Pause. Sip. Repeat at Foster & Black Specialty Coffee
Pause. Sip. Repeat at Foster & Black Specialty Coffee
If you’re out and about and someone walks by sipping from a black coffee cup with a white pause button symbol, stop (recalibrate and listen) coz Foster & Black Specialty Coffee can’t be far away! In case you missed the memo, Foster & Black is a growing movement bringing specialty coffee to unexpected locations, like the shopping destinations we all know and love. We may go gaga for the loot at these places (clothes, makeup – all.the.things) but their brews, mmm, not so ‘matcha’. Until now….
Fuelling shoppers at Pac Fair and Coomera Westfield, Foster & Black have recently opened their third GC space at Robina Town Centre. Boasting a loyal following at their other stores, it was only fair to give the Robina locals some of their F&B goodness. And by F&B, we definitely don’t mean Food & Beverage because you won’t find anything edible within its insanely stylish walls (more on that later). This place is unapologetically ALL about the coffee and srsly, who needs food when you’ve got caffeine this good.
Innovative owners Harrison Black and Andrew Foster developed the Foster & Black concept with one very simple objective in mind; to serve exceptional coffee with good hospitality. With a background in specialty coffee and the multi-chain restaurant industry, these lads possessed the perfect ‘blend’ of skills to dive in and own their space. Or in this case, spaces.
For the Robina Town Centre store, they had a burning desire to build something significant and unique which hadn’t been attempted in this environment previously. And gents, mission accomplished because it’s aesthetically next level phenom. It evokes emotion, engages the senses and invites curiosity and friends, even if you don’t like coffee (#blasphemy), you NEED to see this place.
The interior is a sea of the most stunning hue of moonstone-esque green, in contrasting materials and textures. We cannot espresso how deep our love is for the on-fleek curvature of the roof, finished in a stunning contemporary render. The cobblestone floor also gets a huge tick, as does the raw vibe of the mottled marble countertop. All in all, if we could clone the look and feel, bottle it, and sell it, we’d make the Forbes Under 30 Hall of Fame (well, ahh, 30 give or take…mostly give…).
Committed to building an appreciation for high quality coffee, Harrison and Andrew source the best tasting coffee beans from different farms and micro lots around the world. They roast the beans in Fortitude Valley and are now brewing in multiple locations around the country. As they say, their stores are the place to pause (hence the cool logo), have a friendly chinwag with a barista, and most importantly, drink good coffee #amen.
Whether you’re looking to sit down and drink your brew in the crème de la crème of coffee shop fit outs, or take away and continue pummelling your credit card around the shopping centre, make sure Foster & Black is on your radar next time you visit Robina Town Centre.
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina, Westfield Coomera, 103 Foxwell Drive, Coomera & Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach
When: 7.30am – 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. 7.30am – 8pm Thursday & 8am – 4.30pm Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.
This ‘burb has all the bells and whistles.
Pop quiz! Where’s one place on the Gold Coast, where you can shop till you drop, eat your body weight in quality nosh, wander amongst stunning natural parklands and more? It’s Robina! There’s also a hospital and train station, but unfortunately, they’re not exciting enough to make our list.
Here are 18 things that are exciting enough to make our list.
Say ciao to Robina’s (perhaps, Gold Coast’s) most authentic and downright delicious pasta joint! The artisan pasta boutique store is brought to us by a European mother and daughter duo – how could it not be? Made with high-quality durum wheat semolina (rich in fibre, protein, vitamin B, and also digestion-friendly), their fresh-as pasta can be paired with a selection of their no-nasties, slow-cooked sauces. The best!
Where: Easy T Centre, 514 Christine Avenue, Robina
The Euro food tour continues at My French Pastries- a slice of Paris right in Robina. They deliver made-from-scratch croissants, tarts, and decadent desserts, with each pastry crafted with high-quality ingredients that keep locals coming back for more (and more and more). Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Where: Shop 5, 4226/361 Robina Pkwy, Robina
Home of our beloved Titans, CBUS Super Stadium is one of the best regional stadiums in Australia and it’s ours, all ours (insert wicked snigger). Not only do Gold Coasters spend their weekends cheering on the boys here, but we’ve also been lucky enough to watch A-league and international football games, the Nitro Circus, and the Rugby 7s as part of the Commonwealth Games. High five to CBUS for being our homegrown hub of sporting joy.
Where: Centreline Place, Robina
An intimate 24-seat Asian bar and restaurant offering a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu showcases creative dishes from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, inspired by vibrant street food flavours and regional classics. With its cosy setting, flavour-packed plates and a Chef Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide for 2025, it’s a top pick for both date nights and group dining.
