Who says the northerners aren’t spoiled for choice?
Who says the northerners aren’t spoiled for choice?
Ahhh Chirn Park, you’re the northern GC’s answer to Burleigh…minus the traffic and with an intimate village vibe. Embracing its increasingly trendy rep, Chirn Park is welcoming more and more cool/interesting/unique businesses to this once underrated neck of the woods. In fact, there’s now even a Chirn Park Festival, attracting an army of CP enthusiasts over its two-year lifespan. Us included.
Being the fans that we are, here are nine reasons why locals…and not so local locals….are flocking to Chirn Park en masse!
Cruize Espresso
It was love at first sight when we spotted the adorable logo alone. With a beautiful soft colour palette, swoon-worthy serve-wear, phenom wall art (Jai Vasicek, we see you…everywhere) and the instagrammable “I love you a latte” neon sign, the menu is as delicious as the fit-out. Think modern brekkie and lunch dishes beautifully presented with pretty-as-a-picture floral garnish, epic coffee, and the friendliest service in the land.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue
Quan 55
‘Quan’ is Vietnamese for bar, so no prizes for guessing what this Chirn Park fave serves! Host and owner Wynn serves up the same food as she does at home, even using her mother-in-law’s treasured 20-year-old crock pot! Now that’s authenticity personified! It boasts fabulous food and cocktails and ambience galore, thanks to the awesome interior and never-ending rotation of bums on seats.
Where: 4/55 Brooke Avenue
Luigi & Sons Barbershop
The longest established barbershop on the Coast, Luigi and Sons now have 3 shopfronts with contemporary, fresh fit outs, and a passionate team trained to deliver amazing haircuts with old-fashioned service. Catering for all the modern man’s barbering needs, they fuse traditional skills with very ‘now’ techniques. Beard-shaping and cut-throat shaves are also a speciality, so book that manscape yesterday.
Where: 4/58 Brooke Avenue
Little Barista Espresso Bar
Looking for a consistently high-quality caffeine hit, all day breakfast or lunch? Call off the search coz Little Barista delivers all of the above. Perched in arguably the most prominent corner position in Chirn Park, this rustic coastal gem is always buzzing. You can smell the glorious aroma of award-winning brews as you walk up the street, and don’t forget to bring Fido as pooches are welcomed with open arms.
Where: 3/39 Musgrave Avenue
Lambar Pizza
If pizza and pasta aren’t the answer, srsly what was the question? Whether you’re channelling takeaway, a meal in-house or perhaps have a private function on the horizon, Lambar is your BFF in waiting. Making all meals with love using the freshest, locally sourced produce, it’s impossible to go wrong here. And the pepperoni on the pizza is that you can BYO wine. Did someone say unicorn?
Where: 4/37 Musgrave Avenue
Daark Espresso
I mean, if they were to rename Chirn Park, it would be Daark Espresso. Well worth the queue, it’s the go-to for the professional brunching set. The coffee is as good as it gets, and the nosh is #goals (Spanner Crab Eggs Benedict, come at us!). Pull up a pew inside this rustic gem, or opt for a table outside on the wraparound balcony. Add a super buzzy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an institution.
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue
5B2F Bakehouse
If you’re mad for a bakery and srsly who isn’t, step this way and tell us you’ve had better! With classic French pastries and artisan sourdough for days, one look in the cabinet choccablock with THE most spectacularly crafted baked goodies and you’re sold. The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef extraordinaire Moonsun Yoo, we are well and truly buttered up.
Where: 55 Brooke Avenue
Ground & Sound
Cooking whole food from scratch and serving up specialty single origin PNG caffeine, this is where coffee meets music. Ground & Sound hosts live artists several times a week, music trivia night every second Wednesday night, plus there are regular open mic nights for budding artists. Inside, peruse musical memorabilia from the 60’s and beyond, or plonk yourself outside and soak up the epic tunes.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue
Moss n Stone
Moss n Stone offers the freshest and most on-trend blooms, arriving in-store daily. Delivering to all areas of the Gold and Tweed Coast, there are flowers and foliage for all occasions and persuasions. Also stocking an exquisite range of giftware, babywear and homewares, it’s your one stop shop for all things lovely, with a hint of uniqueness.
