You’re heading to Mermaid Beach for a fresh morning swim or a walk with friends. But, before long, you’re feeling hungry and decaffeinated. The problem: you don’t know which Mermaid eateries are going to defeat your hangriness and settle those coffee cravings.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you. These are the best cafes and coffee shops in Mermaid Beach, dished up in no particular order. Prepare to have your taste buds satiated.
Bam Bam Bakehouse
2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Bam Bam Bakehouse | Instagram
If indulgence had a home, we’re pretty sure it would be at Bam Bam Bakehouse. Excellent coffee brewed on Single O takes a back seat to an eye-popping assortment of sweet treats and baked snacks—available for a la carte dining and bulk takeaway (no judgement here). If you’re envisaging a small-sized local bakery, though, think again. Bam Bam’s industrialist interiors are all exposed brickwork and low-hanging pendants, creating a vibe that could have been transplanted straight from Melbourne.
And, as much as you do come here for the pastries, the rest of the menu is equally moreish. Our personal favourites: the green tea noodle salad (perfect for warm summer lunches) and the Wagyu Philly cheesesteak, served on a Bam Bam croissant with jalapenos. Snuffle into your dish of choice inside or at an outdoor table overlooking Mermaid Park.
The Milkman’s Daughter
43 Alfred Street, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Milkman's Daughter | Instagram
Light, airy, and au naturel—that’s The Milkman’s Daughter. This veg-focused Mermaid Beach cafe nails a white-washed, laidback aesthetic that feels made for turmeric lattes and long conversations. (Bonus points if you can score one of the coveted cushioned alcoves.)
The menu matches the decor, featuring a sweep of fresh, vibrant dishes that are almost all vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Choose between light options like quinoa with a Japanese twist or full-throated dishes like the lemon ricotta pancakes and shakshuka. Milkman’s Daughter, our stomachs salute you. Add a charcoal-vanilla iced latte made on the cafe’s signature Purple Rain beans for a complete experience.
P.S. This is one gorgeous eatery, and it looks even better lit up at night. Visit Friday or Saturday evening for sunset cocktails that are as delightful as they sound.
Little Mermaid
2557 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Little Mermaid | Instagram
Parked on the corner of Sunbrite Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, Little Mermaid feels like a local hangout that’s grown up with Mermaid Beach. White-washed timber and brick is offset by splashes of steel blue and a sprawling collection of potted plants, cultivating a coastal vibe that we absolutely love.
Order brunch from this cafe-slash-bar and you’ll see why it’s remained a local favourite for so long. Classics like the smashed avo toast and Wagyu beef burger (sourced from Rangers Valley in Glen Innes) sit alongside a collection of bowls that are well and truly up there with the Gold Coast’s best acai. A special shoutout goes to the berries and nuts acai bowl—a genuine Little Mermaid icon that’s stacked with enough antioxidants to make you glow for a week.
Rafiki
172 Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Nope, we’re not talking about Rafiki from The Lion King—although this laidback hole-in-the-wall definitely brings a taste of Africa to Mermaid Beach. Huddled next to the local surf club, Rafiki slings up an impressively broad menu served against a beachfront backdrop of astroturf and umbrella-shaded tables.
The star is the cafe’s signature Flavour Bomb spice blend, which graces everything from the avo toast to the beautifully fresh nachos. Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the notorious ‘Killer Toasties’—shoutout to the Moroccan pesto chicken—and the truly excellent acai granola. The specialty caffeine is equally on point, coming direct from Burleigh Heads roastery Kuki Coffee. If fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and ocean breezes are your thing, Rafiki is a must-visit.
Buoy
17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Buoy | Instagram
Buoy sprawls along the front of The Oxley 1823, a boutique retail precinct that includes well-loved venues like Eska and Lars. The brainchild of Seadog founder Brodie Green, this upscale cafe is housed in a spacious, light-filled atrium that feels like it’s designed for humid summer days. Dine indoors among tangles of houseplants and pothos, or pull up a dog-friendly table curbside and enjoy the Mermaid Beach atmosphere.
