Another week and another fabulous venue opening in Palm Beach. When will this sprawling suburb slow down in churning out even more reasons for us to spoil our tastebuds? To be fair, it doesn’t look like any time soon — however, any excuse to part with our hard-earned cash in the name of great food and superb drinks is something we are more than comfortable living with. Fresh on the scene at the southern side of Palm Beach is the newly-opened Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar.
Firstly, it’s worth mentioning the brains behind this fit-out is a bit of a hospitality legend in their own right. Scott Perry is a highly awarded mixologist who worked his way across Europe and the USA many moons ago with a notable stint in London’s iconic Milk and Honey bar, before opening up Euro Lounge Bar/Eatery The Lark in Brisbane a little more than a decade ago. More recently, he’s been involved in the festival scene and ensuring revellers have the best drinks possible, overseeing bar operations across local favourite, Splendour in the Grass. To say Perry knows hospitality inside out is probably putting it mildly, so what has he got in store for us at Scott’s?
The small but welcoming whitewashed 40-seater space is minimalistic and the opportune spot to evade the heat of the day, with some high tables close to the street and lower tables to the rear. By their admission, they want the vibe to be a relaxed Italian-style panino bar that hinges their entire offering on the three pillars of coffee, sandwiches, and wine. Meaning the space is welcoming you from breakfast right on through to sunset with taste sensations the entire way.
The menu splits itself in two, with Brekky Sangas available from 7am till noon, and then Sangas & Salad from 10am for the rest of the day.
The Brekky Sangas consist of their standard sanga of pillowy soft scrambled eggs, hot hash browns and fresh spinach on Ciabatta with optional extras of bacon & house brown sauce, smoked salmon & lemon mayonnaise or grilled halloumi.
The Sangas & Salad showcase some New York deli-style classics such as Leg Ham with provolone cheese, tomato & in-house pickles or the Mexican Pork with spiced slow cooked pork (8 hour), pickled red onion, salsa rossa, crushed corn chips, crumbled feta & Oaxaca cheese, served with pork broth for dipping.
If you’re beginning to salivate by reading that last paragraph, don’t worry, it’s quite normal. These are some serious examples of epic sandwiches, and when you take your first bite into any one of Scott’s creations, you’ll know the difference right away.
Drinks-wise they have three brightly coloured made in-house cold press juices, expertly poured espresso and a small collection of allocated wines. These bottles vary from small Australian producers right through to unique European appellations; grab a glass or get yourself into a bottle: munching away on ciabatta sandwiches with vino in hand is quite the Italian look, let us tell you.
Perry wants Scott’s to be the place you can drop in for a bite at breakfast time, a gourmet sandwich for lunch or a grazing-style experience through the afternoon. The menu also features a charcuterie selection, gorgonzola chips and a cheese platter to end all other cheese platters available from 3pm weekdays and 12pm on weekends. And with a cocktail menu in development — featuring an array of classic spritzes — Scott’s has set the bar pretty high. Drop-in and sample the goods, but be warned — you may never look at a sandwich the same way again.
Hours: Wednesday: 7am — 3pm, Thursday-Saturday: 7am — late, Sunday: 7am — sunset (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
Where: Shop 1, 1114 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
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
We’re all pretty much up to speed with how the ever-evolving Palm Beach scene is something to behold. However, it’s not only novel and ultra-modern apartments we’re witnessing popping up, but also new and exciting hospitality ventures: from on-trend cafes to scintillating nighttime hangouts and about everything else in between.
But, what about a down-to-earth bakery where you can grab yourself a well-poured coffee, some incredible pastries and breads and a space where you can catch up with a friend to watch the world go by? Sounds a little too good to be true, yet it isn’t. Say hello to Well Bread & Pastry — Palm Beach’s newest euro-infused bakery!
South African husband and wife owners Michelle and Stefan spent a great deal of time working and living in Europe whilst in their twenties, and amongst their adventures and discoveries in food, there was always a strong love for bread. After many years of perfecting the art of baking the perfect loaf, chef Stefan decided it was about time he let some fortunate members of the public enjoy his efforts. And after moving from Melbourne only a few months ago, the couple has decided Palm Beach is where they intend to make this happen.
The shop space oozes French countryside bakery vibes, warm exposed wooden features with a serene and sophisticated olive green throughout. There’s some serious window benchtop action going down as well, so if you like to people-watch or grab something and have some space to yourself, you’ll be smitten. Otherwise, there’s a handful of tables for you to take a load off and enjoy yourself something a little bit tasty.
The guys here aren’t on a mission per se, but they do want to dispel the myth that bread isn’t good for you. By using live cultures in the baking process and avoiding heavily refined grains for sustainably sourced and organic flours, you can be assured that their fresh-out-the-oven breads aren’t going to spoil all those hours you’ve spent in the gym. There is a sizeable collection, including Whole Grain Sourdoughs, Milk Loaves, and Pumpkin and Soy Rolls — freshly baked and all deliciously golden brown.
On the pastry front, you’ll find drool-worthy Croissants, Pain Au Chocolats and Biscuits galore, but if you prefer something a little more substantial, you’re in luck. They’re also putting together ready-made sandwiches and their own piping hot home-baked pies right out of the oven.
For appreciators of only the best coffee, you’ll be pleased to read two different Paradox products are being utilised. The lauded Surfers Paradise roastery’s much loved Penny Lane blend will be the go-to and a rotating Single Origin for all the black coffee fans out there.
Having been open for less than a week, it seems Palm Beach has truly welcomed Well Bread & Pastry since their opening day — by turning out in huge numbers and buying bread like it’s going out of fashion. We say get in on the action and enjoy your reason to fall back in love with bread again!
Where: 6 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach
When: Tuesday — Sunday, 6am – 2pm
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
