Welcome to Runaway Bay's newest spot Both Espresso and Wine.
Welcome to Runaway Bay's newest spot Both Espresso and Wine.
“¿Por qué no los dos?” is that famous line from those Old El Paso ads – but news flash – that little taco-loving girl is now in her 20’s! Feeling old yet? Same. But the message still stands: why choose when you can have both? That’s exactly the vibe at BOTH Espresso and Wine, Runaway Bay’s newest spot where your morning latte and your glass of pet nat can happily share the same table.
Danny Padilla and Chef Afonso Both wanted to create the kind of place they themselves longed for: warm, welcoming and just around the corner. No more trekking down the highway for a glass of good wine or a yummy brunch. Runaway Bay finally has both under the one roof.
Danny is a hospitality pro with years of experience in kitchens, venues and the fine art of customer care. Afonso, meanwhile, grew up in South America with a suitcase full of global culinary inspiration. Together, they’re the perfect blend.
With interiors by Greg Capra, the space itself is designed to sip in style. The indoor bar blends rich earthy tones, timber furnishings and soft curves, while the outdoor dining embraces sunny Gold Coast mornings and moody golden hours. Plus there’s takeaway for those who want their caffeine to go.
And because service is the froth on top, venue manager Renae is there to make sure every pour, plate and pour-again feels just right. From the first morning smile to the last cheers of the night, she’s the glue that keeps BOTH seamless.
The menu is modern Australian, but with Chef Afonso’s artistic flair, you can expect plates that are both comforting and creative.
For a fresh start, tuck into Pea and Ricotta Fritters stacked with poached eggs, tzatziki and rocket salad.
Sweet fiend? We hear you. Try the Banoffee French Toast featuring brioche loaf, topped with banoffee cheesecake, biscoff crumb fresh banana and caramel.
Once the sun begins to set, the venue shifts gears faster than you can say “espresso martini.” Curated wines start flowing and suddenly your local coffee stop becomes your favourite neighbourhood wine bar.
What pairs better with wine than cheese? Treat the table to an Artisan Cheese Platter, complete with infused thyme honey, lavosh crackers, and your choice of truffle Manchego, Pecorino or Camembert. Want to take it up a notch? Add a Selected Cured Meats Board, served with pickled vegetables and a roasted rosemary sea salt baguette. It’s the ultimate spread to keep the glasses flowing.
When it comes to larger offerings, be wooed by Spicy Baby Calamari with sriracha, slaw, pickled ginger, fresh coriander and aioli, or go hearty with 250g Grilled Scotch Fillet with baked chat potato, comfit tomatoes and garlic butter.
Brunch or dinner date to plan? BOTH Espresso and Wine proves you never really have to choose (except for who you choose to bring with you).
Where: Shop 12 – 128 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay
When: Monday – Thursday 6am – 3pm, Friday – Saturday 6am – late, Sunday 6am – 6pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith
Why not trip up north for your brekky?
The Gold Coast foodie scene has been a place of profound change and transitions in recent years. We may be bias, but we think our café culture is very much in line — if not surpassing — our southern neighbours.
And with it, we have variety: from gorgeous beachside espresso drop-ins to laid-back chic industrial spaces which effortlessly ooze coolness. We reckon anyone from the big cities that have visited in recent times has likely left feeling a tad jealous — so they should, right?!
The northern end of the Gold Coast has been no exception to this building momentum of late, with venues regularly setting the bar high with only the best coffee and premium café dishes. So, when it’s time to break the fast, and you find yourself at the northern end of town, we’ve kindly compiled a rundown of the best places, where we implore you to make that happen. Enjoy!
Funnybone Coffee
From the owner of cult coffee stop, Good Day Coffee in Tugun comes this reasonably new addition to the Helensvale circuit. Aesthetically from the outside, this open café space screams minimalistic eye-catching vibes that will make leaving this spot rather tricky, especially when the staples are yummy Acai Bowls, Coconut Porridge and Eggs Benedict of both the regular and vegan variety.
Where: 2 Laurel Drive, Helensvale
Daark Espresso
The ever-admired Chirn Park (just north of Southport) is a little hive of foodie goodness that the northern side of the Coast was certainly due. Daark Espresso sets the bar high, from its uber-friendly staff to its sumptuous breakfast menu littered with favourites like the dessert-for-breakfast Panna Cotta boasting peach, mango, & coconut with a crunchy granola & seasonal fruits. Ohh and make sure not to make plans for the rest of the day because their lunch menu will make you want to stay!
