Many would have considered this unassuming suburb as just somewhere you zipped through on your way to the airport a few years ago, but oh my, how things have changed. Now, overflowing with the kind of beachside village vibes that are highly sought after these days — and a decent collection of cafes, eateries and other reasons to part with your hard-earned cash — Tugun has well and truly come into its own. And we think you deserve to be in on this action.

So, whether you live near or far, we encourage you to give this locale some devoted time. To assist you in doing this, our gathering of reasons locals love Tugun should be more than enough incentive to make your way to this quiet and much-loved corner of our Coast.

Craft House Restaurant & Bar
Beer is the star attraction at the Craft House — the reason being there are a whopping 20 on tap. You’ll find a kaleidoscope of beer variety at your fingertips, with some exciting and not so often found guest ales displaying interesting flavours and sizeable ABVs! The relaxed pub atmosphere is the perfect spot to while away an evening with live music and great share style plates.
Where: 445 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

Niche & Co
If you’re a fan of acai bowls in any shape or form, then we implore you to take a visit to this oh-so-cute hole-in-the-wall-style café. We don’t mind saying it — these guys dish up some of the best bowls on the Coast. Period. Not just this, the precious little space boasts healthy and delicious meals, cold press coffee, raw and vegan treats. Get in there for good vibes and Insta-opportunities stat.
Where: Shop 4/449 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

Good Day Coffee
It’s always a good day when you’ve got a Good Day Coffee in your hand! Starting out as the prime pit-stop-grab-coffee and go kind of spot, locals now flock habitually here to caffeinate themselves for a big day ahead. You can expect all of the lip-licking goods — particularly their toasted-to-perfection toasties and one-of-a-kind Bacon & Egg Smashes — if you know, you know.
Where: 2/476 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun

Found Furniture
If vintage furniture and funky interiors are your things (and we know they are), look no further than Found. They specialise in imported Danish and mid-century furniture as well as one-off collectables and some contemporary homewares thrown in for good measure. We say pop in if you’re in the market for a piece that’s certain to make you the envy of all your friends.
Where: Shop 2, 471 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

House of Hubert
Sustainable, seasonable and farm to fork are words that usually describe a restaurant that produces culinary gold — and House of Hubert is no exception. Chefs take only the best local produce to create nourishing, tasty eats that are an absolute must-try. When it comes to coffee, they consistently pour the goods —always served with a smile. And as for the space, it kind of feels like home (but with better food).
Where: 5 Toolona Street, Tugun

The Welcome to the Gold Coast mural
Mural art is finding itself a steadily growing home here on the Gold Coast. Iconic pieces are helping nurture an identity beyond theme parks and beaches — and we’re all here for it. Renowned creative and mural artist Kiel Tillman is behind this wonderous heaven-sent artwork on the side of Tugun Supermarket. His skills have created a bold and iconic piece: greeting tourists arriving from the airport and something the locals are proud of.
Where: Tugun Fruit Market, Gold Coast Highway, Tugun

Made Barber & Barista
Finding a great cup of joe beyond noon can sometimes be an impossible feat. Well, no more. Find yourself in Tugun and Made Barber & Barista is the place to pop into up until 3pm on weekdays for a guaranteed stellar cup of jitter juice and a chance to catch your breath. Being a barbershop set up as well, if you’re a guy out there who feels like their hair needs some love, then you’ve found the best place to receive it. Let the talented Britt do her magic on your locks — you won’t look back!
Where: 2B/417 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

Tugun Fruit & Flowers
If you’re yet to experience the sensory extravaganza that is Tugun Fruit & Flowers, you might want to rectify that quick smart my friend. The space has been making Tugun smell pretty since 1975 by offering the very best in beautiful flower arrangements along with a plethora of fresh juices, acai bowls, and other gift-style goods you will simply want to get your hands on.
Where: 4/467 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

Sticky Rice
First things first — when you decide to visit this den of divine food, we suggest you book a table. It’s so popular should you walk in and expect a table, you are likely going to be sorely disappointed. The Thai menu offers all the classics but with an ever-so-slight Australian twist, meaning all the authentic, fresh fragrant flavours are there along with local ingredients and plentiful servings. One aspect you shouldn’t overlook at this venue is their capacity to make first-rate cocktails. A Thai restaurant that makes terrific cocktails?! Yes, we know — must try!
Where: Shop 7, 443 Golden Four Drive, Tugun

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

There’s just something about a market and we challenge you to find a human who wouldn’t rather stock up for the week at an uber-fresh and friendly market, rather than a grocery chain store. This is precisely why we got all the feels when we recently visited Tugun Market Co. Servicing the community from pantry to plate, they specialise in fresh produce, high-quality butcher meats, gourmet foods, health foods, organic products, vegan products, stunning blooms and gorgeous gifty style homewares. They also have a cafe serving delish Campos coffee with outdoor dining and an area for kids to frolic, and most importantly, there’s a fromagerie. Which is cheese. Which is life. This means it has officially secured a place on our regular shopping itinerary  – and trust us, it’ll be on yours too.

With a view to change up the food shopping experience, Tugun Market Co. was created to offer a point of differentiation to the larger supermarkets, delivering a unique and enjoyable food shopping journey. It’s a destination for local produce and products, where you can also stock up on everyday staple groceries, grab a coffee and a bite to eat, and enjoy browsing an amazing range of, well, everything. And we’re proud to report that this space has succeeded on every level, including that iconic wall proclaiming “accidentally went shopping on an empty stomach and now I’m the proud owner of aisle 3” and omg WE CAN RELATE.

