Sure, good food and great coffee are a given when it comes to opening a cafe. But the tricky part is the vibe, creating a space where locals and visitors alike can wander in from the beach and instantly feel at home. Thankfully, Our Tribe Cafe in Kirra has got that feeling.

Sitting pretty across the road from Kirra Beach, this coastal cutie is less about grab-and-go and more about gathering the brood for a seriously good brunch.

Owned by husband-and-wife Jamie-Leigh and Chris Wilkinson, Our Tribe is a cafe built on family and community. The pair actually met over coffee more than 18 years ago when Jamie-Leigh was managing a Gloria Jean’s in Mt Isa and Chris was a coffee-loving regular.

The cafe is named Our Tribe for a very good reason. All four Wilkinson kids are part of the family biz! Hunter is all over the marketing on insta, Payton gives future manager energy, Mackenzie has a passion for whipping up amazing smoothies and even Peppa, aka boss baby, loves to ask daily “Mum, is it a good money day?”

The look of the space is a tribe effort too, with interior designer Helen Telfer of House of Helen, builder Connor Church of Banah Constructions and painter Michael Bodnar of Tweed Heads Painting Services helping bring the dream to life.

Stepping inside is like receiving a warm hug. Pastel pink and green furnishings makes it feel welcoming and homely, the kind of place where you could stay all day.

The cafe seats around 65 without feeling crowded, and the energy hums with conversations between owners and diners. Connection is the number one priority here with every customer greeted like they’ve been coming here for years.

In the kitchen, the Wilkinson tribe have struck gold with Callum Bruce, an incredible chef and all-round legend. Former head chef at Cafe Dbah and owner of his own food truck, Callum brings modern Australian flavours with a playful edge. Homecooked meals served on unpretentious plates.

Tuck into brunch classics like the Rosti Benny, a classic eggs benedict atop a giant handmade potato rosti with your choice of shaved leg ham, smoked salmon, bacon or halloumi.

Potato and Pancetta Waffles are comforting and zingy in equal measure with hot honey, mascarpone, dill and pickled cucumber.

For all the sweet fiends out there, the French Toast with Mascarpone, maple syrup and hazelnut praline is a must.

With an extensive kids’ menu, plus the entire menu available gluten free and most dishes offered dairy free, the whole tribe will be satisfied.

Coffee lovers can sip on Seven Mile Coffee blend known as GOLDILOCKS, and yes, it’s just right. Anything with the Seven Mile beans is a winner, but the iced caramel latte is the crowd favourite already.

Come for the food, stay for the family vibes, and look no further, you’ve found your tribe.

Where: Shop 1/1 Douglas St, Coolangatta
When: Daily from 5:30am-2:30pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Liam McDonald

Delis have long been the heart of Italian neighbourhoods.

From early morning, locals drift in for a quick espresso at the bar, pick up a few essentials, exchanging greetings that feel more like family catch-ups than transactions.

Lucky for us, Nico. deli & shop now recreates the traditional deli in Kirra, offering a slice of Italian culture just a stone’s throw from the sand.

Behind it all is Aaron Nicholls, who brings 30 years of architecture and design experience to the counter along with early-career hospitality work on the floor, giving him a keen eye for detail, from the furnishings to the food.

When it came to creating his own space, Aaron wanted more than aesthetics, he wanted to capture the soul of the Italian deli.

“The thing that strikes me the most about Italian culture is the celebration of food – the growing, preparation, presentation and consumption of it,” Aaron said.

“For me, it’s the ultimate display of gratitude: to make, give, share, and celebrate food. I want our patrons to feel like they’ve stepped into something truly special every time they visit.”

The concept almost landed in Woolgoolga on the NSW North Coast, sparked by local concern over big supermarkets squeezing out small vendors. But as the business plan tightened, a bigger question emerged for Aaron. Surely there were other coastal communities crying out for the same thing?

Formerly a vape and tobacco shop (and before that, a display suite), the Nico. deli & shop sits on a prime corner at Kirra Village, a stone’s throw from the beach.

