25 top picks recommended by locals
When visiting the Gold Coast, most travellers are keen to find out about the best things to do and more importantly to where to find essential items such as great coffee shops, health food stores or dinner places so that you can keep up with your daily routines whilst on holiday. We know that the choices can be overwhelming. As 11 year Gold Coast locals, we share with you our 5 top 5’s of the Gold Coast making it your Sea25 Visitor Guide.
Top 5 Breakfast Spots
No Name Lane Broadbeach
Starting off as a hole in the wall coffee shop within the Oracle development, No Name Lane has grown into a full-service café with indoor and outdoor seating as well as table service. Owner Simon and his team are probably the cheeriest around the Gold Coast, making sure their delicious food and coffees are always served with a smile. https://www.facebook.com/nonamelanebroadbeach/
Commune Miami
One of the longest established cafes on the Gold Coast. Commune is a very laid-back place, providing a relaxed atmosphere with a large outdoor seating space. The value for money is great based on their portion size. They also manage to employ consistently friendly staff since almost a decade. https://www.facebook.com/Commune-188007077908552/
Blackboard Varsity Lakes
Also one of the longest established cafes that we know off that manages to stay consistently great in regard to the quality of food and coffee. Blackboard is roasting their own beans and gained such great popularity that they sell their coffee to many other local Gold Coast coffee shops. https://www.facebook.com/blackboard.varsity/
Barefoot Barista Palm Beach
A family run café that opened probably before we moved to the Gold Coast. It has grown in popularity ever since not only due to its own coffee brand but also because of the consistency of their food and coffee. They also own 2 other cafes in Burleigh Heads and Nobbies Beach. https://www.facebook.com/BarefootBaristaPalmBeach/
Paradox Coffee Roasters Surfers Paradise
Located within the 4217, also known as the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre, Paradox is a spacious café that roasts their beans in house. The Europe style decorated venue invites to stay and hangout or work. https://www.facebook.com/Paradox-Cafe-360661406373/
Top Takeaway Coffee Picks
As we already reached the top 5 in this category, here are 2 additional amazing takeaway joints in case you are just after that quick coffee to-go. ESPL Coffee Roasters on the Esplanade Surfers Paradise opening at 6am daily and the perfect place to enjoy a coffee with ocean views. https://www.facebook.com/esplcoffee/
Papercup Coffee opening at 5am at 2 separate locations in Southport and Labrador. https://www.facebook.com/gcpapercup/
Top 5 health food sources
Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market Miami
The Gold Coast’s only farmers market with only certified organic produce sold directly from the local farmers. The market runs every Sunday from 6am to 11am at the Miami State High School. It is the cheapest source of organic vegetables and fruits around. https://gcorganicmarket.com
Gold Coast Organic Meats Benowa and Mermaid Waters
Organic Food does not need to be expensive. God Coast Organic Meats have two outlets in Mermaid Waters and Benowa right near Flannerys. https://www.goldcoastmeats.com/
Just Healthy Robina Town Centre
For all your health food product needs along with professional advice. Just Healthy exists for as long as the town centre is open. https://www.just-healthy.com.au
Flannerys Organic Groceries
Flannerys is an organic wholefood supermarket and sells most common groceries as well as a small selection of vegetables. There are 3 stores on the Gold Coast, at Benowa, Miami and Varsity Lakes. https://flannerys.com.au/
Hollstein Naturopathics Surfers Paradise
If you need more than just some organic food supplies, Amanda from Hollstein Naturopathics can help you out with practitioner only supplements as well as naturopathic consultations. Appointments can be booked online. https://hollsteinnaturopathics.com.au/
Top 5 Attractions and must sees
Q1 Skypoint Observation DeckSurfers Paradise
Enjoy 360-degree views over the Gold Coast at 230m above the sea level. Our tip is to visit Skypoint about 45min before sunset so that you can get the best photos at day time as well as night time in a single visit. https://thescubacoach.experienceoz.com.au/en/gold-coast/skypoint-observation-deck
Gold Coast Theme Parks
If you are into Theme Parks then defiantly buy a combo pass that gives you access to all parks including Movie World, Dream World, Wet and Wild and Sea World. https://thescubacoach.experienceoz.com.au/en/gold-coast/theme-parks
Surfers Paradise Discovery Tour
A mini bus tour in small groups will let you explore the best coastal lookouts between Surfers Paradise and Main Beach. This is a great 2h tour for photography and includes the entry to Q1 Skypoint as well. https://seathegoldcoast.com.au/gold-coast-bus-tour-q1-skypoint/
Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta by hire car
Do something on your own! Hire a car for as little as $60 a day and drive along the beach from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta. Take the camera and swimmers and enjoy a laid back relaxing day. Stop at Nobbies, Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera Creek, Currumbin Beach and finish up on top of the hill at Point Danger.
Day tour to Byron Bay
Byron Bay is only one hour drive away from the Gold Coast and the perfect day trip to explore the northern tip of New South Whales. If you don’t have a car, you could join an organised bus tour ex Surfers Paradise. Things to do at Byron besides relaxing are to visit the light house and walk the headland but also the surroundings including Bangalow or Newrybar are worth an exploratory drive. https://thescubacoach.experienceoz.com.au/en/gold-coast/gold-coast-to-byron-bay-tours/byron-bay-and-crystal-castle-tour
Top 5 nature things to do
Whale Watching
From June to October, the Gold Coast welcomes the majestic humpback whales. Join a small group whale watching tour with only 8 participants on our adventure boat and enjoy an intimidate experience. https://seathegoldcoast.com.au/gold-coast-whale-watching-tour/
Island Wildlife Adventure
If you want to explore untouched nature and have a look at our beautiful Broadwater then this South Straddie adventure tour is your ideal choice. Get up close with local kangaroos and wallabies and walk along the deserted beaches. https://seathegoldcoast.com.au/south-stradbroke-island-adventure-tour-gold-coast/
Hinterland Tours
The Gold Coast Hinterland is a destination on its own. Explore Springbrook National Park or Mount Tamborine. There are several choices available. https://thescubacoach.experienceoz.com.au/en/gold-coast/gold-coast-rainforest-4wd-tours
Scuba Diving
Whether you have never dived before or are an experienced scuba diver, the Gold Coast caters for both. You can join an introductory dive experience at Wave Break Island within the calm and protected Broadwater or embark on an offshore dive adventure for certified divers, exploring the local reefs and shipwrecks. https://goldcoastdiveadventures.com.au
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Gold Coast best wildlife experience in a park environment and also home of our wildlife hospital.
Top 5 dinner places
Hurricane Grill Surfers Paradise
One of the best venues in town, on the first floor within the Soul tower development and overlooking the ocean, Hurricane Grill is famous for its amazing steaks and friendly service. https://www.hurricanesgrillandbar.com.au/surfers-paradise/
Brooklyn Depot Surfers Paradise
A funky burger bar along with a great choice of drinks and beers from tap. This all comes with an original American atmosphere.http://www.brooklyndepotsurfersparadise.com
The Loose Moose Broadbeach
As the winner of Queensland’s best burger in 2018, certainly one of our favourites for dinner or drinks or both. The food is absolutely delicious, and the venue authentically decorated in Canadian style. As you would expect, the whisky menu is impressive! https://www.theloosemoose.com.au
Fisherman’s Wharf Main Beach
A Gold Coast original that is still going strong! Fishos is located right within Mariners Cove, Main Beach on the Boardwalk. The venue offers panoramic water views, overlooking the marina. Food is great and reasonably priced. The water views are in a westerly direction, making it an ideal place to enjoy the sunset. https://fishermanswharftavern.com.au/
Chiangmai Thai Surfers Paradise
Probably the most authentic Thai Restaurant on the Gold Coast. This place is located at the bottom of the Crown Towers resort and has won countless awards as the Gold Coast’s best theme restaurant. Once you are seated, you truly feel like on a Thai holiday. Make sure you come hungry as the portions are huge and the food is to tasty to leave behind on the plate. http://www.chiangmaithairestaurant.com.au
Disclaimer: All recommendations made in this blog post are the subjective opinion of the author and not the result of any formal evaluation process. We simply share our personal preferences and experiences based on what we would recommend to our own friends and families. The order of each top 5 section is random and shall not mean that the first mentioned is more recommended than the second. Lastly, we limited each category to 5 so there are certainly more great recommendations.