There’s one word that sends 99.9% of us to our happy place, and for once, we’re not talking about wine or cocktails. We’re talking about that other guilty pleasure that unites us all…chocolate!

In awkward news for those of us out here living our lives as if every day is International Chocolate Day, July 7 is the official–and technically only–designated day of celebration for this divine cacao creation. While we fully intend to continue worshipping its very existence every day ending in ‘y’, this honorary occasion gives us the perfect excuse to visit some of our city’s finest chocolate-slinging purveyors. For your complete consumption pleasure, here are 10 of the sweetest and most drool-worthy chocolate treats to be found on the GC.

Custard Canteen
A few sandy footsteps from Tally Creek, Custard Canteen whips up pastry goodies like a boss. Every single they’re churning out of their ovens is legendary, though the gooey-centred cookies have a particular soft-spot in locals’ hearts. Stuffed with chunks of chocolatey Lindt goodness and an oozy ganache filling, the Salted Caramel White Choc Cookie will blow your mind. Plus, you can even pick up a Bake-at-home box to save a taste of that famed cream-cheese cookie dough for a rainy day (in theory – LBH, its days are numbered).
Where: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Tarte Bakery and Tarte Beach House
It’s widely-known among locals that a Tarte run can singlehandedly make your entire day. When you’re in the mood for fresh-baked chocolate-y morsels, you’ll likely be in luck at either location (provided you get there early enough, of course). But if you’re in need of a next-level chocolate fix (think break up, another lap around the sun, Saturn is in retrograde) head directly Tarte Beach House and order yourself one of the famous Brown butter & choc chip cookie skillets. Baked-to-order and served still-oozing, all will be right in the world again after devouring this final boss of chocolate hits.
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads and Shop 1 2/4 Thrower Dr, Currumbin

Little Cocoa
If you’ve got a choc-a-holic in your life you really want to spoil (FYI – treat ‘yo self also falls under this category!) – Little Cocoa does luxe, hand-crafted chocolate with pizazz. Handmade using high-quality couverture, the artisanal bundles and boxes feature an assortment of luscious filling laden chocolates; fine pralines; and fruit, nut or puff stuffed dragées. The perfect gift for any chocolate-lover, these almost-too-pretty-to-eat morsels are guaranteed to be adored (and promptly devoured).
Where: Order online, or keep your eyes peeled for pop-up events at 7/10 Bailey Cres, Southport

George’s Deli
Now bread with us, because a deli is typically not front of mind when it comes to sating chocolate cravings. Don’t be fooled, along with delivering some killer sandos, the new kid on Kingscliff’s block is serving a stellar selection of house-made sweet treats. Those quick enough can take their pick of hand-made donuts from the rotating daily selection; but this time of year, the seasonal S’mores Hot Choco has us in its clutches. A huggable cup of creamy, chocolatey liquid gold, finished with a rim of freshly torched merengue – it’s what dreams are made of.
Where: Shop 3, 106 Marine Parade, Kingscliff

Paddock Bakery
I mean, who doesn’t heart this place! Universally beloved for myriad reasons, not the least of which is their banging baked goods selection; Paddock is a GC institution. If it’s a sippable sweet fix you’ve got on the mind, make your way through the leafy cottage grounds to the milk bar, where you can pick from an epic lineup of next-level shakes (and even have one created from your favourite cookie flavour!). For certified chocolate nuts, the Lamington milkshake is a must-try. Made with house-made coconut and chocolate milk, topped with Nutella and choc shards, it never misses #MilkshakeGoals.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Doughed
Doughed, Hope Island’s newcomer bakehouse café, does specialty drinks, focaccia sangas, stuffed doughnuts and some of the chunkiest NYC-style cookies out – holy moly, heaven is a place on earth indeed! If you’re craving sugary, sweet and cocoa-based baked goods, get in early to get your hands on the day’s mouth-watering selection. With flavours like Biscoff and Salted Caramel Pretzel gracing the NYC cookie rotation, you can’t go wrong. But if its chocolate you only have eyes for, it’s gotta be Hot Cocoa… or maybe Ferrero, wait, no, Red Velvet. Definitely… ah heck, better make it a box.
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island

