They say the best things in life are free. And although this remains true for the most part, whoever came up with this sentiment must have momentarily forgotten about delicatessen-style foods. We’re talking about all those specialty goods like mouth-watering dry-cured meats, artisanally produced cheeses, and all of those delightful dips and spreads — ultimate charcuterie board goals.

When it’s time for a picnic or a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun with wine in hand, these foods are the perfect accompaniment. But getting your hands on such fare is no easy task. You must know where to look, folks. Head to the supermarket deli counter if you must, but if you yearn for divine savours — and believe you deserve the very finest — read on as we run you through the Gold Coast’s best gourmet deli’s.

Manolas Bros Delicatessen
After a recent swoon-worthy refurbishment, Manolas Bros has only gone and cemented themselves as one of the Coast’s ultimate spots to treat your tastebuds. Not content with just being a continental style deli, you are also now spoiled with wood-fired pizzas, an extensive bar offering, and heaps of takeaway options in the form of some robust filled-to-the-brim food hampers. All we can say is specialty dishes, baked goods, and festive sweets are some of the many reasons people keep coming back to this Surfers Paradise foodie hub.
Where: Shop 3G, 14 Capri on Isle of Capri, 15/21 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise

The Standard Market Company – Southport Brickworks
Your one-stop place to fill your larder with the finest goods the Gold Coast’s CBD has to offer. Specialising in freshly baked breads, cheese, olives and imported gourmet goods, your next picnic will be elevated to lofty new heights. But this isn’t all; their very own butcher counter will tease you with expert cuts of free-range and organic meats, alongside a vast selection of handmade sausages crafted with flavourings from all around the world. Around the world in 80 snags, anyone?
Where: 107 Ferry Road, Southport

Barbosa Fine Food Deli
Cheese is life. A fair statement in anyone’s book (sorry vegans), but with cheese, one must have suitable chutneys, relishes, pickles, and crackers; luckily for Barbosa Fine Food Deli at the Kitchens in Robina Town Centre has all the above plus more. Grab yourself an organic Fairtrade coffee and discuss your next blissful charcuterie board with any of their friendly staff: they’ll help direct you through their incredible assortment of imported and Australian goods. And for those with a craving for fresh truffles, look no further, truffle season is upon us, and these guys have got you covered.
Where: The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

Golosi Food Emporium
This hidden in plain sight place of delectable goods is Burleigh Heads’ ode to fine foods — and we suggest, if you haven’t already, to make this a regular place to stop by. Even if you’re having trouble conjuring up a list of things you might want, don’t fear. Once you step inside, the vast assortment of fare will quickly have you imagining cheese boards and snack plates from your wildest dreams. And if you plan on having yourself an easy dinner one evening, their selection of fresh pastas and divine ready prepared meals are by no means a shortcut.
Where:  3/45 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Ambarella Fine Foods
This enclave of gourmand food and drinks ensures an authentic paddock to plate experience with every visit. Whether you’re looking to stock up on farm-fresh vegetables, lusting for one of our city’s largest selections of cheese, or adamant you must have yourself only the best superbly baked European style bread, then, you’ll find all of these under the one roof here in Burleigh Waters. However, searching out the best goods is tiring — and hungry — work. We suggest you take a rest and fuel up at their café and juice bar, where fresh over-filled sandwiches/wraps and squeezed-on-the-spot juices await you.
Where: Shop 12/1 Santa Maria Court, Burleigh Waters

Quince Fromagerie Cellar
On the southern end of the Coast, the Cornerstone Stores have been a haven of boutique goods impressing locals for the last three and a half years. Integral to this space is the cutest looking wine and cheese shop, Quince Fromagerie — but don’t be fooled, this is a serious case of good things come in small packages. Friendly shop manager Rafa is on hand to lead you through the diverse selection of gourmet goods and cheeses, and if you ask nicely, he may even give you a taste of some. We’re also pleased to say wine plays a role here, and should you want to pair one of their many bottles with anything edible you purchase, go right ahead, you cultured thing, you.
Where: Shop 5/570 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun

Russian Delights
Those with family ties to Eastern Europe or Russia often know only too well how hard it can be to find foods from the old country here in Australia. One place that disrupts and challenges this status quo are the good guys at Russian Delights. This long-established business has been procuring and distributing various foods from several different cultures for over twenty years and shows no sign of slowing one bit. Specialising in smoked sausages and cured meats, they pride themselves on only stocking the very best produce made by the strictest traditional recipes and welcome customers from all varying backgrounds to come and enjoy their selection of international goods. Trust us when we say, locals who know their meats, get it from here.
Where: 1/35a Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Particularly as winter rolls around, it’s a good idea to eat as much fresh fruit and veggies as possible. It’s even better to support local growers at the same time.