Designed by Aaron alongside Phillip Nielsen of Regional Design Service, the fitout leans into a mid-century vibes with terrazzo floors and a feature counter that doubles as a stage for coffee and conversation.

Outdoor seating catches the Cooly breeze, while the indoor espresso bench and a handful of stools keep things cosy. 

Pouring Coffee Supreme brews and serving a menu that champions local artisans, Nico. deli & shop is all about keeping it fresh. 

Burleigh Baker supplies the focaccia, That’s Amore delivers silky stracciatella, and Puopolo Artisan Salumi brings nitrite-free mortadella, all coming together in the deli’s signature panini, topped with honey and pistachios.

For something sweet, cannoli are served in three varieties topped with crushed pistachios, chocolate chips, and a delicate dusting of icing sugar. It’s a little bite of Sicily right here on the coast.

Gourmet goodies from Delicato Foods and family-run Euro Foods QLD add another layer of yum with pasta, cheese, and antipasti you can take away and devour at home.

For a refreshing sip, fridges are stocked with Italian-style sodas from FABIO, sparkling non-alcoholic spritzers from ETCH Sparkling, and a full range of CAPI sodas to suit every taste.

You’ve heard of dinner and a show, but how about dinner and disco? The House of Bamboo is a new Pan-Asian playground shaking up the southern Gold Coast dining scene.

The House of Bamboo is the brainchild of hospitality heavyweights Alex Dickson, Fraser Pollard and executive chef Jon Hizola. With Alex’s expertise in bartending and large-scale events, Fraser’s 25+ years of international nightlife experience and Jon Hizola’s culinary mastery in Asian fusion, the trio wanted to match Coolangatta’s cool vibes with a vibrant dining experience.

Mission accomplished. The House of Bamboo, located in an underground basement on Griffith Street is the kind of place where you can trade the everyday grind for a technicolour escape. Mirror balls included.

The team rolled up their sleeves and designed the whole fit-out themselves. The result? A bamboo-clad wonderland with a neon-lit indoor dining room and a funky outdoor patio. Whether you’re sinking into the booths inside or sipping cocktails alfresco, there’s a sense of playfulness in every corner.

A colourful mural is a nod to Coolangatta’s layback lifestyle by day, and neon lights adorning the walls turn this space into a glow-in-the-dark jungle at night. It’s disco dining with bold flavours, big vibes and beats that keep the good vibes rolling.

And who better to lead the kitchen than Jon Hizola? He’s the chef who made waves at Hideaway Kitchen, put his stamp on Etsu Izakaya and his own GC joints, Mr Hizola’s and Masu Izakaya. Known for vibrant street-food influences and modern takes on Cantonese and Japanese classics, his Pan-Asian plates will keep your tastebuds grooving all night long.

Kick off with Bang Bang Prawns smothered in chilli aioli served on a rice cracker, or tuck into fan favourite JFC Karaage Chicken with five spice, chilli and basil. 

The Byron Bay Buratta, served with heavenly numbing sauce and roti bread is the Euro-Asian fusion we didn’t know we needed.

Juicy pork gyoza, vegetable dumplings and duck bao will satisfy the whole crew, as will the classic pad thai noodles and tom yum fried rice.

When it’s time to go big, the Beef Short Rib Rendang is already staking its claim as a signature with meltingly tender beef in a spiced coconut curry. The Lamb Shoulder Massaman is another go-to, slow-cooked with a fragrant kick.

On the drinks side, the party’s just as punchy with the bar team shaking up the fun. The Grilled Pineapple Tommy’s Margarita is tropical in all the right ways, with just enough tequila kick to have you shimmying in your seat. There’s also the Disco Spritz for those hot summer nights to complement the disco soundtrack.

With plans for live music on weekends, it’s time to gather your crew, slip on your dancing shoes (or, you know, your sandals — this is Cooly after all), and descend into The House of Bamboo.

Where: 1/64 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
When: Tuesday–Wednesday 4pm–10pm, Thursday 12pm–10pm, Friday–Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12 pm–10pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith