Gold Coast Best Coffee?

[coffeejourneyman]

Hi, an interesting turn of phrase there D.R!  Back on Reply 3 (24 Feb) of this thread, I expressed the opinion that Piccolo Espresso at Miami is the best cafe experience that the Gold Coast has to offer and I haven't changed my opinion. Seems that many G.C.ers have come to the same conclusion as it is getting increasingly difficult to get a table there e.g. with opening time 6.30am, last Friday it was packed out by 6.41am! And naturally, I'm always interested in other peoples opinions of cafes that I have rated to ascertain whether I'm steering them in the right direction.
                                 Cheers, CJM.

[emmama]

Whenever I wander south to the Gold Coast I go to Little Lido.

Coffeejourneyman: I've found that sometimes the places you'd be embarassed to be seen buying coffee from aren't too bad. Luckily, the places they're located are usually close enough to an outlet with great coffee.

[chillin]

I tried a little coffee setup at a BP service station in Elanora today..at the roundabout on Guineas Creek Road. Very very nice. Anyone else been there...any comment?

[askthe coffeeguy]

Hi cjm - as with Pacific Coast, you seem reluctant to 'put your thoughts on the line' - I know Gold Coast is a large area, but can you say which one is the best so far?

dR

note - I modded this comment to keep it within the realms of respectability

but for my money its coffee sisters in Broadbeach - they wowed me every time!

ACg

[coffeejourneyman]

Hi, for those coming to the Gold Coast next weekend to attend the Detpak Australian Barista Champs and wanting to slip across to Broadbeach for a coffee at Coffee Sisters.......it's gone! Disappointing but I believe their outlet at Monaco St is still going strong.
A couple of new cafes which have opened recently:
Kaffiend....at the entry to the new 18 storey Rocket building at Robina. Wega/Mazzer/Merlo combo and a good barista. I like this one.
Barefoot Barista.....Palm Beach Ave. LaMarzocco/Campos.
Kartel...a little gem this one but it is over the border at the northern end of Cabarita. Wega/Mazzer/ own roast and the owner is Renae, formerly of Little Bean, Piccolo and Vintage Espresso. A nice coffee and I suspect it's a Merlo blend. Worth a stop here if you are travelling down the coast road.

[admin]

thanks for that CJM; I won't be able to attend this year; if anyone's going, please feel free to take some pics of the event, and post up under 'Barista News/comps' thread.

A

[Double Ristretto]

Hi CoffeeJM - just a quick question: are most of those cafes within walking distance of the convention centre, or are they accessible only by car?

dR

[coffeejourneyman]

Hi dR, the only coffee outlets near the Convention Centre would be those at Broadbeach or Pacific Fair. By car, Piccolo Espresso, Coffee Sisters and Kaffiend are about 15 min while Cabarita is more like 40min. Were you at the Barista Champs yesterday? We left about 4pm and so didn't get the final placings. Watched the finals and it looked pretty close. Any comments from Crema Forum members about placings/comparisons with last years event etc?

[Tanya]

Just an addendum to what has been previously said.
Picollo used to be my Cafe of choice but with the change of owner I don't think it is quite where it once was.
I like Coffee Moves at Tweed City - but thats a little bit of a drive or Flayvah Cafe at Nerang - they are smaller un-assuming Cafe's but they do great coffee & scrummy food.

[Espresso Store]

Black Board Coffee in Varsity Lakes would have to be the Best!:) I would highly recommend it & I have heard Black Coffee Lyrics in surfers is also good

[TB]

ok this thread needs a good update - couple of places that should have been mentioned, the gold coast is not a dirty word when it comes to coffee (anymore at least!)

Surfers: black coffee lyrics is better than anything else in the area; only place worth going to in surfers (most GC locals steer clear of surfers anyway)

Broadbeach: no name lane on elizabeth st
Barista: Adam is the main barista and a boss (and i think, the boss as well?) pulls consistent amazing shots.
Decor: a funny little place, upmarket slick and small layout with limited food (but who cares its about coffee right?)
Equipment: synesso/mazzers

Mermaid: govs espresso on the GC highway
Barista: Renton is the main barista; always consistent and careful; pulls amazing shots.
Decor: big old messy house, antiques and old furniture and a huge sandpit/kids are out the back. a weird place to find gourmet coffee, its usually quiet.
Equipment: marzocco/mazzer

Burleigh: Canteen espresso just off James St.
Barista: all the lads here are very good, great unique shots and excellent milk work.
Decor: small, dark and industrial, a row of old theatre seats and limited table space outside.
Equipment: strada/mazzer

Campos is becoming a bit mainstream here now - personally im not a huge fan but is it a cut above the majority:
there are a few cafe's that absolutely butcher the campos coffee though..... maybe i got unlucky with baristas or bad days or whatever but two in particular - barefoot barista in palm beach and commune just off the highway in burleigh - been to both of these places several times and been thoroughly dissapointed with the coffee every time - i just order juice or tea if i go back these days.
a funny little shopping centre cafe out at Benowa has done the best campos for me - a great double ristretto from the boss there that reminds me of the quality campos i first tasted in the valley in brisbane... shame its in the middle of nowhere.
barista borough on the esplanade at burleigh do good things with the campos blend also - been there twice and found it a cut above.

plenty of quality coffee to be had on the goldy these days!

[Koffee Kosmo]

I venture to the Gold Cost on a semi regular basis.
I also like No Name Lane   

KK