Celebrity favourite cafe opens new beachside sibling

One of Queensland’s most loved cafes, with Margot Robbie and Orlando Bloom as customers, is set to welcome a sister eatery just in time for the summer holidays.

Andrew Whiting at his new cafe Sunnyboy in Mermaid Beach.

A cafe loved and adored by celebrities and Queenslanders alike is set to welcome a new sister venue just steps from the beach.

The owners of highly acclaimed Elk Espresso at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast are expanding their portfolio, launching new sibling cafe Sunnyboy this week in Mermaid Beach.

The fresh 80-seater venue will be just a toast pop from the sand in the old Cafe Hedges site along famed Hedges Ave, with the tenancy undergoing an extensive renovation.

“I constantly drove past the site when I was travelling from our very first cafe Vintage Espresso, now Milkman’s Daughter in Mermaid, to Elk and was always wanting to sink my teeth into the iconic site,” owner Andrew Whiting said.

“Sixteen years ago, my wife Jodie and I opened Vintage so to be able to come back to where it all began for us was very special.”

Elk has become one of Queensland’s most adored and respected eateries, continually topping best cafe lists for the Gold Coast and Sunshine State, and even attracting celebrity diners such as Margot Robbie and Orlando Bloom.

Cafe Elk Espresso, Broadbeach.

Mr Whiting said Sunnyboy, which is named after the popular triangle-shaped iceblocks from the ’80s and ’90s, will embody much of what has made Elk so popular.

“Sunnyboy has the same core values of Elk when it comes to hospitality, people, food, coffee and fun, but it’s got big personality for a little venue,” he said.

“We are doing table service and seasonal menus, of course – plus you will be able to do boozy brunches beachside watching the hordes of people walking up and down Hedges Ave.”

Orlando Bloom enjoying coffee at Elk Espresso.

Sunnyboy will also offer the same creative flair in the kitchen that made Elk famous, with a menu running from the likes of stracciatella and heirloom tomatoes on toast to their signature American sandwiches hoagies filled with the likes of sticky pork belly, sesame fried eggs and miso butter. There will also be more classic dishes like burgers and an open steak sandwich.

Coffee will be from Parallel Roasters, while the venue will also make its own orange cold brew, as well as summer sippers such as a yuzu and coconut paloma.

Sunnyboy at Mermaid Beach will open on Wednesday, December 18.