Top 10 hole-in-the-wall joints on the Gold Coast

THEY are small but they pack a punch - the hole-in-the-wall gems serving up great coffee and food. Here’ts the top 10 on the Coast according to you.

Paola Pearse, co-owner of Nook Espresso which won the Bulletin's Top 10 holes in the wall list, at work at Burleigh Heads. Picture Glenn Hampson

THEY are small but they pack a punch - they are hole-in-the-wall gems serving up great coffee and snack food. And here are the top 10 on the Coast according to readers of goldcoastbulletin.com.au

10 Spanish Doughnuts

Surfers Paradise

Niche Espresso

Miami

Spanish Doughnuts brings the taste of Spain’s famous churro to Surfers Paradise. From the traditional to the deluxe, gourmet and premium range, it’s a sweet treat no matter your nationality. Niche pride themselves on their wholesome food and beautiful ingredients, this Miami side street stalwart makes as much as possible on its premises.

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Stairwell Coffee, Surfers Paradise. Photo supplied

9 Stairwell Coffee, Asian Alley

Surfers Paradise

Established beneath the stairs in The Centre Arcade, Stairwell Coffee is the top tier for quality coffee in central Surfers Paradise. Located just away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Cavill Avenue, it’s the ideal coffee hideaway.

Adrian Grazioli runs The Pastry Emporium in Bundall.

8 The Pastry Emporium

Sorrento

Opening his own shop in the same block as the restaurant his parents founded, Adrian Grazioli is making his name with his handmade macaroons, tarts, Danishes, croissants and cakes. Hidden away in a tiny suburban shopping centre in Sorrento, The Pastry Emporium is a favourite for locals and a ‘need to know’ shop for the rest of the coast.

Reid Mitchell prepares Matcha Green tea, which has become a new trend in cafes, served at Raw Espresso, Southport, Gold Coast.

7 Raw Espresso

Southport

Alongside caffeinated beverages, Raw Espresso serves up a hearty selection of raw and healthy fare including a breakfast salad, dragon fruit bowls and more traditional options including an avocado smash with poached eggs and dukka.

ESPL cafe barista AJ MacIvor, Surfers Paradise

6 ESPL Coffee Brewers

Surfers Paradise

At the foot of the swanky Soul building, this teeny-tiny cafe just has room for coffee and a few well-chosen grocery items: Farmer Jo muesli, Bahen chocolate, Larsen & Thompson teas, Daylesford & Hepburn organic juices and sparkling water, Jacqueline Evans hand soap, a few freshly baked nibbles, and Arcade coffee by the cup or bag.

5 Le Petite Pantry

Palm Beach

Since opening in December 2008, this delicious little Palm Beach bakery and providore has become an integral part of local coffee and food society. Le Petite Pantry is the neighbourhood destination for quality coffee, fresh baking, fine ingredients and gourmet gifts. Dogs and children are welcome, making it the perfect parents’ retreat.

Percy's Corner, Southport. Photo: Facebook

4 Percy’s Corner

Southport

Located in the Gold Coast’s original ambulance station, which was built in 1922, the little coffee shop is named after Percy Raby, the station’s first superintendent. The restored building is now a fully modernised co-working facility with tenants from industries such as engineering, events, sporting, and entertainment, but a special spot is reserved for the cafe. Despite its small physical stature, Percy’s is big on coffee, paying as much attention about the way each cup is brewed as they do about its presentation on the table.

Box Espresso. Photo supplied

3 Box Espresso

Broadbeach

As the name suggests Box Espresso is in fact a box, a tiny shop tucked away next to The Envy Hotel that serves up organic espresso, toasted sandwiches, wholefood treats, smoothies and more. There is a small outdoor area with a few tables but why not take your goodies to the beach and enjoy the million-dollar view?

The Black Sheep Espresso Baa.

2 Black Sheep Espresso Baa

Coolangatta

Tucked away in redeveloped The Strand at Coolangatta, Black Sheep Espresso Baa is the perfect place for a cuppa and a dose of quirky humour. One thing this lighthearted crew do take seriously is their coffee – Toby’s Estate, with single origins every week, half a dozen blends to choose from at any one time and a happily bubbling retail trade. And not to forget furry friends, Black Sheep have a ‘puppychino’, so customers can take their dogs down for a cup as well.

Paola Pearse, co-owner of Nook Espresso, the Coast’s best hole-in-the-wall joint. Photo: Glenn Hampson

1 Nook Espresso, Burleigh Heads

It’s the hole-in-the-wall that started it all.

Almost eight years ago mum Paola Pearse found a tiny opportunity and, with co-owner Marcus Wilkins, turned it into a big business.

Right on the sand at Burleigh beach, Nook Espresso may not have a square centimetre to spare, but what it likes in size it makes up for in quality.

Paola Pearse, co-owner of Nook Espresso, a wildy popular spot!

“I used to take my daughter to swimming classes next door,” says Paola, whose mini-cafe occupies the end corner of the Goodwin Terrace building.

“Afterwards there was really nowhere you could just grab a coffee in your swimmers and relax with your pram and child.

“I wanted to create somewhere that mums wouldn’t feel diseased if they showed up a bit grubby.

“That’s why this location is perfect. Burleigh Hill is a natural destination for families and they don’t really want to sit inside, they want to get their coffee and go explore or sit at the playground or just generally chase the kids.

“Our space is tiny but it’s all we need to make great coffee.”

Paola says while there’s no seating, that hasn’t stopped Nook from forming its own social scene.

She says its popularity means lines are a regular occurrence, but patrons don’t mind.

“Sometimes we’ll get a quiet moment and people will be amazed they don’t have to wait, but most of the time we’re run off our feet,” she says.

“But nobody seems to care. It’s a great spot to chill out and look at the waves while you’re lining up for your caffeine fix.

“It’s also a little social event. People get chatting while they’re waiting and we’ve had so many friendships form over the years.”

Paola says Nook has even played matchmaker for some customers.

“We had a couple who met in line, started dating, got married and now have kids,” she says.

“We also had a woman who came here all the time pass away recently and instead of a wake, she asked all her friends to come to Nook and have a coffee because that’s what she loved to do.”

Paola says while she and Marcus, who had previously worked together in other cafes, had originally aimed just to create jobs for themselves, they had been overwhelmed by the cafe’s success.

In 2011 they opened their second Nook at Stockland Burleigh shopping centre.

“We’ve definitely got more room there,” says Paola.

“But we still focus on the basics like we do at the original shop.

“We use Bun coffee, only the best machines, we hire the best baristas – Marcus is the head barista – and then we train them further.

“We’re all about the quality control. If you’re going to run a coffee shop where pretty much that’s all you do, you want to do it right.”