Ahh Miami. I mean the name alone gives cool vibes for days, and this southern GC suburb does not disappoint. In fact, Miami has risen through the ranks over the last few years to become one of THE places to see and be seen at.

Here are 18 reasons why we can’t get enough and LBH, if it’s good enough for Will Smith to sing about, why wouldn’t we write about it?! (a different Miami but, same same).

Paddock Bakery
This place has awards coming out of every orifice and for darn good reason. Turning a 70-year-old Queenslander home into one of our all-time fave bakeries, Paddock hits a homerun every time. With seating options in the gardens, cottage, loft, rooftop and barn, it is the perfect brunch spot. You won’t give a hoot about the calories in their bakery goods because they are worth not being able to fit into your skinny jeans.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami

Granddad Jacks
I mean it’s a distillery, and we feel this is enough of a sales pitch… With award-winning spirits galore made by this family-owned business and a super cool rustic vibe, it’s a no-brainer for an awesome arvo. Try the Two Pencils Gin and the Coffee Liqueur…or maybe don’t coz a trip to Dan Murphy’s will just never cut it again. Also, it’s BYO food so there’s more in the kitty to blow on booze.
Where: 45 Lemana Ln, Miami

Heartfill Store
If you haven’t been in and emptied your bank account yet, you are not worthy of calling yourself a true Gold Coaster. With homewares, art and craft, flowers, clothes and vintage bits and pieces, this little gem is pure girly heaven. Described as a creative retail space inspired by living slowly and consuming mindfully, it encourages sustainable futures and celebrates creativity. Yay!
Where: 1/29 Lemana Ln, Miami

Kira & Kira
This place is a home decorator’s happy place. Carrying timeless and unique pieces carefully curated from local and global designers and artists, Kira & Kira value true craftsmanship. Their ethos is: buy once, love forever…and we’re here for it. Featured in the who’s who of abode styling magazines, Kira & Kira is a true local treasure and we feel like proud parents watching her grow and conquer.
Where: Cnr Gold Coast Hwy and Kratzman Ave, Miami

Miami Fish Market
If it’s responsibly sourced and sustainable seafood so fresh it’s still swimming (literally) you’re seeking, then this place is your new BFF. If you don’t feel like cooking up their plethora of seafood in your own kitchen, you don’t have to as it also boasts a raw bar with oysters shucked to order, sashimi and specialist conservas from Europe. How good?!
Where: 1/54 Paradise Ave, Miami

SPEC
This moody, industrial-esque beer garden and tapas haven is a refreshing change from the Palm Springs-inspired venues which rule the GC right now. With mouth-watering bites, fine wines, local beer goodness and of course, cocktails, it’s where we’re spending our Saturday arvos. Hosting regular events like comedy nights, they also serve Halloumi Tacos and do we really need to say anymore?
Where: 2176 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami

Miami Hill
Okay so the view from atop Miami Hill is just beyond. It is a steep (but brief) climb, but well worth pushing the ‘ole bod to see our beautiful GC in all its glory from north to south. And if you’re keen to burn off the weekend’s indulgence, the stairs on the north side of the hill are a popular choice for those wanting to raise their heartrate.
Where: At the south end of Miami (you can’t miss it) 

The Miami
Known as Miami Tavern in its past life (or the Shark Bar if you’re older than that), The Miami has been an iconic destination for those after quality pub grub and good times since 1925. This two-storey newly renovated pub draws inspo from its beautiful beachy surroundings, overlooking Miami Hill. It’s a staple for a fun day or night out with the gang.
Where: 2043-2047 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami

Pizzey Park
If you grew up on the GC, you’ve been to Pizzey Park. A premium sport and recreation precinct, it’s one of the biggest and most popular parks on the Coast. With an area for your pooches to roam, a skate park for the kids to run themselves ragged, and beautiful areas to sit down with a picnic lunch, it’s also the perfect backdrop for an Insta snap-fest.
Where: 80 Pacific Ave, Miami

Piccolo Espresso
Going for a scenic stroll along the Esplanade and then rewarding yourself with a Merlo coffee, fresh smoothie or yummy brekkie is good for the soul…and Piccolo Espresso knows it! A fave amongst locals, whether you want to sit down and take in the beach views or grab something to go, you’re sorted. Insider tip: the Avo and Fetta Mash is a winner.
Where: 2 Hythe St, Miami

Miami Marketta
What would a Miami hotspot list be without our beloved Miami Marketta. It could be the backstreets of Thailand, Barcelona or New York City but nope, this epic night market is right here in our city my friends. A family friendly destination, it dishes up a giant slice of multicultural goodness with stalls, street food, live music and events. A must-see in anyone’s books.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Pde, Miami

The Jolly Roger
Serving only Aussie and NZ catches, this funky fish joint promises the freshest seafood and is furry friend friendly! With a great range of homemade snacks and flavours, plus offering a keto fish and chips meal (bravo) and vegan tofish (get it?!, sounds like something we’d come up with…), it caters to one and all. Ahoy me hearties!
Where: 3/110 Mountain View Avenue, Miami

