Picture this. It’s 3.30am on a rainy Saturday. When you’re suddenly awoken from your blissful dreams (the one where you’re flying) to the incessant screeching of your alarm, and beyond the depths of your doona is cold and dark. Buuuut, if you get up now, you can begin the 3 hour ordeal that is shaping, proofing and baking a loaf of fresh sourdough and *hopefully* be eating something that resembles bread sometime not too long after brunch…

Okay, so we think we’ve made our point, because who actually wants to be doing that? #hardpass #immastayinbed No, we’re going to do what the everybody else does, leave it to the pros and pick one up on our morning coffee pilgrimage at a respectable hour.

And if you’re based on the Southern end of the GC, specifically Currumbin, spreads at the ready because you butter believe your new dough-to is finally here. Baked good enthusiasts and those in the dough will probably already be well acquainted with the name Bread Social, and now the crew is making like an overgrown sourdough starter and spreading their (white) wings across the border. Because the brand new Bread Social takeaway kiosk has officially crumb to the GC, and they’re slinging all the good stuff: coffee, cakes, bread, sambos and – the only time we actually want flaky in our lives: golden, buttery pastries! #nom.

We’ve watched the Bread Social crew rise in popularity among carb-lovers ever since their humble debut at a little place called The Farm back in 2015 as an artisan Bakery with a passion for seasonal, local, organic produce and ingredients #thatsjusthowtheyroll. The mastermind trio behind the bread, directors Sam Saulwick, Tom Scott, Paul Giddings have stretched Bread Social strength to strength ever since, collecting new suppliers and locations along the way with #operationbakeover now officially commencing here on the Coast.

The remainder of the brand new 1200 square metre industrial-style HQ is slated to open later this year will house Bread Social’s new production facility, café and educational space along with our fave new takeaway kiosk of course.

And if your ears immediately lit up at the word café, and your brow quizzically furrowed at the phrase ‘educational space’, same. What we can confirm is that, while no, it’s not it’s not some kind of culinary institute (yet), the plan is to host bread and pastry classes for anybody and everybready willing to roll their sleeves up and learn a thing or two from the pros. The trio are excited to create a space that showcases their talents and involves the customer in all aspects of sourdough bread and pastry production – and the feeling is mutual.

Til then, stage one, aka our fave new takeaway kiosk is all-systems go, with the sunshine-y crew popping the window six days a week and reminding us yet again that good things really do come in small hole-in-the-wall sized packages. Just follow the yellow brick tiled wall and you’ll be greeted with all the to-go faves, and of course the wall of infamous loaves stacked up just begging to be taken home for the jar treatment – but the question is will it be PB, or jam?

And we don’t know about the rest of the GC, but we think we will manage cruuust fine with some too-frequent frolicking by the Bread Social kiosk for our daily bake-away fix, with hot coffee and all the Bread Social cult fave treats (heyyy, porto tart) on repeat.

Where: 2 Queensbury Avenue, Currumbin Waters
When: 6am – 2pm Monday to Saturday

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.

Ahhh Chirn Park, you’re the northern GC’s answer to Burleigh…minus the traffic and with an intimate village vibe. Embracing its increasingly trendy rep, Chirn Park is welcoming more and more cool/interesting/unique businesses to this once underrated neck of the woods. In fact, there’s now even a Chirn Park Festival, attracting an army of CP enthusiasts over its two-year lifespan. Us included.

Being the fans that we are, here are nine reasons why locals…and not so local locals….are flocking to Chirn Park en masse!

