Melbourne specialty coffee for Miami.
Melbourne specialty coffee for Miami.
It’s the little beachside suburb that often flies under the radar but Miami may just be the next suburb to boom. In terms of eateries and drinking holes that is (the only things we’re qualified to have opinions on here).
The latest establishment to slide open its doors is Quade & Co, a specialty coffee shop serving up Melbourne beans Locale and reminiscent of the cool little nooks you might find in the southern city.
The interior is a happy time with a Danni Simpson mural drawn on one wall and copper pipes snaking around the other. As is custom these days, greenery tumbles down from artfully placed pots, exposed bricks make up the back feature wall and the general vibe of the space is raw with a splash of city sleek.
Which isn’t surprising considering co-owner Isaac Quade, the guy whipping up your daily espresso, is quite a bit younger than your average local business owner. He came from a commercial coffee space in Robina and relocated closer to the ocean after deciding Miami needed a little something more.
For the moment, Quade and Co. are just serving up tasty cuppas but within the next few weeks we can expect all the delicious eats too.
There’ll be breakfast faves along the lines of avocado toast (because are you even a café if you don’t serve avo toast) and toasties (which suddenly got popular again).
Fresh muffins will be made on site each day and donuts will also be up for grabs (see previous brackets re: avo toast).
Oh and there’s ample car parking, so that’s an added bonus these days.
Pop in and say g’day to Isaac next time you’re cruising through Miami and mark our words, that place has got some good things going on in 2018.
LOCATION: 1/2098 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami
HOURS: 6am to 12pm Monday to Friday and 5.30am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Breweries are always a good time and when news of a new one tickles our earlobes, we are there faster than you can do a shoey on a hot summers day.
New local legends Jarrod Blanning and John Walz clearly feel the same way and happily, the pair are opening Lost Palms Brewing Co. in Miami on November 10th. We sat down for a chat with the pair about pairing beer with the Triple J Hottest 100 and why you should judge beers on how they make you feel.
How long have you lived on the Gold Coast?
Jarrod: I’ve only lived here for about three months. Before that I was commuting down from Brisbane for a few months.
John: I’ve been living in SE QLD for five or six years but on the Gold Coast for about three years. It’s the best place in the world.
What do you love about living here?
John: We moved here for a lifestyle, a work life balance. It’s still a growing city, there’s lots of room for it to change and there’s plenty of space for everyone to move. Why wouldn’t you live here? I was always against living on the beach because I wanted to appreciate my holidays when I had them but why not appreciate it every day if you can.
Jarrod: People are so much nicer here. There’s plenty of clichés, the beach is closer etc. but it’s just a really good change from Brisbane. We were so happy to move down.
Tell us about Lost Palms Brewing Co.?
Jarrod: Lost Palms is really John’s baby, he’s done all the planning, infrastructure and groundwork to see if it’s viable. I previously tried to start something with Jo, our overseas partner, but it fell through. Once John did all the hard work, I jumped on board. We thought the Coast was the best market because it’s a great place to live and there’s more of an opportunity for starting breweries. We’re trying to create that neighbourhood oasis where you can just come and hang out.
John: We don’t want to set up a snobby food and beer matching thing. I don’t care about those rules. Our beers are made for a purpose and an experience, not to a rulebook. We follow guidelines of course but there’s no reason why you can’t tweak things. We make a beer for a purpose and an experience and the food is there to make it an event. We’ll have toasted sandwiches and sliders and in winter we’ll put on slow cookers, there’ll be chips, wings, poutines and things like that. We just want to create a good vibe and a good night out.
Can you let us in on the types of beer we’ll be drinking?
John: We’re making the beers to certain styles — from lights to darks and in between in terms of colours and intensity. We started home brewing and experimenting with our own recipes. For the example the Summer, I wanted to make a beer I could drink during the Triple J Hottest 100, from 100 down to one and last the whole day and it’s light and fresh and crisp, it’s a little dry on the aftertaste but it’s not a full bomb going off in your mouth. They’re made for a purpose. Likewise with the APA (American Pale Ale), that one was Jarrod’s baby. We’ve got a Porter, they’re all channels of what I like but we have tweaked a lot after people have come in to give us feedback.
