Including fresh bread, croissants and doughnuts.
Including fresh bread, croissants and doughnuts.
If you’ve wandered down Burleigh way of late, you’ve no doubt noticed a new addition to Goodwin Terrace, right outside Burleigh Pavilion to be exact.
If not, allow us to enlighten you. It’s a vintage caravan but not just any vintage caravan, the new addition has been decked out in the Pavs’ distinctive pastel colour scheme and filled with an array of tasty eats you’re absolutely going to want to devour.
Said tasty eats come in the form of freshly baked white and seeded sourdough loaves, croissants (including chocolate), doughnuts, banana bread and sausage rolls. All of which are baked daily at Burleigh Pavillion by Head Chef Guillermo Zika (yes, he’s French) and his team. We tried them all just to be sure and all are absolute taste sensations.
Not only those though, there are also Bacon and Egg rolls, Avo and Haloumi Rolls, Ham and Cheese toasties and toasted foccacias in various flavours.
It wouldn’t be Burleigh if you couldn’t get smoothie bowls so there are those too. In Açai, Cocoa and Peanut flavours.
If you’re just after a cold drink after a stroll down the Esplanade you can choose from fresh, delicious juices and smoothies
Every single thing can of course be enjoyed a few steps away overlooking the ocean or if you bought a bit too much for one sitting (same), take it home to enjoy later.
If you’re after a cuppa to go with your three croissants, Nook Espresso is right there serving up the goods.
In case you’re wondering, Burleigh Pavilion is open for 20 people for the time being and The Van will be a permanent fixture going forward
Which is perfect, because obviously the more baked treats in our lives the better.
Head down and scoff some for yourself.
LOCATION: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: TBC
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Doesn't get much fancier than that.
If there is one thing that lets you know you have made it in this world, it is the ability to book out an entire venue for you and your friends to enjoy with nobody else around. Especially if that venue is one of the prettiest you’ve ever laid eyes on and overlooking the ocean at our very own Burleigh Heads.
Well friends, you guessed it, the time has arrived. Thanks to the current state of the world (not a thing we ever thought we’d say), we’ve all made it because it is now possible to hire out Burleigh Pavilion’s absolutely magical Beach Bar for you and nine friends and have absolutely nobody else there.
No doubt you’ve experienced the good time that is the Pav on a Sunday afternoon, absolutely packed with revellers sipping in the sunshine, taking selfies with the sparkly ocean in the background and generally just being stoked to be alive. It’s fun but what’s even better is doing all of those things without pesky strangers rubbing up against you. Unless that’s your thing, no judgement here.
ANYWAY. The point is, this is potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity to live your very best life and you should absolutely take it while you can.
One of the very best parts is, it’s affordable and you get to both eat and drink delicious, delicious things.
For $150 per person you get oysters and champagne on arrival, then fresh prawns followed by Caprese Salad, Proscuitto Di Parma, Braised Lamb Shoulder, Roast Pumpkin Salad and Warm Apple Tart. A drinks package is all-inclusive so that’s amazing.
You know what else is amazing? Seeing your friends after months apart and making it the absolute best reunion it could possibly be, overlooking the ocean in Burleigh Heads with nobody else around.
Sounds perfect to us.
Get on it quickly, you never know how long it will be until things change again.
For more details and to book, email [email protected]
LOCATION: Burleigh Pavilion, Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Words by Kirra Smith. Photos by Amanda Hibbard.
Burleigh’s buzzing, and it’s not hard to guess why.
Let’s be real: coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a lifestyle. Without that first cup of liquid gold, productivity would probably collapse faster than a popped balloon. Honestly, how do people function without coffee? Because we couldn’t tell you.
In Burleigh, the rich aroma of fresh brews flows with the sea breeze, creating the ultimate feel-good combo. We’ve taken one for the team (you’re welcome) and hit the streets to track down the very best coffee Burleigh has to offer.
Needing no introduction, word has got around that Tarte is the place to be in Burleigh. The coffee is Parallel Roasters Exclusive Tarte House Blend so you know it’s going to be goooood. You can order it however you like to sip, from velvety flat whites to a rich filter. Pair your caffeine fix with a loaded bagel (the Bullseye Bang is a cult fave) or go light and sweet with a strawberry muffin top. Whether you’re a morning regular or just passing through, skipping a visit to Tarte is practically a crime.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
When it comes to coffee culture in Burleigh, Commune is the OG. This laid-back cafe has been fuelling locals with smooth, strong brews since day dot, and under the Blackboard crew, the espresso game is as sharp as ever. Grab a quick latte on the run or linger over a long black with friends, Commune’s coffee is the kind that keeps you coming back. Pair it with their famous rosti-stacked Eggs Florentine or a chorizo burrito if you’re hungry, and stay for the community vibes.
