Coolangatta is our southernmost suburb and an uncomplicated little town. Apart from when in summer (and outside lockdowns), you can travel between two time zones — by simply crossing the street!

Time travelling aside, Coolangatta has long been loved for its laidback, beachside vibes and of course, pumping surf when the elements align and the swell fills in. These days, there is a multitude of reasons to visit other than amazing beaches and world-class waves. These include outstanding food venues, lively bars and a few other businesses worthy of your attention. So here are some worthy reasons for a nip into Cooly town.

Have a beachside coffee at Vanilla Lily
Quite possibly Coolangatta’s prettiest cafe, Vanilla Lily is serving up solid coffees and fresh eats in a beautiful setting opposite Greenmount Beach. Chill with the local community who love this hangout and enjoy the delectable fare. Our pick is the Avocado Toast with sliced radish, dried chilli flakes, pomegranate and drizzled with raw honey and lemon on a slice of sourdough.
Where: Shop 2, 110 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Drink a beer at the Coolangatta Hotel
The Cooly Hotel is an absolute must-do. This well-known bar is opposite the town’s main stretch of sand and is often the place folks find themselves towards the latter part of the day. The attractions are world-class live music and great vibes aplenty. Pull up a chair and make an afternoon of it with salt-licked breezes blowing and uninterrupted beach views.
Where: Corner Warner Street & Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Enjoy some good food at Choofas Smokehouse & Seafood
Conveniently located on the town’s main street, the guys at Choofas offer some exceptional fresh and cooked seafood alongside BBQ style smoked meats, ribs, buffalo wings, burgers, steak, chicken and salads able to fill all hungry-bellies. The BBQ smoked meats are rubbed with Choofas own dark dry rub, then cooked long and slow to ensure tenderness and flavour. Choofas Horn Bar is also stocked with over 60 top brand rums, otherwise enjoy a cold beer on tap while overlooking Coolangatta beach as the sun goes down.
Where: 150 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Grab a pie from the Coolangatta Pie Shop
This iconic Gold Coast pie shop has been around for over 50 years, so it’s no wonder they’re serving up some of the tastiest pies around. You can also get some outrightly delicious caramel slices while you’re at it. Perfect for a mid-morning fuel up or after a big afternoon session of surfing. Fun fact: they’re open 24 hours on weekends.
Where: 50 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Eat pizza at Francie’s Pizzeria
Francie’s is some of the best pizza you’ll ever sample, so without hesitation, it quickly became the local’s favourite pizza bar. As purely a walk-in and no reservations style venue, swing by ahead of the crowd for delicious and inventive toppings. Our pick is the Pears Brosnan: Gorgonzola, pear, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella. YUM.
Where: 2/102 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Take a stroll through The Strand
The Strand at Coolangatta is a great respite from all the action at the beach. Filled with all you retail needs (ALDI, Woolies etc), dining (the views from the upstairs restaurants are outstanding) and entertainment (hello Timezone and Cooly’s only cinema). Spend some time strolling around the boutique shops in the air-con; you’re sure to find something you love here.
Where: 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Scoop your way through all the flavours at Ottimo
Ottimo serves up great coffee and makes all of their moreish gelatos in-house, but why are their plethora of dazzling flavours so damn good? Likely because the owner and head gelato maker Davide is Italian and has studied for a diploma from the Gelato University of Carpigiani — we didn’t make this up, it’s true!
Where: 18/52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Release your inner child at Timezone
Have the heavens opened up? Or are you simply up for a bit of fun? Timezone Coolangatta features full-sized bowling lanes, over 200 video games, dodgem cars and laser skirmish. Not just one for the kids!
Where: Level 1, 72-80 Marine Parade, The Strand, Coolangatta

Start your day with brekky at South East Espresso
A Cooly favourite for a tasty breakfast and excellent poured Paradox coffee, find South East Espresso tucked a block back from the majestic Rainbow Beach. It’s the ideal spot to satisfy those early morning hankerings, and if you fancy visiting again (which you will after a surf), they’re open for lunch too.
Where: 5 Dutton Street, Coolangatta

Indulge in an Italian feast at Little Cooly
Little Cooly is serving up some mind-blowing handmade pasta alongside a 100-strong Italian wine list that reads like a love letter to Italy itself. If it’s date night, look no further — and if you’re desperate for great pasta, well they have you covered on all bases. In an ode to the local area, dishes have been named after Gold Coast icons and suburbs and shine a light on local produce, for instance The Snapper Rocks features Tweed River prawns, mango, cashews and avocado or The Greenmount features Bangalow bacon, spicy chorizo, a fried egg and mozzarella.
Where: Level 1, Shop 120/72-80 Marine Parade, The Strand, Coolangatta

Get your art on at Maverick Hair & Art Studio
Pop into this tucked away gallery for a fabulous hair spruce up or to enjoy some fresh local art including that of Cooly local Byron Coathup. You’re sure to find sweet, locally designed souvenirs to take home. Your favourite local brand, The Undercurrent is stocked here too. Grab a Cooly tee to remember your time.
Where: First Floor, 1/17 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Take in the view at Greenmount Beach Surf Club
With unsurpassed views in a northerly direction, you can take in everything overlooking the spectacular Greenmount Beach right up to the skyline of Surfers Paradise and, on some days, beyond. If the surf is good, you can also be entertained by surfers as they jostle with each other and generally tear waves apart — the level here is high. Our favourite is an icy schooner in hand and an amber sunset: perfection.
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Eat a burger at Eddie’s Grub House.
Rock ‘n roll meets fried chicken, burgers and whiskey: does it get any better than that? Get a mouthful of naughty but nice American classics in this soul food dive bar. They regularly have live music and karaoke nights and are one of the best spots to catch up with mates before a night on the town.
Where: 171 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Shop local at Cooly’s Beachside Markets
On every second and fourth Sunday of the month, Queen Elizabeth Park comes alive with plenty of local traders selling anything from raw produce to clothing and accessories. The perfect place to take a stroll with a coffee in hand and the sun on your face — be prepared to spend some money.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta

