Where to find the best breakfast on the Gold Coast

If you love to start your day with a coffee and pastry, start your day at Rise in Sanctuary Cove. This French bakery serves up exquisite sweet and savoury delights, including croissants, baguettes, Danish, sourdough and more. With outdoor, marina-facing dining and a Champagne Bar for those seeking a little sparkle, this dog friendly café is a spot you could definitely linger at a while.

Our pick: An almond croissant will hit the spot – give in to temptation and grab a sweet treat from the patisserie for later.

Terrarium, Oxenford

Tucked into the northern suburbs, Terrarium is a true local haunt with hearty dishes, a welcoming crew, and dog-friendly outdoor dining area. With coffee from Q Roasters and sourdough from Burleigh Baker, the café celebrates local too.

Our pick: The mushroom avo smash is served with zesty chimichurri, roasted tomatoes and dukkah – though sweet lovers need to try the French honeycomb toast topped with maple bacon and strawberries.

Daark Espresso, Labrador

The perfect spot to refuel after a morning walk along the Broadwater, Daark Espresso brews some of the best specialty coffee on the Gold Coast. The breakfast offering is huge with the menu broken into bennys, toast, something light and something sweet – along with kids meals and lunch options if you wandered in later in the day. This isn’t your average breakfast so come prepared to be swept away with unique flavours like a crab, avocado and caviar benedict or Southern fried chicken on cornbread waffles.

Catching up with friends over breakfast? Daark Espresso accepts reservations of 4 -10 people.

Our pick: The Moroccan lamb eggs benedict is absolutely moreish.

Best breakfast on the Central Gold Coast

Cardamom Pod, Southport 

Plant-based, organic, and chock full of flavour, Cardamom Pod at Brickworks proves going vegan is anything but boring. A beautiful café on the central Gold Coast, Cardamon Pod’s breakfast creations are as colourful as they are delicious – and there’s an ever-rotating offering of inventive weekend specials.

Our pick: Cardamom Pod whips up some of the best Buddha bowls and acai bowls in Queensland, but the breakfast platter – piled with sourdough, avodcado, veggies, potato fritters, mushrooms, bircher museli pot and super greens shot – is a sight to behold.

Blackboard Coffee, Varsity Lakes

Blackboard Coffee has long been a favourite amongst locals in search of an excellent brew. So good are Blackboard’s beans, their house blend and roast varietals are served in cafes across QLD and even NZ (and yes, you can pick up a bag to take home).

Coffee aside, their Varsity Lakes outpost serves up a mean breakfast and brunch menu, full of locally sourced produce, making mornings all the easier.

Our pick: It’s a toss-up between the PB&J French toast with banoffee gelato and hazelnut praline, or the truffle scrambled eggs with saltbush and goats cheese.

Elk Espresso, Broadbeach

Practically touching the Broadbeach surf, park yourself outdoors under one of the umbrellas and soak up that Gold Coast sunshine at Elk Espresso. Their seasonal menu is a hot contender for best breakfast on the Gold Coast, boasting maxed-out buddha bowls, hearty classics and boozy brunches that flow daily from 10am – 130pm. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor dining areas.

Our pick: The menu is constantly evolving, but our current favourite is the matcha panna cotta with strawberry caviar, yuzu yoghurt and granola.

Palm Springs, Burleigh Heads

The mint-hued café bringing So-Cal vibes to the heart of the Gold Coast, Palm Springs is a destination cafe. While breakfast-goers will swoon over the pretty décor, the breakfast menu is an ode to fresh Californian-style dishes – and well worth a visit. Breakfast burritos, cold pressed juices and smoothies are ideal before a day at the beach.

Our pick: Take your tastebuds on a ride with the breakfast tacos and ginger pressed juice.

Paddock Bakery, Burleigh Heads

A magical cottage a few blocks back from the beach, Paddock Bakery is famous for its over-the-top baked goods and decadent, but very serious, breakfast menu. Featuring a sprawling outdoor garden area, dotted with pretty tables and chairs and potted plants, you’ll long to stay for a few hours and while away a morning in the shade.

Our pick: The benny bagel with bacon will more than hit the spot, but for something really indulgent go for the doughnut French toast, using their woodfire baked doughies.

Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach

Another café with icon status is Mermaid Beach’s Bam Bam Bakehouse. Revered for its outrageously good choux buns, twice baked croissants and tarts, this Gold Goad breakfast haunt is so popular there’s often queues out the door for their freshly baked goodies.

While the sweet-toothed will feel right at home, Bam Bam also does a mean breakfast of the savoury kind, too, serving up classic breakfasts with all the trimmings.

Our pick: The toasted croissant with Moreton Bay Bug and lime kewpie mayo is an unbeatable option for breakfast on the Gold Coast – just save room for dessert!

The Milkman’s Daughter, Mermaid Beach

Whether you’re vegetarian or not, 100% plant-based café The Milkman’s Daughter is easily one of the best breakfasts on the Gold Coast. Its ever-changing seasonal menu means you’re tasting the best local produce from the hinterland and Scenic Rim – with plenty of vegan options on the menu too.. Plus, the décor is everything you want in a beachside local; washed white walls and relaxed vibes all the way.

Our pick: The lemon ricotta pancakes are light as air, best savoured with a locally roasted Paradox coffee.

Commune Cafe, Burleigh Heads

Step back from the beach to grab a table at Commune Café, an undeniable favourite Gold Coast breakfast among locals.  With a focus on organic ingredients, Commune’s all-day breakfast menu is packed with breakfast faves, as well as super smoothies, freshly baked muffins, and house-baked sweet treats.

Our pick: Corn fritters with avocado salsa and chilli jam is always a winner.

Tarte Bakery and Café, Burleigh Heads

Taking up a prime corner location in the centre of Burleigh Heads, Tarte Bakery and Café is a slice of Parisian charm in the heart of the Gold Coast. Sit yourself at one of the bistro tables which spill out onto to walkway and spend a morning under shady trees, gorging on delectable breakfast feeds and fresh pastries.

Our pick: The five-cheese truffle toastie (and sea salt chocolate chip cookie from the pastry counter, naturally).

Next Door, Burleigh Heads

Sip iced coffees on the shady patio, surrounded by cascading ivory-hued bougainvillea; Next Door Espresso feels more European getaway than local Gold Coast café. From bowls of fresh acai to eggs your way, Next Door elevates the humble breakfast café with stunning décor and a seamless menu to match.

Our pick: The fresh-to-order sourdough crumpets with macadamia butter or lemon curd drizzle, with a coconut latte on the side. Heavenly.

Best breakfasts on the Southern Gold Coast

Custard Canteen, Palm Beach

Tucked between the local recreation centre and beautiful Tallebudgera Creek, Custard Canteen is perfectly located for a bite to eat before taking the paddleboard for a spin around the creek.

Known for its light and buttery Portuguese custard tarts, choose to dine in under Custard’s candy-striped umbrellas, or take your treats to the water’s edge and sit under the trees looking out onto Tallebudgera Creek.

Our pick: ‘Owen’s Avo’ with chilli and goats cheese along with a custard tart straight from the oven will do the trick.  

Barefoot Barista, Palm Beach

Set your alarm for Barefoot Barista in Palm Beach. Locals line up for a feed and a coffee at this popular Gold Coast breakfast haunt, a clear indicator it’s a good way to start the day. From light dishes like coconut porridge to breakfast wraps stuffed with haloumi, avocado and eggs, Barefoot reimagines your average breakfast on the Gold Coast.

Our pick: The zucchini haloumi fritters are the perfect pre-beach feed.

Niche & Co, Tugun

Niche & Co in Tugun has taken veganism mainstream with its cosy café vibes and menu that even the staunchest carnivore will fall for. Breakfast burritos loaded with grilled local veggies, vegan banana pancakes and tofu poke bowls ensure you start your day on a healthy note.

But yes, bacon and eggs are on the menu – and yes, the NY-style breakfast bagel is delicious.

Our pick: Sourdough topped with beetroot hommus, house made coconut feta, pepitas and kale pesto.

Refinery Coffee, Currumbin Waters

If you’re serious about coffee and a serious breakfast to begin your day, warehouse café Refinery Coffee is the place to be. Offering two blends of Blackboard Coffee and an all-day menu with Asian flair, settle in for bold flavours – or sign yourself up for the 1.5 hour bottomless mimosa brunch.

Our pick: It’s hard to pick between the nasi goreng or the Turkish-style poached eggs with dill labneh, chilli oil and sumac.

Pasture & Co., Currumbin Valley

Leave the beach behind and venture out to Currumbin Valley for some fresh local harvest at Pasture & Co. Open and breezy, the surrounds of this café are as lush as their all-day brunch menu. Grab a cup of their award-winning organic coffee and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Our pick: The chilli eggs will give your morning the kick-start it needs, especially if you’re heading for a swim at Currumbin Rock Pools.

Hungry for more? Discover the best places to eat on the Gold Coast for each suburb.