The sandwich movement—nay, cult—has slowly but surely made its way to the Gold Coast and it's been met with open arms (and even wider mouths). To people who say they could give up bread, we say toasted sandwiches. We say pulled pork toasties, mac 'n' cheese toasties and even plain old (but equally delicious) cheese toasties.
Everyone loves a good sanga, but something magical happens when you slather the outside with butter (right to the edges, of course) and toast that bread to golden, crisp perfection. Because we appreciate these simple pleasures in life, we've hunted down the Gold Coast's top toastie slingers—and a few sando spots in the mix for good measure. From melty cheese favourites to gourmet takes on the classics, this is your one-stop shop for finding your next gooey, glorious bite.
MC’s Sandwich House
83 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Burleigh Heads’ favourite, MC’s Sandwich House lives by the philosophy of its ‘good sandwiches’ and we’re all for it. Their succinct and simplistic menu is all about the sandwiches and they’ve certainly mastered the art.
Choose from their flavour-packed menu, including the kimchi Rueben, three cheese, chickpea salad (yes, on a sandwich), and their famous rare roast beef. Their sangas are paired with good brews from Coffee Supreme. Once you’ve chowed down on one of their stuffed sandwiches, you’ll be coming back again….and again.
Cheese Me Baby
2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Cheese Me Baby | Instagram
When it has ‘cheese’ in its name, you already know it’s going to be good. Cheese Me Baby has taken the Gold Coast by storm, and for some very delicious reasons.
This coffee/toastie/wine joint toasts up some of the most delicious, cheese-loaded toasties we have had the pleasure of devouring. Their signature magic mushroom toastie (magical in flavour, not in effect) is oh-so-decadent and we also recommend trying their wagyu bolognese toastie.
Junior’s Deli
2/51 Railway St, Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
Junior’s Deli has been making waves on the Gold Coast since it opened in 2022 and if you’ve been before, you’ll understand why. Their famous Philly cheese and steak sandwich with sliced grass-fed rib fillet, roasted bell pepper, diced brown onion, American cheddar, provolone and ranch on a soft baguette is enough to have us frequenting Mudgeeraba on a regular basis.
They also make top-tier coffee and can cater to different dietary requirements on request, so our vegan and gluten-free friends need not miss out.
Side Piece Coffee
2 Capital Ct, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227
Image Credit: Side Piece Coffee | Instagram
Coffee, toasties, and cheesy dreams. We simply can’t go past Side Piece Coffee if we're around Varsity Lakes. This cafe cranks out top-notch brews alongside epic toasties.
Try their kimcheese toastie—a fiery combo of kimchi, three melty kinds of cheese, and chilli jam, all piled high on toasted sourdough. Or if you prefer something milder, their chicken sando is a winner. Poached chicken dressed up with dill mayo, tangy pickles, and crunchy toasted almonds, all nestled on lightly toasted sourdough. It's the perfect pick-me-up for your coffee break.
Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar
Shop 1/1114 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar has the toastie game in the bag. Or as they call them, sangas. We dig it. Think: a mushroom sanga with grilled mushrooms, melted Swiss cheese, rocket, tahini and mayo on toasted ciabatta, or the Philly cheese steak sanga melt with marinated wagyu strips, Provolone, American red cheddar, caramelised online, green capsicum and rocket.
They’ve also got classics like the leg ham or the tuna steak melt, as well as their take on the Reuben. Not to mention, you can have your sandwich alongside a glass of wine from their impressive menu. Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar really takes it up a notch.
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Santa Barbara Speciality Coffee
Shop 1/7/9 Pinnaroo St, Hope Island QLD 4212
Image Credit: Santa Barbara Coffee | Instagram
Our northern friends were certainly blessed when this sweet spot opened up in late 2021, slinging up perfectly poured coffee and tasty toasties for the masses. Santa Barbara Speciality Coffee’s legendary, cheese-loaded truffle mushroom toastie is a crowd favourite, and they offer it sans gluten for our gluten-free friends.
You’ll have trouble choosing between all of their delectable flavours, such as herb chicken, ham and five-cheese, and pulled pork. If massive, loaded sourdough toasties are up your alley, then you need to get your tush in a seat here ASAP.
Doughed
99-103 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island QLD 4212
If you’re up the northern end of the Gold Coast then you surely count Doughed among your blessings, and if you’re not then trust us when we say it’s worth the journey. Apart from making delectable doughnuts and a mean strawberry matcha, they also make some of the best sandwiches in town.
The Reuben is next-level, as is the mortadella medley. In fact, you’ll leave with happy taste buds and a side of decision fatigue because everything they do is so darn tasty, it’s almost impossible to choose.
Delightful
25 Stuart St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Delightful | Instagram
Our southern Gold Coast friends are certainly spoiled with sandwich options and Delightful in Tweed Heads is undoubtedly one of the best. This oh-so-colourful spot with the friendliest staff around serves up fresh, wholesome delights, perfect for a healthy lunch or a satisfying snack.
Their chopped Caesar sandwich is a dream, bursting with crunchy lettuce, creamy dressing, and all the good stuff. Alternatively, if you feel like flexing your flavour-concocting expertise, you could create your own masterpiece with the build-your-own option. They’ve also got rotating housemade treats, perfect for pairing with a sando. The hype is definitely justified.