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue, Labrador
WavyBone
Chirn Park has gone and done it again with a café that looks like it has just waved goodbye and walked itself out of a Melbourne laneway; it hasn’t though, it’s just the ultra-vibrant WavyBone, of course! The Wavy B & E Roll is a winner and goes down a treat with a perfectly poured Blackboard Coffee, one of the Gold Coast’s original coffee roasteries. Throw into this mix a turntable forever pumping out sweet rhythms and a chance to grab yourself some dashing WavyBone branded apparel: we think you’ve likely found your next favourite breakfast hangout.
Where: 1/36 Musgrave Avenue, Southport
Anchor Bouy Café & Bar
The aptly named Anchor Bouy is where you are guaranteed some finely poured Elixir coffee and a great breakfast menu, all whilst you stare lovingly at the array of boats in the marina and wish to yourself you lived at Sanctuary Cove. One dish you MUST try is the Breakfast Bruschetta. It’s to die for with your choice of bacon or house smoked salmon, avocado, cherry tomatoes, poached eggs all served on top of lightly toasted sourdough and drizzled with hollandaise.
Where: The Marine Village, Masthead Way, Hope Island
Substance Espresso
Can we just say, how good is a seasonal menu? It keeps things interesting and fresh in our eyes! And with that in mind, the team at Substance Espresso has their menu hinge on seasonality, with specials aplenty and the added acceptance that dessert for breakfast is a bonafide thing. Oh and to top it all off, the barista’s there accept nothing but consistently good coffee, which means the first drop of golden liquid is as good as the last. We’ll meet you there!
Where: Shop 2/10/12 Lae Drive, Runaway Bay
Bear Boy Espresso
Coffee is well and truly the ultimate focus at Bear Boy Espresso. Speciality blends coming from Market Lane in Melbourne are regularly featured with the added addition of pour-over and batch brew as well as your standard espresso-style coffees. Caffeine aside, the venue is a feast for the eyes and somehow more reminiscent of Northern Europe than Queensland. The menu brags some usual flavoursome suspects as well as a dedicated section to the little ones. We can’t go past their self-proclaimed ‘OG’ the Big Bear Benny. A crispy potato waffle, two poached pggs, house hollandaise with sautéed greens and your choice of garlic thyme mushroom, smoked bacon, pulled pork, or smoked salmon. The options are endless!
Where: Shop 66/502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
Cross + Feather
Situated on one of the forever-bustling little streets of Paradise Point, Cross + Feather dishes up all your favourites with quirky little spins. And because breakfast is for champions, the team at Cross + Feather generously serve it all day. We cannot recommend enough the Crossed Avo which includes fresh avocado, heritage tomatoes, Persian fetta, purple basil salsa verde, native dukkah, smoked green tea salt on a sprouted wheat sourdough. YUM!
Where: 2 Grice Avenue, Paradise Point
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Big in offerings means bigger(a) love for it!
Growing bigger(a) and better every year with a smorgasbord of dining, sipping and shopping spots is the rising star of the northern Gold Coast; Biggera Waters. Nestled right near the sparkling Broadwater, it strikes the perfect balance between laid-back living and lively entertainment with a hearty dose of coastal charm.
Here’s why Biggera locals love their neck of the woods – and why the cool cats from down south are starting to look north with envy.
Harbour Town Premium Outlets
Let’s be real – this spot doesn’t just deserve an intro; it practically wrote the book on where to shop, sip, eat, repeat. With outlets like Coach, Sass & Bide, Sheike, and Camilla, every day is like Black Friday at Harbour Town. Your wardrobe won’t know what hit it, and neither will your arms after hauling your fashion finds back to the car. Who needs a gym when you’ve got retail cardio?
Where: 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
White Oat Distillery
You know a burb has hit the big league when it lands its own distillery. Enter White Oat, the ‘pandemic progeny’ of three local legends who’ve turned this passion project into a hot-ticket destination. With award-winning distiller Tudor Duxbury at the helm, a fit-out so stylish it practically struts, and a vibe that’s ‘wise with a side of cool and a splash of vintage’, this is one to oat-solutely check out.
Where: 13-14, 211 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Metro Market
This is the local’s local for all-things grocery and takeaway, also popular for a little pampering sesh and some retail therapy. But if you ask us (and the Biggera crew), there’s another reason why Metro Market is a north-side mecca; it houses the decades-old meat institution and duck’s nuts of butchers, Cav’s Butchery #IYKNK
Where: 33 Hollywell Road, Biggera Waters
Reading Cinemas
All the best flicks? Check. Gold Class for those fancy nights with your love? Check. Fab food, snacks, drinks and friendly staff to boot? Checkedy check check. And the best part? You’re at Harbour Town so pre or post movie retail therapy is basically mandatory. Challenge accepted!
Where: Harbour Town, 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Crafty’s
Crafty’s has been flipping the script on sports bars for many a moon, with the perfect brunch to dinner hangout for the whole crew (mini-me’s included). Think fab food, unbeatable specials, cocktails for days, games galore, and weekend DJ beats. From birthdays and events to live-and-loud game nights or dinner with your MVP, Crafty’s is a slam dunk for every occasion.
