The best in the biz are at it again.
The best in the biz are at it again.
Sweet news out of Varsity Lakes today Gold Coasters in the form of a fresh new donut joint that you no doubt already know and love.
Yes, it’s D Point 10 and they’re slowly but surely taking over our seaside city.
They began their sweet journey with a stand alone store up Southport way, migrated south to Broadbeach, north to Upper Coomera, out into Pacific Fair (within Bookface) and now, to the lovely little suburb that is Varsity Lakes.
And absolutely nobody is mad about it.
The new Varsity Lakes space can be found on Varsity Parade with street frontage, that means you can pull up a chair and people watch all day long, while sampling every single donut flavour obviously.
You can also sit inside and stare lovingly at said donuts should that be your preference.
Let’s chat said flavours shall we, because it’s quite the good time.
There are both mini and large varieties of donuts and we’ll start with the small ones and work our way up.
Choose from M&M, Oreo, Custard, Choc Custard, Red Velvet, Salted Caramel, Jam, Nutella, Vanilla and Cinnamon. You can get four of those for $12 and six for $18.
In the large varieties, there are some of the same mini flavours plus absolute delights like Crème Brulee, Gaytime and WAIT FOR IT, Caramilk!
Guys, if there is good thing that comes out of this year, let it be known that Caramilk is it. And in donut form, send help.
You might need a coffee to both stay awake for all the eating and also to wash those tasty treats down and so, there are Common cuppas plus Chai Lattes, Dirty Chais and teas.
All donuts are made fresh daily and you should absolutely get involved in every single flavour right now. The more the better right?
Love your work D Point 10.
LOCATION: A2/201 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
HOURS: 7am until 3pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
It’s been a minute since we’ve had the pleasure of venturing out Varsity Lakes way but here we are with news from the crew there.
A new venue has arrived and it’s bringing all your whisky sipping, tasty snack eating dreams to life. It’s called The Rusty Barrel and it’s the work of local lad Billy Crean who sought to breathe some newness into Varsity’s bustling little business precinct.
And that he has with a new bar and eatery that’s serving up something quite different to the norm.
You can find The Rusty Barrel just behind Hotel CBD, it’s a 70-seat space with both indoor and outdoor seating areas and a sweet little garden area soon to be overgrown with greenery.
Unsurprisingly, the space is decked out with rum barrels, sourced from Beenleigh Distillery, a mural taking up the length of one wall and a delightful neon sign shining out from another stating “we’re all mad here” and same, to be honest.
Let’s chat drinks first and the cocktail list has been created by local legend Jesse Chan, who knows all of the things about tasty tipples and there are many on it you should sample.
Starting with a Kaffir Lime and Agave-infused Old Fashioned which smells as good as it tastes and (as with many of the cocktails on the list) is infused with a housemade syrup and is so very delicious.
Not only that one though, The Chilli Jam is made with House made chilli tequila, agave, grapefruit and lime and is a little party in your mouth. We also loved the PBJs which is made with Vizor Peanut Butter Schnapps, J Cartron Coconut Liqueur, strawberries, lemon and peanut crumble.
All the good sips guys.
To eat, there are both share-style and keep-to-yourself-style options so you can choose your own adventure in that regard.
Small plate-wise there are dishes like Port Lincoln Kingfish Ceviche with pickled jalapeno, coriander, kaffir lime, avo mousse and beetroot Wagyu, King Prawn and Barramundi Sugarcane Skewers and Koji-marinated Tuna Tartare with Buckwheat Bark. Tasty.
You may also indulge in big old burgers like the Barrel’s Brisket Ragu Burger, the Zucchini and Corn Cheese Burgers and the BBQ Peri Peri Chicken Burger. There’s a tasting trio of sliders if you fancy a little bit of everything.
Not only all of that though, there’ll also be live music on Saturday nights. How fun.
Get into Varsity and give them some love.
LOCATION: 11/228 Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes
HOURS: Wednesday until Sunday 11.30am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Finally, a day dedicated to eating the best food on earth. It’s International Doughnut Day on Friday, 6th June, and can we get a hallelujah?!
The day was created by The Salvation Army during the Great Depression in 1938 to honour the women (also known as Dough Lassies) who volunteered to serve doughnuts to soldiers in World War I and to help raise funds for those in need.
Since then, the sugary treats have come a long way and are one of the best around to this day. Here are the best spots to stock up on the Gold Coast:
Serving coffee, cookies, sandwiches and the most dangerously good doughnuts you will ever lay your lips on. Guys, they have Churro Doughnuts and Fairy Bread Doughnuts?! Like, what kind of heaven on earth is this?! It’s healthy if you chase it with a matcha, right? Good, because their signature Iced Strawberry Matcha is gorgeous.
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island
Their tagline is ‘baking things better’; let us tell you, they ain’t lyin’! Their every baked good is as delish as the next, and they’ve got all your classics baked to perfection. However, we are here for doughnuts today, and yes, we have favourites. The Vanilla Slice Doughnut and the Biscoff Doughnut are chef’s kiss.
Where: 104 Helensvale Rd, Helensvale
Here to prove that foods are better when they’re round is Burg World with cookies, pizza, burgers and doughnuts (all round!) and in tip-top taste. Let’s focus on just their round varieties with holes in them for a moment, just wait till you see their doughnut cabinet! They’ve got Creme Brulee, Unicorn, Apple Crumble, Banana Split – you name it! A+ for Gold Coast’s most creative doughnut flavours!
