If, like us, Turkish eats are a thing you never knew you could fall in love with, today is your lucky day. Particularly if you are of the Coomera-based persuasion (and if not, make it your business to get there asap).

Elk Bakehouse opened not too long ago and with it, comes an absolute abundance of the tastiest Turkish-inspired treats you should get in your life RIGHT NOW.

Quite obviously, anything with the word bakehouse in it is a thing we can get behind. Purely because it means food is baked there and baked food is our favourite kind. Elk Bakehouse is no exception with cabinets jam-packed with pies, Turkish-style pastries, cakes, you name it.

They’re all found within a cosy little space inspired by snowy winters spent by the fire in a sweet little pine tree-surrounded log cabin. Sounds heavenly doesn’t it. Elk is all exposed brick walls, matte black accents and a select few plants to bring it all together. It’s delightful.

Owners Pinar and Jade Carpaz, a mother and daughter team and two of the loveliest ladies you’ll ever meet, opened the venue in honour of Pinar’s late mother whose cooking influences feature throughout the delightful Turkish dishes. It’s their first venue and we are quite the fans of everything about it.

So what should you eat? Well everything but, of course, we’ll be specific.

The Börek is a crispy, baked pastry made with thin flaky dough and filled with cheese and it is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

The Simit is a Turkish street bagel that’s extremely popular in Turkey (and now in Coomera too). You may also (and should) choose the Simit Toastie which is said bagel stuffed with Turkish pastrami and cheese and so very good.

Also taste a Sigara (cigar roll). There are two flavours, spinach and fetta and savoury mince and you may as well take one of each.

There is also a Sucuk (dry, spicy sausage) pie that might just be the best pie in all the world.

Of course, there are all the regular suspects if you want something a little closer to home; chicken farmhouse pies, other kinds of pies (all of which are golden and crunchy and smell divine), salads and the like.

For dessert, make sure you try Pinar’s carrot cake and the Semolina cake is worth a sample too. Don’t blame us if you roll out of there please.

To wash it all down, go with a Turkish coffee or tea and let us know how that goes won’t you.

There are also some absolutely stunning Turkish homewares you’ll want to take home with you. Sorry about it.

So. If you’re in the market for next-level eats in a space that’s been put together with a whole lot of heart, look no further than Elk Bakehouse and definitely wear your stretchy pants.

LOCATION: Shop 7/1 Commercial St, Upper Coomera
HOURS: 7am until 4pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Hands down, our favourite meal is brunch. It brings together the best of breakfast and lunch and srsly who doesn’t love a two-for-one. In particular, a brunch affair with the word ‘bottomless’ at the start gets us all kinds of woo-girly, and that’s before we’ve even had a drop of booze.

We’re so passionate about this mid-morning (usually) weekend ritual that we felt compelled to pen a list of GC places serving up bottomless brunch bonanzas.

From north to south, gather your mates, don your stretchy pants and jump on the brunch bandwagon!

The Langham Gold Coast
If it’s a super bougie bottomless brunch you crave, the Taittinger Champagne Brunch at The Langham Gold Coast’s Akoya restaurant is calling your name. Overlooking glittering aquamarine waters and miles of beautiful coastline, Akoya presents some of Australia’s finest meat, fish, and poultry, as well as handcrafted cocktails. Getting down to brunch business, choose from the buffet style food-only option for $165 per person, or do the brunch name proud and upgrade to the $258 per person option, which includes a bottle of Taittinger (per two people). #HowNowBrownCow! Available 11am to 3pm Sundays.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Pavilion
The Surfers Pav always delivers the goods and this is especially so when we’re talking about their Brunch Club experience. The perfect waterfront setting, DJs will be on the decks from midday to set the mood. Choose from the $59 per head package including a selection of oysters, or the $99 per head package with a choice of cauliflower popcorn, calamari or chicken riblets, followed by either nachos, lamb ragu, fish and chips, or mushroom lasagne. Both packages entitle you to Prosecco, bellinis, mimosas, pineapple mimosas, mango mimosas, Pav lager, soft drink and juices, kicking off any time from 12.30pm.
Where: 30 – 34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Hyde Paradiso
It’s the ultimate beachside brunch overlooking the ocean and yeah, we had you at beachside. For $99, tuck into the Standard Brunch with a four-course mixed Mediterranean inspired tapas feast and two hours of Chandon Brut, Chandon Rosé, premium tap beers, Aperol Spritz, Bellini Spritz and Limoncello Spritz (#Limoncello4Life). Or for an extra $40 per person, they’ll fancy-up your champers to Veuve Yellow Label, Veuve Rich and Veuve Rosé. OR, if you’re a sucker for a mojito (duh), sign up for the mojito upgrade. An additional $40 per person gives you access to classic, strawberry, watermelon, and lychee mojitos. Minimum of 2 people and available Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 2pm.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

The Island Gold Coast
The Island knows the way to our hearts, bringing us not one but two brunch offerings.

