Specialty coffee for Southport.
Specialty coffee for Southport.
The Southern suburbs have certainly seen their fair share of fancy coffee haunts of late and now our Northern neighbours are getting the goods.
Zi Espresso opened recently to tickle the tastebuds of those of you who spend your working days in Southport and have been in dire need of some quality caffeine.
The space, on Scarborough St, is long, skinny and quite Melbourne-esque with fresh white walls and natural wood accents. Fresh flowers and pops of colour ensure plenty of feel good vibes and a nice little escape from the crazy that is our bustling business district.
Coffee is the heart of the business (and all of our lives) and the crew use the crème de la crème of machines – the San Remo Opera v2 – which has never been used before in Australia. It’s very pretty and has many fancy gadgets.
There are definitely some technical words to explain the things it does, but because we don’t know them, here are some other words: each shot is digitally dispersed then balanced out (not compressed) and weighed to ensure the perfect coffee consistency. It’s like a little coffee puzzle but the epic end product is all your coffee dreams come true. Especially when the beans are by local legends Silipo.
Owners Daphne Zi and Scott Lo are the husband and wife team (previously of Expressions in Bureigh Waters fame) offering a menu designed to encourage diners to make healthier choices – there’s no soft drink, fried foods, ice cream or super sugary treats available in keeping with the couples’ personal food philosophy.
There’s salads, smoothies and cold pressed juices as well as immune booster shots and your favourite and ours, acai bowls (there’s cacao flavour).
OH and, if you don’t mind a chai, get involved in the Prana Chai Masala Blend because it is all the fresh, spicy flavours of India in a cup and if you could bathe in it, you would.
Now is Zi time to try it out.
LOCATION: Shop 2, 149 Scarborough St, Southport
HOURS: 6.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Good coffee, great food and city vibes.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Espresso martinis and mini sangas.
Move over high tea, there’s a new fancy afternoon gathering in town and it involves everyone’s favourite energy-inducing cocktail, Espresso Martinis.
Get excited gang, towers of tiny treats just got cool thanks to Paradox Coffee Roasters in Surfers Paradise.
As of right now, you can indulge in the ultimate coffee experience with a choice of a hot or cold coffee bevvie, brewed to your liking. As you no doubt know, the passionate crew at Paradox make a quality blend (onsite no less) so either choice is a good one.
Because coffee is the star of the show (in every known circumstance), the experience is highly sensory with guests able to watch the roasting process and completely immerse themselves in the experience.
There’s food too, so it’s pretty much the best fun you could ever have. How does a tiny smoked salmon, pea and dill quiche sound? Silly question. Housemade buttermilk scones with strawberry jam and whipped cream or maybe a Raspberry Friand or Chocolate Brownie is more up your alley. Doesn’t matter, you get them all.
Paradox Coffee Roasters High Coffee experience is ready to roll so grab your girlfriends and get involved.
LOCATION: Paradox Coffee Roasters, The 4217, Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise
COST: From $35pp
Words by Kirra Smith
Southport has long been regarded as our little ugly duckling, but with the recent opening of Swannie's, this elegant new establishment will give you a reason to return with your flock.
This stylish new restaurant reminds us of a bar somewhere in a metropolitan city, well it’s in our little CBD, Southport. Cafe/ breakfast joint in the morning, restaurant during the day and tapas lounge bar at night. And the crazy thing? They’re effortlessly good at it all!
Located on busy Nerang Street, Swannie’s is the perfect spot for business meet-ups, casual lunch or Friday arvo knock-off drinks. Upon entrance, you’re faced with a huge bar (filled with all kinds of alcoholic goodness for later) and a tempting cake display filled with doughnuts (the injectable kind), pastries, caramel slices, muffins, sandwiches and ciabatas! The zebra striped floor, large pendant lights and curved wooden wall hint of your night to come. But you know what’s better than a coffee in the morning? Old-school R&B music! It;s a soulful and smooth start to your day, way to go Swannie’s!
So what’s on offer for brekky? A refreshing iced-coffee, smashed avo and marinated fetta served on crispy toast topped with fresh coriander and just a sprinkle of basil and feta oil (optionally you can add eggs). Sounds pretty basic, but they do it well.
Swannie’s ‘Our Eggs Benny’ consists of two perfectly poached free range eggs with smoked salmon on an English muffin, smothered in mouth-watering house-made hollandaise. Now if you can handle a bit of booze in the morning, we’re not promoting, but informing that their signature dessert/cocktail Don Pedro involves vanilla ice-cream, Bailey’s and chocolate cream (don’t mind if we do).
If you’re enticed to stay beyond breakfast, Swannie’s have live music every night of the week* plus some great specials like $10 Beer and Burger Tuesdays or Cheese and Wine Tasting on Wednesday nights!
Best day to go: They’re literally busy everyday, but we like the buzz of a crowd on a Friday or Saturday night from 4pm til late!
Signature dish: Angus Eye Fillet Steak Sandwich (do it for lunch).
Favourite drink: All the cocktails are tasty, but the Don Pedro s a dessert and cocktail in one for the sweet tooths.
Mon – Live Music from 6pm
Tues – Live Music from 6pm
Weds – Jazz & Blues Night, live music from 6pm
Thurs – Classic Rock Night, live music from 6pm
Fri – Live Music from 6pm
Sat – Live acoustic soloist over breakfast from 8am
Sun – Live acoustic from 12pm
See ya at Swannie’s!
34 Nerang Street, Southport
By Louisa von Ingelheim
