Fresh on the scene – the Gold Coast’s best new cafes and eateries to open this year (so far)

Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros, Nobby Beach
Follow the irresistible aroma of spit-roasted lamb and you’ll find Mr Spiros Handmade Yiros at The Oxley in Nobby Beach. Created by hospitality identity Peter Gloftis, the Greek eatery serves spit-roasted lamb and chicken tucked into fluffy house-made pita, alongside hand-cut triple-cooked chips, Greek salads and house-made sauces. Whether you’re grabbing a yiros to-go or settling in with friends over a table full of share plates, this is Greek comfort food done right.

The Salty Chook, Coolangatta
There’s nothing quite like a good burg’ after a swim in the ocean. The Salty Chook, located just a few sandy footsteps from the shores of Rainbow Bay, delivers just that. The owners of the nearby Little Mali Tuck Shop are brains behind this popular local burger joint, which slings delicious free-range-chicken burgers, whole chickens, fresh salads and tasty beef burgers on the daily. Show up in your towel and grab a burger to go – if you’re lucky you’ll nab a seat out the front in the sunshine.

Yum Bakery, Mermaid Beach
After building a devoted following online, Yum Bakery opened its first bricks-and-mortar shop in Mermaid Beach – and it has quickly become a favourite for sweet treats, ready-made whole cakes and great coffee. Each morning, owner and baking queen Heya Yum fills the cabinet with handcrafted baked goodies, from flaky croissants and brownies to colourful buttercream cupcakes and beautifully decorated cakes, including the signature Korean-inspired heart-shaped creations. The ready-made whole cakes are a game-changer for anyone who’s left birthday planning until the eleventh hour.

Smug Club, Coomera
Consider yourself somewhat of a sandwich connoisseur? Then Smug Club needs to be on your list. Located just off the M1 near Dreamworld, Smug Club specialises in fresh focaccia sandwiches – with no boring fillings. There’s the Breakfast Focaccia layered with maple bacon, fried egg, a hash brown and ‘hangover sauce’, the Chicken Snitty with crispy lettuce, house pickles, provolone and creamy ranch, and (our personal fave) the Mortadella and Ham complete with basil pesto, whipped ricotta, pickled onion and fresh rocket. You’ll also find filter coffee, matcha and cold foams on the drinks list, alongside rotating slushies and house sodas.

Our Tribe Cafe, Kirra
Kirra’s brunch scene got a welcome addition earlier this year with the arrival of Our Tribe Cafe. The menu focuses on fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, including its signature rosti eggs Benedict, karaage chicken burgers, smashed avo and mystic mushrooms, alongside coffee brewed using Seven Miles Coffee Roasters’ Goldilocks blend. Located just a short stroll from the sands of Kirra Beach, Our Tribe has quickly become a favourite pit stop for post-swim coffees and leisurely weekend brunches alike.

day off, Southport
You’ve sipped cold foams and dabbled in strawberry matcha, but have you tried -86°C coffee? New Southport cafe day off introduced fresh take on the Gold Coast coffee scene with its signature frozen brews, where ultra-frozen milk meets hot espresso or matcha to create a striking layered drink that finishes like soft serve. Each glass is chilled to -86°C in a specialised freezer before being filled with a custom creamy milk blend and topped with either a ristretto shot or vibrant matcha. There’s also a menu of sourdough ‘slabs’ topped with combos like steak and cheese, bacon and eggs, and smoked salmon with avo.

Paradox Coffee Roasters, Broadbeach
After more than a decade in Surfers Paradise, Paradox Coffee Roasters has turned the page on a new chapter with the opening of its flagship cafe in the heart of Broadbeach. A welcome addition to The Oracle precinct, the spacious venue is an extension of the brand’s acclaimed roastery, with exceptional coffee taking centre stage. Signature blends like Paper Moon and Penny Lane are joined by specialty V60 pours and playful creations like the lychee cold brew. Coffee might be the main event, but the all-day menu more than holds its own, dishing up everything from chilli scrambled eggs and superfood bowls to smash beef burgers.

Pause Button Cafe, Coomera
Located in the same complex as the aforementioned Smug Club, Pause Button Cafe has brought a playful burst of colour to Coomera, pairing pastel-hued interiors with a creative all-day menu and equally inventive drinks. From the team behind Southport’s Humble Cafe, the all-new venue dishes up standout brunches including spicy-honey chicken waffles, octopus ‘nduja scramble and baked shakshuka with potato gnocchi. The drinks menu leans just as heavily into the fun, with cocktail-inspired creations like the Pina Co-Brew, vibrant matchas, berry fizz floats and indulgent milkshakes that are almost too pretty to drink.

Lovi Cafe & Restaurant, Robina
Lovi Cafe & Restaurant quietly joined Robina’s dining scene at the start of the year, establishing itself as a stylish all-day eatery. Inside, the light-filled space pairs warm, minimalist finishes with a relaxed atmosphere, while the Italian-Mediterranean menu spans breakfast favourites, fresh salads, homemade pasta and steaks. Start the day with a tiramisu espresso cloud, then return after dark for cocktails and dinner. It’s equally suited to a morning coffee catch-up, a leisurely lunch or an easy date night.

Choubidou Cafe, Miami
Tucked along the leafy Hibiscus Haven precinct, Choubidou Cafe brings a little slice of Paris to the Gold Coast. The cottage-style cafe serves buttery crepes, croissant Bennies, folded omelettes, steak frites and baguettes alongside coffee by local roaster First Fruits. Whether you’re craving a sweet Nutella crepe or a flaky croissant with all the trimmings, Choubidou serves up French comfort food that’s hard to resist.