Where: Harbour Town, 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Christmas Galore
Your tree, icicle lights, and elf on the shelf are still going strong but it’s never too soon to start planning next Christmas – and this joint is the absolute yule-timate! The largest Chrissie shop on the GC stocking over 10,000 products, you’ll love the amazing display of stunning trees, lighting, and finest festive decorations from head to (mistle)toe.
Where: 3 Gateway Drive, Biggera Waters
Dublin Docks
Perched on the shores next door to Harbour Town, Dublin Docks has been dropping anchor in locals’ hearts for years. It’s the ultimate spot to rally the crew for a hearty Irish-inspired feast, sip a few cold ones on the deck, and let the kids run amok in the indoor playground. Cheers to a good times and a pot of gold at the end of your pint!
Where: Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Harbour Town Drive, Biggera Waters
Black Hops II
Ahh Black Hops. What’s not to love and the answer is nothing. The runaway success of the original Burleigh Black Hops spurred the unveiling of this upscale production brewery and large taproom. With 16 beers on tap, trivia on Thursday nights, and food trucks up the wazoo, round up your mates, the fam and even your pooch for some award-winning amber ales.
Where: 671 Pine Ridge Road, Biggera Waters
Sushi Train
This is one of the Gold Coast’s original – and largest – Sushi Trains, and it’s still the ‘roll’ of honour for its sibling stores across the region. The iconic chorus of “Irasshaimase!” hits all the high notes here. After just one visit, the brilliant sushi chefs are likely to know your name and order by heart. Talk about service that’ll really ‘maki’ you smile!
Where: Corner Brisbane Road & Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters
Japanese Grocery Go Go Mart
Just a hop, skip, and a sashimi roll from Harbour Town, Go Go Mart is the ultimate treasure trove for all things Japanese. Stocked with Queensland’s biggest haul of Japanese groceries and goodies, it’s your go-to for a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun. From miso to matcha and everything in between, there’s a feast of healthy, authentic delights to discover.
Where: Corner Brisbane Road & Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters
Hound & Stag Brewing Co
Ok it’s technically in Arundel but being across the road from Harbour Town means it also identifies as Biggera Waters. Rocking an old barn style home fit out, the largest taproom on the Northern GC, private function spaces, and 28 beer taps, this crowd fave even has its own kitchen with an extensive top-notch menu. Plus, there’s live entertainment a-plenty making it a bona fide north-side unicorn.
Where: 13 Wrights Place, Arundel
Words by Bianca Trathen
Grape expectations.
They say wine not? We say exactly. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or just here for the vibes (and a very full glass), the Gold Coast has a stellar lineup of spots to swirl, sniff, and sip in style.
From hidden gems pouring boutique drops to waterfront stunners with wine lists longer than a Bunnings receipt, we’ve hunted down the best vino-fuelled venues so you don’t have to. If your idea of cardio is lifting a glass (or three) and you believe the perfect pairing for wine is simply more wine, consider this your ultimate guide.
Grab your crew, loosen your belt (cheese boards incoming), and let’s get sipping. Because life’s too short for bad wine.
Paloma
Burleigh’s Paloma Wine Bar is the ultimate spot for wine lovers, boasting a stellar lineup of drops from across the globe. Brought to you by the team behind Restaurant Labart, this chic coastal space serves up a top-tier selection, from crisp French whites to bold Victorian reds plus pet nats (and no, that’s nothing to do with your fury friend but everything to do with naturally sparkling wines). Just add Euro-style bites and settle in for a pure bliss.
Where: 12 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Glass Dining & Lounge Bar
Any GC wine-o knows that if you’re looking for one of the region’s biggest vino lists (legit – it’s H.U.G.E), look no further than Glass. Part of the infamous Gennari Group, this Marina Mirage stunner is a firm fave on fine diners’ – and equally fine winers’ – top haunts list. Pair your plonk with exquisite cuisine and sweeping Broadwater views and tell us you’ve had better without telling us you’ve had better.
Where: 74 Seaworld Drive & Marina Mirage Waterfront, Main Beach
Little Vine Room
Little Vine Room is a boutique wine bar in Currumbin that ticks all the right boxes – stunning aesthetics, impeccable service, and, most importantly, an exceptional wine selection. Sip your way through a carefully curated list featuring gems like La Crema Monterey Chardonnay and Nick Spencer Gundagai Light Dry Red, perfectly paired with gourmet toasties and cheese plates. It’s the Goldilocks of wine bars; just right in every way.
