Our sweet, sweet So-Po. There’s something we just love about Southport, maybe it’s the fact that they’ve got bulk bars and restaurants so hunger never has to enter our vocabulary again. Or maybe it’s how you can get a coffee hit and hit of golf done in half a day and then soak up those Broadwater views for the rest of it – shall we go on?

All we know is that there are so many goodies in this CBD gem we couldn’t list them all or you’d be here all day and we know you’re all about less reading and more doing! (same). Here’s our round-up of local approved must-do’s!

The all-in-ones

The retailers in Southport get that you’re busy – it is the CBD after all – so time is of the essence and efficiency is the word over here. Brickworks Ferry Rd has everything from the Standard Market Co to get those dinner essentials or to make the perfect charcuterie boards, to Cardamom Pod, bring those ‘gram-worthy acai bowls and a brunch menu that will have you coming back for more.

Upping the ante with a little bit of everything, Queen Street Village is just off the Smith St Motorway, so you can pop in for the essentials from gourmet grocer Jones & Co IGA. No time to meal prep? Grab some Asian eats at Wu Kong with peckish plates to keep you going, or a classic pub feed from The Queen’s Arms for your parmy fix. When all that eating has got you zonked, get your caffeine hit at Sens Coffee and pop into DENDY to catch the latest flicks and a moment of peace and quiet.

Now, did we hear you say retail therapy? Enter: Australia Fair. With the big names in fashion all in one spot, along with our biggest vice Kmart, on the store list, say goodbye to your savings, but hello to a fresh new look. Once you’ve shopped till you dropped, it’s time to start your Tour-de-Food at Australia Fair Metro, think pho, dumplings and desserts by the dozen.

For Bakery Treats

No man is left behind at Made With Love who delivers on 100% vegan cakes, pies and pastries– because you know what they say, a doughnut a day keeps the doctor away…or something like that. And why should our vegans not be part of the action?!

Keeping the Euro-bakery vibes rolling is 5B2F Ciabatta, the Southport spin-off from the cult-fave Chirn Park bakehouse, slinging everything from flaky croissants and glossy danishes to ciabatta sandwiches stuffed with all the good things (hello truffle ham and cheese toastie). It’s a grab-and-go carb paradise where sourdough, dreamy pastries and show-stopping cakes are baked fresh daily – basically your daily bread, but make it boujee.

For A Coffee

Coffee addicts, Southport’s got you covered with experiences like SupermarCat Cat Café, which – you guessed it – comes with a side of kitty cuddles with your caffeine fix, it’s so good we won’t judge if you start purring along with your furry friends.

For the more traditional café vibe, Humble Café might be humble by name, but they’re big on variety from classic cold drips to matcha espresso.

Joining the caffeine crew, but with a twist, is Yellow & Butter. Tucked neatly inside Cloud 9 Car Wash, they’ve officially upgraded your car washing experience with a side of brunch. Our advice is to start with the cheesecake!

Cheek Café serves up wholesome bites, knockout coffee and top-tier banter, all wrapped in a peachy-pink, personality-packed space. While Broadwater Café is a local fave for its stellar brews and arguably the most scenic sip spot in Southport. Coffee with a side of waterfront wow.

If you prefer your coffee topped with cold foam, or paired with a sweet treat on the side (hello, Dubai Mochi Cookie) Milestone should be at the top of your hit list.

For A Drink

You already know we’re partial to a cold beverage to round out the day, but if you’re after a side of live music with that, then Vinnies Dive is the only place to get your fix and an ice-cold brew all in one.

Just across the tram line, nothing says Southport more than a cocktail (or 5) on Mr PP’s rooftop, perched above Nerang Street so you can people watch till your heart’s content. Keeping the rooftop vibes going strong, Aviary Rooftop at Southport Sharks have an epic cocktail menu that talks a big game, and luckily for us, it doesn’t just live up to expectations – it’s even better.

Also at Southport Sharks, Kaktus Bar is your go-to for a vibrant cocktail. Yep, this place delivers a thirst-quenching margarita as you’ve never tasted. One of those (or a few), paired with live music and a lineup of tacos, and you have yourself a fiesta!

Carafe Wine is an eco-conscious space offering top-notch wine from all the most renowned vino regions and zero-waste practices, plus a unique menu of sharing boards.

