Sip, savour and linger a little longer at Mudgeeraba’s soon-to-open cafe, The Hearth

“I’ve always wanted to build a business around food,” Mikka says, her passion abundantly clear as she reflects on the journey that’s brought her here, to a long-admired soon-to-open cafe along Hardys Road in Mudgeeraba.

“I’ve spent years driving past this building,” Mikka says, “I’ve always thought this place had so much potential.” And so, when opportunity knocked, it was one she couldn’t pass up. With its brick exterior and screen doors, it doesn’t immediately scream cafe from the outside, but that was part of the appeal.

“I wanted to bring the essence of Mudgeeraba and the community as a whole into the space and to make it feel like a home. So the fact that the building itself looks a lot like one is something that appealed to me.”

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Mikka’s background has always been in and around hospitality, weaving through weddings, private event catering and artisanal tableware, all the way back to her home kitchen. “I come from a long lineage of excellent cooks in my family,” Mikka tells us, recounting moments spent around the dinner table. Over the last year, Mikka has reconnected with the joy of feeding and nourishing people. You could say, it’s her love language.

The Hearth is the culmination of Mikka’s journey so far – a soulful space inspired by community, created with intention and purposefully designed to feel like stepping into someone’s warm, welcoming home.

Named after the traditional heart of the house – where the fire burns, meals are shared and stories unfold – The Hearth is set to channel that same energy. An extensive fit-out is currently underway, but we’re told it will be rustic yet refined, with natural stone, timber textures and soft details that make you feel instantly at ease. The enclosed kitchen and sash window add a farmhouse feel, while the shelves will be lined with local cheeses, salumi, preserves and curated wines that will bring the cafe’s deli-style spirit to life.

The details of the menu are still being finalised, but we’re told to expect robust, fresh salads, daily frittatas, warm plates, big focaccia sandwiches and The Hearth Plate, the venue’s take on a Ploughman’s, showcasing handpicked local produce. There’s a strong focus on health-conscious ingredients including preservative-free, seed-oil-free where possible and sourced from organic or spray-free farms within the region. Mikka’s commitment to community runs deep, from using Burnt Croissant’s specialty pastries and Well Bread & Pastry’s loaves, to filling the shelves with wares from exceptional local makers and artisan producers.

Flowing through the machine will be Allpress Espresso’s organic beans, although The Hearth will be fully licensed too, with Mikka collaborating with a sommelier to curate a boutique wine offering.

While the cafe will begin as a breakfast-and-lunch spot, Mikka has plans to evolve The Hearth into a Friday and Saturday evening wine bar – the perfect way to end the week in good company, glass in hand. With just 34 seats spanning inside and out, The Hearth features an outdoor terrace with grassy patch, making it a family friendly option for those with littles in tow.

Set to open Wednesday to Sunday, The Hearth is a space shaped by connection and a deep love for food. In Mikka’s words: “If what we’re offering is beautiful and intentional, people will come.” And there’s no doubt in our minds.

The Hearth is set to open in coming weeks. Until then, you can follow the progress on Instagram.