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Grab baked treats to-go at Custard Canteen’s Drive Thru

They’re also doing breakfast, lunch and din din's.

In what can only be described as the best news ever, beloved local bakehouse Custard Canteen has created a pop-up drive-thru service so you can literally sit in your car, order epic baked goods (among other things), have them delivered through the window by people who are clearly having the time of their lives and roll on home to devour in peace.

Or eat them before you get home if you’re us, who live two minutes away and are both very hungry and very lazy. It’s genius and one thing we would like to see more of post this strange new world we find ourselves in.

Portugese Tarts, Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Portugese Tarts, Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Custard Canteen is owned by Ben and Ursula Watts (also of Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse fame) and as we all know, they’re an innovative pair. Together they’ve created some of the absolute best eateries on the Gold Coast, filled with the very tastiest sweet treats there are in the world.

Not only sweet treats though, they also offer exceptional breakfast and lunch eats plus the recently launched Drive Thru Din Din’s menu, coffee, thickshakes, all of the things.

No doubt you’re aware but if you’ve not yet sampled the goodness, Custard Canteen can be found at the Tallebudgera Creek Recreation Centre and the drive thru is directly in front of the space.

From there, you can order their absolutely mind-blowing custard tarts, hot cookies, almond tarts (mini versions of their AMAZING almond croissants), the new hot apple and custard pastry, which is life changing plus a whole menu with non-sweet things.

The Drive Thru Din Din’s menu offers the Furphy Fish and Chips which is the goods, as is the Karaage Chicken Rice Bowl, the Bob Burger and their famous Prawn Po Boy along with many other delicious options.

The café is still open if you prefer walking into places but if you’re all about changing from day pyjamas to night pyjamas and back again these days, the drive thru is for you.

You can grab brekky and lunch from 6.30am until 2pm every day and Drive Thru Din Din’s runs from 4.30pm until 7.30pm daily.

What are you waiting for, a dancing Tiger King lookalike (with accompanying tiger pup) awaits your presence and those custard tarts are calling your name.

Get in there for some of the best eats around.

LOCATION: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 6.30am until 2pm and 4.30pm until 7.30pm daily

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

A new pastry haven by the Bam Bam Bakehouse team

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

In what might just be the most perfect start to any week in the history of weeks, the team behind Gold Coast favourites Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse (love y’all) have opened a new venue and we are happy dancing all over the place.

Its called Custard Canteen (another winner in the name department) and as of right now, it can be found at Talle Creek within the Recreation Centre complex and oh yes friends, it’s the goods.

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

You won’t miss the newbie, red and white striped flags are dotted throughout the expansive garden area and of course there will be heavenly scents wafting out from within.

Pull up a seat on one of the two outdoor decks, under said umbrellas or lay out a picnic rug and kick back on the grass with your furry mate (or your regular mate). There are flowers and plants everywhere and it’s a little garden oasis complete with some of the very best eats around.

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Let’s discuss those shall we. Now as you’d know, if you’ve ever had the pleasure of sampling any of the teams’ other goodies (if you haven’t, are you even a Gold Coaster) they’re the very best around. A WHOLE LOT of research goes into every single thing Ben, Ursula and their crew create to ensure consistent perfection.

Which is exactly what you’re going to experience at Custard Canteen, particularly in the form of their hero product, Portuguese Tarts. Heaven on Earth you guys.

Portugese Tarts, Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Portugese Tarts, Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

So they’re layers of crisp, pastry encasing warm, sweet love-of-our-lives custard that kind of explodes in your mouth when you bite into it. In the most amazing possible way obviously.

Besides those, there are Almond Croissant Tarts, which are indeed tart versions of their famous Almond Croissants and gooey, melty cookies that are the love of our lives also.

If you’re in the market for a savoury something, there’s a whole menu for that too. From the Butter Boy (their little mascot) Benny with streaky bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise on a puff pastry parcel to their (also famous) Prawn Po Boy with crispy buttermilk prawns, salad things and remoulade on a milk hoagie, it’s all delightful.

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Oh and there’s also exceptional Bacon and Egg Rolls and a must-try French Toast Toastie which is a sourdough Monte Cristo with ham, Swiss cheese, maple and cinnamon sugar. Plus burgers and a hot dog and all your favourite roll-off-the-sand treats.

So basically all you need to do is frolic in Talle Creek, pop over for some goodies, rinse and repeat. Best time ever.