Luckily, we have quite the array of options when it comes to farmers markets on the Gold Coast so you never have to travel too far to stock up.

In honour of all that, here’s a list of 10 farmers markets right here on the Gold Coast. From north to south, happy shopping.

Helensvale Farmers Markets
Supporting local farmers with organic and conventional produce, you’ll find a range of gourmet food stalls alongside carefully selected unique handcrafted creations from local micro-businesses. You’ll find seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats and seafoods, condiments, organic bread, gluten-free breads and baking, honey, flowers, herbs, kombucha, sweet treats and much more. There’s local music and puppies are welcome too. Open Saturdays from 6am until 10.30am.
Where: Helensvale State High School, 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale

Marina Mirage Farmers Market
Fresh produce, gourmet foods, specialty items and luscious beauty products, the Marina Mirage Farmers Market is a premier market with everything you need. There’s everything from gourmet roasted coffee, freshly made take home meals and baked goodes, deli treats like stuffed olives, cold meats, pates and dips. You can also pick up some gifts while you’re there, there’s organic body scrubs, white Belgian chocolate and handmade soy candles. All the best things. They’re on the first, third and fifth Saturday of the month from 7am until 12pm.
Where: Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

Bundall Farmers Markets
Visiting Bundall Farmers’ Markets is an experience plenty of locals and visitors love every single week. Not only can you stock up on locally grown goodies, you can also interact with growers and producers and learn about where their food comes from. You’ll find everyting you need from fruit and veggies to fresh flowers, bread, ready-to-eat treats, tasty coffee and plenty more. They are plastic bag free to remember to take your own along with you. Pop in every Sunday from 6am to 11.30am.
Where: Home of the Arts (HOTA), 135 Bundall Road, Bundall

Markets in the Meadow
All the most delightful of goods are on offer at Markets in the Meadow including fresh fruit and vegetables, cryovac meats, specialist bakeries, international take-away eats, local seafood, healthy juices and of course, coffee to kick start the day. You can also find fresh flowers, pet treats, plants and herbs, meals for a week, jams and honey. So all of the best things. Head down for some fun in the sun on Sundays from 6am until 11.30am.
Where: Gold Coast Turf Club, Racecourse Drive, Surfers Paradise

Lavelle Street Markets
Fresh food by local farmers is what you’ll find at Lavelle Street Markets in Nerang. From meat and seafood to rice and flour, all the fruit and vegetables you could possibly imagine plus goodies like hemp seed oil, fresh juice and even treats for your pet, you won’t leave empty handed. Of course there’s fresh coffee to be sipped and plenty of spots to sit and soak up the atmosphere. Open every Sunday form 6.30am to 12pm.
Where: Corner Lavelle & Nerang Street, Nerang

Mudgeeraba Country Markets
With a mission of supporting local growers, the Mugdeeraba Country Market has been a local favourite for many moons. Bring your pooch along to peruse stalls filled with fresh produce, bread, flowers, coffee, everything you love. It’s a beautiful morning out under the trees, filling your basket with tasty eats and breathing in that fresh country air. Get to Mudgeeraba on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 8am until 1pm.
Where: Mudgeeraba Showground, 115 Mudgeeraba Road, Mudgeeraba

Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market
All organic, everything is the name of the game at Miami’s farmers market. You’ll find an extensive and complete range of the freshest, absolutely straight from the farm, guaranteed certified organically grown seasonal (and interstate) vegetables and fruit. Grab your goodies every Sunday from 6.30am until 11am.
Where: Miami State High School, Gold Coast Highway, Miami

Burleigh Heads Farmers Market
Burleigh’s beloved market offers farm fresh produce, organic fruit and vegetables, gourmet foods, global foods, plants, fresh flowers, meat, fish, deli, antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, plants, specialty stalls plus hot food, hot coffee and live entertainment. You’re guaranteed to have a good morning at the market then top it off with a stroll across the road to the beach. On every Saturday morning from 7am until 12pm.
Where: Burleigh Heads State School, Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Palm Beach Farmers Market
By the same good folks who bring us Bundall Farmers Market, Palm Beach offers the same five star goodness. Find all your fresh food needs plus breads, specialty stalls, hot food, flowers, gifts and so much more and once you’ve filled your basket, take a seat in the sunshine with a fresh brew and soak it all in. They’re on every Saturday from 6am until 11.30am.
Where: Palm Beach Currumbin High School, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach

Currumbin Community Market
The one and only weekday farmers market on the Coast can be found in Currumbin bearing all kinds of amazing goodies including yes, locally grown fruit and veggies plus selections of nuts and seeds, olives, cheeses, bread, fresh flowers and all set within a relaxing atmosphere. There’s also coffee and ready made breakfast delights if you want to stay awhile. It’s on Thursday mornings from 7am until 11am. Lovely.
Where: Currumbin RSL, 164 Duringan Street, Currumbin

Words by Kirra Smith

Ah markets, how we love thee. Temporarily transforming all our very favourite sun-soaked haunts into stall-laden shopping meccas so that we can get amongst the good vibes, gather fresh provisions and snap up meticulously crafted unique creations from talented local makers.

And for our troubles? Top it all of by refuelling with a hot coffee, fresh smoothie, or the obligatory extra-large serve of Poffertjes.

There’s something (or many somethings…) for everyone and best of all, you’re supporting local – and isn’t that what it’s all about!

Here is a who’s who list of our fabulous local weekday, Saturday and Sunday markets here on our beloved Gold Coast.

The Village Markets
An award-winning platform for small creative businesses, The Village Markets host curated markets encouraging collaboration, creativity and good vibes. With clothing from the coolest designers, jewellery and accessories, homewares, rack sales and amazing food, these curated lifestyle markets are run like a well-oiled machine.

The bi-weekly pilgrimage to Burleigh’s beloved institution is one of the GC’s longest-running markets, with this year TVM marking its 15th in action being testament to this (we still remember the very first…and this makes us feel old), our advice is you’ll blow your dosh every time, and we’re not even fooling ourselves when we say we’re just gonna hit them up for a ‘quick look’… *money with wings emoji* x10
Where: Burleigh Heads Primary School, Burleigh Heads
When: First and third Sunday of the month, 8:30am – 1pm

HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets
The stunning HOTA grounds offer an equally picturesque and conveniently central spot to convene and soak up some #sundayfunday good vibes and a whole lot of local goodies. Thanks to a little transformation into vibrant (literally and figuratively) cultural hub, the Bundall site is also home to a hotted up weekly market offering which has become one of the Gold Coast’s numero ono community events.

They’re passionate about local farmers, makers, bakers and growers, with in-season farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion, handcrafted treasures and live music. Nestled against the backdrop of Evendale Lake and the surrounding parklands, the kids can take a dip while you sit back and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere (read: eat fresh pastries and sip hot coffee). Bliss!
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Sunday 6am – 11.30am

Farmers Markets
There are options aplenty when it comes to farmers markets around the Coast to source your fruit, veggies, locally made goods, plants and of course, brekky and caffeine. Supporting local farmers with both organic and conventional produce, you’ll get the feel-good factor as well as the taste-good factor! A ritual for many locals on weekends, it sure beats hitting the mainstream grocery retailers. Plus, the best thing is, you’re spoilt for choice with a number of different locations to hit up.
Where & When: Helensvale State High School – every Saturday from 6am – 11am at 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale; Marina Mirage Farmers Markets – every Saturday from 6.30am – 12pm at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach; Palm Beach Currumbin High School – every Saturday morning from 6am – 11.30am at PBC, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach; Burleigh Farmers Markets – every Saturday morning from 7am – 12 noon at Burleigh Heads State School, Cnr West Burleigh Rd &, Lower Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads.

Carrara Markets
Still the biggest market in Oz, Carrara Markets house over 300 stalls. Discount shopping at its best, there is literally nothing you can’t find from fresh produce, fashion, homewares, pots, plants, bric a brac, cars, souvenirs, arts and crafts and everything in between. Perfect for the family, there’s buskers, pony rides, a baby animal farm, bungy trampolines, mini golf, face painters, and even a new walk-in Butterfly House.
Where: Gooding Drive, Carrara
When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 7am – 3pm

Emerald Lakes Gourmet Food and Craft Markets
Feeling a bit fancy? Described as a complete alfresco gourmet shopping experience with an international ambiance, head to Emerald Lakes for some of our region’s best street food and fresh produce. It’s also one of the few markets available for a mid-week meander to replenish the larder with quality essentials – with Australian seafood, grain fed and hormone free meats, free range eggs and home-baked goodies all on offer. Plus stock up on gorgeous candles, melts and a myriad of unique crafts, all handmade with love and arguably, still *somewhat* essential.. bc vibes are important too.
Where: Emerald Lakes Complex, The Boulevard, Carrara
When: Every Thursday, 3pm – 7pm