Joe’s Deli
Pacific Fair, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach Waters QLD 4218
Joe’s Deli purports to serve a ‘proper’ sandwich, and if by proper they mean properly freaking scrumptious then we couldn’t agree more. Just looking at their menu has our bellies rumbling.
They’ve got a generous selection of both fresh and toasted sandwiches (our go-to is the Cuban, with pulled pork, fennel and garlic salami, Swiss cheese, pickled cucumber, red onion, yellow mustard aioli and chimichurri), as well as an extensive hot dog menu and some mouth-watering sides—mac and cheese croquettes with truffle oil… need we say more?
The Holliday. Coffee
2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Along with making some of the Gold Coast’s best matcha, Nobby Beach's The Holliday. Coffee is serving up the ultimate comfort food fix. This hole-in-the-wall gem might be small, but their jaffle selection is mighty.
If you’re after a serving of pure nostalgia, dive into their classic spaghetti and cheese jaffle, a cheesy masterpiece that'll take you right back to your childhood. They use quality ingredients and pack it with flavour, making it the perfect beachside pick-me-up.
Rafiki
172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Rafiki | Instagram
Nestled on Hedges Avenue in Mermaid Beach, Rafiki serves up some of the best toasties we’ve had the pleasure of devouring on the Gold Coast. To quote, "your taste buds are about to embark on an adventure that's so epic, it'll make your pet goldfish jealous". We would tend to agree.
Their Rafiki Rueben is packed to the max with all the good stuff (and topped with a gherkin) and their chicken pesto toastie is oh-so-cheesy but personally, we can’t go past their OG ham, cheese and tomato toastie. It’s a classic for a reason.
Made Barber and Barista
2B/417 Golden Four Dr, Tugun QLD 4224
Corner of Musgrave and Miles Street, Coolangatta QLD 4225
When a barbershop and an espresso bar combine, you know it’s going to be different and damn good, and Made Barber and Barista certainly delivers in both categories. If a barbershop and a coffee joint weren’t already enough, the team has raised the bar by slinging up drool-worthy toasted sandwiches.
Chow down on these loaded bad boys, including flavours like tomato, cheese and pesto, as well as pulled pork, kraut, pickles and cheese and, of course, classics like ham, cheese and mustard. Simple, but so good and we can confirm they butter right to the edges.
Tarte Bakery & Cafe
1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Tarte Bakery | Instagram
While Tarte may have made a name for themselves by specialising in incredible baked goods and their cult-favourite miso scramble, it would be remiss of us not to mention their sandwich game.
The poached chicken sandwich with miso mayo, pickled cucumber, watercress and crispy chicken skin is something of a Gold Coast icon. And for good reason. If toasties are more your thing, Tarte’s five-cheese, truffle, triple smoked ham, and mustard toastie on sourdough (with butter spread to the edges of course) speaks for itself.
Tarte Beach House
Shop 1 2/4 Thrower Dr, Currumbin QLD 4223
Craving a creekside lunch with stellar views? Tarte Beach House in Currumbin is your answer. Much like their sibling store, Tarte Bakery, this sprawling Hamptons-style venue serves up drool-worthy eats like their epic five-cheese toastie, loaded with melty goodness and spiked with truffle.
And of course, their signature chicken sandwich makes a bold appearance on the menu. Be sure to order it and thank us later.
Janus Deli
Shop 14/458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar QLD 4214 &
12 Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
The team at Janus Deli are covering all the bases in the sandwich game, even ones you didn’t know existed. They’ve got fresh sandwiches and toasties alike that are finger-licking good, as well as a creation we’ve never come across before—a doughnut sanga.
That’s right, on top of an elite mushroom toastie and a fresh tuna sandwich, among others, you can also wrap your hands around maple bacon, a fried egg and cheddar cheese in a toasted vanilla doughnut topped with hazelnut crumbs. Run, don’t walk.
Burleigh Baker
13/50 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220 &
46 The Esplanade, Paradise Point QLD 4216
The legends at Burleigh Baker are all about championing organic, chemical-free, gut-friendly bread and shaping their menu around showcasing this goodness. And showcase it they do, in the form of their sourdough toasties.
Their grilled cheese toastie never misses, but if you want to spice things up the chicken caesar toastie with koji-poached chicken, bacon, parmigiano reggiano and caesar is also a winner. Pair your sandwich with a cup of their Handsome Brand coffee and a freshly baked olive bread to take home, and you're winning on all fronts.
Piknik
Shop 7/3 Deodar Dr, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Piknik in Burleigh is all about fresh, feel-good food that’ll have you leaving boring lunches at home. They craft amazing sandwiches and toasties, all 100% vegan and 100% delicious.
Forget limp lettuce and soggy bread—they pile their creations high with a rainbow of crisp veggies, all loaded onto fresh sourdough. Whether you're craving a classic or something more adventurous, Piknik has your back (and your tastebuds) covered.
Looking for more? Check out:
- Free (Or Cheap) Things To Do On The Gold Coast
- The Best Gold Coast Restaurants
- The Best Burleigh Heads' Restaurants
Main image credit: MC's Sandwich House | Instagram
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