Where: 1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
If you’ve cruised the GC Highway, you’ve definitely spotted Palm Springs, the pastel-hued cafe serving up serious Cali desert vibes. But behind the breezy facade is a coffee club that locals rave about. Smooth espresso, perfectly poured lattes and iced coffees made for sunny mornings. The Therefore Coffee Roasters brew feels right at home under the Burleigh palms. Of course, the eats are on point too. Breakfast tacos, anyone?
Where: 1878 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Next Door Espresso in Burleigh is a coffee lover’s dream tucked inside the stylish St Barts space. With crisp white Besser block walls, timber tables and a sleek concrete bar, it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to linger. The coffee? Organic, roasted by Federal brewers Moonshine. Want to treat yourself? Try a speciality bev like a Banana Pudding Matcha or Dirty Chai Cloud. Pair your cup with wholesome brunch bites or a sweet treat, then browse St Barts’ dreamy homewares. Shopping, sipping, smiling – your day in Burleigh is sorted.
Where: 24 Junction Road, Burleigh
Social Espresso has been fuelling the Gold Coast caffeine scene for over a decade, roasting beans that power many of your favourite cafes. Their Burleigh HQ is a sleek space in the industrial area of Burleigh where the coffee truly shines with three signature blends, rotating single origins and smooth cold brew. Owners Mitch and Hayley have built a hub for coffee lovers and locals alike. Whether it’s a takeaway or a sit-down sip, this is specialty coffee done right.
Factory 1/9-11 Fremantle St, Burleigh Heads
Tucked inside the Big B Arcade, Social Brew is where Burleigh’s coffee culture comes alive. From early morning espressos to mid-morning cappuccinos, this buzzing cafe is fuel for brekky dates, work catch-ups and everything in between. The people-watching is as good as their signature house blend, and the vibe makes it easy to linger as breakfast drifts into lunch. Surrounded by lush greenery, it’s a little oasis in the heart of James Street.
Where: 34-36 James Street, Burleigh Heads
When it comes to cafes locals love, Canteen is the name on everyone’s lips. Crowned Best Coffee in Burleigh in last year’s Love My Cafe awards, their brews have earned a true cult following. Perched on the Park Ave side of the Burleigh buzz, the timber fit-out adds rustic charm, while friendly smiles greet you from kitchen to counter. Serving their signature Cleanskin Coffee Co. roast, Canteen feels like the perfect pause in busy Burleigh.
Where: 23 Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads
Re-firing the coffee machine last year, Pretty Handsome has made a pretty epic comeback. Pouring Allpress beans, every shot is carefully weighed and extracted for consistently smooth, rich flavour, from your morning flat white to a cheeky espresso martini in the afternoon. Pair your cup with a breaky wrap, tacos, or ribs, and you’ll be fuelled up for the rest of the day..
Where: 18 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Heads
At LiTO, coffee takes centre stage in true Italian style, beginning with smooth Allpress brews that pair perfectly with breakfast favourites like Sicilian Poached Eggs or Spiced Avocado Bruschetta. Mondrian Gold Coast’s all-day eatery is the kind of spot where a quiet morning espresso naturally stretches into lunch and beyond, with every cup keeping the la dolce vita flowing. From that first sip post-surf to a final flourish of Tiramisu with coffee mascarpone cream and syrup, LiTO proves life really is better with coffee.
Where: Ground Level, 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads
Coffee is at the heart of Common Ground, with Burleigh locals raving about their expertly poured Social Espresso brews. Whether you’re after a silky flat white, a refreshing cold brew or something a little spiced like their chai, every sip is designed to complement the sunlit garden setting. The sleek machine on the counter hums from morning to afternoon, fuelling long brunches and catch-ups. Pair your cup with one of their seasonal plates and you’ve found your new daily ritual.
2/2 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh.
If you’ve seen a classic red Jeep humming around town, you might have seen Willy’s Beans delivering signature roasts to many of your favourite caffeine hubs on the GC. Willy’s Beans takes you on a coffee journey from crop to cup. The warehouse cafe is decked with nods to Colombian coffee culture which captured the heart of owner Jayson to open Willy’s Beans. On the menu, you’ll find an impressive lineup of single-origin beans and rare specialties like the Summer Gesha, crafted for those chasing something extra. For an even deeper dive, Willy’s Beans hosts private tastings, giving coffee lovers an immersive experience that goes far beyond the everyday brew.