Grazy Days Lunch
Firstly, check out Grazy Days Lunch and yes, it’s technically a lunch but details #samesamebutdifferent. Enjoy a menu featuring charcuterie to start, followed by Asian shredded coleslaw with karaage chicken, edamame with a ginger peanut dressing, and wood-fired pizzas. Wash it all down with mimosas, blueberry and peach fizz, passion fruit and vanilla spritz and watermelon margarita spritz. Available Saturdays and Sundays (two sittings) for $79 per person.

Brunch with Bite
For something a little (or a lot) sparklier, Duke’s Parlour is once again hosting the popular Brunch with Bite series. Enjoy the divalicious and hilarious antics of our finest drag queens while you kick back with a welcome drink, and a two-hour grazing brunch and drinks package, including jugs of spritz (jugs…hehe), mimosas, bloody marys, premium beers, sangria, soft drinks, juice and mocktails. Always on a Saturday, check the website for available dates. $79.90 per person.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Elk Espresso
Grab the gang and rock up to Elk (no bookings required) for their famous bottomless brunch. Select any dish from the sumptuous menu and receive bottomless mimosas for an hour. That’s sixty minutes of mimosa action and nope, we sure as heck ain’t driving. Pouring three refreshing types of mimosas to sample coz variety is the spice of life, try the classic, strawberry lime and tropical varieties. You certainly don’t have to tell us twice! Available daily from 10am. $49 per head.
Where: Oasis Shopping Centre (opposite the beach), Broadbeach

Ally Chow
Ally Chow dishes up Asian fusion done right, and their two brunch options do not disappoint. For $99 per person, the Chow Out features the Chef’s choice banquet with two-hours of bottomless thai basil caprisokas, Asahi beer and prosecco. Or, have a go of the Margarita Lunch Banquet and yes, this has us written all over it. For $120, enjoy the same offerings mentioned above, only substitute bottomless caprioskas for bottomless margis! Once again recognised with the Australian Good Food Guides Chef Hat Award, this one is a no-brainer.
Where: Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach

Mr Hizola’s
Your numero uno contemporary Cantonese restaurant invites one and all to partake in a bottomless brunch, with a bowl and booze picked by you! Choose your bowl with either the duck spring roll, veg spring roll and kung pao chicken, wok vegetables with sesame dressing, or the yang-yang crispy beef with yang zhou fried rice. Pair it two hours of bottomless tap beers or endless Shaojiu spirtz in peach strawberry, mango, watermelon, passionfruit or our pick, lychee. Available from 12pm – 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Minimum of two people for $65 per person.
Where: 1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

The Tropic
The GC’s favourite ocean-view venue, The Tropic, offers a solid ten bottomless brunch and absolutely nobody is surprised to hear this. Taking place exclusively on the terrace, not only will you be privy to multi-million-dollar views and DJ beats, but deliciously fresh seafood and innovative fare. Think oysters, spiced bread, burrata, tuna tartare, chocolate fondant and more. Pair everything with bottomless Chandon for $145 per person, or up the ante for an additional $32 per head and sip bottomless Veuve Clicquot. Don’t mind if we do! Available on the last Saturday of every month – see you there!
Where: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Let’s face it, keeping one’s Instagram ahead of the pack is often a full-time job. And when you live in one of the best cities, with a coastline that is nothing short of captivating (literally every day), then making sure you have the pictures that will make everyone envious is a priority. Whether your Instagram account has masses of die-hard fans eyeing up everything you do, or you simply like taking photos just for the sake of taking photos, what’s important here, is that you get THE shot!

Seeing as we are blessed with awesome places to eat and while away our best lives, then taking pictures whilst out and about is a smart move. We’re talking cafes, restaurants and bars where the aesthetics — and you combined — are a match made in heaven. So many to choose from though, right? Our research has taken the load off your shoulders as we have the most Insta-worthy brunch spots on the Gold Coast for you. Happy snapping!