Why did you choose Miami?
John: The other breweries are all south of here, we didn’t want to try and impede on their areas but further north it’s more difficult. We knew we wanted to be close to the beaches and as far north as we could because the tram line will be stopping down here. The area is also good in terms of growth.
How is Lost Palms unique?
John: We’re not trying to reproduce anything, we just want to create an experience. We make a beer to bring the feelings. I ask people not to think about what it tastes like but think about where it takes you.
When are you opening?
Jarrod: Lock it in for the 10th of November. Our release is the Crafted Beer & Cider Festival. All of our beers will be there so people can sit down and try everything in the one spot for the first time.
Best piece of life advice you’ve ever received?
John: F*#k the rules, do what you want.
Jarrod: A smart person learns from their mistakes, a wise person learns from other people’s mistakes.
Being Gold Coast locals, we have to ask your favourites:
Café: (John) Canteen, Parlour, Bam Bam Bakehouse and Mr Bengel
Restaurant: (John) Burgster is the best burgers, The Collective is a great concept, Greenhouse Bar & Restaurant (Jarrod) Tuesday night ramen at Bine Bar is good
Beach: (John) Palm Beach
What does your weekend usually look like? (Jarrod) John works. I research.
LOCATION: 11 Oak Ave, Miami
HOURS: TBC
Get in loser, we’re going shopping (and eating, and brewery-hopping, and sight seeing, and exploring street art, and… you get the idea)
Now you might be wondering why we’re throwing around random movie quotes to kick off this list (in our defence there is a Mean Girls line for *every* occasion) – but if suburbs were Mean Girls characters, Miami would for sure be the one to utter this iconic line. Miami has it all, and it knows it. Take one glance at just some of the epic spots we’ve lined up and you’ll soon see why all the other suburbs wish they could be this cool.
It used to be that Granddads were good for stealing our noses and sneaking us butter candy, but in Miami, Granddad Jacks is good for plying us the finest locally distilled spirits, gin making classes, distillery tours and of course and just an all-round cool haunt to sit back with a top notch bevvy and let our mullets run free. These masterful wizards didn’t amass a whopping haul of awards by getting distracted by anything other than distilling, so it’s BYO food too (and surely that means more to spend on the good stuff!). Make sure you try the 65 Miles Gin, recently crowned the Hottest Aussie Gin for a third year in a row!
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami
It would be shell-fish of us not to include Miami Fish Market, as much as we would love to keep this absolute pearl a secret. They hook the Gold Coast up with responsibly sourced, premium seafood from Australia and New Zealand (unlike heading home empty-handed from your holy grail fishing spot). Take some of their freshest and finest home to enjoy, or pull up a stool in their courtyard oyster and sashimi bar for a shuck-tastic time. Now offering a full (fancy-pants) fish and chips menu. Potato scallops and caviar, anyone?
Where: 1/54 Paradise Ave, Miami
The Coast’s OG street food night markets that put Miami on the map as a must-visit destination for foodies and live music lovers alike. The first venue of it’s kind to Miami and perhaps even the Coast, Marketta quickly grew to establish itself as a mainstay among the GC scene, bringing good vibes, live music and great food galore via the eclectic creative and cultural hotspot for over ten years now. Our beloved market brings us all our favourite tastes of the world as well as that same buzzing atmosphere that’s favoured by families especially, for rounding up their rowdy broods for an easy night out that everyone can enjoy.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Pde, Miami
We have a grand idea for ya! Why not take those freshly shucked oysters to-go and hit the picturesque Pizzey Park for a bougie picnic? It’s one of the biggest parks on the coast, a local icon, and a hub for sports, clubs, recreation, and fun times for all ages. There’s an aquatic centre, playgrounds galore, a wheely epic skate park, the Gold Coast’s first and Australia’s largest asphalt pump track and, let’s not forget, the off-leash dog area for our four-legged BFFs. In fact, paw out of five dogs agree that Pizzey is the best park for zoomies on the GC.