Elk Espresso
The OG sweet-salty combo, chocolate and peanut butter is a pairing as iconic as they come – and Elk’s Chocolate and peanut butter thick shake isn’t far behind. Both the place, and the shake, have a special place in the hearts of many a Gold Coaster, and if they ever tried to take this creamy, chocolatey mainstay off the menu we’re fairly sure there’d be riots. Even if you’re not a fan of PB in particular, there’s a variety of dreamy shakes to choose from and they’re all to die for.
Where: Shop G044 Oasis Shopping Centre, 12 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach

Janus Bakehouse
Keeping us plied with specialty sandos, coffee and donuts, the multi-talented Janus crew is also more than capable of getting those chocolate hankerings sorted. There’s always something chocolate coated and/or stuffed to be discovered in the cabinet, with fresh delights being added all the time. Such as the Chocolate Mousse Donut, a heaven-sent cocoa-dusted creation stuffed with whipped-to-perfection-mousse that we haven’t stopped craving since we first laid eyes on it.
Where: Shop 14/458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar, 12 Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise

Basque
If you’re a bit of a choccy fiend, Basque’s chocolate cheesecake will be a total revelation. First amassing fans on the market circuit with their signature blackened dessert; when it comes to cheesecake, these guys are unmatched. Husband and wife duo, Zac, and pastry chef Laura are total sticklers; right down to making their own crème fraîche on site. The result is rich, creamy and delightfully tangy, we would (and often do) go well out of our way to get a taste. Catch them and a tantalising curation of bubbly at their chic Chirn Park HQ, or on weekends at HOTA markets. Just be prepared for their cheesy creations to consume your dreams for the foreseeable future.
Where: 33b Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park

My Favourite Baker
There is something so satisfying about breaking open gooey-centred goodies to watch ooze unfold before your eyes, and My Favourite Baker delivers on this promise. Saving many a local from all kinds of celebratory binds, same day turnaround is just the beginning of the epic-ness these local cake wizards are capable of whipping up. They’re also known for an especially delectable range of chocolatey, oozy-centred cupcake flavours. Such as the Ore’Ooze – chocolate cupcakes, topped with vanilla buttercream and bursting with Nutella. Yum… we’ll take 12!
Where: https://myfavouritebaker.com.au/

Words by Kellie Leader

We all have love affairs in our lives. Some might be for a fleeting period, and others, well, last a lifetime. One such eternal romance we’re confident you can agree on is an undivided loyalty to all things sweet and chocolatey.

Well, my sweet tooth friends, today is your lucky day because Cowch Dessert Cocktail Bar has opened their brand spanking new shop in Broadbeach’s vibrant dining precinct: The Oracle Boulevard! And yes, you may be thinking, wasn’t there already one in Broadbeach? Well yes, the successful Brisbane chain were previously located at Pacific Fair, but have made the jump across the highway into the old Max Brenner shopfront and opposite long time local’s favourite, Social Eating House.

The spacious layout creates ample opportunity for anyone and everyone to come in and relax, whether it be for an afternoon delight or after dinner sweet treat, to kick back and enjoy something delectable. The fit-out includes some snazzy-looking neon signs and light instalments, which will make you look twice — as they are udders. Yes, cow udders. You’ll also notice a complete collection of light shades hanging from the ceiling, all in the shape of a cow’s milk-giving parts. We think it’s an udderly brilliant touch and is sure to spark up a few conversations.

For those unfamiliar with Cowch, let’s keep the explanation simple. They dish up the absolute goods when it comes to desserts and fantastical, sweet-orientated cocktails; known as the perfect place to drop in after a meal to finish things up — or anytime you fancy like an array of delicious desserts. Who said dessert can’t be dinner?