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
No prizes for guessing where these markets are located. Mere footsteps from the sand, they’ve been an iconic Gold Coast shopping and cultural experience since the mid-90s. Featuring artisan and traditional Aussie goods, fresh produce, gourmet provisions, handmade wares and more, they showcase our best growers, makers, characters and creators. When you’re done, Surfers’ melting pot of restaurants and bars are a hop, skip and a jump over the road.
Where: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, 4pm – 9pm

Gold Coast Art & Craft Sunday Markets
Lining the beachfront at four beautiful GC locations (Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads and now Paradise Point), these markets have been a local fave for over three decades. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, souvenirs, art, craft, the ingenious or the weird and the wonderful, it’s here. A-buzz with atmosphere, there are over 150 stalls showcasing original Australian-made products, fresh produce, yummy food and live entertainment.
Where & When: Kurrawa Park – The first and third Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at 155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach; Queen Elizabeth Park – The second and fourth Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at 60 Marine Parade, Coolangatta; Justin Park – The last Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at Burleigh Heads; Esplanade North Park – The fourth Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at Paradise Point.

The Sanctuary Markets
On The Village Green at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll find these popular markets. A nod to the GC’s multi-culturalism with local and international foods plus cool arts and crafts, you’ll also be wowed by our best homegrown entertainers. The venue is fully licensed (translation: let’s wine), featuring craft beers exclusively from Burleigh Brewing Co, and vinos courtesy of Sirromet Wines.
Where: On The Village Green, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
When: Every Friday, 4pm – 9pm

The Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market 
Every Sunday morning you can get your fill of organic, spray-free fruit, veggies, ready-made eats (we’re all about easy eats), organic cosmetics, organic clothing…basically, if it’s organic and it exists, it’s here! It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday morning and load up your basket with treats that will not only make you feel good, but help the planet too!
Where: Merrimac State High School, 3 Dunlop Ct, Mermaid Waters
When: Every Sunday, 6am – 11.30am

Hide & Seek Children’s Market
Those familiar with the Hide & Seek Children’s Market from its former Elanora and Robina locations will be thrilled to learn the concept lives on thanks to a new home in Upper Coomera – with the same signature blend of unique and skilfully hand-crafted creations, all designed with parents and mini-me’s in mind.

The curation of clever local creatives and artisans brings us cute clothing, accessories, toys, décor, furnishings and more. Bop along to all-day live music, grab some bites from local food trucks and wear the kids out with a range of activities. If you love on-trend goodies, rare finds and spoiling your little loves, you won’t be disappointed.
Where: The Well, 58 Highland Way, Upper Coomera
When: Third Saturday of every month from 8am – 12pm.

Miami Marketta
There’s only one thing better than a market and that’s a vibin’ night market. The Coast’s OG laneway dining experience hosts food vendors of all nationalities in the one space, take your entrée from Spain, your main from Thailand, and sweets from France. How multicultural of you! With farshon (fashion – but we just like saying FARSHON) and accessories from local designers, these markets have cool factor for days.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
When: Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 5pm – 10pm

Broadwater Pavilion Markets
A newer in-stall-ment to the GC’s market scene, Southport’s open air market by the sea is quickly establishing itself as a fave among Northern residents with stacks of fun for the whole family. There’s plenty of entertainment for the kiddos, with face painting, henna, hair braiding, character appearances all frequenting the lineup.

While those who have aged out of face-paint demographic (#tear) can hunt for some hand-crafted wares with all manner of scented, ceramic, and sewn goodies on rotation from local stallholders. Bonus for paw-rents: they’re pet friendly (on lead), so bring your pup along for a paw-some day out.
Where: Bathing Pavilion Lawn, Marine Parade, Southport
When: The third Saturday of every second month, 8am – 2pm

Jack Evans Boat Harbour Waterfront Markets
Another one of the newer kids on the proverbial market block, the picturesque Tweed promenade snaking by the Boat Harbour waterfront was just begging for local stallholders and their crafty creations to set up shop and complement our leisurely Saturday strolls.

A stunner of a spot for the Southern GC (four-legged friends invited also!) to congregate with live music, artisan food vendors, hand crafted treasures and boutique fashion stalls a plenty. After you’ve shopped up a storm, cool off with a spot of paddle boarding as the glistening water beckons.

And if that hasn’t worn out the kiddos, the fortuitously placed new foreshore playground should do the trick.
When: Jack Evans Boat Harbour Market: first Saturday of every month, 8am – 1pm. Night Market: second & fourth Friday of every month, 4pm – 8pm
Where: Wharf St, Tweed Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen and Kellie Leader