Cruize Espresso
It was love at first sight when we spotted the adorable logo alone. With a beautiful soft colour palette, swoon-worthy serve-wear, phenom wall art (Jai Vasicek, we see you…everywhere) and the instagrammable “I love you a latte” neon sign, the menu is as delicious as the fit-out. Think modern brekkie and lunch dishes beautifully presented with pretty-as-a-picture floral garnish, epic coffee, and the friendliest service in the land.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue

Quan 55
‘Quan’ is Vietnamese for bar, so no prizes for guessing what this Chirn Park fave serves! Host and owner Wynn serves up the same food as she does at home, even using her mother-in-law’s treasured 20-year-old crock pot! Now that’s authenticity personified! It boasts fabulous food and cocktails and ambience galore, thanks to the awesome interior and never-ending rotation of bums on seats.
Where: 4/55 Brooke Avenue

Luigi & Sons Barbershop
The longest established barbershop on the Coast, Luigi and Sons now have 3 shopfronts with contemporary, fresh fit outs, and a passionate team trained to deliver amazing haircuts with old-fashioned service. Catering for all the modern man’s barbering needs, they fuse traditional skills with very ‘now’ techniques. Beard-shaping and cut-throat shaves are also a speciality, so book that manscape yesterday.
Where: 4/58 Brooke Avenue

Little Barista Espresso Bar
Looking for a consistently high-quality caffeine hit, all day breakfast or lunch? Call off the search coz Little Barista delivers all of the above. Perched in arguably the most prominent corner position in Chirn Park, this rustic coastal gem is always buzzing. You can smell the glorious aroma of award-winning brews as you walk up the street, and don’t forget to bring Fido as pooches are welcomed with open arms.
Where: 3/39 Musgrave Avenue

Lambar Pizza
If pizza and pasta aren’t the answer, srsly what was the question? Whether you’re channelling takeaway, a meal in-house or perhaps have a private function on the horizon, Lambar is your BFF in waiting. Making all meals with love using the freshest, locally sourced produce, it’s impossible to go wrong here. And the pepperoni on the pizza is that you can BYO wine. Did someone say unicorn?
Where: 4/37 Musgrave Avenue

Daark Espresso
I mean, if they were to rename Chirn Park, it would be Daark Espresso. Well worth the queue, it’s the go-to for the professional brunching set. The coffee is as good as it gets, and the nosh is #goals (Spanner Crab Eggs Benedict, come at us!). Pull up a pew inside this rustic gem, or opt for a table outside on the wraparound balcony. Add a super buzzy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an institution.
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue

5B2F Bakehouse
If you’re mad for a bakery and srsly who isn’t, step this way and tell us you’ve had better! With classic French pastries and artisan sourdough for days, one look in the cabinet choccablock with THE most spectacularly crafted baked goodies and you’re sold. The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef extraordinaire Moonsun Yoo, we are well and truly buttered up.
Where: 55 Brooke Avenue

Ground & Sound
Cooking whole food from scratch and serving up specialty single origin PNG caffeine, this is where coffee meets music. Ground & Sound hosts live artists several times a week, music trivia night every second Wednesday night, plus there are regular open mic nights for budding artists. Inside, peruse musical memorabilia from the 60’s and beyond, or plonk yourself outside and soak up the epic tunes.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue

Moss n Stone
Moss n Stone offers the freshest and most on-trend blooms, arriving in-store daily. Delivering to all areas of the Gold and Tweed Coast, there are flowers and foliage for all occasions and persuasions.  Also stocking an exquisite range of giftware, babywear and homewares, it’s your one stop shop for all things lovely, with a hint of uniqueness.
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Forget Nutella fellow dessert lovers, Biscoff is where it’s at. Hailing from Belgium way back in the 1930s this delicious caramel spiced biscuit is a warm hug for your tastebuds. With the invention of the spreadable version, this classic is having its viral moment in the sun – because the only thing better than a mouth-watering bickie moment is being able to slather it on *gestures vaguely* whatever the heck you please.

We’ve lined up all the best Gold Coast haunts to go get your Bisc-on. So whether you’re a super-fan, an all-round dessert enthusiast or you’re ready to find out what all the fuss is about (no judgement, but it’s about time!) – we’ve done all the leg work so you can bi-scoff-ing these sweet treats down in no time.

