Let’s begin by acknowledging Mr Buttergoods as being an absolutely cracking name for a bakery slash café if ever we’ve heard one. Because the (ridiculously good looking/tasting) goods are made from butter, geddit!? Yep, right, moving on.
So Palm Beach is where you can find Mr Buttergoods as of last week and we suggest you pick up your phone, open your entertaining, meme-filled group chat and summon the gang right this minute. We’ll wait.
Now here’s the lowdown.
Taking up space where the Palm Beach bike shop lived for a very long time (RIP) is the new bakery slash café of your dreams. It’s a corner space so it’s quite roomy with both outdoor terrace seating from where you can glimpse the big blue and regular indoor seating (obviously) PLUS bench seats where you can peer intensely at the pastry chefs while they create food that is also art.
Because here’s the thang, every single sugary treat is made right there on the premises and what a treat they are.
There are things on offer like Turkish Delight Choux Bombs, Curly Wurly Eclairs, Salted Caramel donuts and a variety of giant slice-type goodies.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, there are Lester and Earls’ (oh because they’re the owners soz) famous pulled pork sausage rolls, crusty loaves of bread for purchasing and what may just be the most golden, heavenly smelling selection of pies we’ve ever encountered. Love you pies.
Of a weekend you can nab yourself a fresh baguette or salad from the cabinet and then you can march your merry self down to the beach and devour it while thinking about the pastry you will probably purchase on the way back past. Do it.
As of now, you can also eat breakfast in the sleek, industrial-style space and that comes in the form of Eggs Bennie Croissants, loaded Bacon and Egg Rolls and Avo on Toast with fresh cherry tomato salsa.
Followed by pastries, obviously.
We love pastries.
How good is Palmy*.
Bye now. Go forth and treat yo’self to a sugar coma.
LOCATION: 1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: 6am to 3pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith (*lives in Palmy)
Over the past couple of years Palm Beach (or Palmy as it’s affectionately known) has been transformed into the Coast’s king of cool.
With new bars and eateries filling every unoccupied space, quiet(er) beaches and some of the best boutique shopping around, Palmy is moving on up in the world.
As is customary, we’ve compiled a list of the top 17 reasons locals love the place.
Watson Bloom
A sweet coffee spot underneath Sable Palm Beach, Watson Bloom is serving up exceptional brews along with plenty of plant-based treats including raw goodies and banana bread made in-house plus pastries and never-ending good vibes. Pop in for an early morning brew and a chat.
Where: Sable Palm Beach, 2/1073 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Patty Smiths
The newest burger crew around are Patty Smiths who are serving up VERY tasty burgers, made with hand-pressed patties along with loaded fries, some of the most epic thickshakes around and just general deliciousness everywhere honestly. Perfect for beachside dinners or if you feel like something yummy but can’t be bothered cooking (us, always).
Where: Shop 15A Pavilions Shopping Centre, 6 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach
Las Palmas
Overlooking the ocean with the perfect pastel palette, Las Palmas is bringing Latin America to Palm Beach with a share-style menu, made up of mouthwatering flavours and a fresh cocktail list to match. Head in there for a Sunday arvo session or long lunch with your loves. It’ll be your new summer fave for sure.
Where: Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Scottish Prince
Tucked away, all moody low-lit with wild times written all over it, The Scottish Prince, sister venue of The Cambus Wallace and is one of the best drinking holes we have here on the Coast. It’s primarily a whisky bar boasting over 300 varieties of the tasty tipple plus a perfectly complementary menu including charcuterie boards, meatballs, Scotch Fillets, fish and chips and the like. All the very best things. Get in.
Where: 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Sisterhood Coffee
Sisterhood brings community-inspired good vibes to the people of Palmy. It’s the work of two local gals who are serving up impressive brunch dishes made with local produce and some of the yummiest there is. Sisterhood is bringing the coffee culture back down to earth, not charging for milks that aren’t of the full cream variety and are generally creating something pretty lovely down south Palmy way. Highly recommend.