UGG Since 1974
Because we all love a good UGG. An Aussie-owned and made institution, the UGG will never lose its sparkle. Literally – you can get a pair of custom-made UGGs here with Swarovksi crystals. Not.even.kidding. With a huge selection of colours and patterns plus the option to take a tour of the factory, it’s un-Australian not to check it out.
Where: 23 Christine Ave, Miami

Lumber Punks
Yes, this is the place where you go to throw axes for fun. It’s actually a thing, and a super fun and strangely satisfying thing at that. Perfect for date night, social outings, birthdays, bucks, break-up (I mean, we didn’t say that) or even corporate events, learn from axe throwing gurus who will get you nailing bullseyes in no time. If it’s good enough for Jason Momoa, it’s obvs good enough for us.
Where: 19 Ozone Pde, Miami

That’s Amore
Looking for a feed that’s Italian? That’s BYO? That’s a family-run biz? That’s…Amore! This crowd-pleasing local haunt never fails to knock our socks off. Its reasonably priced menu means we can afford to go every week (if we can get in that is) and its food is as good as it gets. With everything you’d hope to find on the menu, you can taste the love in every dish.
Where: 110 Mountain View Avenue, Miami 

Daymaker Espresso
This industrial-style space serves up coffee that is off the charts and the menu is loaded with fan-favourites and vegetarian-friendly delish eats. It’s the perfect place to meet up with the crew, take your laptop for a change of scenery during the work day, or pop in for a pre-beach bite. Both Andrew Madgwick and Dylan Nesbit will warmly welcome you!
Where: 44 Pacific Ave, Miami

Trader Trove
Another family-run fave, Trader Trove is a curation of handmade rattan furniture, unique home décor, stunning soft furnishings, beautiful giftware collections and so much more. Its worldly wares inspired by slow and intentional living, with a nod to the bohemian and coastal luxe interiors, makes us swoon every.single.time!
Where: 22 Christine Ave, Miami

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Takeaway could well be the greatest thing ever invented and if wasn’t so bad for you, you’d probably get it every day right? WELL GUESS WHAT! According to this very article, takeaway food doesn’t have to be bad for you and that could be the greatest news ever not invented.

Here’s a list of the top 9 restaurants offering healthy takeaway options. Happy days.

Raw Energy, Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads
Located on the corner of Marine Parade in Coolangatta is Raw Energy, a healthy food and lifestyle café that started on the Sunshine Coast. Their focus is on fresh food, served fast in a funky environment. Raw Energy’s got you covered, offering anything from healthy smoothies or juices to macadamia and lentil burgers, YUMM!
Where: 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

The Pocket
If you haven’t been there yet, put this one on your ‘to do’ list! The Pocket in Burleigh’s Connor Street is an absolute favourite amongst locals and offers a great range of healthy take away options (with an extensive vegetarian/gluten free menu). The Pocket aims to be a conscientious restaurant serving locally sourced, wholesome food, often using produce grown by owners David and Michelle.
Where: 13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Marie Anita’s Gluten Free Health Cafe
Marie Anita’s offers a solely gluten free and sugar free menu designed to provide dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and raw alternatives. With the aim to source from local suppliers and to use as much organic produce as possible, Marie Anita’s challenges the image of healthy eating.
Where: 2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
A personal favorite is Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, the holy grail of all healthy food. With the motto ‘anything you can do, we can do vegan’ they’re onto something, because they are busy every day of the week. But not to worry, they do take away, too! All produce are sourced from trusted suppliers and farmer’s markets – food is medicine and it should nourish the mind, body and soul. Amen!
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami and 1/140 Griffith Street, Coolangatta

BSKT Cafe
BSKT Cafe (Biscuit) was founded with the belief that people care about their health. They just needed the right place to deliver these health options in an indulgent and accessible manner.
All products are designed to inspire through nutritional quality, taste and a global conscious. Made from high quality plants and free from refined sugar and anything artificial. All products are hand crafted with love using traditional methods busting the myth Vegan and Paleo products can’t be delicious as well as nutritious.
Where: 4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach

The Shack Superfood Cafe
The name says it all, the Shack Superfood Café in Nobby’s is a health freaks paradise with real and fresh food that tastes great and is nutritious! On offer is quinoa, acai, smoothies and juices, breakfast, takeaway lunch and dinner boxes, plus tea and coffee. If you are looking for a hassle free, convenient and easy takeaway option look no further and go give the team at the Shack a visit.
Where: 2221 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach 

Cardamom Pod
Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach is a vegetarian and plant-based restaurant inspired by the art of creative and tasty cuisine. With an extensive salad bar and delicious hot meal options such as curries or lasagne, Cardamom Pod is the perfect place to get some tasty and healthy takeaway, and word on the street is there are opening one in Brickworks! But be warned, their desserts are out of this world, especially the raw peanut butter cups.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Govindas
Govindas is without a doubt one of the most popular vegetarian, eco-friendly take-away restaurants on the Gold Coast. They offer a variety of pure vegetarian foods (vegan and gluten free options available) including vegetable dishes, basmati rice, dhal, potato bake, samosas and a variety of salads, desserts and drinks. Veggies are sourced locally and all dishes are prepared daily using the freshest produce. The buffet style approach lets customer create their own meal at reasonable prices. YUM.
Where: James St, Burleigh Heads