Where: 20 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Combined under one roof is great coffee and a doughlicious array of deep-fried treats, including doughnuts! As discussed, crullers are doughnuts, so let us introduce their Strawberry Cream Cheese & Pistachio Mini Cruller Cake?! It looks even better than it sounds. They even do a Chicken Doughnut Sandwich. You’ll have to trust us on that one- Janus Deli knows what they’re doing.
Where: Shop 14, Crestwood Plaza, 458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar and 12 Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise
It’s safe to say that anyone who loves doughnuts has dabbled in a Krispy Kreme. After all, they are the top dogs amongst the doughnuts. To celebrate International Doughnut Day, Krispy Kreme is known for launching limited edition flavours, and sometimes even giving away free (yes, FREE) doughnuts for the occasion. What a dream come true! Get ’em while they’re sugary.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach and Shop 13/2 Cavill Avenue, Paradise Centre, Surfers Paradise
When you think of Paddock Bakery, doughnuts will definitely cross your mind. They often create themed doughnuts for special occasions (which, presumably, is now) and are always absolute bangers. Current favs are the creme brulee and nutella doughnuts! We’re not drooling, you are! Their brew is also 10/10 – a perfect doughnut pairing.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
The makers of some of the fluffiest doughnuts on the Gold Coast are Currumbin and Burleigh (and Cabarita) legends- Fuel Bakehouse. They come in changing flavours and we’re big fans of everything, but in particular the Bueno, Nutella and Choc Custard for obvious reasons. You can pop in for one or pre-order a whole bunch for the doughnut party you’re no doubt having. Perfect.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin, Shop 1/23 James St, Burleigh Heads and 39-45 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita
It’s time to get something straight (or twisted)- crullers are technically doughnuts, people! If not twins, the doughnut and cruller are brother and sister. Both are deep-fried to perfection, circular, and dusted with sugar or glazed to finish. Tarte does THE best crullers on the Gold Coast- another non-negotiable, sorry.
Where: Shop 1, 2-4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin and 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads
Neptune’s doughnuts are the real deal, hot, fresh and made to order, just the way the cinnamon gods intended. These golden rings of joy are simple, classic, and absolutely irresistible. No OTT toppings or wild fillings—just that perfect crisp edge, fluffy centre and cinnamon sugar coating that hits the spot every single time. Pro tip: eat one immediately, then go back for another. It’s basically self-care.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Sure, it might be crossed with a croissant, but deep down, it’s still a doughnut. The cronut at Paris Brest is flaky, buttery and just the right amount of cheeky, with layers that melt in your mouth and a crisp edge that means business. It’s handmade with love (and a scandalous amount of French butter), by a pastry wizard who trained in France, so you know it’s legit. Get there early, because these babies disappear faster than you can say ooh la la.
Where: 1073-1077 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
These folks know how to make a doughnut. These local legends are well-versed in all things baked with dough, and boy, is it a delicious affair! In terms of doughnuts, they’ve got your classic Cinnamon Doughnut and filled varieties too! We highly recommend grabbing a selection.
Where: 12 Bay St, Tweed Heads and 2 Queensbury Ave, Currumbin Waters
George’s Deli might be slinging hefty New York-style sammies, but they’re also dishing out some serious doughnut energy. Their handmade Ube Donut is soft, fluffy and filled with purple yam goodness that gives it a pop of colour and a whole lotta flavour. It’s where New York deli vibes meet Filipino flair, and honestly, we’re not mad about it. It’s part deli, part bakery, all delicious. By George, it’s a flavour bomb you won’t forget.
Where: Shop 3, 106 Marine Pde, Kingscliff
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Whoever invented doughnuts did the world a favour so big it can never be repaid.
Imagine someone just baking up a storm with their Nanna in the kitchen one morning, rolling leftover dough into shapes, dropping it into a pan and coating it in all of the sugar only to be rewarded with one of the tastiest flavour combinations ever known to man. Accidental genius (maybe).
A little while later (we did not research the timeline), icing was added, then SPRINKLES and recently, entire chocolate bars, flavour infusions, custard centres. It’s head spinning stuff.
Obviously we’re of the belief that the more doughnuts there are the better and so it brings us much happiness to report that Southport doughnut extraordinaires D Point 10 have opened up a second space in Broadbeach bringing their tasty creations to more lucky folks.
D Point 10 2.0 (that’s fun) can be found on the highway in the little precinct where Sushi Train also lives so you can grab some lunch and then some dessert and call it a very good day.
It’s a sweet little space with lots of natural light and pops of colour where you can sip Social Espresso brews while nibbling on many a variety of exceptional doughnut, which are baked fresh daily on site.
There are SO many amazing flavours to choose from starting with cinnamon and vanilla and moving on up to Nutella, jam and custard filled varieties.
Then there are flavours like Gaytime, Oreo, Ferrero and Red Velvet and they are the EXACT taste you would expect from such names and they are fluffy and perfect and we love them so much.
Oh Crème Brulee and Strawberries and Cream are winners too.
Honestly, they’re all so very good and we don’t know how they do it but the boys are slinging some of the best doughnuts on the Coast.
Do yourself a favour and get u to D Point 10 today, your tastebuds deserve a doughnut party do they not?
LOCATION: 2791 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
HOURS: Open daily from 7am until 3pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
