I was recently strolling down Bay Street, sipping on an iced matcha, stopping to flick through records and vintage racks, and listening to the happy chatter of people devouring brunch in the sun, when it hit me… is Tweed Heads having a moment?
For a big chunk of my life, the suburb was rarely spoken about (except maybe when we were planning a trip to the movies), but little by little, it’s grown into quite the place to be. From waterside haunts to laneway gems, it almost feels like Burleigh Heads of old, with Bay Street a real contender for the next James Street.
Naturally, a thriving cafe scene has followed—and honestly, I keep finding myself heading south for my morning fix, so I’ve put together a list of the best Tweed Heads cafes to put on your must-visit list.
Tweed Heads' Best Cafes At A Glance
Streetside Cafes
Sun Devil Coffee Bar
30 Bay St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Sun Devil | Instagram
Beyond pouring some of the most creative beverages in town, Sun Devil is tucked inside Strange Days—one of the Gold Coast’s best vintage stores—so you can sip while you shop. Think Americana-style coffee bar, sweet iced teas, and inventive cold foam creations.
My go-to? The Devil’s Advocate: sea salt and vanilla-infused cold brew topped with pistachio cold foam. It’s their most popular for a reason. Bonus points: it’s super dog-friendly, and the community vibe is unmatched—you’ll head there for a coffee and likely leave with some new friends.
Public Supply
10/29 Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Public Supply | Instagram
This hole-in-the-wall laneway number is a fairly new emergence, but with top-tier coffee, creative matcha combinations and some of the best scrolls on the Gold Coast, Public Supply is already commanding a loyal crowd. Think cinnamon, pistachio, Biscoff—the kind of scrolls that sell out fast and haunt your cravings until you return.
The cream cheese icing? Borderline addictive. You can perch on their laidback milk-crate setup or grab everything to-go and wander down to the river. Either way, expect a line—but honestly, it’s worth the wait.
nice nice
1/14 Bay St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Bay Street is buzzing thanks in part to nice nice, a gorgeous little cafe that nails the balance between cool and cosy, with tables spilling out onto the pavement. Their beverage game is strong, but for me, the real highlight is the food.
Think loaded sausage and egg muffins, flavour-packed scrambles, and rotating specials that are as inventive as they are scrumptious. It’s one of those places where you order one thing and instantly start planning what you’ll try next.
The Bread Social
12 Bay St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Bread Social | Instagram
A Tweed institution, The Bread Social is the bakery that basically ruined supermarket bread for me, and I don’t think I’m alone in that. From organic sourdough to perfectly flaky croissants and decadent pastries, everything here is crafted with serious love.
Beyond the baked goods, Bread Social happen to sling some of the best brews on the Gold Coast and seriously good matcha to boot. Grab yourself one of their braised beef pies, an iced matcha and a loaf of bread to take home, and you’ll be living proof that sometimes money can buy happiness.
Delightful
25 Stuart St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Delightful | Instagram
Delightful has quickly become one of those spots I find myself craving on repeat, thanks to their stacked sandwiches, fresh salads and seriously good coffee. Their cabinet is always filled with house-baked treats that are way too hard to pass up, but my priority at this Tweed Heads gem is always grabbing a sandwich—they’re on our best sandwiches list for a reason.
The Chipotle chicken on sourdough is my usual pick, but the Italian ciabatta with salami, ham, pickles and mustard is a very close second. Whether I’m after a lunch on the go or a laidback catch-up with friends, Delightful always delivers.
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Kennedys Coffee
24/101 Kennedy Dr, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Kennedy's Coffee | Instagram
Kennedys Coffee is where I go when I want brunch to feel a little special—sleek interiors, excellent coffee and a menu that balances indulgence with fresh, thoughtful plates. Their hawkers breakfast sandwiches on soft roti are legendary (the cheezy chorizo is a personal fave), but the spiced eggs with crispy chilli oil are just as addictive.
I’ve also fallen hard for the charred corn and zucchini fritters with basil oil and a perfectly poached egg. Add an iced long black to the mix and you’ve got yourself the perfect start to the day.
Waterfront Cafes
Dayo Cafe
118 Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
Image Credit: Dayo | Instagram
This Filipino fusion cafe sits right on the Tweed River, which means you can tuck into spicy longganisa scrambled eggs and an ube iced latte while fish (and the occasional dolphin) drift by. The menu is as unique as it is delicious, with wholesome eats like tortang talong (eggplant omelette) or hangover cures like their longganisa brekky muffin.
Whatever you go for, you won’t be disappointed. With 140 seats—from shaded riverside tables to high benches above the water—there’s room for everyone to curate their Dayo moment.
Black Dingo Cafe
1 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Image Credit: Black Dingo Cafe | Instagram
Okay, technically this one’s in Coolangatta, but it’s so close to the border that part of it practically spills into Tweed, so I think it makes the cut. Black Dingo pairs a sharp concrete design with all-day sunshine and one of the best cafe views on the Gold Coast overlooking Duranbah Beach.
The menu is simple but spot-on—think juicy baguettes, egg and bacon muffins, loaded açai bowls, and freshly baked treats that practically run out the door. Their smoothies are next-level, the coffee is consistently excellent, and the staff make every customer feel like a regular. Pull up a seat, soak in the ocean breeze, and keep your eyes peeled; you might just spot a whale or dolphin playing in the swell.
Next Door Espresso
56 Dry Dock Rd, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486
Just over the river in Tweed Heads South, Next Door Espresso is the local hangout that feels like… well, exactly that—next door. The vibe is relaxed, the service is friendly, and the menu is equal parts nourishing and indulgent, which is why this place has been a Gold Coast favourite for so many years now.
My go-to is a brekky burrito (iykyk), an iced latte and an umbrella-shaded spot outside, or sometimes, if it’s busy, I’ll pop across the road to sit on the grass overlooking the river. It truly doesn’t get much better.
Cubby Bakehouse
162 Chinderah Bay Dr, Chinderah NSW 2487
Cubby Bakehouse is technically Chinderah, but it’s way too good to leave off this list. Perched on the Tweed River, it’s famous for artisan sourdough, buttery croissants and indulgent pastries that disappear fast.
If you can tear yourself away from the pastry cabinet, the food menu is just as impressive—think karaage chicken banh mi or my personal fave, the posh shrooms: sage-buttered mushrooms on caramelised onion purée, topped with kale and pecorino on sourdough. Pair it with a strong coffee in their flower-filled courtyard and you’ve got one of the dreamiest brunch spots around—I’ll happily drive out of my way for it.
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Main image credit: Sun Devil | Instagram
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