Where: 44 Commerce Dr, Robina
She’s smart, she’s stunning- she’s Bond University. Yes, Robina is home to the prestigious and world-class institution that helps current and future generations reach their biggest goals! Bond combines innovative teaching, a supportive campus community, and beautiful surroundings to create an inspiring study environment.
Where: 14 University Drive, Robina
The spacious, sports-themed bar and restaurant made a big splash on Robina Town Centre when it first moved in and continues to do so in 2023. Within The Sporting Globe there are no less than 50 high definition screens including two 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so yeah nah, you’re not missing a single second of the action. They’re also serving up perfect sport-watching food, frosty bronsons galore, and an all-round cracking good atmosphere. It’s a sure thing.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Calling all dog lovers! This expansive dog park is the perfect place for your furry friend to run, play, and socialise safely. With plenty of open space and shaded areas, it’s ideal for a weekend outing with your four-legged family members.
Where: Lot 21 Robina Pkwy, Clear Island Waters
A vibrant café serving wholesome, flavour-packed meals crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Harvest Foodhouse is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a relaxed lunch, with mouthwatering options like lamb shoulder tacos, cauliflower steak with a white bean hummus, loaded savoury croissants and triple-choc waffles. You’re gonna need to make a few trips.
Where: 361 Robina Parkway, Robina
The playground to end all playgrounds! Greenheart Robina Parklands is a 22.5-hectare wonderland with towering slides, net bridges, trampolines, swings, water play, and a toddler zone, all fully fenced with an onsite café (hallelujah). Kids can pedal off to the bike track with humps, bumps, and traffic signs, while parents chill under shady umbrellas. Add in walking paths, a boardwalk, half basketball court and a dog park, and you’ve got the ultimate family day out.
Where: Stadium Dr, Robina
A tried and tested (regularly. Very regularly….) favourite, Robina Pav features a sleek look’n’feel, dreamy deck overlooking the water, a specialised kids area, and plenty of good vibes. Boasting a menu packed with epic eats from woodfired pizzas to stacked burgers, it would be rude not to get involved with the impressive cocktail menu #IfWeMust. It’s the perfect spot for sun-soaked afternoon sessions with you posse.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina
A modern Australian rooftop bar and restaurant, Green Fields serves up flavour-packed dishes with a focus on quality produce and sustainability. The stylish rooftop setting makes it ideal for enjoying a meal while taking in the Robina skyline.
Where: 94 Laver Dr, Robina
A yakitori-focused Japanese-Korean grill in Robina, known for its smoky binchotan charcoal skewers. The menu features wagyu beef, free-range chicken, veggie options, and fresh seafood, paired with Japanese whisky, beer, and wine. Perfect for casual dinners or a night out.
Where: 126/128 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina
If open spaces and oodles of greenery, in the middle of a city no less, is your thing (yes please), Cheltenham Park is the business. There are plenty of areas for the kids – human and fury – to run themselves ragged (#yeahmums!) bushwalking tracks, and big leafy trees to stretch out beneath with a picnic and your favourite people. Perfect for escaping the rat race without chewing through the petrol in search of a tree change.
Where: Cheltenham Drive, Robina
Cocoflufferia by Goji is the all-new dessert wonderland, where dairy-free decadence meets a candy-land of toppings! Grab a bowl of their light and fluffy vegan soft serve, then go crazy with a line-up of delicious toppings like pistachio kanufa, Bueno, pistachio and Nutella sauce, Biscoff crumbs, mini mochi, M&Ms and fresh fruits!
Where: Robina Town Centre, Robina
Step into a world of optical illusions and interactive 3D art. Artvo is not only visually stunning but also a playground for your imagination, offering endless photo opportunities and fun for all ages.
Where: Ground Floor, Near the Kitchens, next to Lush, Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
Riva is the home of sleek and stylish premium workspaces that make the 9-to-5 grind feel…well, less grindy. They’re designed to foster productivity and creativity by combining comfort, style, and convenience, with both private and co-working options.
Where: 2/14 Edgewater Court, Robina
Small Fry offers a modern twist on classic Australian seafood. One of their signature dishes is the Bug Bao– lightly battered bug meat in a steamed bun with coleslaw, chilli, shallots, lime, and sriracha mayo. Don’t walk, run! Pair that with a serve of their Family Parmesan and Truffle Fries, and damnnnnn!
Where: 273 Scottsdale Drive, Robina
Your most Instagrammable matcha moments await at Matcha Therapy- where everything is made with ceremonial grade matcha powder from Uji, Japan. Sit, sip and shop your way through matcha heaven.
Where: 129 Laver Drive, Robina
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Mermaid Beach welcomes Australia’s first not-for-profit coffee shop
If you read our interview with Yas Matbouly, visionary Founder and President of Australia’s fastest growing charity Serving Our People (SOP), you know a little somethin’ somethin’ about this story. Based on the Gold Coast, SOP are excited to launch SERVED., the country’s first charity-owned, not-for-profit coffee shop…and so are we! Although it’s not exactly hard to coax us into trying a new coffee haunt, this hole in the wall at the charity’s Mermaid Beach headquarters serves your long black with a side of feel-good-factor. Just the way we like it.
