Coomera scores Australia’s largest Krispy Kreme!
Coomera scores Australia’s largest Krispy Kreme!
If there’s one thing the Gold Coast does well, it’s going big and making ‘extra’ look like the baseline. Theme parks serving more twists than a Real Housewives reunion, beaches glowing like they’ve been photoshopped by Mother Nature, and influencers, well, influencing. Hard.
But on Thursday 22 January – because clearly, we aren’t sweet enough already – we’re prepping for full doughmination mode with Coomera welcoming Australia’s biggest Krispy Kreme Hot Light™ shop. Talk about the hole package! And that’s not all, because it’s also our fave doughnut dealer’s first ever Gold Coast drive-thru store, basically taking down every other treat-pedalling rival in a glaze of glory.
Setting up shop at Prosper Avenue, this shiny new HQ isn’t just another place to grab a box on the run. It’s a full-blown doughnut destination, complete with a glowing Hot Light that acts like a bat signal for sugar lovers. When that light’s on, locals know exactly what’s going down inside – warm, melt-in-your-mouth Krispy Kreme doughnuts rolling fresh off the line and straight into your gob.
The drive-through element feels incredibly on brand for a city that loves convenience almost as much as it loves a new activewear drop. Whether it’s a quick coffee stop, a last-minute birthday SOS, bribery for the kids, or ‘just because’, being able to grab a box of warm, decadent Krispy Kremes without even unbuckling your seatbelt akin is to finding a rockstar carpark in James Street on a weekend.
Inside, a glass viewing window gives customers a front-row seat to the entire doughnut-making process, from dough to drizzle. Thousands of OG doughnuts (Original Glazed) are made fresh on site every single day, and yes, watching them glide along the production line is just as hypnotic as it sounds.
Krispy Kreme has long believed that doughnuts are best enjoyed together, and this new Coomera outpost is all about bringing people closer – preferably over a box and we dare you to make it home without eating at least one. It’s the juggernaut brand’s ninth Queensland digs and its biggest Hot Light shop yet, cementing Coomera’s reputation as a growing hub for fun, food and family-friendly everything.
The love for Krispy Kreme on the GC runs deep. Long before this mega shop was even a twinkle in a baker’s eye, the brand had already been quietly supporting local schools, sports clubs and community groups, helping raise more than $100,000 through fundraising efforts over the past few years. This next chapter sweetens the deal even further, creating more than 60 new jobs across manufacturing, retail and management roles.
The excitement officially peaks on opening day, with a grand opening party kicking off at 7:30am on Thursday, 22nd January, including 8,000 free OG doughnuts up for grabs! Doughnut devotees can expect free Original Glazed doughnuts (1 per person), a super sweet prize for the first three peeps in line, a limited-edition bucket hat for the first 100 in line, a live DJ spinning sweet beats, and free face painting for the ankle-biters at 2pm.
Big, bold and unapologetically glazed, Krispy Kreme Coomera is about to become a Gold Coast icon. Diets will be broken. Detours will be taken. And countless “we’ll just grab one” moments will end with a full box on the passenger seat. When the Hot Light’s on, resistance is futile – and honestly, we doughnut stand a chance.
Where: 1 Prosper Avenue, Coomera
When: 7am – 10pm Monday – Friday, 8am – 10pm Saturday and Sunday.
Words by Bianca Trathen
Brisbane’s famous Andonis Cafe & Bar opens on the GC.
Upper Coomera, dust off your brunch pants (yes, the stretchy ones) – there’s a new cafe in town with serious street cred!
Andonis Cafe & Bar is the latest slice of the Andonis empire, a brand that’s already conquered Brisbane one smashed avo at a time, with nine locations under its belt. Now, the Gold Coast gets a seat at the table.
Well, 86 seats to be exact, with indoor and outdoor dining so you can sip your flat white in the sunshine or settle in under the shade like a true brunch connoisseur.