Where: 1099 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Farmers Markets
The Gold Coast is home to many an impressive farmers market and one of our absolute favourites can be found in Palmy on Saturday mornings. From 6am at Palm Beach Currumbin High School you’ll find fresh local produce, artisan foods, specialty coffee, epic doughnuts, flowers, dog treats, the lot. The perfect way to spend a weekend morning.
Where: Thrower Drive, Palm Beach
Frida Sol
Margaritas and Mexi-eats are some of our favourite things and happily, they’re on offer at Palmy’s delightful upstairs space, Frida Sol. There’s a chilli margarita that’ll knock your socks off and if you perch outside on the deck, a balmy ocean breeze – the combination of which will remind you exactly why you live on the Gold Coast. The perfect time.
Where: Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Collective
No doubt you’ve already set foot inside The Collective more than once and why wouldn’t you with five restaurants to choose from? Open for lunch and dinner, you can stay all day and, as it’s a communal dining setting, you’re bound to make some new friends along the way. So, if you’re in the mood for pizza and tacos, head to The Collective, order both and wash it all down with a cocktail at the rooftop bar.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Barefoot Barista
Barefoot have been a Palmy favourite since they swung open their doors in 2011. They offer the kind of nourishing, healthy homestyle eats you’d expect when you visit your fanciest friend for breaky. Think house-smoked Miso Cured Salmon and Wellbeing Porridge packed with goodness. The crew at Barefoot also serve a mean coffee, one of the best on the Coast in fact and you, friends, can purchase the tasty single origins beans to make your own.
Where: 10 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Strange Days
Calling lovers of all things vintage, there’s a new kid in town and you’re going to want to head in there to peruse the goodies ASAP. The entire store has a bit of a rock ‘n roll, western vibe, reminiscent of owner Sylvie’s (enviable) style and you’ll find everything from clothes, vintage records, a few homewares, posters and the like. It’s all been carefully sourced and is in very good condition.
Where: 1/1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Pirate Park
Those with little ones will attest to the fact that the Pirate Park is up there with the best on the Coast. Located right near the water, the park far exceeds anything you ever got to play on as a kid with a pirate ship stuck in the sand and upended wine barrels perfect for all day climbing. If you don’t have any babes, Dune Café is close by as is the sparkling ocean and a dog beach on Currumbin Creek that’s always good for a laugh.
Where: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach (on the left before the Currumbin Creek bridge)
White Bohemian
It’s every local boho babe’s dream come true. Opened in 2013, White Bohemian stocks all your favourite hippy-esque labels including Byron Bay labels SPELL and Arnhem and locals like Mahiya and Lokoa. It’s possibly the only place on the Coast gals can go to stock up on the bohemian trend that has literally taken over the world. There’s homewares too so, you know, prepare to spend up.
Where: Cnr Seventh Avenue and Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Balboa Italian
It goes without saying that if you’ve ever driven through Palm Beach, you’ve definitely laid eyes on Balboa Italian. The beautifully appointed double-storey brick building is in a class of its own serving classic Italian dishes with modern interpretations and the freshest of flavours. It’s worth a visit just to experience the fitout, complete with overhead Vespa and exposed brick walls. The cocktails are unique and the wine selection varied. It’s all good to be honest, get down there.
Where:1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Espresso Moto
It’s a cafe crossed with a motorbike workshop and the home of the best banana smoothies on the Gold Coast. That’s right, the best. There is not a single thing not to love about Espresso Moto from their very delicious breakfast goods (the brekky burritos are the bomb), to their use of All Press coffee and the ever-friendly staff who always say g’day. There’s also a communal dog bed and the beach is right around the corner. So yeah, it’s the best.
Where: 1389 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Suga
A somewhat secret cocktail bar, tucked away on the Gold Coast Hwy, Suga specialises in rum and good times and if you’re keen on either or both of those you should absolutely get down there. They have an impressive cocktail menu plus plenty of epic wines (pet nats, yes please) and beers so no matter what, you’re gonna love it.