Where: 1/4 Ramly Drive, Burleigh Heads
Tucked just off Reedy Creek Road, Dover’s Drop is the kind of pit stop that turns into a daily ritual. Serving up fantastic brews from carbon-neutral roasters Locale Espresso, every cup is smooth, rich, and full of flavour that’ll keep you powering through the day. Swing by for locally sourced baked goods, fresh sandwiches and healthy bites that pair perfectly with your caffeine fix. Industrial district coffee never looked (or tasted) so good.
Where: 9 Dover Drive, Burleigh Heads
Paddock may have first won us over with donuts and sweet treats, but it’s their coffee that keeps locals lining up day after day. Tucked inside the charming weatherboard cottage, the team pours smooth, perfectly balanced brews that pair effortlessly with their fresh-baked goods. Whether you’re grabbing a latte to go, sipping a flat white in the garden, or settling in for a long breakfast, the coffee is always flowing. And yes, you should take home their signature sourdough or that Almond Croissant Cookie for later.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
Just steps from the beach, Memento is the perfect spot to grab your morning flat white before a seaside stroll or settle in with friends (and furry companions) over a leisurely breakfast. The Supreme Coffee brews are smooth, the space is warm, and the vibe is carefree. But the best thing? It’s open at 5am, making it the ultimate pit stop for a pre-surf caffeine hit or a post-run club refuel.
Where: 16 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads
At MC’s Sandwich House, the coffee is as carefully considered as the sangas. They’ve teamed up with Coffee Supreme, ensuring every cup is bold, balanced and smooth enough to stand alongside their globally inspired creations. Grab a flat white to go with a Hot Chicken sanga or sip a long black while you people-watch from the front window, MC’s keeps your sandwich game and your caffeine levels strong.
Where: 83 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
Long before Burleigh became a cafe hub, Nook Espresso was already shaping the Coast’s coffee culture. Now the beloved local keeps serving the smooth, perfectly balanced brews that built its cult following. Using the same Byron Bay beans for over a decade, Nook proves consistency is key and every cup hits just right. With friendly faces behind the counter and a breezy, plant-filled setting, it’s the perfect stop for your daily caffeine hit.
Where: Stockland Burleigh Heads, West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
Words by Lisette Drew
A sweet new space for the Burleigh Heads favourite.
It’s no secret that coffee is the magical elixir that ensures a long and happy life and without it, we would really have no reason to get up in the morning and without a reason to get up in the morning we’d have no brunch squad, no reason to wear our activewear, no pics to upload to Instagram, no nothing friends.
So you see, life giving elixir. The reason for that ramble is this; Nook Espresso, who we believe may be the very ones who started the Gold Coast’s coffee culture uprising have a sparkly new space in Burleigh Heads and we are here to discuss it.
Hopefully you’ve already sampled the smooth, perfectly caffeinated brews the crew at Nook are pumping out on the daily but if not, you’re really missing out.
The new space can be found at Stockland Burleigh Heads, where the old space also lived, but with a sparkly new lease on life that you’re going to want to check out the next time you’re in need of a cuppa (so tomorrow).
Found at the front of the centre, looking out over a plant-filled seating area where a sweet new pizza place (by the same crew) will soon open, Nook is all glossy white tiles and their signature aqua accents offset by a few copper feature pieces.
It all comes together with a fresh, feel-good vibe perfectly befitting of the 11 year old biz. Which is due, in large part to owners Marcus Wilkins and Paola Pearse who are two of the chattiest, always-stoked-to-see-you folks around.
Not to mention everyone else who whips up tasty brews behind both the Stocklands Nook counter and the one on the beach at Burleigh Heads. Legends the lot of them.
The beans are Byron Bay locals, Nook has been using the same delicious blend for all these years and that is because it is the goods. Big fans.
Eats-wise, you may indulge in simple but delicious brunch-style takeaway treats like ham and cheese croissants (perfect for when you drank three whiskey’s the night before while watching THAT GoT episode – you feel?) plus Acai bowls, raisin toast, Bircher muesli, banana bread, all the good things.
There are also cold-pressed juices, made fresh in-house, smoothies and milkshakes (HOW GOOD ARE MILKSHAKES), in case coffee is not your thing. Poor you.
So, if a smiling face and (more importantly) a life-giving elixir in a shiny new Burleigh space is something you need in your life, pop down to say g’day to the good people at Nook Espresso.
We’ll probably also be there. Every day, forever.
Love you coffee.
LOCATION: Stockland Burleigh Heads, West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 6am until 4.30pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