Owner Anthony Kekkou is no stranger to good food. His story starts on his family’s farm in Cyprus, where breakfast didn’t come from a supermarket aisle but from his own backyard. He’s mucked in with livestock, tended veggie patches and even worked in dairy manufacturing, so when he says “from paddock to plate,” you know he really means it.
After more than a decade running restaurants and cafes, he’s poured that knowledge (and heart) into Andonis, a place where food is as much about connection as it is about flavour.
The Gold Coast chapter gets an added sprinkle of magic thanks to Executive Chef Senthil Kumar. This culinary globe-trotter has cooked everywhere from the Maldives to the Middle East, with a specialty in Mediterranean flavours that will have your taste buds dancing. His skill for turning Aussie breakfast staples into Instagram-ready masterpieces means your brunch might just be the most photogenic thing on your camera roll this weekend.
The design of this Upper Coomera newcomer is a feast for the eyes before you even look at the menu. Anthony personally envisioned the interiors, with modern minimalism softened with warm timber tones. It’s got the kind of vibe that works for everything from a midweek solo coffee to a lazy Sunday breakfast with the whole family.
And yes, your pooch is welcome too, because what’s brunch without your favourite family member? There’s even a doggy menu, featuring doggy doughnuts, iced vovos, Puppelatos and ice-cream cones. Is it weird that we’re licking our chops at the sound of that?
Let’s tuck into the human treats.
The Famous Benedict at Andonis is the kind of dish that makes you wish it were acceptable to eat hollandaise at every meal. It’s stacked with rocket, hash browns, grilled halloumi, your choice of crispy bacon, ham or salmon, free range poached eggs, chef’s hollandaise served on fresh english muffins.
Lunch is a Greek feast, especially if you order the Mediterranean Lamb Mezze Platter with chargrilled lamb chop, grilled halloumi, beetroot hummus, tzatziki, grilled pita, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, rocket, coriander and lemon.
Pair your brunch with a loaded shakes, smoothies, frappes or a boozy brunch cocktail like the Mimosa by Andonis. Let’s be honest, adding bubbles to your breakfast is the next best thing to sipping your way through a Euro summer.
Where: 177 Reserve Road, Upper Coomera
When: Daily from 6am – 2:30pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith
AKA the best day of the year.
Finally, a day dedicated to eating the best food on earth. It’s International Doughnut Day on Friday, 6th June, and can we get a hallelujah?!
The day was created by The Salvation Army during the Great Depression in 1938 to honour the women (also known as Dough Lassies) who volunteered to serve doughnuts to soldiers in World War I and to help raise funds for those in need.
Since then, the sugary treats have come a long way and are one of the best around to this day. Here are the best spots to stock up on the Gold Coast:
Serving coffee, cookies, sandwiches and the most dangerously good doughnuts you will ever lay your lips on. Guys, they have Churro Doughnuts and Fairy Bread Doughnuts?! Like, what kind of heaven on earth is this?! It’s healthy if you chase it with a matcha, right? Good, because their signature Iced Strawberry Matcha is gorgeous.
Where: 99-103 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island
Their tagline is ‘baking things better’; let us tell you, they ain’t lyin’! Their every baked good is as delish as the next, and they’ve got all your classics baked to perfection. However, we are here for doughnuts today, and yes, we have favourites. The Vanilla Slice Doughnut and the Biscoff Doughnut are chef’s kiss.
Where: 104 Helensvale Rd, Helensvale
Here to prove that foods are better when they’re round is Burg World with cookies, pizza, burgers and doughnuts (all round!) and in tip-top taste. Let’s focus on just their round varieties with holes in them for a moment, just wait till you see their doughnut cabinet! They’ve got Creme Brulee, Unicorn, Apple Crumble, Banana Split – you name it! A+ for Gold Coast’s most creative doughnut flavours!