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Custard Canteen, what are you waiting for Gold Coasters?

LOCATION: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Daily 6.30am until 2.30pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

16 of the sweetest Gold Coast bakeries

Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Custard Canteen (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Oh baked goods, why do you taunt us so. Taste sensations, tick. Better with butter, tick. Comforting when cold, tick, tick, tick. They’re almost too good to be true but, as demonstrated below, they are true and there are Gold Coast bakeries galore which is just fine by us.

Here’s a list of the top 16 bakeries within which you’ll find said exceptional baked treats and happy carb loading Coasties.

Custard Canteen
From 5:30am-2:30pm daily, Custard Canteen is known for cranking out absolute next-level Portuguese custard tarts, almond croissants, loaded muffins, the gooiest of cookies and various breakfast and lunch goods. Wash it all down nicely with a cup of their exceptional coffee.
Where: Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

The Pastry Emporium
Taking it up a notch from the good old-fashioned bakery, here you’ll find pastries baked to perfection with not a flake out of place by Adrian Graziloi. Think escargot pastries (aka, snail pastries) finished with apricot glaze, crushed pistachio and rock sugar and an array of pinky-raising single-serve cakesandtarts. The Pastry Emporium conjures up otherworldly cakes and desserts while also delivering necessities like delicious breads and coffee. If you moved in there, we wouldn’t judge you. Please invite us over.
Where: 4/28 Campbell St, Bundall

The Pastry Emporium (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
The Pastry Emporium (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Bam Bam Bakehouse
Needing no introduction is Mermaid’s Bam Bam Bakehouse – creators of the most original baked treats the Gold Coast has ever seen and the absolute love of our lives if we’re honest. Known for creations such as Salted Caramel Eclairs and Ink Gin Choux Bomb, it’s another level of baked treat magic and everything tastes more delicious than you could possibly imagine.
Where: 2519 – 2521 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Paddock Bakery
Hidden amdist a little garden oasis is Paddock Bakery, a cafe/garden wonderland in Miami cranking out insane baked goods. How about a Matcha NY Baked Cheesecake? Yah. Milo Croissant Rings are also a thing and their oozing choc chip cookies are the real deal. They have an impressive and ever-changing doughnut selection, and there’s always something new to blow your dessert loving mind.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

Caramilk Cookie, Paddock Bakery (Image supplied)
Caramilk Cookie, Paddock Bakery (Image supplied)

Fosters Bakery
Fosters is a Nobby’s institution that has been serving up legendary classics all day, every day, for many a year. Their pies are some of the best around; we may be known to indulge in them for breakfast, lunch and dinner for many days running. Their vanilla slice, custard tarts and doughnuts are always a good idea. It’d be wise to treat their pie and doughnut selection as a checklist to try them all.
Where: 1/2227 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Burleigh Baker
For the love of sourdough, this place is the goods. We’re partial to the olive sourdough because olives are life, but there are many varieties, all of which are the perfect addition to a warming soup and/or lathered with butter. Oh, and all their sourdough is of the organic and artisan varieties AND they make incredible cakes like a Raspberry and Pistachio with honey frosting and honey caramel drizzle. Two, please. Find them in Burleigh (obvs), but also Paradise Point!
Where: 13/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads and Shop 7/46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point

Burleigh Baker, Paradise Point (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)
Burleigh Baker, Paradise Point (Image: © 2020 Inside Gold Coast)

Fuel Bakehouse
Soooo many delicious things come out of this place you guys. We’re talking custard-filled, sprinkle-topped, meringue-crumbled, Nutella oozing (etc. etc.) doughnuts. Not just muffins, but cruffins. Your ol’reliable bacon and egg rolls, and some of the tastiest pies around town.  There are three Fuel Bakehouse locations (Currumbin, Burleigh and Cabarita), so you need not worry about missing out. And you absolutely don’t want to miss out.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters, 39-45 Tweest Coast Rd, Cabarita and Shop 1/23 James St, Burleigh Heads

Coolangatta Pie Shop
Want to know what we pray for? Generously filled pies with flaky pastry that are available from an absolute institution 7 days a week. Turns out we don’t need to pray, as this already exists! The iconic Coolangatta Pie Shop has proudly served at the NSW and QLD border since 1964. There are also tasty sweet treats and we recommend the Macadamia Slice thingo because caramel is life.
Where: 50 Griffith St, Coolangatta