Mr Treat
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cookies to get the tastebuds tingling. We’re starting strong with a cookie-ception creation of epic proportions, but just make sure you’re sitting down first because the Blame It On Cookie dreamt up by Mr Treat features cookie dough stuffed with biscoff and white chocolate chips.
Where: At Oh My, Waffle, 6/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Yo-Chi
Swirling Southern Gold-Coasters into a frenzy, fro-yo fans will already be well acquainted with Yo-Chi for (soft) serving up their sweet treat fixes, and resulting brain freezes – #worthit. As mega Yo-Chi fans we hope (& pray) the warmed Biscoff topping NEVER comes off the ever-rotating options of sweet toppings.
Where: 89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Cheeky Waffles
If this were Dolly mag, our teen-selves would definitely be giggling madly while poring over this next entry in that highly-coveted sealed section. If it’s orgasmically good desserts you’re after, Cheeky Waffles is here to fill that (genitalia shaped dessert) hole in your life. Yup, you read that right – select your vessel of choice – willy be having a waffle weiner or a lady garden? Because why just reserve the fun just for hen’s nights, we ask?!

We can’t go past the Biscoff-inspired topping that sounds so good it should no longer be considered G rated: waffle dipped in Caramilk chocolate with a crumbled biscoff topping & gold powder. If it’s #literalfoodporn you’re after, do yourself a favour and head to Cheeky Waffles for happy endings all round.
Where: 3189 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Milkman’s Cookies
If you thought we were done talking about boxes, well – not quite. Because thanks to Milkman’s Cookies, you can literally nab yourself a box of Biscoff infused cookie goodness by the dozen for those sugar cravings that just won’t quit. Their Biscoff White Choc creation features the Milkman’s signature cookie dough with white chocolate chips and a stuffed Biscoff cookie butter centre. Did we mention it’s topped with extra biscoff and a lotus biscuit? #i’llbestuffed
Where: Bundall HOTA markets every Sunday

Sens Coffee QSV
First, there came the cronut – then – the croffle (the lovechild of a croissant x waffle, for the uninitiated), and THEN? Sens Coffee QSV went and dreamt up the Lotus Biscoff Croffle #withallthetrimmings. A croffle, loaded with lotus biscuit, almond crumble, crème Chantilly and chocolate ice cream. We can only assume you’re still here, and not immediately #OMW to get yourself one because the thought of this heavenly creation has sent you into a daze.
Where: 129 Queen Street, Southport

Milky Lane
Hello? It’s the dessert of our dreams calling. If the sound of a Caramilk & Biscoff Cookie Dough Skillet doesn’t already have you drooling, let us elaborate. It’s served topped with Caramilk chips, crushed Lotus biscuit, vanilla ice cream and icing sugar (for good measure). I guess this is one call we will actually answer (#U up?)
Where: 1/38 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise

Burleigh Gelato Co.
If you can’t cone-tain your love of gelato, we’ve got the scoop on one mash-up you don’t want to miss. Burleigh Gelato Co. is serving up gooey, chocolate brownie loaded with Biscoff paste and topped with a Biscoff biscuit. But you should probably add a side of the signature Biscoff gelato, just to be extra sure the craving is definitely satisfied.
Where: 9 Connor St, Burleigh or 3/10 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach

Parkway Robina
#ICYMI Parkway Robina is dishing up Biscoff Hot Choc and with the ‘cooler’ (inverted commas because #GC) months ahead, it’s the perfect time for southern Gold Coasters to sip into Parkway for a delectably drinkable dessert that will remind you of a cozy hug from Nanna. (But if anyone asks, her cookies will always be the GOAT)
Where: 16B/361 Robina Pkwy, Robina

Paddock Bakery
Have we saved the best for last? All we can say is donut sleep on this – three words: Biscoff. Cheesecake. Doughnut. (We’ll let you be the judge.) What started as a special, was soon welcomed as a Paddock staple. A semi-sourdough doughnut dipped in a Caramel glaze, filled with a Biscoff Cheesecake filling, sprinkled with cookie crumb & a Biscoff bikkie (for dipping, obvs). We’ll take two #prettypleasewithabiscoffontop
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

Words by Kellie Leader.