Mermaid Beach scores new wellness cafe, House of Hälsa.
Mermaid Beach scores new wellness cafe, House of Hälsa.
If your New Year’s resolution involves being more healthy in some way, shape or form, consider House of Hälsa your motivation to keep at it.
House of Hälsa has opened its doors in Mermaid Beach with a fresh take on health-forward dining that’s less preachy and more positive vibes to hit your goals.
Located in prime posse on GC Highway, House of Hälsa is an all-day cafe and wellness destination where nourishment meets top nosh.
The name Hälsa comes from the Swedish word for health, translating to House of Health, and the meaning runs deeper than a wellness buzzword. Founded by tattoo artist Coco Loberg of The Raspberry Room fame and her partner Gareth Fletcher, the space is a love letter to global travel and the magic that happens when good food meets good company.
“I’m half Swedish on my dad’s side, and I wanted to honour that heritage while building something meaningful,” Coco said.
Add in Gareth’s passion for community spaces and the result is a cafe designed not just to refuel, but to relax, which, let’s be honest, is health too.
Terracotta-toned walls and burgundy accents make House of Hälsa stand out on the highway. Inside, the vibe is sexy with dark woods, warm textures and a central sunken lounge setting the tone for long chats over conscious bites.
Whether you’re sandy after a surf, sweaty from a gym class or squeezing in a mid-morning catch-up, House of Hälsa will slip right into your wellness routine.
The menu is health food with personality. Dishes draw from personal memories and global experiences.
“Our vision is to make nourishment playful,” said Coco. “Food that feels good, tastes great, and tells a story.”
Start with a simple Swedish household favourite of parmesan, jam, rye and eggs or a standout blackberry toast with goat cheese and rosemary.
To refresh the palate, dive into Watermelon Ceviche, inspired by traditional techniques from a Peruvian grandmother in a small coastal town.
These are just a taste, with house-made yoghurt bowls and vibrant seasonal salads also sure to please.
For smoothie lovers, House of Hälsa takes sips to a whole new level. Fully customisable blends brimming with superfoods will be on heavy rotation, as well as signature creations with cheeky names like Cody Simpson Neptune, Strawberries And Cream, Mango Mango and Millionaire Shortbread.
Beyond the plate, House of Hälsa also features a small retail selection, stocking snacks to supplements to keep you on track at home. Expect sea moss, coconut water, kombucha, coffee beans and even non-alcoholic wine from NON.
There’s also snacks for the little ones and frozen treats for four-legged friends as well as a very cute takeaway window to grab your health on the go.
Living an active lifestyle is easy on the GC, but now we’ve got even more reason to hit our PBs.
Where: 1/2453 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5am-3pm
Words by Lisette Drew
The Raspberry Room is as fine as its fine line tattoos!
Hold onto your hats (and sleeves) Gold Coasters, because there’s a new tattoo studio in town – and she’s ink-redible. Allow us to introduce The Raspberry Room, a fine line tattoo and speakeasy-meets-hotel-lobby inspired haven, which launched on 19th May. Nestled in the former TØKOH spot and rubbing shoulders with Cantina, Glenelg, and Bonita Bonita, bonus incoming; you can eat, ink, and drink all in the same pocket (side note – be sensible with the latter combo. Rewatch The Hangover Part II for reference).
The Raspberry Room isn’t just a place to get a tattoo; it’s a full-blown epic ink-sperience. The waiting room channels New York lobby vibes, with sophisticated surroundings complete with a secret bookcase door. Slide through this literary façade and you’ll find yourself in the heart of the studio where the real magic happens and srsly, who doesn’t love a secret bookshelf door? The studio is a delightful blend of the founders’ favourite bars and hotels, all wrapped up in a colour palette straight outta of Wes Anderson’s classic, ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.
Speaking of, let’s meet The Raspberry Room ink-stigators; Coco Loberg and partner Gareth Fletcher. Crafting a space that’s equal parts schmick and clandestine, they certainly didn’t need(le) any creative direction executing their unique vision.
