Velvet Cafe & Lounge brings a touch of European glamour to the Gold Coast’s breakfast scene
There’s something effortlessly indulgent about sliding into a velvet booth, sipping your morning coffee and settling in for a long, unhurried meal. That’s the essence of Velvet Cafe & Lounge – a place where mornings linger, lunch feels a little luxurious and the art of table service makes a welcome return.
Tucked along Ozone Parade in Miami, Velvet Cafe & Lounge might look like it appeared overnight, but in truth, it’s been quietly in the works for years. The vision of owner Stefany Rincon, alongside developer John Potter, Velvet was conceived as a deliberate departure from the coastal-casual cafes that dominate the Gold Coast. “I didn’t want another white-washed space,” Stefany says. “Velvet was always meant to feel moodier and more classic – a place that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.”
And that’s precisely what you will want to do. Designed by Studio Beck, with branding by Hover Creative Studio, the interiors are a study in mid-century luxury. Deep maroon tones, golden light, soft curves and lush velvet booths create a space that feels both sophisticated and intimate. Outside, a relaxed alfresco space dotted with intimate tables and one coveted group spot is perfect for coffee catch-ups and lingering in the fresh air.
“For me, cafes became too transactional,” Stefany says. “QR codes have replaced conversation, and I didn’t want that. I wanted to bring back that connection, where your barista knows your name, you sit, you’re served and you feel looked after.”
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That philosophy extends to the menu, crafted by Colombian chef Jose Pineros, whose fine-dining background brings finesse to every plate. Breakfast begins with indulgent classics like the Spanish tortilla – a flavoursome mix of confit potato, caramelised onion and chorizo served with housemade chimichurri and sourdough – alongside silky folded eggs with truffle gouda, a nod to European mornings. For those with a sweet tooth, the French toast fondue with pistachio spread and dark-chocolate sauce is pure theatre in dessert form.
Lunch leans Mediterranean, with refined dishes like asado ribs in a chimichurri glaze, a fresh catch of the week served with saffron aioli, and share-style bites including a smoked-salmon tostada and grilled halloumi with warm honey. “We wanted to elevate breakfast and lunch – to give them the same attention and atmosphere as dinner,” Stefany says.
Coffee, naturally, sits at the heart of the venue. Velvet pours Blackboard Coffee Roasters, alongside a line-up of signature brews and cocktails that blur the line between day and night – think Coffee Yuzu G&T, Dirty Negroni and the Espresso Carajillo, Velvet’s Latin twist on the espresso martini. “Every drink has a story,” Stefany smiles. “Our bar is as important as our kitchen.”
By afternoon, sunlight spills across the velvet booths and the cafe eases into lounge mode. “The sunset here is special,” Stefany says. “When it hits the maroon walls and gold detailing, it feels like Europe in summer.”
Stefany plans to extend service into late afternoons and evenings soon, but for now, the focus is firmly on breakfast bites and leisurely lunches. In a city that celebrates grab-and-go, Velvet Cafe & Lounge invites you to do the opposite – to sit, slow down and savour. Head to The Directory for opening times.