Better known for pies and deep fried everything, the scores of office workers in the vicinity now have healthy, wholefood options to beat that pesky 3pm slump.

The rustic, open, warehouse-style fitout features splashes of copper, exposed timber and rawhide rugs and almost everything within the space is made with recycled goods.

Serving Campos coffee, healthy breakfast and lunch options including wraps, acai bowls, savoury muffins and raw treats, Espresso 151 can be found next door to Burleigh’s newest workout hotspot, Elevation (hence the health foods).

Not only for gym goers though, there’s plenty of takeaway options for this warehouse district including chia bowls, yoghurt with fresh fruit and raw slices for dessert!

For those who need an extra energy hit, the Green Smoothie Bowl is packed full of protein.

If you don’t feel like jumping on the healthy eating bandwagon just yet (or if it’s cheat day) there’s a naughty corner filled with baked pastries – think croissants and crusty sweet treats.

Passionate about a holistic, healthy lifestyle owners Ali and Callum Davidson previously ran Project Sparta Fitness next door and when they decided to expand the space, the addition of a café was a no-brainer.

Stop by for a coffee and healthy breakfast or a tasty, wholesome snack on the go. There’s plenty of parking too, quite the bonus these days.

HOURS: 6am to 2.30pm seven days a week

LOCATION: 151 West Burleigh Rd, West Burleigh

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If you love to wine, dine and shop you’ll love Broadbeach. If you prefer to surf, laze in the sun or strut along beachfront esplanades, you’ll also love Broadbeach. From cult-followed cafes to shiny new eats, boujee bars and shopping boutiques, this burb’s an A-grade entertainer that shines bright in the eyes of locals and visitors alike.

There are many reasons locals – and Gold Coasters far and wide – love a bit of Broady, but here are 15 to get you started.

The Star Gold Coast
If ever there was a reason to call up the babysitter, it’s for a session at The Star. Here, you’re greeted with live music and a melange of premium food options- you won’t need to go anywhere else. Start with a few bevvies at the Atrium Bar before choosing your cuisine for the night. Will it be the fresh Garden Kitchen & Bar or the award-winning Cantonese at Uncle Su’s? Why not taste Tokyo right on the Gold Coast at Kiyomi, authentic Italian eats at Cucina Vivo or the ultimate buffet experience at Harvest Buffet? Or maybe you’re looking for the chic rooftop bar at Nineteen at The Star or a sneaky drink at the new look Veladora?
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant
If you’re after a tried and tested, long-standing comedy cabaret, good ‘ole Dracs has been serving up frights, food and frivolity since we were all ankle-biters. Most people are sold when they hear there’s a ghost train alone, let alone the actual show, which changes every so often, so there’s always a reason to go back! Enjoy a quality 3-course dinner and a menu of magical and mystical cocktails and shots!
Where: Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach

Social Eating House + Bar
If you consider yourself a gastronome, then this Oracle Blvd darling is for you. Social serves modern Australian flavours in a casual meets fine dining setting. For this, they’ve secured more hats than a Milliner’s workshop and have just won 3 glasses at the 2024 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. This comes as no surprise with Executive Chef Matthew Jefferson in charge. With a recently refreshed menu (promised to please even the most refined palates), you’ll experience a carefully curated range of bar snacks, charcuterie, and small and large share plates featuring the finest Australian ingredients and paired to perfection.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach

Blues on Broadbeach
Unlike our other listings, this one’s not here 24/7. However, it’s that much of a Broady icon that it would be criminal not to throw it a mention. As the name suggests, it brings us world-class blues music and jazz from locals and famous acts alike, performing across multiple venues over four unforgettable days. And it’s free. When does that ever happen?!
Where: Various Broadbeach venues

Elk Espresso
This place has never met an empty table; it’s constantly bulging at the seams with raving fans. Of course, we are one of such fans. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the beach, the coffee is all-time, the menus are seasonal and heavenly, and they do a Boozy Bottomless Brunch. And sold!
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, 12 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

The Oasis
It’s an everyday escape for locals, and one of our top shopping centres on the coast (for good reason). The Oasis is home to stunning fashion boutiques, and the number of fabulous eateries at hand is impressive in of itself. In addition to the ones we highlight in this article, we’re talking Mario’s, Madison’s Café and Patisserie, Spice Kitchen and Bar, and The Broadbeach Tavern, to name just a few. It’s a #OneStopShop.
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Broadbeach Bowls Club
Ahhh, good old lawn bowls. The game that never fails to deliver a good time. If you’re looking for the best way to spend a chill arvo on the GC, it’s with a game of barefoot bowls, brew in hand at Broadbeach Bowls Club. When you’re finished, they have a full bistro menu waiting with big portions of all your go-to pub-grub meals. They also have a canape package perfect for a laid-back birthday or celebration.
Where: 169 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

kōst Bar & Grill
Just over a year old, yet kōst has already wriggled its way onto our hot list… sneaky bugger. Just kidding, they’re here for a reason, and credit is due! The contemporary style bar and grill is perfect for sophisticated sips, flame-grilled eats and boujee’ bar snacks’, all within a relaxed-luxury setting. Champagne with a side of caviar, anyone?
Where: 3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach

No Name Lane
Well, if it isn’t No Name Lane making a name for themselves as Blake Lively’s favourite coffee. In her exact words “”the best coffee of her life”. We can attest to this, alongside the cafe’s cult local following. Not only are they adored for their cuppa, but their all-day breakfasts and gourmet lunches also go down a treat so if you haven’t been, remedy this immediately.
Where: 16 Charles Ave, Broadbeach

Kurrawa Surf Club
Ocean views don’t come any better than this. With legit THE most prime location, Kurrawa Surf Club has everything you’d want from a Surf Club…and more. With awesome regular members specials and fresh ingredients, there’s no such thing as a bad meal here. They host a trivia night and live music, and of course there’s the obligatory gaming lounge for those who like a flutter.
Where: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach

CHA CHA Japanese Restaurant
Gold Coasters have been CHA CHA bound for an authentic Japanese nosh-up which won’t break the bank for years, and that’s not about to change any time soon. The banquet menu is divine and every visit you’ll experience the same level of scrumptiousness. But the soy on the dim sum…it’s BYO and it’s hard to find an already affordable yet high-quality restaurant offering our 3 favourite letters. Score.
Where: 2705 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Pacific Fair
This list wouldn’t be complete without mention of THE queen. Pacific Fair (aka Pac Fair) is any Gold Coasters first point of call when a new ensemble or therapy (retail or other) is required. It has every retailer you could possibly wish for, fabulous food options and indisputably the most gorgeous fit-out you’ve ever seen. Nothing rivals it.
Where: Gold Coast Hwy and Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach

Costa Taco
You bet we did a happy dance when news broke that our fav taqueria from Palm Beach had opened a third location in Broady (the second was Byron). For us, and many (most) Gold Coasters, it was a love at first bite. Costa Taco stole our taste buds with their authentic, flavour-filled eats and there was no turning back. And why would we? You would have to be coco to say no no to coconut margaritas?
Where: Cnr Armrick Ave and Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach

The Lamb Shop
In a pita shell, you’re getting bangin bar snacks and succulent souvlaki- what’s not to love? After a long day on Broadbeach beach (presumably), when you’re feeling sun-kissed and salt wrapped, is there anything better than biting into a tangy lamb-filled pita wrap to replenish exerted energy? No! The Lamb Shop’s entire menu is prepared in-house daily, using only fresh local produce, premium cuts and authentic grilling techniques. That’s why we love em!
Where: 1 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach

The Beach Hotel Broadbeach
There’s no better place to snag a seat and sink a beer (or a Golden Hour Sour) on a Saturday arvy than at the brand new The Beach Hotel in Broadbeach. The airy spaces and indoor-outdoor flow let the sea breeze carry through the beer garden into the public bar. The vibe is set to ‘summer chill’, eats are delish, sips are refreshing and every corner is designed for the perfect gathering with your pals. After some spirited fun, head inside Cora, a restaurant within The Beach Hotel, where fine dining and a laid-back atmosphere come together to deliver palate-pleasing Mediterranean-inspired bites and crisp, cool drinks. Don’t mind if we do.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

If there could be an Espresso Moto in every suburb that would suit us just fine thank you very much. For now though, we’ll settle for the two that make our lives infinitely better (and more caffeinated). The OG in Palmy and now, a fresh little newbie in Coolangatta.

Yes it’s true; the much-loved venue has opened a second venue on Dutton Street where That Blue House once lived. It’s a huge gain for the Cooly locals because a. All Press Coffee is life and b. the EM crew are some of the best folks around.

The team swung open their second set of doors a couple of weeks ago and the space they’ve occupied is the perfect blend of cool for their vibe. Which is of course, all of the motorbike memorabilia. If you’ve visited the Palmy site you’ll know the space boasts a bike workshop in the back dedicated to restoring classics.

Down south you’ll find shelves stacked with helmets, oil cans and various other bike-related things Dad won’t be happy I don’t know the name of.

The menu and feel of the newbie is the same but both venues are getting a menu revamp in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, head down there and try these goodies before they leave our lives forever.

Healthy ones first and this is a D E L I C I O U S dish while also helping with that shredding for summer thing people do. Hooray? It’s called Fresh Avocado Salsa and it’s house-made corn, basil and almond pesto tossed through spinach leaves and topped with pepitas on, get this, house-baked activated charcoal ciabatta toast. It’s a mouthful in every sense of the word.

The Eggs Benedict are some of the best around with fresh house made hollandaise (love you), house-baked ciabatta and definitely go the smoked salmon.

Last but absolutely not least is BANOFFEE FRENCH TOAST and be still our hearts. It’s a tower of sweet, sweet goodness served with all of the fresh caramel sauce and if you licked the plate we would never judge.

As mentioned, Espresso Moto serve All Press Espresso out of New Zealand (because they’re good at everything) and it’s definitely a fave.

So there you have it, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll make a date with Cooly this weekend.

LOCATION: 5 Dutton Street, Coolangatta
HOURS: 6am to 1.30pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith