If you’re anything like us, you love a late night sweet treat. But in the city of early birds, it’s hard to find a place open for desserts after the sun goes down. In the heart of Southport Chinatown, Açai Jungle & Desserts is a sweet oasis for those of us who believe dessert o’clock should be whenever you want.

Açai Jungle & Desserts is the brainchild of Jessica Foon and Lachlan Ho – a dynamic duo with a thirst for desserts. While living in Melbourne, Jessica and Lachlan had a sweet ritual – they’d grab açai bowls every week and indulge in desserts every other day. But when they visited the Gold Coast to see family, they were shocked to discover that soft-serve açai cafes were hard to find, let alone many dessert spots at all! That’s when they decided to take a bold leap, quit their full-time jobs and move to the Gold Coast to open their very own açai and dessert haven.

Jessica and Lachlan have poured their heart, soul and countless hours of hard work into this venture, leaving their mark on the floor, wall and ceiling! And they’ve been taking fans along for the ride, sharing their journey on social media as they bring their dessert dream to life.

Jessica, who grew up working in her family’s business, Kenny’s Malay Kitchen, knows the ropes when it comes to running a business. From her father’s kitchen to self-taught baking escapades at home, she brings a creative flair to every dessert, especially her famous soft-serve açai bowls.

Ready to take the plunge into açai heaven? Whether you go regular or large, you’re in for a towering swirl of creamy, Amazon Power açai that spills over like the ultimate soft-serve dream.

Each bowl is loaded with fresh strawberries, banana and crunchy granola – plus, you can drizzle on your favourite sauce or get adventurous with something new. Fan favourites? Biscoff and Bueno. Drool!

Not ready to tackle a full bowl? No worries – grab an açai cone for a perfectly portioned treat!

But the jungle feast doesn’t stop there. The menu is packed with wild creations like Chocolate Pistachio Fried Ice Cream and Matcha Tiramisu.

Can’t get enough of the strawberry matcha craze? Try Açai Jungle & Desserts’ version of strawberry matcha in fried ice cream form!

Sip on something just as delicious like the Iced Pistachio Matcha or dive into the dreamy Coconut Matcha Cloud – where a fluffy frothy matcha cloud floats on top. And if you’re after something fruity, the Tropic Bliss and Berry Nice smoothies are the perfect balance of indulgence and feel-good freshness.

But it’s not just the desserts that make this place special – it’s the vibes. Whether you’re lounging indoors or soaking up the lively Southport Chinatown atmosphere in their outdoor seating area, Açai Jungle & Desserts is the perfect spot for a cosy date night or a sweet escape.

Where: Shop 2/ 32 Davenport Street, Southport
When: Monday – Thursday : 12pm – 9:30pm, Friday – Sunday : 12pm – 10pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby

For nearly a decade of dough-liciousness, 5B2F Bakehouse has been a go-to for Gold Coast locals seeking expertly crafted pastries, crusty sourdough and decadent cakes. Now, the much-loved Chirn Park patisserie has expanded, bringing its signature quality and artistry to Southport with the newly opened 5B2F Ciabatta.

The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef Moonsun Yoo, 5B2F Ciabatta is the product of a lifelong love for baking. Growing up in a family steeped in the craft, Moonsun’s passion for the kitchen bloomed early, inspiring him to train at international hotels. It was during his time as a chef at the Hyatt Seoul that he discovered his true calling as a pastry chef, a specialty that he would bring to our sunny shores, opening his beloved Chirn Park bakehouse in 2016. Driven by a dream of expanding his pastry empire, Moonsun has now made that vision a reality.

Tucked away on Davenport Street, this 5B2F Ciabatta embraces a more streamlined, takeaway concept while still delivering the same level of terrific taste that has defined the 5B2F name. The focus here? The humble yet versatile sourdough ciabatta, transformed into an array of fresh, flavourful sandwiches.

Each day, the bakery turns out a rotating selection of handcrafted ciabatta creations. Tuck into a tangy Reuben with house-made corned beef, sauerkraut, onion and chipotle mayo or the creamy Chicken Sandwich with roasted chicken, sliced apple, brie cheese and chipotle mayo. For something indulgent, the truffle-infused ham and cheese toastie is a standout, with its crispy golden crust and irresistibly gooey centre.

