When the Costa Taco crew announce they’re opening a new venue, we listen up. Because we know it’s going to be damn epic.
And they’re proving us right once again with their latest venture, a Southern Californian-inspired cafe that doubles as a pop-up space for emerging talent in the hospitality industry. Meet Mercado.
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography
Headed up by brothers Matt and Nick Stanley, Costa Taco has rapidly grown from a market stall at Currumbin Community Markets in 2020 to a stalwart of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay dining scenes. With three ever-pumping taquerias in Palm Beach, Broadbeach and Byron Bay, their journey has been nothing short of remarkable, but their vision was always bigger than just one concept.
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography
Located on the former Espresso Moto site in Mermaid Waters, Mercado blends Southern California's vibrant food culture with the Gold Coast’s beloved beachside cafe lifestyle. So what does a SoCal cafe menu look like, you ask?
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography
Open for breakfast and lunch daily, here you’ll find flavour-packed burritos, chilaquiles, harvest bowls and their signature ‘drowned eggs’, which is a Mexican-style green shakshuka. Naturally, no Gold Coast cafe would be complete without sandwiches and the juicy birria sandwich, chorizo and cheese and Pollo Milanese—a spin on a chicken schnitzel—are set to become house favourites.
Mercado’s menu has been a true team effort, with the Stanley brothers working side by side with their seasoned Mexican and Latino kitchen team, who have been instrumental in Costa Taco’s success.
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography
"Our team has been incredible in helping us create something that feels authentic yet uniquely our own," says Matt Stanley.
"Watching our kitchen crew put their own spin on dishes like our Green Shakshuka and Breakfast Burritos—it's really about honouring traditional flavours while giving classics that distinctive SoCal twist."
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography
As with all of the Stanley brothers’ ventures, the experience is as much about community as it is about flavour. Cafe by day, Mercado will moonlight as a pop-up space for vendors, helping to foster the developing Gold Coast hospitality scene.
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography
This dual concept is a testament to Matt and Nick’s own impressive journey from market vendors to trailblazers in the hospitality scene, fueled in part by successful pop-ups at Dust Temple and Alfred's Apartment.
"Having experienced the journey from market stall to multiple venues, we're passionate about supporting the next generation of hospitality innovators. This space lets us do both—run a great cafe while helping emerging hospitality brands share their creations with our community” says Nick Stanley.
THE DETAILS
Where: 1/88 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters QLD 4218
When: Opening 6am to 2pm daily
For more details, click here.
Image Credit: Mercado | Clayten Fowler Photography