Giri Kana Cafe
The Giri Kana Cafe is a fresh take on vegan and vegetarian food, with a wide selection of freshly made vegan / vegetarian items (many organic and gluten free options also), including an extensive dessert menu. Their emphasis is on fresh and wholesome foods, which are good for the body, as well as the mind and spirit – and to this end, food is cooked with love and devotion. Try one of their signature tofu or vegie burgers served on turkish bread or as a gluten free option the Open Burger on rice. All so good!
Where: Cnr of Nind St and Gold Coast Highway, Southport 

Words by Kirra Smith

Byron Coathup is a passionate Cooly artist who has lived in the southern beachside suburb most of his life. 

His colourful portfolio boasts the likes of Bleach* Festival, the creation of a local community arts space and a recent collaboration with Gold Coast fashion label The Undercurrent.

We chat with Byron about his love for Coolangatta and the exciting international project he’s got in the works.

How did you get to where you are today?

I have no idea! I just started out knowing I wanted to be an artist.  I think if you believe you are something you’ll become whatever you believe. You tend to attract the right people and projects when you have that seed implanted.

I studied at Gold Coast Queensland College of Art and did a short city stint in Melbourne studying design at RMIT. Upon my return home to Coolangatta I started working with Bleach* Festival from its very first year.

I think as long as you’re dedicated to learning and updating your skills and mindset you will get somewhere you want to be.  I do still have a long way to go though.

You co-own and curate an arts space, Maverick Hair and Art in Coolangatta, how did that come about?

My partner, Hayley and I just dreamt it up one day after a night out on the town. We both wanted to run our own lives and work for ourselves.  We sat out the front of a rundown Art Deco style shop on McLean Street and just closed our eyes and believed we would move into that very shop.  Three months later it was still available so we faced our fears and opened shop!

It’s now been running for four years and we just moved to a much large premise up the road. It feels so good! From our first inception we have had this idea of it being a ‘community space’ where anyone can come and just expand their true selves – become their inner maverick.

I always think of it like this: everyone has hair and everyone always needs to get the odd chop so why not make this transformation more exciting.  We have a really supportive clientele.

What will people see when they visit the space?

We have a loft style shop that looks over Coolangatta’s main street.  The front half of the shop is our hair salon and the back half is the Art Space.  You’ll find a new art exhibition on here every three weeks. We also sell awesome alternative art books and design wares that you won’t find anywhere else on the Gold Coast.

What do you love most about the local arts scene?

We are all connected in some weird way or another.  Everyone just hangs out and we are all quite close knit.  There is always room for improvement and we are always reinventing ourselves consistently.

The Gold Coast is now the 6th largest city in Australia! That’s huge! I still wonder why we only have a small arts scene still but we are growing!  I feel it has something to do with our parallel design of the city – we have to jump on the Gold Coast Highway and head north or south.  It’s a one-way strip and we all drive A LOT to get to each others events, happenings and exhibitions.

I just love that even though its not the easiest city to get around, everyone still turns up and supports each other. That’s the main thing; we have to keep turning up and keeping the vibe alive!

How have you seen it grow since you’ve been involved? 

We have a killer bunch of emerging artists coming out of the woodwork now.  These kids are our future and they will go on to do even better things than we are accomplishing now.

I can see way more opportunities arising down the track for both generations. I think we are at a stage where we are generating our identity and mapping our culture while other cities are watching.

The next decade is just going to be full tilt and I think it’s our duty to support those younger artists by providing them with opportunities and space to exhibit work and make art.

What else are you working on at the moment?

A collaborative project I dubbed, Super Souvenir. It’s an informative website and collaboration with local artists and craft businesses designing quirky souvenir products in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games. I’m also hoping to travel to Miami (Florida) in July for a project and exhibition I am working on with Rebecca Ross from The Walls Art Space in Miami.

It’s an inaugural international exchange called MIAMI/MIAMI and will initiate a new collaboration between myself and artist-run space ‘Dimensions Variable’, from the US Miami. Aside from this, I will continue to run and curate a great bunch of exhibitions and events at Maverick Hair & Art Space for the rest of the year! My mind never settles.

Tell us about your collaboration with the Coast’s new fashion label The Undercurrent?

Exciting stuff really.  I am really into souvenirs and the Gold Coast should have a really great range.  We have a huge history and tradition of souvenirs and it’s best not to see them as a ‘corny’ and ‘tacky’ tourist purchases but for locals to start to wear such designs with pride.

We are proud to be Gold Coasters and we have a lot of potential to map each suburb with its individual style and feel.

My t-shirt design for Coolangatta is a collection of heroic iconography that I have drawn to best create an image of how I see this town.  We are essentially a small surf town that thankfully still hasn’t been over taken by the northern urban sprawl.

It’s quiet and humbling to live here inside a fibro surf shack with amazing beaches and waves right there!  We have heaps of beautiful Norfolk Pines lining the beaches and the odd humorous Brush Turkey kicking by.

It’s the original ‘Old’ Gold Coast and I hope it stays that way!