Gold Coast Best Coffee?

askthecoffeeguy

Mate I find out and out flattery is the best thing for getting results! Not sure if its the same barista that you're thinking of at Coffee Sister's in the Oasis center but I heaped untold praise upon the person who made my coffee - so much so that when I stepped out to go to the loo she asked my colleagues: "What happened to the funny guy with the cowboy hat?" (don't ask about the hat)🙂 Otherwise I'm selfish enough with my coffee's to say that I'll have one but only of so-and-so make one for me! Cheers, ACG

coffeejourneyman

Hi, went to Piccolo on Saturday morning.....is there a better cafe on the Gold Coast for that '6.30am vibe' ? It changed hands today, Robbie McEwan (Tour de France cyclist ) is the new owner. Noticed some new staff so hope that nothing will change. Big question is where will ex-owner Paul turn up next? Odds are that the G.C. will have another iconic cafe sometime down the track. Then down to James St Burleigh to check out the new Quest Coffee Roasters. Liked the LaMarzocco (a 70 ) and the choice of roasts. Also spied one of the Liquid Espresso baristas Nikk O( she finishes a flat white with a sheen like polished marble!!!) checking out the scene so will be interested in her view. I recommend this place to "coffee nomads". The $300 million extensions to the Robina Town Centre are nearly complete with 5 additional coffee outlets to add to the current 6. At peak times these are crammed with 'coffee punters', so here is a brief summary: Coffee Club, the usual SanMarino/Mazzer combo. My barista was Paul Bassett trained. Gloria Jeans, usual G. J.'s with Border's books to browse. Vida Espresso, (Mokador) an experienced barista who loves his Expobar machine. Shingle Inn, a machine with no brand! Bean and Beyond, fit-out not complete but while there's life,there's hope! Cheers, Journeyman.

askthecoffeeguy

hey jm - thanks for your comprehensive wrap up of GC coffee - I must say that my expectations were not high while I was there recently, but I was pleasantly surprised by stores that are making a good go of it, with Coffee Sisters my out and out favourite. Didn't get to visit many places but I thought that the Illy franchise in the mall (a round the corner from the coach stop) - made a pretty decent and very drinkable latte for grab-and-go, all the more so considering the coffee is, how shall I say this, not freshly roasted? Cheers, Pat

coffeejourneyman

Hi, heard a rumour that the 5th new outlet at the $300 million refurbished Robina Town Centre is Coffee Club's new upmarket franchise "First Avenue". Sensing a 'scoop', I slipped through the hoarding of the soon to be completed fitout and, wandered around inside. Spied a gleaming new Wega with Mazzer and just for a moment I could taste a Toby's Estate or a Merlo (these go nicely with a Wega), but this was not to be. Indications are that they will be using piazza d'Oro. New outlet no.6, Bean and Beyond I estimate is about a week away...interesting fitout. Dropped in again to Quest Coffee Roasters at Burleigh. Tried the Costa Rican blend but after a good start it just "died in the cup" (feel free to use this phrase!). I preferred last weeks Guatemalen. Central Gold Coasters, don't forget free coffee at Vintage Espresso's birthday next Tuesday (26 May). Cheers, Journeyman.

coffeejourneyman

Hi, I tried the new outlet "First Avenue" at RTC last weekend. Great fitout/outlook and interesting food. The coffee presented well (as it should with that Wega) but I had some reservations and discussed these with the manager. I am interested in other opinions. New outlet (no. 6?) , Bean and Beyond opens there tomorrow (Tues26) with Merlo/Boema. Here's hoping! Cheers, Journeyman.

Leon

coffeejourneyman, funny you should mention nathan corbett he now regulars at Vintage Espresso in mermaid. my other half's sister is dating him and has been for a couple years now, he's a very fussy coffee drinker might i add. Vintage is probably my favourite spot at the moment, reminds me of melbourne with the retro/vintage furniture. coffee is lovely, i do personally like merlo though. my ristretto's are always in a cute little cup and have always been awesome. their food is great too, lot's of homemade cheescakes and small slices. they accomodate for the gluten intolerant also i might add. Niche is nice aswell, had many lovely machiatto's there, very small though and their opening hours are limited. 3 beans in broadbeach isnt bad, but lack of attention to detail and some staff who didnt speak with as much warmth as the ambience suggests was a but dissapointing. again lots of nice little delights such as bliss balls (rum balls), as well as a range of interesting tea's. it's a nice spot to sit and watch people pass by, one of those places you stick round for a while in. i'd like to hear an outside opinion of Zarraffa's if anyone's willing?

