If one cafe has helped Burleigh Heads evolve into the Coast’s favourite suburb, it would have to be Tarte. This haven of delicious baked goodies and exquisitely poured coffee is the blueprint for what most other cafes strive to be. I think we can all agree that the ideal weekend sitch is you and your friends sitting streetside tucking into a delectably sweet pastry at this little happening hub.

And we are pretty stoked to say that the creative mastermind behind Tarte, the lovely Chloe Watts, has a brand new and exciting addition for all you sweet and savoury fans!

A new takeaway window has opened alongside the existing cafe space, and styled precisely as Tarte, it offers you the chance to grab new salivate-inducing eats, but without the necessity of having to queue up inside! Winning! Expect big New York-style bodega feels and holiday season vibes straight out of the West Village of the Big Apple itself — and a divine new menu to match.

The new made-to-order menu is completely separate from their cafe offering next door and is only available for takeaway. Yep, more deliciously wonderful and inventive treats to be discovered. (sigh) There goes the New Year diet before it’s even begun!

A selection of freshly baked bagels and dreamy fillings are available, as well as some epic sandwiches all wrapped in paper, cut in half, and served up with their very own housemade S& P potato crisps.

The American Brisket NY Bagel comes with 24hr slow cooked brisket, free range egg, cheese, Tarte pickles gochujang mayo and house BBQ sauce. But if you’re after a NY staple, choose the Lox Bagel with sustainable NZ smoked salmon, pickled onion, chive & cucumber cream cheese and crispy capers.

If bagels aren’t your jam, the BLT Sandwich with double-smoked streaky bacon, tomato, baby gem, miso mayo, bacon onion & jalapeno jam on fresh white sourdough will keep your belly very satisfied.

On the sweet side of things, the takeaway window also shines with a small selection of ricotta-filled, fruit and custard slathered, and generally decadent tarts and tartlets.

Now, if you are anything like us, you want to leave the Christmas dessert to the pros; so why not opt for one of their deliciously festive offerings in the main Tarte Bakery? In addition to the new takeaway window and to bring the holiday season home in style, Tarte are baking classic Gingerbread Houses, Gingerbread Trees and Spiced Christmas Cookies with nougat all available for pre-order. Ohhh yes! They are also taking pre-orders for Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie, Baked Ricotta Cheesecake and Apple Pie. Yes, we know, it’s all a bit too much to take in.

Open everyday, this little takeaway window of fabulous fare might just be your saviour as you rush around finding those last-minute gifts, or simply a quality grab-and-go sanga to enjoy at a much calmer pace.

Hours: 7 Days, 6.30am — 2.30pm
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads

Words by Alex Mitcheson

So it seems the best news of 2020 comes out of our very own Burleigh Heads and you guessed it, involves the very best of baked treats and a few familiar faces.

We’re talking about the opening of Tarte Bakery & Cafe, which is happening Wednesday August 19^th and if there is one thing you absolutely must do this year, it’s head in there and eat absolutely everything.

Tarte is the stunning new baby of Gold Coast hospitality royalty Chloe Watts, former owner of Paddock Bakery and an absolute magician when it comes to creating a world-class venue. It can be found on a sunny corner block in the heart of Burleigh, where Vecchia Roma once lived and look, you won’t miss it, there’ll be hordes of people (socially distanced obviously) wanting to get in for the rest of time.

The space has been entirely redone with the front façade being pulled out and put back in again to create a Soho, West Village (NYC) vibe that’s perfectly at home amongst the surrounding greenery. It’s all cool whites and calming blues with a huge open window overlooking the street, perfect for that Parisian-inspired people watching we all love while sipping coffee and downing baked goodies.

As you’d expect from Chloe, the space is beautifully put together – an antique bench was brought in from a rural NSW movie theatre (circa 1940’s), the door handles are over 100 years old, a luggage rack from an old train holds the bread behind the counter and Chloe’s Dad built a bench seat at the back.

Our favourite detail are the little gold cups Chloe bought from a London flea market years ago when she first decided she wanted to open a café and has been saving for this very moment ever since. Oh and the fact that she (and her builder) hand-chiselled 5,000 tiny black tiles into the floor. A labour of love indeed.

We could go on but let’s chat eats shall we?

First things first, the sweet baked treats will absolutely blow your mind. Every single one of them.

A Gold Coast first is the Cookie Cup which is indeed a cup made out of cookie mixture and served with warm vanilla bean milk (cold in summer). Yep, that’s a (very amazing) thing.

