7/240 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes www.blackboardcoffee.com.au Taking care of the coffee and brunch cravings of suburban Gold Coast residents is Blackboard Coffee. The cafe crafts coffee from bean to cup, and owns a roastery in neighbouring Burleigh which it also uses for training and brewing classes. Breakfast itself is an all-day affair that focuses on fresh fare ranging from breakfast bowls, to classic scramble. Of course there’s also plenty of sweet treats – with a plethora of cronuts, donuts and pastry lining shelves, with everything from mains to dessert available for takeaway.

1844 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh www.facebook.com/Commune Settled in a nook alongside the bustling Gold Coast Highway is Commune. The relaxed sunshine-yellow cafe has amassed a cult following for itself thanks to its quality Campos coffees and delicious dishes that range from acai right through to burgers. There’s a focus on healthy and organic but that doesn’t mean the space scrimps on serving sizes. Open from 6am to 3.30pm everyday, Commune is a quirky space filled with good vibes, as well as an impressive collection of vintage furniture and artwork.

1099 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach www.mrbengel.com.au One of the latest additions to the Southern Gold Coast is the suave Mr Bengel. The team behind the cafe are no foodie amateurs, also owning institutions Justin Lane and Harry’s Steak Bistro. The laidback cafe is open seven days, from 6am to 2pm, serving up an all day menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. Supreme roasters take care of the coffee side of things, but there are plenty of non-caffeinated options on offer including a range of healthy shakes. Perhaps most impressively, Mr Bengel has stayed true to a promise of reasonable prices – with dishes on average around $15.

4 Lavarack Road, Gold Coast www.bskt.com.au Wellbeing warriors will find solace in Miami’s BKST Cafe (pronounced Biscuit) as the cafe was founded by those with a passion for healthy eating. It’s a self-proclaimed ‘environmental health space’ that has an impressive array of options for all, including the vego, the vegan, and the gluten-free. If you’re after a pre- or post-breakfast workout, BKST also has you covered, with regular meditation and yoga classes available.

20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami www.paddockbakery.com A former Queenslander has been given a new lease on life at Paddock Bakery. The dilapidated building was bussed from Brisbane’s Redcliffe down the coast in the 1970s and has now become a haven for foodies. Coffee, food and freshly baked goods are doled out seven days a week, between 6.30am and 3pm. Of course there’s the traditional (ie muesli and eggs) but you’d be making a mistake to go past the Bakery’s specialty – bread. All of the artisanal loaves are baked in the brick wood-fired oven daily, and join a collection of sausage rolls, cakes, pies and bagels among more.