If Coco’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she’s somewhat of a local legend here on the Coast. An accomplished tattooist, artist, photographer, and writer, her resume even includes inking the likes of G Flip. Plus, she’s teamed up with our fave choc brand Toblerone to create custom temporary tattoos inspired by Aussie quirks. Sweet, right?
Coco’s journey has been as colorful and eclectic as her art. Born on the GC and raised abroad, her parents were also creatives so it was pretty much written in the stars that she would carve out her own artistic path. Partner Gareth shares his lady love’s passion for the arts, and together they’ve poured their hearts and souls into creating the already iconic, The Raspberry Room.
Bringing their studio masterpiece to life – DIY style – was a true labour of love, complete with marathon 3am finishes and 6am starts….and nights spent snoozing on the floor. #TheBlockTattooStudioEdition. A destination exuding a refined artsy aura, this place isn’t just about tattoos – it’s also a chess lover’s dream. That’s right, they’ve got a chess club so you can checkmate and check out your new ink all at once!
Truly one of a kind, Coco and Gareth are beyond excited to bring The Raspberry Room to our ‘hood. Whether you’re a tattoo veteran or a first timer, they provide an experience that’s as memorable as the ink on your skin.
So if you’re ready to add a little raspberry-flavoured ink to your life, your next piece of art is just a secret bookcase away.
Where: 2/2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: 11am – 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sunday & Monday
Words by Bianca Trathen
Artist, photographer, writer.
Meet Coco Loberg, a quirky, highly accomplished local tattooist from Tweed. Coco is known for her insanely gorgeous delicate fine line tattoos. She recently collaborated with Toblerone to create bespoke temporary tattoo designs inspired by Aussie’s distinct and endearing quirks about each other.
Coco’s artist pursuits are not limited to the skin. She also paints, and is a keen photographer and poet. We chatted with this super talented Gold Coaster about her career thus far and what she’s working on next.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I was born on the Coast, raised in England, the States and a little bit of Indonesia and India.
I get to do a lot of travelling with my family but we’ve always come back to the Coast so it feels like home.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Like the little bars and laidback lifestyle the coast has. Some of the best beaches too.
What’s been your journey to becoming an artist?
I’ve always had a pencil in my hand since I could grip, haha. Dad and Mum are both creatives so growing up in that environment I always knew I’d do something along those lines for a living.
The tattoo studio is actually a family one. We’ve had the studio for about 18 years now, although actually, I didn’t want to tattoo for a couple of years prior to starting.
I was heavily into photography and videography at the time and was working for a water sports company in Kingscliff while I was in school, then onward to help/learn for my Dad’s music business at the time in LA. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I first picked up a machine and gave my friend a tattoo for the fun of it and thought how much of a goof I was for not wanting to do it.
How would you describe your work?
Minimalism, Sketchbook style. I like that a lot of my designs look like doodles you’d do in the back of a school book.
What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge so far for you?
I’ve been really lucky to have a lot of wild opportunities, I don’t really know that’d I’d be able to pick a favourite. I’m super grateful and always looking forward to more adventures.
The most challenging project would have to be a show I was working on with some friends. I was super interested in film/tv before tattooing and wrote a script with some friends. I then tried to direct, film and edit the whole thing myself, with less than 30 bucks a day between us. The three of us lived on a Starbucks breakfast roll each and a couple of beers and coffees a day. It was pretty rough, but one of the funniest and most enjoyable experiences looking back. I can’t wait to dive more into that stuff (tv/film) properly further along in my life.
What’s on the cards for the rest of 2023?
I’ll be going to LA in April to start the next collection of paintings and have an exhibition while I’m over there. I’m super excited to get this collection going. I’ll also be chipping away at my next poetry book.
What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
Do what’s true to you. Don’t try to please everyone, your style shouldn’t be for everyone, turn down the stuff that doesn’t feel right, even if you think you need it at the time.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: All Time coffee, Tarte bakery
Restaurant: Lupo
Bar or place for a drink: Rosella’s
Beach: Mermaid
How do you choose to spend your days off?
My ideal day is a book, a drive somewhere, a bit of painting, a bit of writing, and maybe some music in a bar to wrap it up.