Dipcro Pastry, Chevron Island (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
Various pastries at Dipcro Pastry, Chevron Island (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Dipcro Pastry
Dipcro (verb): means to dip a flaking-ly fabulous croissant into a silky smooth coffee. The result is usually a feeling of unadulterated pleasure. Not to state the obvious, but you find that feeling at Chevron Island’s Dipcro Pastry in endless supply. They’re a patisserie that specialises in the scrumptious art of all things pastry and puff. A Matcha Mochi Pastry Tart anyone? How about an Espresso Tiramisu Mille Feuille? Or the Hazelnut Praline Cromboloni?!! Okay, we have to stop there- we’re afraid you may die of a pastry-induced coma if we go on.
Where: 55 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island

Franquette
With a name like Franquette (pronounced Fraen-ket), a mind naturally conjures up images of all kinds of French-inspired splendour. And you’d be right on the baguette. Franquette is one of Mt Tamborine’s latest editions – a French bakery that was quickly beloved by locals and visitors alike. They’ve got more loaf varieties than you can poke a breadstick at and freshly prepared sandwiches and baguettes with THE most scrumptious fillings. Then there’s the sweet French pâtisserie- do we really need to convince you how good they are?
Where: 155 Long Road, Tamborine Mountain

Croissants at Franquette, Mt Tamborine (image by Two Birds Social)
Croissants at Franquette, Mt Tamborine (image by Two Birds Social)

Tarte Bakery + Beach House
If you reside on the Gold Coast and haven’t yet experienced, or worse, heard of Tarte Bakery (or their sister venue, Tarte Beach House), then we’ve found you at a bittersweet juncture. You get to make up for lost time! Let us enlighten you on what awaits. Cue the song: ‘Strawberries on muffins and bacon on bagels. Brown butter cookies and truffle cheese toasties. Golden croissants dipped in pistachio cream – these are a few of our favourite things (at Tarte). Thanks, Julie Andrews, for putting that so melodiously into words.
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads (Tarte Bakery) and Shop 1, 2-4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin (Tarte Beach House)

Well Bread & Pastry
If you’re looking for a down-to-earth bakery where you can grab yourself a well-poured coffee, some incredible pastries and breads and a space where you can catch up with a friend, then say hello to Well Bread & Pastry. It’s a euro-infused bakery with two locations in Palm Beach and Miami. All their sourdough is made using sustainable stone ground flour (and lots of love), and their coffee is made with Paradox beans. And just like their pies, their cabinets are always filled to the brim with drool-worthy croissants, pain au chocolats and biscuits galore. Cappuccino cheers to that!
Where: 6 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach and 1934 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami

Pastry selection at Well Bread & Pastry, Miami (Image: © 2024 Inside Gold Coast)
Pastry selection at Well Bread & Pastry, Miami (Image: © 2024 Inside Gold Coast)

Bread Social
If you’re a fan of mouth-wateringly good, cooked-with-love baked treats (if you’re not, you’re lost in the wrong article), then you will have absolutely sampled the goods from The Bread Social – they’re an in-demand Northern NSW and Southern Queensland baked goods supply. If you’re visiting in person, you can find them at Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Currumbin and the Isle of Capri. And when you are visiting, here’s your hit list: the Reuben sandwich, an extra large Custard Tart and a Cinnamon Scroll made with crème patisserie and dusted with cinnamon sugar & pinch of salt. We’ll see you rollin…out the door.
Where: 12A Bay St, Tweed Heads; 2 Queensbury Ave Currumbin Waters; 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale and 15-21 Via Roma Isle of Capri

Rise Bakery
Picture your next Sunday morning; a fresh spread of French pastries behold you, and mimosas (plural) are in place of your water (H2O is taking a day off). Life is splendorous. That’s Rise Bakery for you; a sanctuary where butter, sugar and flour rise together and are served in the form of lunettes, pain suisse, baguettes and croissants. Your only complication is deciding what to have next coffee or champagne? Sweet or savoury? Life’s hard…
Where: Shop C/ 4 Masthead Way, The Marine Village, Sanctuary Cove

The Bread Social, Currumbin Waters (Image: © 2024 Inside Gold Coast)
The Bread Social, Currumbin Waters (Image: © 2024 Inside Gold Coast)