Staunch believers that simplicity is always the best option, you’ll get nothing but the absolute best quality here. That goes for the look and feel too, thanks to Alexa Nice (brand and interior), Inspired Built and 77Architecture with the beautiful white subway-style walls, wooden herringbone-esk floors and modern monochrome accents. Oh and it’s a family business and seriously, is that not the cheese on the cracker because we will eternally embrace the #supportlocal movement.

Speaking of cheese and crackers, this is your one-stop-shop for all your cheese and platter essentials coz seriously, who wants to cook on a Friday night and the answer is absolutely no-one. Their fromagerie is the stuff dreams are made of and we don’t actually know where to look first. While you’re there, do yourself a favour and stock up on their Heavenly Nacho Dip which is guaranteed to get any party started and yes, we speak from experience.

The new butcher section will get carnivores’ hearts a ‘flutter, and may we recommend the Parmesan Entrusted Pork Chops and Rolled Lamb Roast with their tender, juicy flavoursome yumminess. A special shoutout also goes to their Free-Range Roast Chicken coz who doesn’t love a succulent chook (besides our vegetarian and vegan mates who side note, are also well and truly catered to here).

There’s a beautiful spread of gifts and homewares for that perfect last-minute (but-doesn’t-look-last-minute) gift, with everything from dried flowers to photo frames, wooden paddleboards, candles, coasters and basically anything with a beautiful raw, rustic and natural vibe. And by gift, we also mean gifting ourselves coz we’re worth it.

Once you’ve shopped all the fresh fruit, herbs, meat, platter goodies, health foods, organic products and home pretties, strike up a chat with the super friendly staff. They have all the tips, from how to store your herbs to lock in long-term flavour, to the therapeutic qualities in, well, pretty much all their products. And if you’re STILL not sold, these guys support Currumbin Wildlife Hospital with fresh fruit and veg for the rescued wildlife and seriously, if this doesn’t push your buttons, nothing will.

So do yourself a favour and pop into this mecca of all things fresh and fabulous but warning, you will leave with WAY more than what’s on your shopping list. But no judgement, coz we did too.

Where: 499 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun
When: 6am – 8pm Monday – Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen.

When we hear the word “vine”, we are overcome with excitement and the reason is two-fold. Firstly, we can confirm that any sort of vine-vibed greenery gets a vigorous nod of approval from us. And secondly, our favourite thing in life a) grows on said vine and b) even rhymes with vine…and yep, you’re right here with us. So when there were whispers of Currumbin housing a new wine bar aptly called “Little Vine Room”, our heart-eyed emoji-mode was activated…and our enthusiasm was certainly not misplaced!

Now we’re not superficial, but let’s talk aesthetics first because this indoor/outdoor venue is a looker! Occupying an intimate space, she’s decked out in delicious deep green and apricot hues and is the stuff dreams are made of. There’s a show-stopping evergreen marble bar with sage green subway tiles underneath, lush arch cabinetry behind the bar, and a statement wall with tropical leaf wallpaper and overhanging vine-esk greenery (appropriate). Indoors seating features delicious green leather and gold-based stools, and twinning sets of suede velvet green stools along the indoor bar, and the indoor/outdoor bar serving windows. Throw in a funky cosy booth (#dibs) and some terrazzo floor tiles, and you’re in wine bar heaven.

It may be a dream come true for us, but it’s an actual dream-turned-reality for passionate (and downright lovely) owners Amanda Sawtell and Mark Newman. Their incredible vision and meticulous planning have culminated in a truly beautiful space, perfect for a girly catch-up, drinks with your other half, or a private function to remember. Enlisting Retail Collective to bring their interior concept to life and Tonic Projects to lead the build, Team Little Vine Room have produced a home run.

There are more key players to note here, including the talented Jayden Ross who was in charge of the food menu, and esteemed cocktail kween and local icon Breeana Erica curating the beverage list. So what can we expect to nom and sip and we honestly thought you’d never ask. With gourmet Toasties, Jaffles, Cheese and Charcuterie Plates, plus other delectable small bites, we’re sold. The Fungie Jaffle grabbed our attention, with mixed mushroom sautéed in champagne and cheesy béchamel, finished with parmigiano Reggiano. We’re also fangirling over the Chicken, Leek and Truffle Terrine with city larder’s chicken and crisp baguette… and our love affair with truffle just keeps on keeping on.

We can’t go past a good Cheese Plate because who can, and this one is loaded with Riverine Buffalo Blue from Victoria, sheep’s cheese Valdivieso Manchego from Spain, Cloth-Ashed Cheddar from Victoria, plus there’s a selection of cured meats by Salumi Australia. Now there’s only one thing that could make this better (W.I.N.E) and whattyaknow, there’s plenty of that. To accentuate the flavours of the cheeses, we’re partial to the La Crema Monterey Chardonnay from California, and the Nick Spencer Gundagai Light Dry Red from Gundagai in New South Wales. But wait, we just saw some cocktails being delivered to the next table and we are NOT leaving without a round of those!

First up we’ll have a Your Old Flame with 1800 Coconut Tequila, Sofi Blood Orange Aperitivo, fresh lime juice, and house made chilli syrup. Then an Espresso Martini with vodka, Kalua and fresh espresso topped with ‘LVR’ in cocoa powder… and actually, make that two rounds.

And just when you think this place can’t get any better, it does because the gorgeous Amanda will be introducing a special cocktail and toastie, with proceeds of each donated to their not-for-profit organisation, Love Thy Neighbour. Set up during the devastating recent floods, their mission is to help local communities in need and like we needed another drawcard but…wow.

So get on down to Little Vine Room, the Goldilocks of Gold Coast bars. Everything from the fit out, to the menu, to the infallible customer service, is ‘just right’.

Where: 27-31 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters
When: 10am to 10pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10am – 3pm Tuesday, 2pm – 10pm Saturday & Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen.