The Best Brunch Spots In Southport On The Gold Coast, Australia

Not far from the Southport courthouse and the old council building is 42 Fifteen. This is a cozy boutique cafe with good coffee and fresh local produce. Owners Peter Batley and partner Julie Rogers wanted to start a business infused with the old-fashioned values of home-baked goods and warm, amiable service. Their wishes are clearly realized in 42 Fifteen’s homespun, familial atmosphere and decor. It has local artworks hung on the walls and recycled timber furniture accented by family memorabilia. Enjoy a smooth cup of Dimattina coffee with your brunch of either eggs bennie served with homemade hollandaise, or homemade baked beans served with chorizo, hash brown, and fried eggs. For true economists, however, the braffle and coffee deal (a breakfast waffle of baked beans, crispy speck and ricotta) is hard to beat.

A solid choice for vegan, vegetarian, paleo and clean eaters, Raw Espressooffers a hearty selection of raw and healthy fare alongside delicious smoothies, teas and coffees. Their more avant-garde caffeinated selections include matcha lattes; bulletproof coffees (espresso with a shot of coconut oil); and cold brew served with carbonated water and a slice of lemon. There is also the famous bucking bull, which combines Red Bull with a concentrated double ristretto shot of espresso. Health-minded brunchers would be well advised to consider either the breakfast salad, the vitamin-rich dragon fruit bowls, or the avocado smash with poached eggs and apple, cider and macadamia dukkah. Nutella waffles are also available for kids big and small.

The Giri Kana Cafe is a new purveyor of vegan and vegetarian cuisine on Marine Parade near the Broadwater Parklands. With service that treats every customer as an honored guest, and the kitchen’s emphasis on wholesome foods that are good for mind, body, and spirit, there are few better venues to start your day. Breakfast is served from 6.30am until 11am, with further lunch and dinner options available throughout the day. Their early menu includes several organic and gluten-free gems, like the organic acai berry salad (frozen acai berry blended with frozen banana and apple topped with crunchy gluten free muesli). Other options include the classic fruit toast and the tofu scramble (organic herbed tofu – packed with protein – served with organic sourdough toast). There is also the kitchari (a healthy combination of lentils and rice, loaded with veggies and flavor).

Daark Espresso in Chirn Park is a fun, local favorite, taking cafe food to lofty new heights. This is thanks to head chef Scott Kelly. A mixture of communal tables and intimate one-on-one seating allows for cross-table chit-chat to bring the community together. Queues are frequently seen out the door lining up for their refreshing iced coffee, or a simple cup of the impeccable house blend from Supreme Roasters. The edible fare is sourced as locally as possible, with particular kudos to the award-winning thick-cut bacon from Barossa Valley. Another delicious option is the warm vanilla bean and quinoa porridge adorned with fruit compote and candied nuts.

Daniel Stuart Fine Food has been owned and run by mother-and-son team Myra and Daniel Stuart since 2005. It remains a luxurious upmarket cafe experience amid the franchises taking over the Gold Coast’s CBD. Their breakfast menu is unabashedly modern Australian, with concessions to gluten-free and vegetarian diners. Standouts include traditional offerings like halloumi toast, Canadian pancakes and the muesli blend and honey yoghurt. There is also more specialist fare like sweetcorn fritters with bacon, avocado, wilted baby spinach, poached egg and cherry tomato relish. Other good picks are the breakfast bruschetta with basil pesto, onion jam, fresh roma tomatoes, haloumi, crispy speck and two poached free-range eggs or the sautéed mushrooms in Paris butter. The hash stack is also a winner.

Cafe Catalina is a full service restaurant and outdoor bar down at Broadwater Parklands. It is adjacent to both the Rockpools’ play and picnic area and the newly refurbished Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Owners Charlie and Anna Whitcombe have transferred their expertise from Anna’s Garden Terrace Cafe at the Ashmore Garden Centre to the Catalina, with crowd-pleasing results. The cafe area is divided into several sections: a formal dining room walled off from another more casual area, and a bean bag outdoor lounge shaded by umbrellas. Throughout each section you’ll find quaint and homey decor, such as open picture frames and wallpaper naming the beaches of Australia. The all-important brunch menu does not disappoint. Try out the organic fig and raisin toast with lemon ricotta, honey, banana and almonds or the potted scone with jam and cream. Alternatively, go for the breakfast burrito with homemade baked beans, avocado, poached eggs, manchego and herb salad or the sicilian eggs with tomato sugo, poached eggs, fresh basil, confit garlic, parmesan and toasted sourdough. Drinks-wise, pick the local dairy farmer Rush Munro’s milkshakes. There are flavors like hokey pokey, moccachino and Manuka honey.

The Roost @ 53 is a concept cafe in the heart of Southport open for breakfast, lunch and takeaways. The theme underlying the venture is American food truck style fare. This translates as chic industrial interior design and a resolute focus on house-made dishes, including the bread and sauces. Stars of this breakfast menu include baked beans on Turkish toast, pancakes with either lemon and sugar or drizzled in maple syrup, and the fabled breakfast burrito (scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and salsa). The coffee, too, is Roost’s own special House Roast. Regular lunchtime offerings include burgers, pizzas, build-your-own sandwiches, and house special souvlaki with lettuce, onion and tomato. There are also a few notable daily specials, such as the New York-style Reuben sandwich and slow-cooked beef brisket with potato salad. On a sweeter note, it would be seriously remiss to pass up one of their Roost milkshakes, which come in banana or vanilla and lime.