Nineteen at The Star
Who hasn’t seen the pictures doing the rounds of people looking absolutely fabulous at Nineteen at The Star? If you haven’t, we suggest you Google some: stat! Besides the amazing views across Broadbeach at over 200 feet with unrestricted panoramas, the sophisticated setting both in the restaurant and bar provides ample opportunity to capture yourself with a sprinkling of luxury. While you’re at it, treat yo self ever to something decadent from Executive Chef Uday Huja‘s Sunday Brunch menu. May we suggest the Eggs Benedict with Dill Ocean Trout or Ham, Poached Eggs and Brown Butter Hollandaise matched with a Champagne Brunch 2 hour beverage package? Insta-game officially leveled up.
Where: The Darling at The Star, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

The Tropic
With arguably one of the best views of the Gold Coast coastline, The Tropic was a no-brainer for this list. But it’s not all about those unbelievable pastel hue sunsets, oh no. Inside, the restaurant gives off a luxe Miami yacht club vibe with an overall neutral theme vibrantly juxtaposed with colour from plants, chairs, and even the plates. Did we mention the food is next level? We suggest it’s time to round up the girls and clear your calendar for the last Saturday of every month for The Tropic’s Brunch – it’s one you won’t regret! (Not that anyone has ever regretted a Brunch!)
Where: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Mavis’s Kitchen
The drive out here alone will have you pulling over several times to snap away. However, upon arrival you’ll be treated to one of the Northern River’s most scenic and tucked away dining gems. The cute whitewash colonial-style building is just adorable with grassy paddocks and a gurgling stream that lead your eyes to escarpments around Mount Warning. Do brunch your way when you pre order Mavis’s Kitchen Picnic Hamper filled with cheeses, a charcuterie selection, seasonal dips, cake of the day, freshly baked vegetable frittata and more. If you stay onsite, they’ll even throw in the picnic rug so you can cozy up by the nearby dam and enjoy the simple sound of nature…. Bliss!
Where: 64 Mount Warning Road, Mount Warning, NSW

Saltwater at Currumbin
Our creeks and waterways around the Gold Coast are often overlooked or even worse, completely forgotten as we go about our everyday lives. One stretch of water that deserves your attention any day of the week is Currumbin Creek. Saltwater at Currumbin entirely takes advantage of its waterside location and gives you endless dabbled light and beautiful colours of blue to play around with. It’s impossible to take a bad photo here. Couple that backdrop with a lazy Sunday spent enjoying a Berry Bircher Museli or Eggs Benedict and you’re onto a winner!
Where:2/4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin

Palm Springs
If clean white lines, cacti and Cali-vibes raise your heart rate, then we suggest you schedule a post with a pic from this North Burleigh newbie. Based on a unique southern Californian aesthetic mashed with our very own sub-tropical climate, the interior (and exterior) are full of epic chances for you to strike a pose. Also, doggos are most welcome to join you! So get a snap with your floof, grab your Salsa Scrambled Eggs and a margarita too (because yes they serve morning margis!).
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

South East Espresso
Way down in Coolangatta, this under-the-radar backstreet café is the perfect location after a beach swim or your ritual easy-Sunday-morning Ham Hock Smashed Avo. The warm saffron rendered walls are the perfect backdrop for your best linen attire with contrast minimalistic shades of grey. If you take a seat on their pavement side leather cushioned bench, prepare to make friends with a legion of four-legged friends. Don’t worry; they shouldn’t mind one bit making a guest appearance on your story.
Where: 229 Boundary Street, Coolangatta

Highline
When an uber-cool mid-century fit-out combines with incredible coffee art, the result is Highline in Palm Beach. A firm favourite with the locals and for good reason. All of the dishes here are put together with a strong ethos that you also eat with your eyes. Add in some polished concrete flooring and all the toasty coloured wood features, and your brunch-time snap is destined to be a crowd-pleaser. Because who wouldn’t want a 3 cheese, wild mushroom, chive Jaffle pictured in a more perfect setting?
Where: 5/10 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach

Milkman’s Daughter
When the Gold Coast first laid eyes on this angelic Mermaid Beach all-vegetarian brunch spot, we’re sure there was a collective swoon moment. The textured white exterior walls alone would typically be enough to have our phones out and ready for a sneaky snap. However, the true treasure is inside when you lay eyes on the sweetest-looking backlit booths with arched ceilings and hanging plants. If you are lucky enough to secure the booth, do yourself a favour and cement it in the form of an insta-post accompanied with your Lemon Ricotta Fluffy Pancakes with house tumeric vanilla custard, passionfruit reduction, berries and herbs.
Where: 2/42 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach

Paddock Bakery
We think we’re correct to state that Paddock is one of the Gold Coasts’ most tagged eats/drinks hotspots to date. Period. So, what makes it so unique? It could be the quaint English-style garden exterior, or the original vintage Queenslander converted main building, maybe it’s the iconic Dippy Eggs or their ridiculously good-looking baked goods (shout out to their Almond Croissants) which are often only just out the oven? But, you know what, we think it’s all of them!
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Want to see more insta-worthy spots? Follow Inside Gold Coast on Instagram here!

Words by Alex Mitcheson.