GLUTEN FREE

Sacre Coeur Pâtisserie
If you’re a big flan of baked goods, but your dietaries aren’t typically down with the likes of cakes, croissants, and flaky treats – doughnut worry! Serving a fresh-baked selection of specialty pastries, cakes, pies, coffees and more, Sacre Coeur Patisserie is a plant-based bakehouse that prides itself on a healthier approach to typical Parisian fare with a range of refined sugar-free creations. Think pistachio croissants, peanut butter caramel scrolls and Mint and Matcha New York-style cheesecake! It’s hard to imagine how such scrumptious goodies could be aftermath-free!
Where: 158 Scarborough Street, Southport

Made with Love
It’s not often that vegans and pastries can walk hand in hand, but thanks to this Southport bakery, they can finally be able to make it down the aisle together. Made with Love ( and zero harm) is a god-sent for the plant-based peeps and dietary-restricted alike. On offer are Nutella and custard-laden doughnuts, danishes that will quickly vanish, sausage rolls and ham and cheese croissants (don’t ask questions; just devour and appreciate the outright wizardry).
Where: 19 Alicia Street, Southport

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Fruit tarts at Sacre Coeur Patisserie, Southport (Image: © 2024 Inside Gold Coast)
Fruit tarts at Sacre Coeur Patisserie, Southport (Image: © 2024 Inside Gold Coast)

Bam Bam Bakehouse

JEOPARDY TIME…

QUESTION: WHAT IS AN ARTISAN PATISSERIE BY DAY WITH AN ASIAN FUSION MENU BY NIGHT?

ANSWER: BAM BAM BAKEHOUSE

Not long ago, Bam Bam Bakehouse decided to blow us all away by announcing they were opening Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for dinner.

Bam Bam is no secret hot spot. There is a constant explosion of people lining up to taste one of their delicious strawberry tarts or signature Bam Bam Benny’s. In fact, tables fill up so quickly that Bam Bam has started handing out picnic blankets and delivering baskets to people willing to really soak up the alfresco dining experience in the adjacent park.

So when announcing they were opening for dinner, we couldn’t wait to see if the menu was worth gathering the squad for.

Looking over the quiet park at night, the atmosphere in the venue is warm and private. The decor hints French countryside meets New York industrial. Think fresh flowers and delicate tiles contrasted by recycled timber and a mixed height tables paired with metal stools. Twinkling candle light gives an eternal dusky mood while the warmth from the outdoor heaters will keep the winter chill at bay.

The distinction between the day/night menu is clear with the Asian additions like Steamed White Fish Dumplings made fresh with shitake mushrooms and Coconut Prawns battered in Stone & Wood. The Katsu Sando with panko dumbed chicken schnitzel, white cabbage, house Tonkatsu sauce and Paddock Bakery Scotch loaf is irresistible. If you didn’t know, Paddock and Bam Bam are sister restaurants. Paddock makes the breads and Bam Bam makes the sweets and then they swap. But back to food, the Thai Beef Salad featuring hot smoked beef, roasted peanuts and Naam jim is perfect for a lighter taste explosion. If you want to bust out the big guns (which we suggest you do) you’ve got to get a side of the Special Soft Shell Crab Chinese Fried Rice with your order. Put a little Sriracha on the side to detonate serious flavour.

On Thursdays be sure to hit up Holy Schnit! night featuring $18.90 Chicken Parmi, rocket salad, chips and a Stone & Wood (what a deal!).

Since dinner is only served Thursday – Sunday it would be a sin not to indulge in at least one of their cocktails. The Elderflower Margarita is a best seller, but we thought the Midori & Cointreau cocktail, the classic Japanese Slipper really packed a punch! The Ink Gin & Tonic is just so pretty too.

As Bam Bam Bakehouse is a patisserie by day, it’s unacceptable to leave without trying one of their Sweet Thangs. The interactive Choux Bomb Sundae is truly the way to go. Crispy choux pastry, crunchy praline croustillant, caramelised hazelnuts, vanilla soft serve and a pour-it-yourself nutella hot fudge sauce is a flavour combination so deadly, we can’t guarantee you won’t die of happiness.

 

Monday – Sunday – breakfast / lunch 7:00am – 3:00pm

Thursday – Sunday – snacks 2:00pm – 5:00pm, dinner 5:00pm – late

2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

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