Where: 27-31 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters
Eska
Hey Siri. Find me a wine bar at Nobby’s….Pouring some seriously sip-worthy drops with a wine list curated by Burleigh’s Flor Wine & Grocer, Eska is the best-ka. Expect natural champagnes, crisp whites, and refreshing rosés that pair perfectly with their top-tier seafood. Whether you’re a sauv-blanc slinger or a pinot noir purist, Eska is the pour-fect spot to swirl, sniff, and sip in style.
Where: The Oxley, 17 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
Moustache
Another Nobby Beach wine wonder is Moustache. Uncorking serious flavour with a Euro-inspired wine selection, their Euro-inspired wine list is curated with the precision of a sommelier who knows their Bordeaux from their Barossa. Cozy, stylish, and effortlessly cool, it’s the perfect spot to wine down and let the good times pour. No reservations needed – just stroll in, thirst in toe.
Where: The Oxley, 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
La Bella Cellar
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, the elusive La Bella Cellar (she’s a hidden gem – our fave kind!) is one of the Gold Coast’s finest boutique wine and food destinations. Boasting an exquisite selection of grape juice from around the globe carefully curated to complement the delectable dishes, every sip here is an exploration of terroir and tradition.
Where: 3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads
Bar Leo
Think they don’t do decent wine bars in the burbs? Think again! Bar Leo is the Sorrento local’s vino and seafood and wino-o’s venue of choice. Their exclusively curated wine list is A.Mood, especially when enjoyed in the beautiful outdoor alfresco area with a side of summer sunshine. Special shout-out to the Vermentino & Grenache blend chilled red, and kid’s playground right next door.
Where: 7/4 Panitz St, Bundall
Roosevelt Lounge
Slip into a sultry, speakeasy-style retreat where glamour flows as freely as the wine. The Roosevelt Lounge isn’t just a bar – it’s a 1920s-inspired gem pouring pure decadence, from its theatrical cocktails to its exquisite French Champagne. Let the live music set the mood as you sip bespoke creations in an atmosphere dripping with all the vibes. It’s a full-bodied experience that lingers long after the last sip.
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Carafe
Say Chardon-heyyyy to Carafe Wine, Southport’s newest vino haven, pouring premium Aussie drops straight from tap to carafe. With a strong focus on sustainability (96% less CO₂, no biggie), this industrial-chic winery serves up the finest from Yarra Valley to McLaren Vale. Throw in brandy cocktails, luxe sharing boards, and wine-blending classes, and you’ve got the ultimate sip-and-savour experience.
Where: 49 Johnston Street, Southport
Brooklyn Wine & Tapas
If you love yourself a moody, dimly lit, and distinguished watering hole, welcome. This international style wine and tapas restaurant in Varsity Lakes not only offers an extensive (and highbrow) vino and cocktail list, but delicious tapas…and live music on Fridays to boot. Pouring posh into every last nook and cranny, it boasts a very un-GC aesthetic (not an arch to be seen!). Dark hues, lush leather, antique accents, and the ultimate in eclectic sophistication.
Where: 190 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
Bin 232
The Ridgeway Group’s Bin 232 is raising the barrel when it comes to top-tier venues, exquisite wines, and unforgettable dining experiences…all at our numero uno shopping destination #PacFair4Eva. With a focus on fine food, decadent drops, and creative cocktails, each ‘Bin’ blends refined service with a laid-back vibe. Whether you’re unwinding with a post-work pour or indulging in a banquet with friends, expect the perfect grape time, every time.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, 32 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach
Wine Barrel
Pour yourself into the warm, rustic embrace of Wine Barrel, where top-tier vinos and gourmet share plates take centre stage. With dishes as rich as a well-aged Shiraz, it’s a warm hug of the highest calibre. Picture recycled timber, 25-year-old oak barrels, and a striking Onyx stone bar. Yep, whether you’re swirling, sipping, or savouring, this Mudgeeraba gem is a must-visit.
Where: 59 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba
Places to buy great wine
Can’t be stuffed going out? Here are some amazing options for enjoying a fancy tipple (or five) and a side of fab nosh from the comfort of your own home.
Nobby’s Beach’s sustainably built SOMM invites you to unpack your vino tastes with their in-store experts and discover the perfect drop to accompany your impromptu dinner, fancy lunch, or special occasion.
Flor Wine and Grocer in Burleigh is the perfect pour of nostalgia and new-school cool, stocking an uber-impressive lineup of natural, minimal-intervention, and classic wines.
And finally, if you like your wine bars with a side of Euro-style deli eats, Tweed’s Rob Roy Deli & Drinks is a full-bodied delight. Whether you’re after a bold red, a crisp white, or a cheeky pre-batched cocktail, pop in, grab a glass, and let the good times pour.
Just…you’re welcome.
Words by Bianca Trathen