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Coffee is a way of life; a morning ritual, a culture unto itself and a way of bringing people together. Not to mention it’s delicious and it really helps with getting through these crazy 2020 days.
There are many people on the Gold Coast who feel this way about the golden elixir and a few who truly understand that it is indeed a way of life. Some of whom opened a café in Chirn Park recently that you can now visit every single day for your daily cuppa.
Those people are Darwin Dejdic and Michael Ruzic, the owners of Wavy Bone, a name you may have heard before and can now see permanently attached to a sweet little space on Musgrave Ave in Chirn Park.
The biz began as a coffee caravan, cruising the Coast and serving up Blackboard brews made with as much passion as anyone can have for coffee. The people were big fans.
One year later and the boys have expanded into a physical space with the intention of bringing specialty coffee to the northern end of the city.
It’s small in size and big in heart, decked with painted breeze blocks, polished floors and a sleek black coffee bar. There’s fun photographs on the walls, art placed on shelves up high and a turn table in the corner pumping out tunes. It’s a laidback, good time space perfect for sipping coffee and nibbling on baked treats.
As we mentioned, the coffee beans are of the Blackboard Coffee variety so you know they’re tasty and at the moment you can sample an array of five-star baked treats to go with it.
Within the next week the full menu will be available and that will be made up of things like Smashed Avo and gourmet sandwiches and bagels.
It’s right at home amongst the trendy, boutique-destinationy feel of Musgrave Ave and there’s plenty more interesting places to check out while you’re there.
If you’re one of those people who are all about coffee and want to try something new, may we suggest (strongly) that you head on up to Wavy Bone.
You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
LOCATION: 1/36 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
HOURS: TBC
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
There is always a time to gift a bunch of flowers. Whether it’s to express love, joy, affection, appreciation, sympathy, romance or to say sorry, every bloom is the chance to put a smile on somebody’s dial. Getting your hands on amazingly vibrant and fresh flowers can seriously make anyone’s day — if not week!
In order to help you maintain that bestest friend ever status — or help you out of the dog house — we’ve compiled a list of places with the freshest flowers and the brightest bunches!
Moss & Stone
Located in two locations in Southport, there’s no denying these guys are big players when it comes to fresh flowers — their multiple awards also cement this fact! You might get distracted from your flower mission with the exciting selection of homewares, skincare, and gifts, but remain focussed — you got this!
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park and Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport.
Flowers Gold Coast
We’re crushing hard on the fresh, high quality, and on-trend blooms from Flowers Gold Coast. With an amazing array of stunning fresh blooms, dried flowers and hampers, all made by locals, for locals. With an impressive variety of stunning flower options available, Flowers Gold Coast (literally) deliver the goods every day of the week. They also offer same day delivery to Brisbane and Logan for orders placed by 11am.
Where: online
Studio O’Hara
One of the newest luxury florists on the block, Bureligh’s Studio O’Hara offers a personalised flower subscription service to ensure you’ll never miss a loved-ones’ special date again. With their curated selection of locally sourced gifts and stunning fresh and dried flower bouquets this florist is indeed a game changer.
Where: 7 Taree St, Burleigh Heads
Village Flower Emporium
With free delivery for Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island residents, if there’s somebody up north who you want to spoil, then these guys are very much an option. Besides delivery, the shop caters to all tastes with a wide range of bouquets and gift packs as well as plush teddy bears — now if that doesn’t make somebody’s day, we don’t know what will!
Where: The Marine Village, 31 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove
Tugun Fruit and Flowers
Taking a trip to Tugun is always a great idea and a fabulous way to slow things down and enjoy a more relaxed village-style vibe to the Gold Coast. Swing by Tugun Fruit and Flowers, and not only will you find amazing juices (yum), you’ll also discover adeptly put together flower arrangements and a collection of dried flowers which are sure to brighten any room.
Where: 4/467 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
Wilde little Bloome
This boutique Gold Coast florist’s magical blooms saw them named as a finalist in the 2022 Wedding Industry Awards. Nakita, the creative mind behind Wilde Little Bloome is passionate about creating quality, unique and super special pieces. They create dreamy, organic and rustic inspired bouquets with both fresh and dried flowers.
Where: online
Bloom Jar
Now it may be a touch off-topic, but the selection of gifts that online Gold Coast florist Bloom Jar has at your disposal is nothing short of impressive. Jazz up any flower order with the addition of candles, chocolate, body oil, and wine! Their ‘everlasting collection’ are carefully curated dried flower arrangements and vary in style and size: perfect for any situation!
Where: online
Posy Lane
Posy Lane specialises in creating unique, fresh flower arrangements delivered straight to your doorstep at an affordable price. Unlike traditional florists, Posy Lane embraces a unique concept – each day, they craft a distinctive bunch of fresh seasonal flowers for delivery. While you can reach out for specific requests, styles, colors, or varieties, the true joy of Posy Lane lies in the delightful surprise they bring to each gift, turning it into a memorable and heartfelt experience.
Where: Online
Alba Roses
While their cute as a button Nobby Beach store is no more, thankfully we can still get our hands on Alba Roses’ beautiful flowers, plants and curated range of gifts online.
Where: Online
Eden the Flower Shop
The fantastic work of these guys can be found across various different cafes across the Coast from Helensvale to Surfers Paradise, such as all four Papercup cafes, northern favourite Bear Boy, Paddock and Rosé Gelateria. But fear not, you’ll also see their extensive range of blooms online for delivery right across the Gold Coast. Specialising in weddings and flower workshops, yep, that’s right. How do you fancy learning how to make your own pressed flower frame?!
Where: Multiple Gold Coast cafes or online
Bee’s Blossoms
Belle, the genius behind Bee’s whimisical floral creations, started her business by designing flowers for her disorganised sibling! Just 8 months in she won the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Best Florist Competition for 2021. Weddings and events are skillfully catered for with sustainability front of mind. Meaning all your flowery dreams and desires will be realised with minimal impact on the environment! We love this!
Where: Online from Mudgeeraba.
Maud and Ivy Flowers
With the tagline “Bold, Unmistakable and Courageous” you just know this florist is going to stand out in the crowd. Owner Monique Rameau has a devotion to detail and focuses on creating a personalised experience for every client.
Where: online
Words by Belinda Symons.
There are few dishes which 99.9% of the population agree are always worthy of ordering Every.Single.Time we go out for breakfast / brunch / lunch (heck, we’d order it at dinner if we could) but a Smashed Avo definitely tops the list. Its taste and abundance of nutrients make it a long-standing fave with people of all ages (not just Millenials – shock horror)… And guess what?! Its hero ingredient even has its own day of acknowledgment; World Avocado Day!
In honour of World Avocado Day which just happens to be Sunday 31st July, here is a list of places on the GC where you’re guaranteed a mouthwateringly yum smashed avo fix. ‘Hass’ Queen!!!
Daark Espresso
If you live in the central or northern ‘burbs, it’s safe to say you’ve dined here. A lot. You’ve also no doubt ordered the Smashed Avocado and Persian Fetta on seeded sourdough with poached eggs, toasted almonds, mint, sesame seeds, pepitas with lemon-infused olive oil. An institution among professional brunches, it’s worth the line-up. Oh and the coffee…we dare you to try and find better.
Where: 41 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
Paddock Bakery
Ahhh Paddock, we never tire of your Rustic Avo with fresh avocado served on their house 7-grain wholemeal sourdough toast with roasted pistachios, sunflower seeds and pepitas, and dressed with lemon juice, Joseph olive oil & fresh parsley. Level up and add sautèed kale with garlic, a poached egg and halloumi and yeah, it’s pretty safe to say you won’t eat again till dinner.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
Substance Espresso
If we’re north-side at brekky or brunch o-clock, you betcha bottom dollar you’ll find us smashing a Smashed Avo on sourdough with poached eggs, semi dried tomatoes, whipped feta, macadamia dukkha and sticky balsamic at the almighty Substance Espresso. The food, coffee, vibe and cracking service here is eternally faultless, and why not grab a sneaky carafe of mimosa to wash it down #DontMindIfIDo!