SERVED. is an extra spesh initiative as 100% of profits will go directly to support SOP’s work across South East Queensland. It enables us, the local community, to help those who are struggling without spending more moolah than we normally would. In our humble opinions, this is #genius and we love that our enduring love affair with caffeine will now support a worthy cause – other than the quest for more energy.
Coffee snobs breathe a sigh of relief as SERVED. will use Melbourne-based ethically sourced St Remio coffee beans to please both your palette and your conscience. And if you’re not into coffee firstly, just huh?, and secondly, in addition to serving ‘The People’s Coffee’, there’s also refreshing juices and ‘The People’s Water’. So there is literally no excuse not to swing in on your AM stroll or drive to work for your morning refreshment and good deed for the day.
Funds raised will be used to prop up a range of the organisation’s projects, like their supermarket donation boxes, plenty more SERVED. outlets across our ‘hood and beyond, and various other growth ventures. Delivering anything to anyone in need, SOP has supported over 55,000 people in various capacities during their time of crisis.
Obviously COVID brought anything but good fortune for many businesses, but SOP is the ultimate feel-good COVID success story. Opening its doors in March 2020 as a logistics, delivery and emergency relief not-for-profit organisation, it has gone from strength to strength. Blossoming into a mobilised team of more than 2,100 volunteers across South East Queensland and New South Wales, they have delivered 19,000 meals, and more than 1,000 food packages; ‘bags of love’. We all know karma keeps her receipts so we reckon these outstanding individuals should buy lotto tickets, like immediately.
Another exciting SOP project is the launch of Queensland’s first ‘free supermarket. Here members of the community can collect essential non-perishable grocery items they need but are unable to afford #howgood. The supermarket is located at the organisation’s Mermaid Beach headquarters, which recently underwent a transformation into a modern community hub with a half-size basketball court, electric bicycles, and space for community activities and fundraising events.
And because these do-gooders just keep on keeping on, SOP are hosting a Christmas toy drive and pop-up gift-wrapping shop at Pacific Fair, with the public encouraged to purchase and donate gifts to those in need. Then, Christmas hampers and Pac Fair gift vouchers will be distributed to over 100 deserving peeps across the Gold Coast and we literally just got goosebumps.
So watch this space for more info on SOP’s amazing work and in the meantime, look for the bright blue and white awning and smiling faces at SERVED when you’re in Mermaid. Grab a coffee or refreshment and feel all the feels knowing that you’re doing your bit to help the less fortunate.
Where: 2582-2584 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach (entrance via 4-6 Seaview Avenue)
When: 5am – 2pm, Monday to Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Make a date for your next catch-up at one of the Coast's newest cafes.
Yep it’s that time again! Each year we like to whip up an annual café round up to make sure you’re au fait with the movers and shakers on the GC café scene.
Now there are almost too many to mention coz LBH, our region is overflowing with caffeine/breaky/brunchy/lunchy goodness these days, but feel free to use this as a fail-safe checklist next time you’re keen to hit up somewhere new and totally nom-worthy #You’reWelcome.
SERVED
SERVED is Australia’s first charity-owned, not-for-profit coffee shop #bravo. Oz’s fastest growing charity Serving Our People launched this new hole-in-the-wall coffee haunt at its Mermaid Beach headquarters, promising a side of feel-good-factor with your caffeine hit or refreshment.
Where: 2582-2584 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach (entrance via 4-6 Seaview Avenue)
Good Day Coffee Palm Beach
Younger sibling to Tugun’s ever-popular Good Day Coffee, Palm Beach now has its very own GDC installment taking over the space where Watson Bloom once lived. Serving up coffee, breakky, snacks, brunch and lunch, it has the same ‘friendly place for friendly people’ vibes as its big sis #GoodGenes.
Where: 1073 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Corner Coffee
The southern GC’s newest grab-and-go must-try! Unlike many convenient pitstops for your fuel (aka coffee), breaky, lunch on the run, or sweet or savory snack, this one offers healthy, gluten free eats and vegetarian options and legit, where have you been all our process-food-infused lives?
Where: 134 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
Pasture & Co
Embracing the eco-friendly philosophy with gusto, Pasture & Co (2.0) is a unique family-friendly café ticking all the boxes; d-lish healthy eats, prime location, tranquillity with a vibe, friendly service, and an environmental conscience. Using local, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, you’ll find epic vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo fare….and they even cater for omnivores!