Where: 1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Ritual Yoga & Pilates
Found upstairs in a sunlit space oozing chill vibes is Ritual Yoga & Pilates. Owned by sisters Rose and Sophie, Ritual is only a couple of years old but has already become a favourite amongst both Palm Beach locals and those who reside in surrounding suburbs. If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation (or a solid sweat session), Ritual is calling your name.
Where: 9b Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
Highline
One of Palmy’s sweetest coffee spots is Highline, a stunning little space decked out in pastel hues and serving up some of the very best coffee on the Coast. The menu is the goods too, boasting fresh, locally sourced produce-filled dishes like jaffles, ferment bowls and even a life-changing apple pie. Great.
Where: 5/1132 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Words by Kirra Smith
Say hello to Palmy’s newest neighbour Mr Bengel – the third son of the man behind Burleigh favourites Justin Lane and Harry’s Steak Bistro.
Adam Haralampou, creative foodie genius, is no stranger to restaurant success on the Gold Coast and he has been eyeing off the prime Palm Beach real estate for awhile saying he’s not trying to reinvent the breakfast wheel but just wants to offer good food, straight up.
With a relaxed, open-living, navy on white look perfect for beachside Palmy living, Mr Bengel, Adam’s first cafe, represents a fictitious laidback local surfer in his 50’s who loves a chat. It’s also
They’re serving the much-loved Supreme Roasters coffee – born and bred in Queensland and a favourite amongst locals.
The best part is, said coffee is free Monday to Friday (March 6th to 10th) from 6am to 9am.
Serving up fresh, affordable food for breakfast and lunch, the menu will include the usual suspects – including ‘Housemade Bircher Muesli’ and ‘Eggs Benedict’ – along with a Harry’s lunch favourite – the Waygu Beef Burger.
If there’s one thing Adam knows how to do it’s simple food made delicious.
Whether you’re coming off the sand after a morning surf or heading down south for a road trip, pop in to say hello to the team at Mr Bengel.
See you there for a coffee on the man himself.
LOCATION: 1099 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues).
HOURS: From 6am to 2pm daily.
Words by Kirra Smith
It’s official friends, spring has arrived on the Gold Coast and with it comes sunshiny good vibes, even-more-magic-than-usual sunsets and people getting about with a little bit extra pep in their step (a poem, you’re welcome).
There’s more outside time, more socialising, more eating, drinking, beaching, all the very best things. We’re big fans.
You know what else we’re big fans of? Spring revamps. And in particular, spring the revamps of local venues we adore and can now spend more time frequenting.
We’re talking about Highline in Palm Beach, bringers of their very own variety of sunshiny good vibes, one of our favourite fitouts on the Coast, EPIC eats and as of just recently, a brand spanking new outdoor space that we’re considering moving into for summer.
Tim, Candice and the crew have knocked out the back wall to transform what was once an intimate, cosy little space into an intimate, cosy little space with a sweet new undercover outdoor area that you’re going to absolutely love.
It’s all textured white walls with hanging greenery, succulents and cactuses (cacti whatever) dotted throughout and a Fiddle Leaf Fig that is far more alive than any we’ve ever owned. Must be all the good vibes. A peach feature wall marks the outside entrance and there are plenty of tables for all your friends.
It’s a little old school beach shack and a little bit all of your design dreams come true and perfect for those balmy spring slash summer days we all migrated here for.
Not only that excitement though, the team at Highline are still serving up some of the best brunch eats around with a menu based around locally sourced, fresh produce of the highest quality.
For example the Wild Mushrooms are indeed wild and the best mushroom dish we’ve ever tasted with mushrooms (obvs), goats curd, Jerusalem artichoke and sage on toast. Don’t miss it.
We also devoured the Baked Eggs with tomato sugo beans, eggs, sausage, silverbeet and Pecorino on toast. Perfection.
Order at least three dishes with a side of perfectly brewed Marvell St coffee and you’ve got yourself a time.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, if we didn’t already live in Palmy, we’d move there just for Highline’s above and beyond goodness.
Go see for yourself.
LOCATION: Shop 5, 1132 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
HOURS: Open daily from 6am until 2pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