Where: 80 Pacific Ave, Miami
One of Miami’s most recent (and appreciated) additions is Bar Monte. This Italian eatery is so good it’s saving us a trip to Rome. They’re bringing the classic trattoria to us, with a modern twist, by blending international influences with fresh, local ingredients. The result is a menu as bold as it is delizioso.
The space is stylish yet inviting, striking the perfect balance between high-end sophistication and relaxed coastal charm. Pasta lovers will swoon over the Rigatoni, Vodka Sauce, Nduja and Stracciatella, and don’t even get us started on the wine list; curated by world-renowned sommelier Andrea Martinisi.
Where: No.3 Mountain View Ave, Miami
It’s no secret us Gold Coasters are quite partial to doing what we can to our put our best #lewks forward, and over the last few years the streets of Miami have also been undergoing somewhat of a glow up themselves (and #spoileralert – there’s no filler to be found here folks). The suburb is at the heart of a thriving GC art and cultural boom, with a bunch of incredible artists transforming the local laneways into a destination in and of themselves. There’s even the Art Roll website dedicated to mapping out the best routes for your own self-led street art tour.
And the event that started the movement, Surface Festival returns at the end of June, set to transform the local footpaths, fence lines, laneways and walls with some art-mazing fresh new works to admire and we’re here. for. it.
Where: Check the Art Roll website for locations
Okay, now it just feels like Miami is showing off and 501 (no kidding) Google reviews can’t be wrong. At first glance those deceptively colourful trademark stairs might look all sunshine and rainbows, but one thing’s for sure – conquer that climb and you will be rewarded with one of the best vantages on the coast. With stunning views of the coastline from Surfers right down to Burleigh, there’s only one thing left to say: How’s. the. serenity. (and maybe a hearty dose of *heavy breathing* depending on how many times you decide to take on those stairs #cardi-no thanks)
Where: At the south end of Miami (you can’t miss it)
If you love a good smash burger (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), Broken Hearts Burger Club in Miami is calling your name. Born from one guy’s lockdown obsession with nailing the perfect LA-style burger, this cult-favourite joint keeps things simple – and seriously delicious. Choose between a classic or fancy burger, stack it up with one, two, or three patties, and let the molten cheese and house-made pickles do the talking. Throw in some loaded fries, a thick shake, and that retro diner aesthetic, and you’ve got yourself a one-way ticket to burger heaven. #sorrynotsorry
Where: 1934 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Move over, high-rise hotels – motels of the Gold Coast are getting a makeover, and boy, are they impressing. Exhibit A- The Shores Miami. Nestled just 200 metres from Miami Beach, this 1970s Gold Coast gem has recently undergone a multi-million dollar transformation, blending retro vibes with modern comfort to create its perfect nostalgic charm.
Inside, find bright, modern rooms, orange sun lounges with overhead striped cabanas, a gorgeous pool, lush greenery, and soothing pastel colours. Outside; endless adventure, starting with this list! Staycation, anyone?
Where: 2016 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
There will always be room on the Gold Coast and in our hearts for another coffee roastery (get rid of the servos; we just need coffee). However, by no means is Whyld ‘just another’ coffee bar, channelling the strength of a triple espresso since 2021. That’s what we’re talking about! They promise ‘genuine connection fuelled by bloody good coffee’ and serve it up in a warehouse space/micro-roastery cuter than your grandma’s knitted blankets. Take your organic specialty coffee to go, or take a seat on one of their vintage couches and soak up the good vibes (the recommended take).
Where: 8/43 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
You can’t beat having a neighbourhood bakery (a carb-load close to home), particularly a European-inspired one. An ideal day on a plate for us would look like a warm, buttery fruit Danish for breakfast (washed down with a mighty good coffee), a ham, cheese and pickle baguette sandwich for lunch, followed by a basket full of buttery, flaky pastries for dessert. No veggie in sight! He he.