And why you will too!
Some might call it the heart of the Gold Coast. Mermaid locals will call it the only suburb worth visiting. While we aren’t ones to pick favourite children – I mean, suburbs – Mermaid Beach is definitely up there with the best of the best.
And when you’ve got these spots right on your doorstep, we can kind of understand why. So come with us and explore what locals love so much about our beachside beauty, Mermaid Beach.
She’s one of the Gold Coast’s finest, boasting 4.8 stars on Google and a 2025 AGFG Award to add to an already impressive list of accolades. The food is every bit as refined as the name suggests, crafted by genius minds. A reservation here means settling in for modern Australian dining at its best, served in an intimate, quietly sophisticated room. Fine food lovers, rejoice!
Where: 2444 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us. But take that up to Six-Tricks? Now you’re talking. The Six-Tricks Distilling Co. is an appreciated presence in the GC and Mermaid distillery scene- a carnival of cocktails. It’s our favourite local haunt to settle in and sip on some spirits with their menu of seriously spirited flavour combos. Sip back, relax and soak up the great booze and good vibes all day long.
Where: 3 Brightlands Court, Mermaid Waters
The North Room is one of our favourite spots, not just in Mermaid, but the whole Coast, for that signature, relaxed, fine-dining feel. An intimate restaurant serving up some absolutely stunning contemporary dishes that you’ll want to wrap your mouth around ASAP. Bookings are essential; open for dinner on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. Huge fans of this place.
Where: 1/2527 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Filling the gelato-shaped hole in our hearts (and stomachs), La Macelleria has been a very welcome addition to Mermaid Beach. Don’t just listen to us waffle on about it, we’ve given you the scoop now taste it for yourself. Made onsite at La Macelleria, you can watch your gelato churn, baby, churn before they dish up your flavour of choice – which is obviously pistachio, right? It’s legen-dairy.
Where: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters
Welcome to the Gold Coast’s official brunch destination. There’s a lot to be said about infusing a space with tropical, feel-good vibes, and Little Mermaid has done precisely that. Decked out with plenty of greenery, a laidback beachy feel, and tons of space for all your friends, this is the place to be. Open for breakfast and lunch the vibe is always pumping, so it’s our go-to when you’re looking for a guaranteed good time. We can’t go past the classic beachy fit-out. You know it’s good when the venue lasts the test of time like these guys have.
Where: 2557 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Have we every mentioned how Gold Coast surf clubs have the best views in town? Mermaid’s is no exception, with uninterrupted ocean views, delicious meals that will fill you right up, and of course, a sweet selection of drinks to sip on. It’s an amazing spot to watch the sun go down with the crew and always provides a quality atmosphere with a buzz of people – bonus if you manage to go home with a cheeky meat tray in tow.
Where: 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
Never before has a plant nursery gained such a cult-like following as this gorgeous warehouse. It’s the Gold Coast’s go-to for a hint of (green) retail therapy, drawing plant lovers and photographers in droves due to its ‘gramworthy aesthetics and bespoke greenery. Fusing in a mix of uber chic homewares, pots for said plants and more to make the ultimate gift for you or a loved one, there’s something for all – no green thumb required. The stunning space also hosts workshops and yoga classes amongst the leafy greens, but if that’s not your jam, just become a plant parent!
Where: 42-44 Cronulla Ave, Mermaid Beach
Did someone say R&R? The team at Soak Bathhouse has it down to an art, bringing the ultimate oasis of recovery and tranquillity right in the heart of bustling Mermaid Beach. With magnesium pools, massage rooms, traditional and infrared saunas, a steam room spa and a cold plunge pool if you’re brave. Pop in for an hour or stay for the day and really treat yourself – you’ve earned it.