There are also Chocolate Praline Tartes, Cannoli with whipped ricotta and choc chips, a Rhubarb Custard Tarte, the list goes on. Many of the items are vegan and some are gluten-free but all are absolutely mind-blowing. We’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.

In terms of cooked dishes, there are some life changers and you’re going to want to sample them all. Starting with the Turkish Eggs with whipped Greek yoghurt, two poached eggs and Turkish spiced butter and served with white sourdough. Chloe has wanted to put that one on her menu for a while now and we are so very happy she did. There’s also Miso Scramble, a packed Breakfast Burrito and BAGELS in many epic flavours.

You should also sample the Roasted Grape Tartine, the Toastie (best in the world) and Cauliflower Burger because they are all some of the tastiest things we’ve ever eaten, hands down.

Every dish on the menu is thoughtfully created and balanced with intricate flavours and look just really yummy honestly. Best get down there and try them all for yourself hey.

Tarte Bakery & Cafe is sweet and sophisticated, warm and welcoming and the absolute perfect addition to Burleigh’s dining scene.

Things are looking up Gold Coasters, how good.

LOCATION: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: TBC

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If you’re a southern Gold Coaster, you’ve been to Tarte Bakery Café (on repeat. Like twice daily…). You’ve knocked back a Cookie Cup, soaked up its Soho vibes and Parisian style people watching, plus grabbed your fair share of NYC inspired sweets or savoury snacks from the Tarte takeaway window. In fact, even if you’re not from the southside, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve either been, or heard your friends lusting over all things Tarte (and had that fleeting “are we talking makeup or the café?!” moment, before correctly landing on the latter).

This crowd pleaser’s celeb status extends far and wide and when you’re on a good thing, why not make it even better? Not possible we hear you say, but when we tell you about the newest Tarte in town; Tarte Market, you’ll eat your words…and its entire menu! And you won’t feel even a twinge of guilt because it’s the health-conscious member of this GC luminary triple threat, set to level up the Tarte empire another notch.

Taking over the Thai restaurant next door, owner, boss babe, and hospitality guru, Chloe Watts, has done it again. With New York and Parisian influences, Tarte Market is in theme with her older sisters, yet offers an entirely unique eating experience. Focussing on all things healthy, clean, and beach-bod-friendly, we’re invited to go against the rule and actually make friends with salad. These aren’t just any salads either, made fresh to order with the option of including as many house-made add-ons as your tastebuds desire. That’s right, in addition to a few drool-worthy combos listed on the menu such as the Healthy ‘Risotto’ (yes, this is still a salad), you can fully customise your very own creation!

Freestyle your protein with the likes of maple hot smoked salmon, smoked brisket, lemongrass grilled chicken, poached chicken, and for a slightly naughty slant on an otherwise nourishing feed, fried chicken. Non-meat-eaters and vegans, never fear as you can also DIY with tofu, and tarragon and sage mushrooms. Salad never looked so good!

Other ingredients include quinoa and black rice, brown rice, wombok, kale, avocado, green papaya, spring onion, silver beet, broccoli, cauliflower, pickled cauliflower, shaved brussel sprouts, caramelised onion, goats fetta, halloumi, free range eggs, crispy chick peas, almonds, pine nuts, and pistachio dukkah to name a few. Then coz you can, add your fave herbs like Vietnamese mint, dill, chives, parsley, and coriander (controversial…but we’re firmly pro this divisive super herb).

If you’re thirsty, order a freshly made smoothie, like the Berry Smoothie, with blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and honey. Or, the one that made us go weak at the knees, the Lychee Smoothie which is all about the lychee! Plus there are design your own fresh juices, top notch coffee, a variety of teas, a Parisian Hot Chocolate, and a selection of exclusive Tarte Drinks. We’re drawn to the Old Fashioned Lemonade and of course, the Cookie Shot with steamed vanilla bean milk. Oh, and there are some cheeky alcoholic beverages if you’re feeling that way inclined (we are), like the Grande Mimosa with fresh OJ and the Hard Southern Iced Tea with vodka. Bottoms up!

And if you happen to be hit with a case of in-house Tarte FOMO (defined as frequenting your chosen Tarte, but deciding you actually want a piece of the other Tarte/s), relax – you can order from all three menus at either the bakery, the takeaway window or the new market. But here’s a hot tip: if you want to DIY salad (and not order from their set combos), you need to actually go to the Tarte Market window.

So for a delicious, healthy Tarte-a-licious salad experience with the option to freestyle your feed, cease-ar the moment and head to Tarte Market. Be-leaf us, you won’t be disappointed.
Hours: 7 Days, 6.30am – 3.00pm
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen.
Pics by Brittany Kreskas.