Where: Shop 5/1934 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Japanese beer + Japanese street eats = heaven. Therefore, heaven can be found in Miami at the suburbs’ very own Japanese beer bar, Roji Cat. Here, you’ll be transported (at Shinkansen speed) to the neon-lit districts of Tokyo and Osaka, with an interior decorated to resemble their authentic alleyways, down to the signage and lanterns.
What else will you find? Twelve Japanese brews on tap and twenty-four types of sake, for starters! Then there’s the nosh, a curation of elevated Japanese street food that’ll have you sighing ‘oishii’, with every bite. Think Robata Skewers, sweet and spicy Roji Cat Karaage, Gyoza, Sashimi, Miso Corn (love you) and burgers including a Bug Burger with a tempura Moreton Bay Bug, spicy Japanese coleslaw and Kewpie mayo. We’ll take all of that, thank you so much.
Where: 47 Lemana Lane, Miami
It’s almost time to pack away the budgie smugglers and slip into something a little more cosy as we edge closer to the cooler months. Enter UGG Since 1974 – churning out wearable warm hugs for your feet since, well, 1974. Don’t be feeling sheepish if you didn’t know they’ve expanded their range to include a huge selection of colours, styles and options to customise including monogramming (cute!), as well as paw-dorable pet accessories (even cuter!) With factory tours running right out of Miami, the only thing better than supporting locals is treating your tootsies to a cloud-nine experience in the process.
Where: 23 Christine Ave, Miami
Have you worked up a thirst reading this list? Thankfully, we’ve saved everyone’s favourite brewery (yep, we called it) for last- Precinct Brewing Co. Step through their doors and you’ll be welcomed into one sleek space; all white with high ceilings, wooden beams, a couple more murals and some massive brew kettles in the background of it all. You can see why people say it’s the place to beer! Don’t forget to grab one of the tasty pizzas coming from the onsite kitchen, too…
Where: 17 Christine Ave, Miami
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
It is with happy tears and overly energetic typing fingers we bring you the news that Tweed Heads has jumped on the quality coffee/tasty eats/cool new venue bandwagon and you may as well pack your bags and move because things are heating up down there friends.
Hymn Coffee opened recently and it’s all glossy white tiles, raw concrete, plants aplenty and light fittings we would have stolen if no-one was looking (and stealing wasn’t illegal, obviously).
The thing that will catch your well-trained, interior appreciating eye though, isn’t a thing at all but a rather large, dried flower installation fixed to the ceiling. It’s a creative collaboration of the prettiest kind between co-owner Kelly and your fave curators of all the beautiful things, Gather Store (so you know it’s good).
The faces of Kelly and her partner KC are ones you may recognise from Palmy local Barefoot Barista. Mid last year the pair decided to go out on their own, then birthed a wee babe and opened Hymn Coffee (because two babies are better than one, right).
The menu is filled with dishes inspired by Kelly, and Head Chef Andy’s, New Zealand roots and feature familiar favourites with a refreshing twist.
For instance, the Hawker Roll is a fun (and DELICIOUS) take on the bacon and egg roll but with roti instead of a boring old bread roll. How good is roti. With the added goodness of Mum’s apple sauce, crispy onions and CONDENSED MILK MAYO, we’ve got ourselves a winner.
If heavenly bacon and egg dishes aren’t your thing (check yourself), go for the Fruit and Nut which features watermelon, little bananas, strawberries, cacao granola, whipped raw honey yoghurt, almond milk and basil. Fruity fresh.
Everything is made with seasonal, locally sourced produce and the menu will change as it sees fit.
Coffee beans are a blend called Orthodox from Melbourne coffee Gods St. ALi and is it just us or is there a theme here.
Because we love a good theme, here’s the punch line.
All your coffee drinking, epic food eating prayers have been answered, Tweed Heads.
Go now.
LOCATION: Shop 2, 99 Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads
HOURS: 6am until 2pm every day
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
