You don’t have to fly to LA for one of Hailey Bieber’s famous Erewhon smoothies – this Mermaid Beach health hub recreates them with an Aussie twist, even earning Cody Simpson’s tick of approval. House of Hälsa – translating to “House of Health” in Swedish – has quickly become one of the Gold Coast’s most Instagrammed cafés since it launched in January 2026. The calming, terracotta-toned fit-out is just as aesthetic as its rainbow smoothies, with flavours like Millionaire Shortbread, Strawberries ’N Cream and Piña Colada. Aussie heartthrob Cody Simpson even collaborated on a special Blue Neptune smoothie, loaded with every superfood trend under the sun – from blue sea moss and spirulina to protein, collagen and coconut cream. Inside, a comfy sunken lounge invites communal conversation, while sunny outdoor tables cater for a relaxed brunch. Don’t leave without ordering the food, either – every plate is a total work of art, featuring colourful cubed salads, watermelon ‘ceviche’, fresh papaya boats and loaded bagels.

Order the: Cody Simpson’s Blue Neptune smoothie

Address: 1/2453 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Opening hours: Daily 5.30am-3pm

We’ve got a whole lotta love for Blendlove – one of the Gold Coast’s go-to plant-based cafés. Tucked inside Southport’s Ferry Road Shopping Centre, this wholesome spot is obviously a paradise for vegans – but it’s also super welcoming to gluten-free diners, kids and even dogs. It’s pretty much a trusty spot where you know everyone is going to go home with a happy belly. Each plate of food is styled for the ‘gram, featuring thick-cut sourdough French toast with caramelised banana and chia berry jam, a hearty truffle mushroom toastie, and classic sweetchini corn fritters. The drink menu is just as special, offering green immunity smoothies and purple protein shakes for the fitspo crowd, alongside more indulgent iced Biscoff lattes for those with a sweet tooth. Bonus: the staff here are some of the friendliest on the Coast.

Order the: French toast

Address: 1/2453 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 7am-2.30pm; Sat-Sun 8am-2.30pm

Hamptons cool meets Parisian elegance at this bustling bakery and café, located on a leafy corner in the heart of Burleigh Heads. Tarte’s breezy outdoor seating is perfect for people watching over a double-smoked bacon breakfast burrito or miso scrambled eggs on toast. Meanwhile, the takeaway window is ideal if you just want to grab a bagel and a custard shake to go. No matter how you order, getting a pastry (or five) is non-negotiable. Baked in-house and delivered fresh from the oven throughout the day, the line-up includes flaky passionfruit curd tarts, creamy vanilla cruellers and their signature berry muffin tops. Need to go back from round two? Tarte also has a dog-friendly café in Currumbin.

Order the: Strawberry muffin top

Address: 1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Opening hours: Daily 6.30am-3pm

Just a short walk from the waterfront in Broadbeach, No Name Lane is one of the most popular spots on the Gold Coast for coffee, croissants and cracking all-day brunch. For a healthy start to the morning, go for the pretty-in-purple acai bowl or the harvest bowl with roast pumpkin, quinoa, feta and poached eggs. Need a little indulgence (or a hangover cure)? The Biscoff cheesecake hotcakes, matcha French toast or chicken karaage benedict served in a pillowy steamed bao bun have you covered. Alongside top-quality coffee, you can sip on housemade iced tea, cold-pressed juices or Bloody Marys from 10am.

Order the: Strawberries and cream pancakes

Address: The Oracle Boulevard, 17-19 Elizabeth Ave, Broadbeach

Opening hours: Daily 5.30am-2pm

It’s hard to find a café with better real estate in Broadbeach than Elk Espresso. This gorgeous green café is an Instagrammer’s paradise with hanging plants, black and white striped umbrellas and ripper waterfront views. Elk’s seasonal dishes don’t just look picture-perfect, they’re packed with fresh flavours, too. For instance, you might dig into anything from a breakfast bowl to a breakfast burger with fried chicken, waffles and scrambled eggs sautéed with wild mushrooms. Lunch could include miso-glazed salmon, burgers or a cauliflower salad. Pair your food with Elk’s house blend coffee, teas, smoothies or cold-pressed juices. Psst, they also offer a ‘Boozy Brunch’ from 10am to 1.30pm daily. Just sayin’.

Order the: Breakfast bowl

Address: Shop G044 Oasis Shopping Centre, 12 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach

Opening hours: Daily 5.45am-3pm

Bright, breezy and brimming with flavour, Mohr Café & Deli is the kind of neighbourhood gem you keep coming back to. Run by husband-and-wife duo Rob and Eden Mohr – two hospo pros who spent years cooking aboard luxury superyachts – this chef-led spot blends laid-back coastal vibes with yum food. The all-day menu is packed with crowd-pleasers, from Turkish eggs with hummus and smoked tomato to the shakshuka scramble that lets you add smoked bisket or salmon. Mohr also dishes out open sandwiches, brekkie rolls and a comforting croque monsieur with ham, gruyere, fried eggs and cheese sauce. Come lunchtime, the offerings switch to small plates like croquettes and meatballs, mezze plates, smash burgers and tacos designed to share with friends. With a regularly changing menu and a warm neighbourhood feel, this minimalist, sun-filled space invites you to linger over a coffee.

Order the: Turkish eggs

Address: 4 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 6.30am-3pm

The Winey Cow is an absolutely legen-dairy brunch spot on the Gold Coast. Nine years after opening their OG café in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the team unveiled a second spot in Main Beach – and it’s been a smash hit ever since. The GC outpost features plenty of their classics, from waffles and smashed avo to prawn rolls and chilli cheese eggs. Hot tip: The Winey Cow’s $55 boozy brunch is one of the best on the coast.

Order the: Chicken waffle

Address: 5/11 Woodroffe Ave, Main Beach

Opening hours: Daily 5.30am-2pm

In sunny Coolangatta, Kefi Café lives up to its joyful name. ‘Kefi’ is a Greek word representing happiness, good times and passion for life – and that’s exactly the vibe you’ll find inside this Mediterranean-inspired café. Founded by Marina Ghobrial, Kefi is all about food that nourishes the body and soul. The kitchen focuses on fresh dishes with a Mediterranean twist (and notably free from seed oils). A breakfast standout is the hotcakes, which are almost too pretty to eat, dripping with butterscotch sauce, date jam, hazelnut and mascarpone cream. The Turkish eggs, served with cumin yoghurt, chilli butter, crispy chickpeas and flatbread, are another crowd favourite. Lunch keeps the Mediterranean energy flowing with dishes like gyros plates and gnocchi puttanesca. Inside, the warm tangerine tones and relaxed coastal charm make it easy to settle in and stay awhile. Add excellent coffee, fresh juices and even a cheeky Mimosa as part of their bottomless brunch offering, and Kefi delivers exactly what its name promises.

Order the: Kefi hotcakes

Address: Cnr Griffith and McDonald Sts, Coolangatta

Opening hours: Daily 6am-2pm

With more than 120K followers on Instagram, Paddock Bakery is far from a hidden gem – but it’s definitely a gem worth visiting. You’ll find this charming Burleigh Heads café in a white Queenslander cottage, offering plenty of seating across the garden, loft, barn and rooftop. Coffee comes courtesy of Single O, while the bread and pastries are wood-fired in-house. If you’re dining in, go for Paddock’s signature bagel served with cultured butter and herbed cream cheese, or the toad in the hole, featuring two eggs fried into their semi-sourdough scotch loaf. Of course, there are sausage rolls, pies, pastries and doughnuts galore. 

Order the: Toasted cream cheese signature bagel

Address: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

Opening hours: Daily 6am-3pm