trying different ones in search of that illusive ‘perfect’ coffee and cake –
Party Pooper Alert: I don’t think I could have done one a day for 7 days – Too much sugar for me… despite it all looking mighty tempting! 😉
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 8:23 pmI hear you Linda, but we shared a cake each day and didn’t have sugar in our coffee. However I am eating healthily at the moment to make up for it!
Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers
September 22, 2015 at 7:30 pmI guess I’m going to be heading back down the coast again pretty soon to try out a few of these! I especially have to try that salty salted caramel brownie – now for an excuse to head down mid week .. hmmm
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 8:21 pmYou’re lucky to be so close Toni. I can’t wait to try some other Cafes we saw. You shall have to try the Muff-nuts at Borough!
Rae Hilhorst
September 22, 2015 at 7:38 pmI love love love a good cafe with home made goodies. Your photos are great and now I really want cake x
Jan
September 22, 2015 at 8:22 pmYes, I’ve been thinking about cake since I wrote this post too, but I can’t as I am eating healthily at the moment. Damn.
[email protected]
September 23, 2015 at 12:52 amSo many wonderful cafes, so many tempting cakes and pastries. How did you only chose one cake to try! There’s certainly many cafes to choose from. Now to get to the Gold Coast!
Jan
September 23, 2015 at 10:03 amHi Jenny. I tried to share a cake when it was big enough because I had been very indulgent of late. I know that is what holidays are about, but on the back of three months in Europe and the Royal Pines extravaganza I was trying to cut back lol. But in some cases like Feather and Docks and Peace of Cake, we sampled more. You’ve been living it up in Tassie I see!
Jackie Smith
September 24, 2015 at 12:51 amOh good heavens, what a tasty post this one is! We’ve ‘given up’ (again, and for how long, who knows?) our carbs in hopes of dropping a pound or two. But I couldn’t resist your post and that lovely chocolate creation calling out, “Jackie, you need me! You want me!”
Jan
September 24, 2015 at 9:18 amHa ha, I’m watching my weight at the moment too Jackie. Our 3 weeks on the Gold Coast trip came on the back of 3 months in Europe. Too many cakes!
Muza-chan
September 24, 2015 at 4:06 pmDelicious…
Jan
September 24, 2015 at 4:18 pmAgreed Lily 🙂 🙂
Jolene
September 24, 2015 at 4:46 pmI was at Problogger too! I didn’t see outside of Royal Pines unfortunately, flying straight back to Melbourne one the conference had finished. Looks like I missed out on some yummy Gold Coast treats. Will have to explore more next time!
Jan
September 24, 2015 at 7:01 pmHi Jolene, Problogger and Royal Pines were awesome weren’t they? We were lucky to have another week on the Coast. We hadn’t been there for 20 years and we loved it.
Ruth - Tanama Tales
September 25, 2015 at 1:17 pmWhat a bunch of great places! I love towns with a wide variety of cafes full of couches and comfy chairs. It is great to have a place to wind down after sightseeing or walking around town for hours. Plus, it is a great time to meet locals and get recommendations.
Jan
September 25, 2015 at 7:37 pmI wonder how much the Friends TV show influenced coffee shops worldwide?
Cathy Sweeney
September 26, 2015 at 6:41 amTotally tasty. The special cake at Borough Barista was enough to get my attention, and then I was glued to the screen for the rest of the treats. How cool to be able to meet up with Caz and Craig. I would trust their advice on cafes, too.
Jan
September 26, 2015 at 9:06 amBurleigh Heads is quite a small community although it does get a lot of visitors most people end up on the headland. I’m sure glad Caz and Craig told us about Commune because I don’t think we would have found it on our own in the short time we had there.
Corinne
September 26, 2015 at 4:08 pmOh Jan, All of them look fantastic. Now I’m hungry. I guess I’ll go have breakfast!
Jan
September 27, 2015 at 2:36 pmDefinitely Corinne!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
September 29, 2015 at 3:05 pmI quite like the idea of dedicating 7 days to exploring cafes, and I’m impressed that you were able to visit so many of them. Everything looks and sounds so delicious that it’s a good thing I’m eating a slice of cake while reading this. The so-called Muff-Nut has me dreaming now.
Jan
September 29, 2015 at 4:48 pmIt was lovely Michele, but now I am watching what I’m eating because over the last 3 months in Europe and 3 weeks on the Gold Coast I put on a coupe of kilos!
Krista
October 2, 2015 at 5:37 amYou found so many good spots!! I love that you guys stop for cuppas so regularly. 🙂 Bear and I enjoy that too, very much. 🙂
Fairlie
October 9, 2015 at 9:51 amSome great looking cafes here! I made the mistake on the Sunday after Problogger of starting from Broadbeach and walking north along the beach to Surfers Paradise. By the time I got to Surfers, I was desperate for coffee, but there seemed to be slim pickings of cool cafes there. I should have walked south to Burleigh Heads!
Jan
October 9, 2015 at 3:02 pmI noticed that too Fairlie. Burleigh Heads seems the place for coffee – I couldn’t believe our luck to be surrounded by them 🙂
Rachel
March 29, 2016 at 2:51 amWhy do you have to do this to me 🙁 My mouth is watering! lol. Loved reading this, all the yummy pastries and gluten free options too yum! Thanks for sharing