For Good Eats

Hello foodies, thought we forgot about you? We could never! Kicking us off is the Japanese eatery, KatsuCo which churns out iterations of its namesake dish – traditionally coated in crunchy panko crumb and slathered in curry sauce.

For those on-the-go looking for the ultimate grab-and-go, Shiro Gelato & Snack knows what’s up with a selection of Japanese market eats like housemade Onigiri to get you fueled up and ready to tackle the day and gelato to finish because there’s always room for a sweetie treatie.

River House brings waterfront dining to the table with relaxed Broadwater views and a modern menu that works just as well for long lunches as it does for sunset dinners.

A bit of a two-in-one is Fire Baby & Ember. Upstairs, Fire Baby serves up comfort by the slice; wood-fired pizzas crafted from premium ingredients. Downstairs, Ember is where you can get flame-licked steaks and charcoal-grilled seafood.

Since we’re on a food journey around the world, you’ll be happy to know that Southport is pretty much THE place to get your Korean BBQ fix – yep, we found and 6 smokin’ hot Korean BBQ spots on the GC and would you believe 5 of them call our humble CBD home. Yep, Southport officially has a license to grill.

Local Attractions

So, you’ve got your coffee fix and tum full- now you’re looking to get at one with nature? Obviously, your next stop has to be Broadwater Parklands. It doesn’t matter if you’re just there for a hot girl walk or trying to find a way to keep your tribe occupied, the shared pathway makes it the ultimate for everyone, whether you’re in your running era or just keen to take in the Broadwater views while you bike and play.

Fancy a bit more adventure, we hear you say? We got you. Tee off for a full day of fun at Southport Golf Club so you can let your inner Tiger Woods run wild on the green. If land has got you feeling like a fish out of water, then pop on over to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre for a mermaid moment with things like group fitness classes – hello aqua aerobics – as well as Olympic-length swimming pools for the pros and splash pads for the little tackers.

If you’re keen to try something a little different, the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre and The Shooting Centre both deliver a high-adrenaline experience with a strong focus on safety and guidance, making them approachable for first-timers and seasoned shooters alike.

If switching off and resetting is more your vibe, Vikasati Bathhouse is Southport’s answer to full-body bliss, offering hot and cold pools, saunas and spa-style experiences designed to melt stress away without ever leaving the city.

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Southport, get ready for a new hot spot! Fire Baby is firing up on all cylinders, and trust us, it’s a slice of something special. Doors are officially open, bringing a new dose of deliciousness to the heart of Southport.

The vision for Fire Baby comes from Dr Michael Read and Donna Read, proud locals with a passion for Southport. Michael, a doctor and accomplished businessman, has spent over 35 years building medical, childcare and community-focused ventures in the area. Now, with Donna by his side, he’s bringing his lifelong love of food into the Southport community.

Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve been tossed straight into the flames in the best way possible. Phillip Buchanan of Burleigh Design wrapped the interior in exposed red brick, so dining here feels like stepping inside a giant pizza oven. Add in the handiwork of Theo Meredith and the TDM Constructions team, and you’ve got a space that’s warm, welcoming and ideal for sharing those cheese-pull moments with friends.

But of course, decor is just the dough base. The real magic happens in the kitchen. Executive Chef Bradley Davids, originally from South Africa, brings the heat with a background steeped in the tradition of cooking over open flames. Growing up with the braai – South Africa’s much-loved barbecue custom – Brad learned early on how to coax incredible flavour out of fire. From New Zealand bakeries to high-end Sydney pubs, and from gastro adventures across the USA, Canada and Europe, he’s carried this flame around the globe. Now, at Fire Baby, he’s stoking it into something truly spectacular.

And then there’s the man behind the oven: Vincenzo Quaranta. Born and raised in Italy, Vincenzo practically grew up with flour on his hands. After perfecting the craft at family-run pizzerias in Italy and later Frankie’s Pizza in Sydney, he’s brought his infectious love of pizza to the Gold Coast. His wood-fired creations are the kind that stop conversation mid-sentence – crispy, chewy and topped with authentic Italian soul.

But first, antipasti. Dive into charcuterie boards piled high with wagyu bresaola, prosciutto, truffle squid ink salami, pancetta, guindilla, piccalilli, olives, buckwheat crisp and puff bread.

The real showstopper is, of course, the pizza. From the simplicity of a classic Margherita with San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil and parmesan to the hearty comfort of Patate e salsiccia with mozzarella, provolone, roast potato, salsiccia and rosemary, Fire Baby’s wood-fired creations are shaping up to be the kind of slice that would make even your nonna smile.

