Best Local Coffee GC

Coffee is a big deal in Australia – and on the Southern Gold Coast, we pair it with unbeatable beachfront views.
From locals’ favourites to iconic sips worth travelling for, these are our top picks to fuel your mornings on the Southern Gold Coast.

1. Old Quarter Coffee Merchants – Coolangatta

For those who take their coffee seriously, Old Quarter Coffee Merchants is a standout. This Coolangatta roastery focuses on quality from bean to cup, with expertly roasted coffee and a loyal following among locals who appreciate a beautifully made brew.

It has a strong 4.9 rating across 125 reviews and is a set roastery rather than your typical brunch café.

---

2. Black Dingo Café – Coolangatta

With views to die for, this tucked-away café sits beneath the border marker at Point Danger. Black Dingo has built a loyal following for excellent coffee, warm service, great meals and one of the best ocean outlooks on the coast. Sip your latte while watching whales pass in the distance. Hot tip: bring binoculars with your morning brew for a closer look.

---

3. Tarte Bakery – Burleigh, & Tarte Beach House Café – Currumbin

As beautiful as it is delicious, Tarte is an Instagram worthy spot but with food to match – Think bold coffee, artisan pastries, and a must-try cruller or Basque cheesecake.

At Burleigh, you’ll find it near bustling James Street, umbrellas lining the nature strip for a chic French vibe.

Currumbin’s waterfront location overlooks the estuary, perfect for their high tea with delicious treats.

---

4. Bread Social – Tweed Heads and Currumbin Waters

Nestled in the heart of Currumbin Waters and Tweed Heads, Bread Social is a beloved artisan bakery and café that champions simple, honest food made with passion. Their sourdough crumpets are legendary—light, airy, and perfectly crisp on the outside, they’re the ideal canvas for melting butter or a drizzle of honey. Pair them with a rich coffee made from expertly roasted beans, and you’ve got a breakfast that’s both comforting and unforgettable.

---

5. Dust Temple – Currumbin Waters

Part art gallery, part café, gallery, bar, and live venue all rolled into one industrial-chic warehouse. Emerging from an old tin-shed, it now brims with vintage décor, studio nooks, and rotating exhibitions by local and international artists. Grab a coffee and pastry, wander through artwork, and stay for live music. It’s raw, artistic, and a fun way to enjoy your morning brew.

---

6. Ground Control – Tweed Heads

If you are INTO Coffee (or from Melbourne) then this one’s for you.  Tucked away in a hidden little nook of Tweed Heads Industrial area you’ll find one of the funkiest coffee venues in Australia. Roasting and Selling their own brand, Ground Control have the flavour and the atmosphere of a Melbourne alleyway.  Don’t expect a full cooked breakfast or a large selection of baked treats, this spot is just about great coffee.

---

7. Cubby Bakehouse – Chinderah

A must-stop on any drive south of the border, Cubby Bakehouse sits beside the Tweed river in Chinderah.  French-inspired pastries and good coffee meet riverside charm. This is the spot for buttery croissants or chocolate eclaires paired with a smooth coffee A dreamy stop before heading to the Fingal Beach lighthouse walk.

---

8. Salt Mill – Currumbin & Kingscliff

Nestled just steps from the surf in both their Currumbin and Kingscliff locations, The Salt Mill is a charming hole-in-the-wall café that captures hearts with its “cute as a button” vibe. The rustic, simple setting—with rough bench seats and recycled crates—only adds to the charm, making it the kind of place where locals come back again and again.
Grab a latté, settle onto one of their sunny wooden logs out front, and soak up the laid-back surf-town atmosphere.

---

9. Dune Cafe – Palm Beach

Dune Café is an award-winning spot celebrated as one of the Gold Coast’s most kid-friendly and pet-friendly cafés. Just steps from the much-loved pirate playground, it’s the ideal place to take your coffee while the kids play within sight. Overlooking the calm waters of Currumbin Lagoon, the café’s relaxed coastal vibe makes it a haven for unwinding and watching the world drift past.

---

10. Currumbin Valley Harvest – Currumbin Valley

If you like your coffee with a side of tranquillity, this is the place. Tucked away in the valley, Currumbin Valley Harvest is the perfect stop on the way to a slow morning escape. The coffee is brewed with care, the matcha is whisked to velvety perfection, and the homemade cakes and fresh-baked treats make it worth lingering a little longer. Find a seat, soak up the valley views and enjoy a slower pace.