Where: 6 Village Way, Currumbin Valley
Delothor Patisserie
Pumping out sensational Asian inspired pastries, desserts and drinks, this two-story Southport sweet tooth’s haven is our kinda kryptonite! Founders Alexia Kang and her cousin’s pastry prowess is celebrated far and wide, and their dreamy central Southport space is as delicious as their eats.
Where: 29 Davenport Street, Southport
Tarte Market
The newest Tarte in town, Tarte Market joins Tarte Bakery Café and the Tarte Takeaway window, this time making all things healthy, clean and beach-bod-friendly. With New York and Parisian influences, feast on salads made fresh to order, with the option of including as many house-made ad-ons as your tastebuds desire.
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads
Herringbone
Perched opposite the Southport Library, you’ll find the irresistible Herringbone. Embracing the ‘simple is best’ premise, this tastefully designed minimalistic café lets its sensational Australian and Italian inspired menu take centre stage #drool.
Where: 27 Garden Street, Southport
Mark Daniel’s Patisserie
If you’re a regular at Robina Town Centre or Runaway Bay Shopping Centre, chances are you’ve popped into Mark Daniel’s Patisserie mid-shop to refuel. With everything baked fresh daily, pair your obligatory coffee with cakes, slices, cupcakes, macaroons, croissants, doughnuts, toasted sangas, bagels and OMG – dessert JARS!
Where: Runaway Bay Shopping Centre, 10/12 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay & Robina Town Centre, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Tugun Market Co.
A destination store for local produce and products, make sure you grab a delish Campos coffee and a bite to eat while you’re there, and let your mini-me’s frolic in the special kids’ area. Changing up the food shopping experience, Tugun Market Co. offers a point of differentiation to the larger supermarkets, delivering a unique and enjoyable food shopping journey.
Where: 499 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun
Rise Bakery
Combining a high-end French bakery with a tres elegant fit out, salon de thés vibes, and a (well-stocked) champagne bar, what’s not to love?! Located at Sanctuary Cove, there’s no better setting for coffee sipping, croissant munching, and people watching.
Where: Shop C/ 4 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove
MC’s Sandwich House
MC’s Sandwich House is the new face on the Burleigh sandwich scene, offering their tantalising take on sangas from around the globe. Made fresh to order and available until sold out, pop in to celebrate quality sandwiches with both classic and outside of the box ingredients.
Where: 83 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
Gluten Free 4 U
The Broadbeach arm of the popular Gluten Free 4 U franchise has already ‘grained’ a cult following with those who suffer with food allergies and intolerances, thanks to delicious treats, Parisian café vibes and traditional bakery feels – sans the stuff that makes you feel ick. Gorg yourself with 100% gluten and nut free goods, plus a wide range of dairy free, soy free, egg free, yeast free and fructose free products, take-home meals and speciality cakes.
Where: Bel Air On Broadbeach, 2633 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Moli
No ho-hum sausage roll or #basic beverages here! With a minty fresh green aesthetic, Moli Patisserie and Café is Broady’s answer to all your brekkie, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea (more concisely put, everything except dinner) prayers. Feast your eyes on a variety of Asian style cakes made fresh each and every day, levelled up teas, stellar coffees, and refreshing cold press juices.
Where: Moli Patisserie and Café, Shop 8&9, Qube Building, 29 Queensland Avenue, Broadbeach
Market Organics Wholefood Cafe
Serving up relaxed, nutritious and delicious eats seven days a week, it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee, smoothie or meal before doing your weekly grocery haul. A one-stop-shop for your wholefood needs, Market Organics boasts an extensive 100% certified organic produce department, bulk food section, variety of refrigerated and dry goods, a Wellness Hub, and a herbal dispensary.
Where: 201 Ferry Road, Southport
Butler’s Tea Room + Noshery
Serving up delicious contemporary cuisine and the most exquisite teas and liquid treats you ever did see (or taste), the eclectic Butlers Tea Room + Noshery has our hearts a-flutter! It’s a secret find in the European countryside (well it’s in Burleigh…but you’d swear otherwise), and stop the press; they serve….wait for it….spiked teas #ThereIsAGod.
Where: 12/197-207 Reedy Creek Rd, Burleigh Heads
Bowl & Blend
Poke enthusiasts, juice junkies and Acai fans listen up! Slinging healthy Hawaiian eats and sips like a boss, Bowl & Blend is the home of high quality, organic, ethically sourced and reasonably priced fare, made with hand-picked local ingredients.
Where: 64 Griffin Street, Coolangatta
Grazeway
An on-trend, buzzing, indoor/outdoor café with a show-stopping upscale, casual dining menu, this one’s a winner! Add the fact that they create edible art with their instagrammable grazing tables, boards and platters, Grazeway is eating and entertaining #goals.
Where: Shop 1/1 Tibbing St, Nerang
Words by Bianca Trathen.