coffeejourneyman

Hi, this week has seen three more coffee outlets open at the huge RTC complex. "Bean and Beyond" started out with a Boema on Tuesday, by Wednesday it had been replaced with a SanMarino and then on Saturday a Wega appeared. Tried a coffee there on the weekend but it came out way too hot and before I realised it , I had shredded my hard palate.....my fault entirely....the last time I was shredded was back in 1994 and that was over 10000 coffees ago! The new cinema complex opened on the weekend with two licensed cafes so now there are four cafes within 50 metres who use Piazza d'Oro! Nathan 'Carnage' Corbett and I have a few things in common. We both like DiBella and Merlo coffee when in S.E.Qld and the same cafes. Unfortunately in each of these cafes we have the same favourite seat and he's always lounging around in my seat when I get there! Oh well, I hear he's going overseas soon chasing his 6th world title so I'll be able to mind his seats while he's away! Cheers, Journeyman.

askthecoffeeguy

I don't think I would like to be jostling with Nathan for seating space - he could accidentally put your eye out!

coffeejourneyman

Hi, yet another three coffee outlets opened at RTC on Saturday morning; Toscani's....Brasilia/Monte combo.....An experienced barista and plenty of customers. Max Brenner....LaMarzocco/ own blend. Groove Train.....another LaMarzocco/Veneziano and the trainer is Veneziano's own J.P! I thought I'd seen him somewhere and it's only just occured to me....Boardwalk Bar and Bistro in Brisbane and that was some time ago! Rumour is that he'll be there this Thursday, so well worth a visit. Cheers, Journeyman.

Long_White

Hi All. I (We, SWMBO & I) found Little Lido at Coolie the best. Discovered LL whilst on the coast in Sept last year. When we went back up there (from Melbourne) in May, this year, we stayed at Sufferers Paradise and would drive the 1/2 hour odd to get (IMHO) the best coffee on the coast. The food is pretty good too. Juanita (???? I think that is the owners/ managers name) did not bat an eyelid when I asked for 7 shots in my capp. The rubbish at Sufferers was like that detergentized phosphoric acid replacement stabuck or inglorious genes offers.

coffeejourneyman

Hi, I finally got to Coolangatta to check the coffee scene, especially Little Lido. I chose 11am/11.30am as I've found this is a good time to find where the serious coffee drinkers go. There are many coffee outlets in this precinct....most specialising in food e.g. bakeries, fast food etc. and the cafes which are more coffee oriented than food were either empty or had few customers at this hour......except Little Lido which had nearly 20 seated and a few at the counter. The coffee is Gusto, from Sydney I'm told and they have the Wega/ Mazzer combo which I'm partial to. The barista is Julie as mentioned above and she's obviously read the Scotty Callaghan creed....presentation is everything....should have taken my camera! Well that's it then for unless I've missed something, LL is the pick on the southern end of the Gold Coast. One thing though, since Piccolo Espresso at Miami has the same machine etc. as LL why not do as I did and try a coffee at both on your next outing but I'd give my vote to PE.

coffeejourneyman

Lately, I've been keeping an eye on a row of recently completed shops in Scottsdale Ave Robina opposite the Easy-T. Most are up for lease and I finally spied what looked like a cafe about to open up....fitout happening and a sign Taxpresso appeared....time to check it out! Unfortunately, I should have paid more attention to the 'x' in Taxpresso rather than the 'o'. No coffee here. Finally, I have been able to try all coffee outlets in the giant Robina Town Centre complex when a free Donut King Royal Bean coffee voucher arrived in my letterbox. Now normally, I wouldn't like to be spotted having a coffee there but a freebie is a freebie. A nice flavour though and I'm wondering about the story behind Royal Bean as I'd like to run some through my home machinery. Even better, here's an interesting thought for shoppers at RTC. What about Donut King's Royal Beans through Groove Train's LaMarzocco with Coffee Club's Paul Bassett trained barista Ellie?

DoubleRistretto

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

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?

askthecoffeeguy

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

DoubleRistretto

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

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