Catering for large groups, they look to continue the trend for your next birthday, hen’s, farewell, congratulations parties — not to forget baby showers either — are most welcome to book in and make some sweet memories.

Cowch Broadbeach‘s must-try sweet house desserts include the decadent Nutella Waffle Sandwich, the Crunchy S’mores Dessert Pizza, the Cookie Pancake Stack and the fan-favourite Naked Pops. If this little line-up has you salivating already, you’ll be thrilled to learn they also have a separate winter menu running concurrently. Warm favourites such as Apple Pie Pizza layered with caramelised white chocolate, cinnamon sugar base, topped with stewed apple, shortbread crumb, caramel sauce, and white chocolate drizzle will be a textbook choice for the cooler nights ahead.

With a completely stocked and functional bar, customers have an assortment of fun cocktails at their fingertips. The signature Cotton Candy cannot be missed, consisting of musk vodka, black raspberry liqueur, lemon and cranberry served with a pink sherbet rim, musk sticks and raspberry fairy floss.

Should you feel like something alcohol-free, there’s something for all types of sweet tooths, with an incredible range of mocktails and Super Shakes also on the menu.

Cowch Founder and Managing Director Arif Memis is excited to reopen on the Gold Coast, “We want to offer a fun and playful destination for people to let their hair down and create memories. Oracle Boulevard is a food lover’s paradise, and we’re thrilled to be joining the diverse range of culinary experiences on offer throughout the precinct”.

Cowch is offering a raft of special offers until Sunday 20th June 2021, including $9 mocktails, $15 cocktails and $15 dessert pizzas, while families and friends are invited to get in on the fun with face painting, balloons and chainsaw ice carving taking place on Saturday 19th June 2021. Because who doesn’t want to see some uber-cool chainsaw action?

Feeling like you deserve a sweet encounter of late? Well, you better get a moo-ve on down to the all-new Cowch Oracle Boulevard Broadbeach.

Where: 1 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
When: 7 days 10 am — 10 pm (Sat & Sun 12 am)

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

If you’ve recently found yourself thinking, “there really aren’t enough bars purely dedicated to desserts in the world” you’re not alone and you’re also in luck.

This weekend Burleigh Heads will welcome, you guessed it, a bar purely dedicated to desserts and get out of our way, we’re first in line.

Oh My, Waffle will soon be dishing up the waffle desserts of your dreams thanks to the sweet, after-dinner-dish loving hearts of two local gals, Jessica and Courtney, who are now our favourite people on the whole Gold Coast (sorry everyone else).

The pair say they got their inspiration from decadent waffle creations in Belgium and wanted to bring the tasty treats to the Coast, with a unique little spin of course.

Plus, as you’d well know coffee lovers, it is a fact that there aren’t too many places to grab a cuppa after 2pm around here so the girls are changing that up too with coffees available from morning until night (seeya sleep).

Coupla favourites on the menu are certain to the be the Let’s Get Lit made up of a golden waffle, toasted marshmallows, crushed biscuits and Maltesers drizzled with Whittaker’s Creamy Milk Chocolate! Seriously, help us.

Also the Drop It Like It’s Hot because it’s red velvet hot chocolate, with red velvet cake crumbs and house-made cream cheese frosting and actual dessert dreams come true.

On the menu there’ll be eight types of waffles plus two vegan ones, six milkshakes, a range of gourmet hot chocolates and the option to build your own waffle. So yeah, you can eat two things every day for a week, rinse and repeat.

We hear the interior is the relaxed, good time atmosphere you’d imagine your happy place to be and it comes complete with sneaky artworks praising those who love a good cheat day (us, every day).

Oh My, Waffle coming to a Burleigh near you this weekend.

LOCATION: Underneath The Ambience Tower, 1837 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Words by Kirra Smith. Photos supplied.