Where: 2532 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Serving up premium steak and boutique wine (among other delicious things), The Glenelg Public House is an absolute must-visit in Mermaid Beach and just generally on the Gold Coast. If for some reason you’re not into steak (it’s okay, we won’t tell anyone), everything on the menu is top-notch and they have a selection of some of the best seafood and sides we’ve ever sampled. If you’re partial to a solid serving of cheese then you must try to raclette with pear, fig relish and hazelnuts. Keen to try something a little different? The roast bone marrow with onion jam, mustard and toast is next level. Just. Trust. Us.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Mexican eats at their absolute finest can be found at Bonita Bonita. One of the longest-standing taco joints on the Coast, it’s a favourite amongst the locals, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, should that be your thing. To answer your question, yes, they do have Taco Tuesdays, complete with $6 tacos and $20 jugs of sangria! Right next door is Bon Bon Bar, so head in there for a cheeky margi before sampling all of the epic eats on offer. Our marg of choice? Well, the Mezcal Margarita, of course.
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Marked by yellow striped umbrellas, splashes of colour and plenty of smiling faces, Sunnyboy is the sibling of Broady’s Elk Espresso- a Gold Coast institution since 2011. From 7am daily, you can tuck into breaky, brunch and lunch classics that are seriously elevated. Like, too good to eat (but wayyy too good not to), Insta-worthy dishes that will blow your mind and taste buds. Then, for those weekends (or weekdays- no judgement here) that cause breaky with a side of bubbles, there’s Bottomless Boozy Brunches. Just take one look at their Insta, and you will be messaging the group chat to lock in a date.
Where: 168 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
First, we were blessed with Rafiki By The Sea- a long-standing neighbourhood favourite serving flavoursome food, stellar coffee and unmatchable vibes. Then came Rafiki By The Park, thanks to the screaming success of the seaside original. That’s right, Gold Coasters… we’ve been blessed with two Rafikis, and honestly, we deserve it.
Both venues serve slurp-worthy smoothies, icy matcha, cheeky (and famous) toasties, house-made yoghurt cups piled with seasonal fruit and crunchy granola, and their cult-status African Avo Toast. Add in strong coffee, super-friendly staff, and a rotating roaster of smiling doggos, and you’ve got two of Mermaid’s most beloved local hangouts.
Where: By The Sea, 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach. By The Park, 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters
Bam Bam has long held elite bakery status in Mermaid Beach (and the rest of Australia), and once you’ve had one of their pastries, you get it. The place smells ridiculous, in a butter-meets-sugar way, and the pastry cabinet makes you lose all inhibition with zero regrets. There are loaded muffins, crispy cruffins, savoury and sweet croissants, melted-in-the-middle cookies, and so much more! They also cover scrambled eggs, sandwiches, acai bowls- even poke bowls and nasi goreng! They do it all, and they do so damn well! Needless to say, it’s a staple for locals, a weekend ritual for many, and a must-visit for anyone serious about baked goods.
Where: 2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
The Raspberry Room isn’t just a place to get a fine-line tattoo; it’s a speakeasy-meets-hotel-lobby-inspired haven. The waiting room channels New York lobby vibes, and the studio blends the founders’ favourite bars and hotels, all wrapped up in a colour palette straight outta Wes Anderson’s classic, ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. It’s the perfect place to pop your tattoo cherry, or collect more!
Where: 2/2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Etsu is one of those hidden-in-plain-sight spots- seriously, you’d walk straight past if you didn’t know what you were looking for, but that’s half the fun! Inside, it’s moody, intimate and buzzing in that way only great Japanese venues seem to pull off. The food is consistently excellent, from the sashimi to the small plates to the more playful specials. The drinks list is stacked with good sake and Japanese whisky, and the staff know their stuff without being over-the-top about it. It’s a favourite for celebrations, date nights or any time you want dinner to feel like an occasion without being overly fancy. Don’t go past the aburi salmon maki roll with avocado, seared salmon, spicy mayo, teriyaki and red tobiko.
Where: 2440 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Ritual is the calm in the chaos – the place locals escape to when they need to breathe, stretch or just reset after a big week. The studio is warm and welcoming, with pilates that burn and yoga that soothes. There’s a real community feel here which is always a standout feature. Whether you’re into slow, grounding sessions or you want something a bit stronger, the timetable covers it. They also have locations in Palm Beach and Robina!
Where: 2431 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
