Best of the Gold Coast 2019: the region’s top 14 healthy cafes and restaurants
Eating out shouldn’t mean giving in. Best of the Gold Coast has found 13 healthy cafes your body will thank you for later.
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Eating out shouldn’t mean giving in. We’ve found 13 healthy cafes your body will thank you for later.
Caffe Republic
150 Slatyer Ave, Bundall
Want to know precisely what your keto choc chip pancakes are made from at Caffe Republic? Just ask. “We make 98 per cent of our stuff in house so we know exactly what’s in everything,” owner Peter Dufty says. “That’s including raw vegan treats, keto sugar free treats and the salad bar.” Caffe Republic is a clean eater’s dream — there’s lots of options for vegan, paleo and keto diners, coeliacs and lactose-intolerant people. “Hot on the specials board right now are the keto baked eggs, vegan quesadilla, our coco whip creations, the green veg scramble, brekkie salad bowl and the gluten-free and dairy free karaage chicken caesar (salad). There is far too much evidence detailing why it’s so important to be mindful of what we are consuming and why — sure, that includes mindfully treating yourself, too.”
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BSKT
4 Lavarack Rd, Mermaid Beach
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Here’s some shocking news for you — eggs benedict is pretty unhealthy. BSKT puts a nourishing spin on the classic brunch dish with a vegetable-infused sauce. “Instead of hollandaise, it’s kalenaise. It’s made out of kale,” BSKT director Sel Berdie says. “That makes it green. It’s pretty good, it’s made with blended kale, mustard seeds and apple cider vinegar. It’s different but a lot of people like it.” Sel says his reason for serving healthy fare at BSKT is simple: it’s all he knows. “Our background was in health, we had a healthy range of products that exist outside of the cafe,” he says. “It’s just a seamless way to improve the health of the community.” BSKT will soon offer a new spring menu.
Marie Anitas
2364 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Marie Moon has seen her fair share of exclamations of joy at her Mermaid Beach gluten-free cafe Marie Anitas. “We generally have very elated customers who go places and don’t have much choice,” Marie says. “People are super grateful to have choice and have somewhere they feel safe. They’re scared to eat out, it can be a six month healing process when they have a set back.” And despite the cooking curb, Marie’s dishes sound nothing short of delicious. “We do buckwheat pancakes with caramelised banana, raw cashew jam and organic maple syrup, and then we do soft tacos with a vegan slaw, turmeric rice and plant-based cheddar. They’re a bit contrasting in their flavours, but they’re our most popular.”
Blendlove
1/253 Ferry Rd, Southport
The turning of the seasons calls for a menu refresh. Plant-based cafe Blendlove dropped its new menu yesterday, with manager James Mackay describing some of the dishes as “game changing”. “Our new menu is bringing some new dishes to the Gold Coast breakfast scene including deconstructed cashew cream parfait, lotus root and oyster mushroom ramen salad, gluten free snickerz pancakes as well as revamping old favourites that everyone loves,” James says. “Our menu is a mix of premium plant based versions of Eastern and Western classics created using the freshest and healthiest ingredients possible. We also make the best raw vegan Cheezecakes using a secret recipe to create a smooth and silky experience unlike any other raw cake in Australia.”
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Niche and Co
4/449 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
WHERE TO TAKE YOUR DAD FOR FATHER’S DAY ON THE COAST
Friends with an acai bowl freak? Take them to Niche and Co. The Tugun cafe is famous for its sweet smoothie bowl selection with a dozen fruity options on offer. “We’ve been making our original acai bowl with the same recipe for the last six years, it’s a staple,” Niche and Co owner Haines Osborne says. “It’s mixed with acai, banana and cold pressed apple juice, then topped with locally-sourced honey, coconut and fresh fruit. The snickers and peanut butter bowls are also really popular.” The vegan-friendly cafe also offers more substantial eats with its plant-based “bacon and egg” burger — a Burleigh Baker sourdough roll houses a tofu “egg” with a pumpkin and turmeric “yolk”, with melted vegan cheese and more smoked tofu as the bacon substitute. “It’s one of those meals that makes vegans feel like they’re never missing out on anything,” Haines says.
Brio Emporium
24/7 Classic Way, Burleigh Waters
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If your idea of a diet entails eating low fat, prepare to eat your words at Brio Emporium. These cafes in Burleigh, Broadbeach and Southport serve up food, and even drinks, that are high in fat and low in carbs for those on a new-age health streak. Burleigh Brio Emporium manager Annalise Pigott says the restaurant is the meeting place for keto clans. “There’s always options to be able to change things to be keto friendly at other restaurants, but it’s really hard to go somewhere that specialises in that,” she says. “When you come here you’re getting a low carb, high fat meal. We also have the option of paleo, and we also cater to vegetarians and vegans. We try and be versatile, but we really focus on gut health with bone broth, collagen, protein, fermented vegetables and things like that.” Annalise recommends the slow cooked barbecue beef brisket and Thai chicken bone broth for keto subscribers, while the Phat Boy range of ice-creams and sundaes is perfect for those looking to dabble.
Meraki Whole Food Kitchen
55 Brooke Ave, Southport
Healthy doesn’t have to mean superfoods and activated ingredients — Meraki Whole Food Kitchen takes it back to basics. While there’s pancakes, burgers and pizzas on the menu, Meraki Whole Food Kitchen owner Brett Clarke says the nourishment is in how it’s prepared. “We’re cooking everything from scratch, and we have options of gluten free, vegan, dairy-free, refined sugar free,” Brett says. “We have a whole range of wholefood right across the board. Someone who’s a meat eater can go out and eat with their friends, we’re going to cater for everybody.” The fritter stack is a winner with health-conscious brunchers, made with corn, zucchini and feta and topped with rocket, free-range bacon and a poached egg. There’s also chocolate protein pancakes and a Moroccan chicken burger that with the option to go “naked” — minus the bun.
Pier B Wholefood Cafe
7e Masthead Way, Hope Island
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Pier B Wholefood Cafe brings nutrition to the north with its variety of healthy food options to suit different diets and diners. “I think we’re a little unique to the area — it’s not like southern Gold Coast where there’s lots of vegan and wholefood options,” Pier B owner Alan Thomas says. “We cater for anyone who wants your standard breakfast to several vegan options, we also do some keto options, and lots of gluten free. And try and keep everything as raw as we can.” Nourish bowls, raw desserts and avocado and eggs on specialty toast are some of the top picks off the menu. “We do a keto bread which we bring up from Melbourne, it’s a company called No Grainer,” Alan says. “It’s low carb, it doesn’t have grains.”
Stones Throw Cafe
1823 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
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With a menu divided into breakfast, lunch and “feel good”, Stones Throw Cafe makes choosing healthy easy. The Burleigh Heads cafe describes its food as fresh, local and embracing of the seasons, with a variety of local producers supplying the goods including the Burleigh Baker, Rusty’s Raw Organic Honey and Maize & Me. For a nutritious pick-me-up, Stones Throw’s organic breaky bowl ticks all the boxes — it’s dairy and gluten free, made with organic chia pudding and coconut milk, topped with cinnamon, honey, coconut yoghurt and fruit. The market plate comes with roast pumpkin, kale, spinach, broccoli and avocado; while the hoke bowl is inspired by Japanese gastronomy with teriyaki salmon, pickled vegetables, kimchi, avocado and brown rice.
Goji Granola Bar and Cafe
7/60 Santa Cruz Blvd, Clear Island Waters
SUPER-SIZED SHARE PLATTERS ARRIVE AT GOLD COAST BAR
The weather is heating up and that calls for cool treats — Goji Granola Bar and Cafe is the place to indulge guilt-free. The breakfast and lunch haunt specialises in build-your-own Coco Soft granola bowls, a creamy delight similar to soft serve minus the dairy and gluten. Choose two dried fruits and one kind of roasted nut for a decadent sweet treat that’s low on sugar and high on flavour. The cafe also serves plenty of fulfilling meals catering to vegans, coeliacs and dairy-free consumers, from its gOJI benedict with beetroot hollandaise to edamame on toast with poached eggs and feta, as well as salads, burgers and coconut water-based smoothies.
Nutrition Station
2/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
When a menu lists the calorie, protein and fat content of its meals, you know it’s a cafe that takes its health seriously. Nutrition Station opened in Burleigh Heads in November last year, serving up a healthy selection of vitamin-rich dishes for active individuals. Weighing in at the least calorie heavy meal is the omelette at 777kj, made with baby spinach, mushroom, tomato and onion and served with rocket. The big breakfast is the most kilojoule dense, surprising no one, but there’s plenty to savour in the lean turkey bacon, lots of greens and toasted quinoa sourdough. The health kick doesn’t have to end once you leave the cafe — Nutrition Station offers a healthy meal delivery service called Numeals.
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Raw Espresso
1/59-73 Meron St, Southport
MISSING PIZZA FROM COAST EATERY SENDS SOCIAL MEDIA CRAZY
Decisions, decisions — Raw Espresso’s new spring menu is putting the pressure on. Do you stick to the health-conscious options the cafe is known for, or treat yourself with a mac and cheese burger? “With our new menu there’s items that are healthy and a couple are the complete opposite,” Raw Espresso manager Brittany Berzins says. Fitness fanatics, never fear. The majority is still tailored to healthy eaters. “In terms of healthy things for breakfast we have chocolate protein oats, a chicken katsu bowl, savoury mince, and zucchini corn fritters,” Brittany says. “In the way of lunch we have a vegan curry and open veggie wrap. We have a full range of smoothies and juices as well. With the coffee we try to keep up with the trends — we do bullet proof coffee and turmeric lattes.”
Nude Sisters Whole Food Kitchen
3/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters
THE COAST’S BEST VEGETARIAN CAFES AS VOTED BY YOU
Wholesome, fresh and filling, Nude Sisters Whole Food Kitchen is healthy eating made delicious. The Mermaid Waters eatery serves up an all-day vegetarian menu you won’t believe is good for you. Case in point: the classic vegan Nutella pancakes. They’re entirely plant-based, made with spelt flour and topped with house-made choc hazelnut spread, cookie crumbs, vegan honeycomb and salted caramel COYO ice-cream. Best of all, every Thursday you can pick up a pancake plate for $12 rather than its usual price of $20. If savoury is more your style, opt for the warm morning greens of sauteed kale, spinach and zucchini with quinoa and avocado, or the brunch burger with panko crumbed mushroom patty, grilled haloumi and a fried egg.
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