Have a sunset cocktail at Moxy’s Rooftop Bar
This Griffith Street rooftop bar is always packed with sunset and weekend revellers sipping on cocktails living their best lives, and this should include you. Regular DJs and insta-worthy drinks mean this venue is a top place to see in the weekend or alternatively help you get over a hump day from hell. Either way, head upstairs and let the good times roll.
Where: 2/152-154 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Gelato has to be one of the few items you can eat at pretty much any time of the day. Give yourself the chance and before you know it, you’ll be concocting reasons why it’s a good idea to be wolfing down mint choc chip straight after breakfast or savouring ‘fior di latte‘ just before dinner — and to be perfectly honest, we can’t see any problem with that at all.

If you find yourself in Coolangatta with a gelato itch that simply needs to be scratched, the newly opened Ottimo on Marine Parade is the place you have to head for.

Slightly tucked away, yet just off the beach and easily strolled to from either The Strand or Griffith Street makes this charming little gelateria a place you can come back to time and time again. And there’s little doubt that you will.

The approach by owner David was to create a modern diner style space but with carefully considered fittings and art, as well as a respectful nod to Italian culture.

The main counter is made up of recycled wood and was put together by the same hands behind the Dust Temple, behind it you’ll notice a mural depicting the old days of Italy, whilst overhead there’s a futuristic light installation by local artist Clayton Blake.

All this makes for an eye-catching and cool space which could potentially distract you from the most important thing at hand — the gelato!

Now, you know you’re in safe hands when the owner has his diploma from the Gelato University of Carpigiani in Italy hanging on the wall. No joke. The result? One of the best gelatos you are likely to wrap your tongue around outside of Italy, topped off by the fact all of that sweet goodness is made fresh on-site, in-store, every day.

Flavours include all the usual suspects, but we insist you have to try the Aussie Dream: Macadamia, banana and caramel as well as the Oreo Menta: Oreos with mint choc chip. Shucks, why not have them together?

Italians are famous for their coffee and Ottimo serves up the real deal. Italian roasted beans from Julius Meinl as well as Organic Teas are served throughout the day, beside a selection of tasty pastries for a lighter take on breakfast. Because on some days, eggs, bacon and all of the sourdough are just a bit too much, right?

Hours: 7 days, 8am – 9.20pm
Where: Shop 18/52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Alex Mitcheson

Do you go weak at the knees at the mere mention of a poké bowl, acai bowl, smoothie or juice? Yep, we do too because besides tasting redonkulously good, they also kinda make us feel like Kayla Itsines because we’re sure this is what the fit and fabulous folk eat and drink, like, every day. We know we’re not alone here, so let’s talk about newcomer Bowl & Blend. Situated in effortlessly cool Coolangatta, we don’t care if you live in Coomera because the great southern trek is worth it for a healthy Hawaiian hit of this calibre.

After recently relocating from the big smoke (aka Sydney CBD), award-winning restaurateur Kim Udomdej opted for a sea change – and thank God for that! With a vision to give us Coasties high-quality, organic, ethically sourced and reasonably priced eats, Bowl & Blend was born. We’re talking hand-picked local ingredients here which not only give her cred for sourcing from her own backyard but seriously elevate the flavour.

This coastal juice bar looks the part with fitting tropical accents and a modern bohemian interior. One can never go wrong with a bit of boho so we fully support this styling choice, which is complimented beautifully by the breathtaking ocean backdrop.

The Salty Squid Poké Bowl has the locals lining up and we concur, because anything involving squid is always on our radar. The Miss Piggy Poké Bowl certainly gives it a run for its money in the popularity stakes, and not because we all have fond memories of The Muppets, but because it is downright delish.

Or, perhaps you’re channelling some acai and of course you are – we all are. All.the.time. Bowl and Blend’s classic Acai Bowl feeds the eyes as much as the stomach and gives us everything we could ever want from our superfood-infused fave. If you’re looking for that Insta-Acai bowl, this is THE place. Each acai bowl is meticulously loaded with fresh fruits, edible flowers galore and cute little frozen fruits in the shape of butterflies, making it a tough decision to eat or just admire.

Moving on to the smoothie selection, the Green Hydrate provides the pick-me-up you’re craving, or for a post-workout (or not) fix, the Blueberry Power with banana, pumpkin seeds, protein powder, cardamon and milk (if you feel that way inclined) hits all the right notes. Fun fact: this crowd fave has recently undergone an upgrade, using almonds and hemp meal instead of nut butter for a nuttier, creamier flavour and texture. Genius!

Juice junkies will love that they can freestyle with their order, as Kim will blend whatever floats your boat. Or, if you’d prefer to colour within the lines and stick to something tried and tested, may we recommend the Detox Juice….especially on a Monday because Sunday sessions are still a vibe. Jam-packed with beetroot, carrot, apple, lemon and ginger, you’ll feel fresh as a daisy.

Or if you want something of the latte variety, order yourself a Turmeric, Matcha or Beetroot Latte because damn, these things look so pretty and we simply must order all of them.

Whether you’re a health enthusiast or just a good ‘ole fashioned taste enthusiast (we’re both – depending on how much grape juice we’ve sampled the night before…), pay Bowl & Blend a visit. You can thank us later.

Where: 64 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
When: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm

Words by Bianca Trathen.