Chanoyu Japanese infused cafe

NOTE: In July 2023, Chanoyu moved to a new location in 56 Nerang St., Nerang. It’s the Matcha chocolate ganache tart that gives it away – a pretty little pie case filled with two shades of green chocolate filling… “Oh my! There’s real talent here,” we think. “I wonder who’s in the kitchen?” There’s something […]

Café Catalina

If there’s an eatery with a top location, this is it: Café Catalina, an eatery offering fine casual dining with superb water views across the Broadwater to SeaWorld. Situated adjacent to the expanded Broadwater Parklands leisure area, the Rockpools play and picnic area and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Café Catalina is well worth seeking […]

Blendlove

UPDATE 2019: How far this cafe has come since it opened! The menu of raw cakes is now only one part of a complete plant-based a la carte menu. My generous serve of Corn fritters is served on a bed of spinach, layered with tomato relish and a tasty avocado salsa finished with balsamic glaze […]

Caffe Republic, Bundall

For the first time in several years, the crunch is on for eateries with almost as many restaurants closing as opening.  In 2018, cafés and restaurants are facing stiff competition for the food dollar. Prepared foods from grocery and convenience stores and meal delivery services continue to attract busy consumers who seek convenience over experience. […]

The Roost @ 53

It had been bucketing rain during the night but Mel had been up since 3am baking the Turkish buns for our breakfast. She didn’t know the buns would be for us, but we’d decided the night before that we’d score an early brekkie at The Roost@53 on the way to work. The Roost@53 is not […]

Quan 55 & Bar

If you visit Quan 55 in search of a traditional Vietnamese restaurant, you might just be disappointed. Quan 55 is all that and more. Wynn Huynh, who owns Quan 55 with her husband Thanh Tram, is the first to tell us that she has never felt confined by expectations. So, you should expect the unexpected! […]

Silipo Coffee, Southport

The coffee roasting company, Silipo Coffee, is hidden away in the light industrial area of Bailey Crescent, Southport. Local workers can refuel with excellent coffee carefully brewed by barista Richard Silipo, grab breakfast or lunch, or buy their own takeaway coffee beans. After owning the trattoria Basilico in Southport and Oompahs in Burleigh, Richard decided […]

Ramen Danbo

If you thought that ramen was just a version of two-minute noodles, how wrong you are! There’s instant ramen (or two-minute-noodles) and then there’s ramen, a revered cultural dish. Hard to fathom, we know, so as we face the cultural divide, it’s best to talk to an expert. We catch up with Andrew Hosaka-Zaniewski, to […]

Dinner at Cardamom Pod Brickworks

NOTE: Cardamom Pod is no longer open for dinner, however Cardamom Pod Broadbeach is open nightly until 9.30pm. Gone are the days when ‘vegetarian’ meant a simple salad landing on your table. Not any more! As more people adopt a plant-based diet, the bar has been raised for vegetarian food. Vegetarian has gone gourmet! Our […]

5B2F Bakehouse

We may not see it when we walk in the door, but some Gold Coast business owners come from rather surprising backgrounds, facing tough cultural challenges along the way. That’s the case for Moonsun Yoo, owner of 5B2F Bakehouse. From South Korea, Moonsun grew up in a family of bakers. He was always cooking in […]