There’s also hearty salads on offer, like the classic Caesar Salad with a generous serving of bacon, egg, cos lettuce, parmesan cheese drizzled with an anchovy dressing.

Of course, no visit to a 5B2F venue would be complete without a sweet treat. The pastry display is stocked with flaky croissants, glossy kouign-amanns, and fruit-studded danishes.

For the tea fans out there, raise your pinkies high for the Earl Grey – a delicate layered delight of earl grey mousse , earl grey ganache and earl grey cream with double baked marble sponge.

Or have your cake and eat it too with the signature Mont Blanc – a work of art in edible form. This masterpiece layers chestnut crèmeux, honey sponge, chocolate tart, chestnut mascarpone cream, with a confit chestnut as the cherry (or chestnut) on top. Pair it with a cup of Allpress Espresso, and you’ll be on cloud nine!

For those looking to celebrate, whole cakes are available daily, with flavours ranging from vanilla chiffon to baked cheesecakes piled high with fresh cream and glistening fruit. You can place custom orders in advance, and these beautifully crafted cakes are sure to rise to any occasion!

With its hot new Southport location, 5B2F is on a roll, raising the bar (and the dough) for artisanal baking on the Gold Coast. Moonsun isn’t loafing around either – he’s cooking up plans to expand even more, starting with opening the upstairs dining space so customers can sit, sip, and savour at their own pace.

Where:  29 Davenport St, Southport
When: Monday – Friday 7am–4pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Us Aussies have a love affair with Japan that just keeps simmering – much like a perfect ramen broth. Every year, thousands of Aussies jet off to Japan, lured by the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, the powdery slopes of Niseko, and, of course, the slurpalicious bowls of noodles. With the opening of Ramen Kyo, you can now experience the soul-warming flavours of the land of the rising sun right here in Mermaid Beach.

A passionate ramen aficionado from Tokyo, Ayano Low moved to Australia in the 90’s, bringing with her a love for the comforting, umami-rich bowls she grew up eating. For years she dreamed of sharing the comforting dish with locals, and after two decades on the Gold Coast, she’s finally made her dream into a reality, introducing true Tokyo-style ramen to the local food scene. And trust us, this is the real shoyu!

Stepping into Ramen Kyo Mermaid Beach, you’ll find yourself in a modern yet minimalist space that lets the food do the talking. Whether you’re a local, a ramen connoisseur or just someone craving a warm hug in a bowl, the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere makes every visit feel like a trip to Tokyo – no passport required.

At Ramen Kyo, the magic starts long before the first slurp. A great ramen is only as good as its broth, and the slow-simmered broths are the heart of every bowl, carefully cooked for hours to extract deep, complex flavours.

Noods are also made in-house to ensure the perfect texture and bite. Paired with low-temperature cooked chicken chashu – tender, juicy, and oh-so-flavorful – it’s a match made in ramen heaven.

Ordering is by its colour, and there’s a rainbow of ramen to choose from here: Shiro/ White, Ao/ Blue, Aka/ Red, Midori/ Green, Kuro/ Black, Kin/ Gold and Aka Oni/ Red Demon. 

Whether you opt for the signature Shiro/ White chicken broth ramen – made with premium chicken – or the Kurt/Black ramen, featuring a special bonito and truffle-flavored clear soup, each spoonful is a sip of Japanese tradition.

Feeling spicy? The Aka Oni/ Red Demon packs a punch with a spicy creamy chicken broth and crispy Chicken Katsu to top it all off.

To round out your ramen, indulge in irresistible side dishes like plump, juicy gyozas, and golden, crispy karaage chicken that crunches with flavour.

No Japanese experience is complete without a sip of something special. Ramen Kyo proudly serves Kizakura Yamahai Junmai, a sake with deep, rich flavours that complement the umami goodness of their ramen. It’s the first pure rice sake in Japan to be labeled “Yamahai-style” — a nod to traditional brewing methods.

For Ayano, ramen has always been more than just food. It’s about bringing people together, just like it did back home in Japan.

So, if you’re looking to satisfy your ramen cravings with an authentic Tokyo-style experience, grab your chopsticks and slurp your way to happiness.

Where: Shop 6/2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
When: Daily, 11:30am–8pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby