So here are the top 10 coffee shops on the Gold Coast for 2018, as voted by you.

THE TOP 10 COFFEES OF 2017

FLASHBACK: THE TOP 10 COFFEES OF 2016

10. Hand Coffee

LOCATION: 17/19 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach

This hole-in-the-wall Broadbeach coffee shop has only been open six months but has already made an impression on the locals, which owner Mitch Kavic says is thanks to their unique bean.

“We use Industry Beans from Melbourne, we’re the only ones in Queensland, so that’s a big of a point of difference,” he says.

“We just found them through research. We emailed a lot of different roasters, tried heaps of coffee then went and visited a few people. We love these guys’ coffee. It’s a strong, full-flavoured coffee, but not bitter at all. Ours is really smooth and consistent.”

9. Quay Street Bar and Cafe

LOCATION: Shop 48a, Quay Street, Sanctuary Cove

While some cafes like to scope out the lesser known boutique roasters, others prefer to stick with the big names — they must be doing something right, hey?

“We use Belaroma Coffee, they work internationally and they have a big base,” Quay manager Tevita Loko says.

“They really know their stuff. What we try to do is pretty much hone in on the basics, stick to what people know and love about their coffee and not try to get caught up in the crazy things that everyone does. We do it all, but we all have a passion for coffee and enjoying coffee as it should be.”

8. Simple Coffee House

LOCATION: Corner Scarborough and Nerang streets, Southport

Formerly a sommelier and fine-dining professional, Simon Shanahan made the Simple change around three years ago.

He says the choice to use Toby’s Estate for his coffee house was simple too.

“They’re just a great company to work with,” he says.

“It’s not just about quality, it’s about consistency and support, and as small business they give us heaps of help with training and making sure our staff are well versed in coffee equipment. In terms of flavour their coffee is balanced. It has all the flavours — the body, the base, the sweetness, sourness, bitterness and astringency — all working in harmony. No one thing overpowers the other.”

7. Helena’s Espresso

LOCATION: Shop 5/2-4 New St, Nerang

Recently reopening after an 18 month hiatus, Helena Jaffar of Helena’s Espresso pours her coffees from renowned roaster Toby’s Estate.

Moving from Benowa to Nerang Mall, the regulars have been back in full force with the cafe owner saying their warmth is just as important as their coffee’s.

“We’ve been so busy already and seeing so many of my old customers has been beautiful,” she says.

“I train my staff to remember names and orders of regulars. I want every single person who walks in my door to feel welcome. I don’t mind if you only order one cup of coffee and stay for three hours to enjoy it. No one is ever pushed out my door.”

6. Double Barrel Kitchen

LOCATION: 64 Karbunya St, Mermaid Waters

From the bean to the machinery to the passion, it’s all there at Double Barrel Kitchen. “We use Supreme Coffee Roasters, which is a specialty coffee roasted locally,” owner Jess Winters says.

“We use their Beach blend, which leaves a milk chocolate note with a depth of caramel and hazelnut when served with milk. As a black coffee this blend permeates delicate and sweet notes for an incredibly refined sensation on the palate. We pride ourselves on a consistent brew every time so we use only the best equipment our machine is a Lamarzacco GB5 and Mythos grinders which are the best in the market. Our passion and love for coffee by all of our well-trained baristas is shown in every cup of coffee.”

5. Crafted Coffee Co

LOCATION: The Kitchens, Robina

One of the original tenants of foodie precinct The Kitchens, Crafted Coffee Co. opened in November 2016.

But coffee in a cup wasn’t enough to satisfy these guys — they’ve even incorporated our favourite drink into menu classics. Breakfast could be quinoa, eggs, avocado and tomato served on coffee-infused rye toast. For a sweet start, order the ricotta hot cakes or French toast, which are served smothered in decadent crafted espresso syrup.

Or if your craving extends to the evenings, choose from espresso martini flavours including cold drip, XOX, dark and stormy, chocotonic and The Steve, which boasts frangelico, salted caramel syrup and honeycomb crumble.

4. Bam Bam Bakehouse

LOCATION: 2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

This beloved bakehouse has made the whole worlds’ tummies rumble with the sight of their delectable desserts, but at the core of any cafe is the coffee.

These guys swear by the Reservoir blend by Single O, what they describe as a “bright and sophisticated blend, with flavours or ripe stone fruits, structured and vibrant acidity, a delicate body and a clean finish.”

Currently the Reservoir comes from El Conquistador Costa Rica, Kirinyaga Kenya and Mutovu Rwanda. Bam Bam also have a fortnightly rotating feature blend that aims to showcase a wide range of Australia’s best roasters.

3. Stairwell Coffee

LOCATION: Asian Alley, Surfers Paradise

With original owner Clayton Dalton recently becoming a new dad, employee of eight years

Isaac Atkinson stepped into the role of owner.

“Clay and his wife gave me my first job and got me through uni. I finished my degree in marketing last year and decided it was time to make some life decisions and it all just fell into place. I love coffee, I love the cafe industry and I love our customers so it felt right.” Stairwell regulars will barely notice a difference, with Clayton still working in the shop part time and Isaac still using Clayton’s own Windomal Roasting Co. to fill their cups.

2. Le Vintage

LOCATION: 1 Kurilpa St, Worongary

No stranger to the best coffee poll, Le Vintage proudly use Merlo Coffee for their brews, a widely recognised and trusted brand among the Aussie public.

While owners Nic Lord and Joel Aston rely on consistency, customer service and quality to satisfy their hugely loyal customer base, they have one more card up their sleeve.

“Every Wednesday morning we have a clairvoyant, Eschani Taylor come in and do half-hour readings,” Joel says.

“She’s one of the Coast’s best clairvoyant mediums, she books out really quickly.”

Half-hour readings are $60 and, of course, include a cup of that famous coffee.

1. Lakeview Espresso

LOCATION: 100 Burleigh St, Burleigh Waters

Dylan Rackley is almost like the mad scientist of the Gold Coast coffee scene, formulating concoctions in his caffeine laboratory for his patients — or customers.

“The reason we are a little different is because I blend our coffee with our boutique roaster from Tyalgum,” he says.

“It’s a really good specialty roast from Double or Nothing Coffee Alchemists. So I’ve taken that and blended it to hit the Gold Coast market, who are after what coffee should be.

“We’re not following the trends of fruity specialty coffees.”

To the coffee laymen, talk of blends and roasts and whatnot can go over the head, so Dylan breaks it down.

“When you make a blend you have two different beans that carry different flavour profiles and a blend is a two or more flavour profiles that combine to create a whole experience.

“So of the two I’ve chosen one has a bold, full-bodied flavour that carries no inherent bitterness and then the other one carries a really light, sweet butterscotch flavour that adds a nice creaminess to the experience.

“We sat down for hours on end tasting hundreds of different coffees and worked the list down and down until we found the two that work in the best harmony.

“There’s a huge amount that goes into it.”