Activate your dessert stomach with an ice-cream platter featuring pistachio, 66% Valrhona, and lemon cheesecake, or sip your sweets instead with a Mediterranean Bloom, a refreshing mix of St-Germain, limoncello, Aperol, gin and grapefruit. To top it all off, the wine list is swoon-worthy, brimming with delicious drops from both Australia and Europe.

Opening in two stages, it’ll first serve up classic, wood-fired comfort at Fire Baby Pizzeria before levelling up with Ember by Fire Baby – an elevated dining experience showcasing fire in all its refined, charcoal-grilled glory. One venue, two dining experiences, endless reasons to come back for seconds.

Where: 8-10 Welch Street, Southport
When: Wed – Sun 12pm – Late, take away: 12pm – 8.30pm

Words by Lisette Drew

If you’ve been dreaming of a café that feels like a pause in your day, where the organic coffee from Whyld Coffee Roasters hits just right, the food is crafted with care, and the Broadwater views make you want to linger, Broadwater Café in Southport needs to be on your radar. Since opening in May, it’s already making waves (pun absolutely intended) with its bright, welcoming vibes.

This cafe isn’t just another coffee pit stop. Mikee Tristan, Tom Young, Veronique and Lincoln Wulff, along with Mathew Dun, dreamed of a place that gives back to the community. A space where locals can slow down, make meaningful connections, and feel like they truly belong. From indoor seating for 50, to picnic rugs for a waterfront park hang, to a kids’ play area that allows parents to breathe out for two seconds, Broadwater Cafe has thought of everything.

At the heart of the cafe is Riccardo Monticelli, former head chef at Gemellini Nobby Beach. Hailing from Italy, Riccardo brings authentic flair to a Modern Australian menu with Italian twists, where almost everything is made in-house. Breakfast lovers, prepare yourselves: buttery Eggs Benedict croissants are a morning revelation, filled with poached egg, bacon, rocket and Hollandaise sauce. If you’re after something sweet, we recommend the Ricotta + Macadamia Toast with ricotta, honey, coconut and a macadamia crumb.

For lunch, house-made pastas and the crunchy, juicy Chicken Karaage Burger with marinated chicken thigh, miso ginger sauce, lettuce and wasabi mayo hit all the right notes. Bonus points: all fried items are cooked in tallow (no seed oils here), and there’s a wide array of gluten-free and seed-oil-free milk options, making sure no one misses out.

While there’s plenty of room inside for 50, the real magic happens when you grab a picnic rug, foldable tray, and set yourself up by the Broadwater. It’s peaceful, it’s pretty, and if you’re really lucky, you might even be joined by a family of baby swans gliding past your waterfront spread.

Sweet tooths, rejoice: the tiramisu slice frappe is basically dessert in a cup, while the ceremonial-grade matcha and cacao drinks bring zen energy with every sip. While the Tropical Smoothie with mango nectar, passionfruit, vanilla ice cream, milk and coconut flakes tastes like summer in a glass. It’s the kind of menu that turns a casual coffee run into a mini escape. And with the water just steps away, it’s basically the ultimate self-care hack.

The interiors reflect the cafe’s ethos perfectly: bright, welcoming, and effortless. Owners themselves designed the space to feel like an exhale, a pause in your day, a reminder that slowing down isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. Step outside, grab a picnic rug, and the Broadwater itself becomes your dining backdrop. Calm water, kids playing, people connecting. It’s a cafe that encourages you to press pause, take a breath, and just be.

But Broadwater Cafe is more than coffee and food. It’s a place built on heart and intention. Every dish, every drink, every corner of the space reflects a desire to give back, to nurture community, and to create a home by the water where people feel truly welcomed and cared for.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee on your morning walk, corralling the kids for a midweek playdate, or settling in for a long, lazy lunch with friends, Broadwater Cafe isn’t just a new spot on the map,  it’s a space to connect, to recharge, and to feel reminded of what matters most: kindness, community, and a damn good croissant.

So, Southport locals, take note: Broadwater Cafe is open, and it’s ready to make your mornings, afternoons, and everything in between just a little brighter, with food, coffee, and community to match.

Where: 95 Marine Parade, Southport
When: Daily from 7am -3pm

Words by Belinda Symons
Images by Kirra Smith