Where: 20 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Combined under one roof is great coffee and a doughlicious array of deep-fried treats, including doughnuts! As discussed, crullers are doughnuts, so let us introduce their Strawberry Cream Cheese & Pistachio Mini Cruller Cake?! It looks even better than it sounds. They even do a Chicken Doughnut Sandwich. You’ll have to trust us on that one- Janus Deli knows what they’re doing.
Where: Shop 14, Crestwood Plaza, 458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar and 12 Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise
It’s safe to say that anyone who loves doughnuts has dabbled in a Krispy Kreme. After all, they are the top dogs amongst the doughnuts. To celebrate International Doughnut Day, Krispy Kreme is known for launching limited edition flavours, and sometimes even giving away free (yes, FREE) doughnuts for the occasion. What a dream come true! Get ’em while they’re sugary.
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach and Shop 13/2 Cavill Avenue, Paradise Centre, Surfers Paradise
When you think of Paddock Bakery, doughnuts will definitely cross your mind. They often create themed doughnuts for special occasions (which, presumably, is now) and are always absolute bangers. Current favs are the creme brulee and nutella doughnuts! We’re not drooling, you are! Their brew is also 10/10 – a perfect doughnut pairing.
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads
The makers of some of the fluffiest doughnuts on the Gold Coast are Currumbin and Burleigh (and Cabarita) legends- Fuel Bakehouse. They come in changing flavours and we’re big fans of everything, but in particular the Bueno, Nutella and Choc Custard for obvious reasons. You can pop in for one or pre-order a whole bunch for the doughnut party you’re no doubt having. Perfect.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin, Shop 1/23 James St, Burleigh Heads and 39-45 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita
It’s time to get something straight (or twisted)- crullers are technically doughnuts, people! If not twins, the doughnut and cruller are brother and sister. Both are deep-fried to perfection, circular, and dusted with sugar or glazed to finish. Tarte does THE best crullers on the Gold Coast- another non-negotiable, sorry.
Where: Shop 1, 2-4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin and 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads
Neptune’s doughnuts are the real deal, hot, fresh and made to order, just the way the cinnamon gods intended. These golden rings of joy are simple, classic, and absolutely irresistible. No OTT toppings or wild fillings—just that perfect crisp edge, fluffy centre and cinnamon sugar coating that hits the spot every single time. Pro tip: eat one immediately, then go back for another. It’s basically self-care.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Sure, it might be crossed with a croissant, but deep down, it’s still a doughnut. The cronut at Paris Brest is flaky, buttery and just the right amount of cheeky, with layers that melt in your mouth and a crisp edge that means business. It’s handmade with love (and a scandalous amount of French butter), by a pastry wizard who trained in France, so you know it’s legit. Get there early, because these babies disappear faster than you can say ooh la la.
Where: 1073-1077 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
These folks know how to make a doughnut. These local legends are well-versed in all things baked with dough, and boy, is it a delicious affair! In terms of doughnuts, they’ve got your classic Cinnamon Doughnut and filled varieties too! We highly recommend grabbing a selection.
Where: 12 Bay St, Tweed Heads and 2 Queensbury Ave, Currumbin Waters
George’s Deli might be slinging hefty New York-style sammies, but they’re also dishing out some serious doughnut energy. Their handmade Ube Donut is soft, fluffy and filled with purple yam goodness that gives it a pop of colour and a whole lotta flavour. It’s where New York deli vibes meet Filipino flair, and honestly, we’re not mad about it. It’s part deli, part bakery, all delicious. By George, it’s a flavour bomb you won’t forget.
Where: Shop 3, 106 Marine Pde, Kingscliff
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
The ultimate cheat sheet for feeding your littlies – free of charge.
Hungry kids, full bellies, zero damage to your bank account? Yes please.
We’ve tracked down the Gold Coast spots where kids eat free, so you can score a night off cooking and dodge the dishes any night of the week.
Think cheesy beachside slices, nugget towers at your local, and more tasty deals the whole fam will love.
Because what’s better than a free feed? A free feed with chips on the side.
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