Where: Beside Samsara Gym, 12 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay
BSKT
After some avo-cadio running along the beach, stop into the ever-popular BSKT and refuel with a delicious and nourishing Smashed Avo with smashed avocado (duh!) and tomato salsa on rye sourdough with feta and pepita seeds. Absolutely nothing to feel guilty about here, and it’s a dish right at home at this beachside health café and local treasure famous for its vegan, gluten and dairy-free offerings.
Where: 4 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
Dune Café
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, Dune is a must-visit. Aside from the insanely good Smashed Avocado, Tomato and Byron Halloumi On Sourdough with smashed avo, cherry tomato confit, grilled Byron halloumi, E.V.O.O, microgreens on sourdough, and balsamic glaze, there’s the epic views over the Currumbin Lagoon, the ocean, park, nature – tick tick TICK! Kids will go avo-control for this place!
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Double Barrel Kitchen & Bar
Big brother to Double Barrel Kitchen at Mermaid Waters, Double Barrell is Benowa’s breakfast (and lunch…and dinner…) darling. Their Rustic Avo is goals, serving up fresh avocado crushed with lemon and seasoning served on pumpkin sourdough toast, with crumbled house marinated feta, black salt flakes and balsamic glaze. The high ceilings, chunky timber beams, greenery and rattan make it as easy on the eye as the tastebuds.
Where: 5/1 The Marina Concourse, Ross Street, Benowa
Bear Boy
It’s a given that anything you order at Helensvale’s terracotta, timber and greenery-infused Bear Boy will be an all-time palette pleaser, especially the All I Want Is Avo and yes, so do we. With avocado served on sourdough, pickled shallots, spiced yogurt, roast heirloom tomatoes and macadamia crumble you’ll want to order another round. And we won’t judge if you do!
Where: Homeworld Helensvale, 502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
Next Door Espresso Burleigh
Simply THE most on-fleek café complete with stunning courtyard (and St Barts a few steps away #ByeByePayCheque), you’ll fall in love with Next Door Espresso. Not just with her looks, but also her equally gorgeous menu including the Avo Toast. We’re talking thick sourdough, fresh chilies, Japanese dressing, toasted sesame seeds, a lime wedge and soft greens. Your socials will also lurve this place!
Where: 24 Junction Road, Burleigh Heads
Haig St
Overlooking the world-famous Kirra beach, Haig St cooks up a wholesome, relaxed breaky and lunch dining experience – and we avo lot of love for it. The Smashed Avocado is served with sourdough toast topped with fetta, wild rocket and flavorsome blistered cherry tomatoes, all drizzled with sticky balsamic glaze. Always busy with locals and tourists alike, the service is consistently fast, friendly and fabulous.
Where: 28 Musgrave Street, Kirra
Tarte Bakery & Café
James Street never fails to give us quality nosh, and Tarte Bakery & Café is no exception. A menu highlight is the Avo Toast with avocado, fried shallot, mixed puffed grain, fresh lime on multi-grain sourdough, which tastes even better when you follow it with one of their freshly baked decadent French pastry goodies. With French bistro-style seating outside, the people-watching is as satisfying as the amazing food.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
Bumbles Café
You’ve never seen a prettier place than Budds Beach’s Bumbles, and no avo dish shout-out would be complete their infamous F.A.T. Served with Persian fetta, avocado and tomatoes atop toasted sourdough with a drizzle of vincotto, it’s as delicious as the eclectic surrounds. Sit inside or out, or book one of their themed group spaces. Just don’t forget your phone (as if) because there are photo ops galore.
Where: 19 River Drive, Surfers Paradise
Bam Bam Bakehouse
Bam Bam and its sisters Cubby Bakehouse and Custard Canteen are Gold Coast institutions. Every option on the menu is lit, with the Bam Bam Avo a tried and tested (on repeat) verified banga! Served with fresh avo, edamame, togarashi, chilli, yuzu, pickled baby cucumber and Joseph olive oil on sourdough toast, do yourself a favour and add Halloumi Cubes. You’re welcome.
Where: 2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Words by Bianca Trathen.