The menu here is decidedly brunch-focused, featuring mouth-wateringly good dishes like the Buoy Big Breakfast (a massive fry-up with local sausages) and the ricotta pancakes—which, in our humble opinion, might just be the best on the Gold Coast. Pair your choice with a strong selection of beverages, including organic matcha and Ethiopian filter coffee. (And keep an eye out for a cheeky bottom-of-cup message once you’ve finished your drink.)
You Might Also Like:
Cheese Me Baby
2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Cheese Me Baby | Instagram
Broodingly cool, Cheese Me Baby’s all-black façade grabs the eye as you cruise down the Gold Coast Highway. Don’t worry—you’ll be glad it did, because the toasties here are, in a word, incredible. We’re talking thick slices of perfectly grilled sourdough oozing sauce and a signature blend of melted cheeses. This is the kind of sandwich that dreams are made of (ours, anyway).
The Cheese Me team don’t hold back on the creativity, either. Yes, you can get the classic ham, cheese and tomato, but there’s also Wagyu Bolognese and kimchi toasties, the egg-stuffed More Than Breakfast, and weekend specials that might just push your taste buds over the edge. Everything is available on GF bread—but there’s also a decent selection of boards and bowls if a toastie isn’t for you. Polish off your feed with a coffee brewed on Social Espresso beans. Keep an eye on their Instagram for their occasional social evening pop-ups.
BSKT
4 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: BSKT | Instagram
BSKT (pronounced ‘biscuit’) is the definition of a Mermaid Beach icon. Beachfront views, dozens of tables, locals queuing up from 6am…this health-centric cafe has it all. Its wholefoods menu, which folds Mexican influences into a standard range of cafe classics, keeps things fresh, light and clean—if you exclude those pretty indulgent pancakes.
Depending on what time you rock up, your options will range from vegan huevos rancheros and Cocowhip-piled bowls to spiced prawn tacos and brisket beef burgers. BSKT was founded by Selasi Berdie and Danny Bogatie, the same people who invented Cocowhip. The broad selection of fare, plus specialty coffee, make BSKT perfect for weekend hangs and remote work alike. P.S. If you’re in the mood for acai, Oakberry has an onsite hole-in-the-wall.
The Holliday. Coffee
2251 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: The Holliday. Coffee | Instagram
The Holliday. Coffee occupies the sun-soaked corner of Wave Street and the Gold Coast Highway, former home of Japanese fusion joint i like ramen. You come here to top up, not fill up—caffeine, cold-pressed juices, and crispy jaffles is the name of the game.
Holliday was founded by cafe veterans Olivia Ayres and Marcus Wilkins (of Nook Espresso fame), who’ve channelled their experience into a lean menu featuring crumpets, croissants, loaded sourdough, acai bowls, and, of course, their infamous jaffles. Some might argue that 7am is too early for banana and Nutella crushed between two pieces of beautifully toasted bread. We say: ignore those people—and wash away the evidence with a cheeky malted milkshake. You won’t regret it, promise.
Alfred’s Apartment
2225 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, QLD, Australia, Queensland
There will be very few Southern Gold Coasters who aren't familar with the now-iconic Alfred's Apartment—a clothing/merch/we-don't-know-how-to-define-it-but-it's-cool shop which doubles as an ever-bustling coffee and bagel shop. Organic Allpress Espresso beans are the name of the game here which pair well with Alfred's bagels which garnered a cult-like following (and for good reason).
They keep things simple with four main bagel flavours—PB & J, avocado, cream cheese and strawberry jam and cream cheese with tomato and cucumber. Keep an eye out for specials on their Instagram. Hands down, one of Mermaid Beach's vibiest cafes.
Double Barrel Kitchen
64 Karbunya Street, Mermaid Waters QLD 4218
Image Credit: Double Barrel Kitchen | Instagram
Varnished timber, chipped black paint, and dim pendant lighting—that’s the deliciously maximalist vibe of Double Barrel Kitchen. Located amid a string of retail shops in the Waterway Village shopping centre, this deeply aesthetic cafe transforms what could have been a bland, run-of-the-mill coffee shop into something unique and downright attractive.
And, while you might come for the ’gram, you’ll stay for the food. This is a case of cafe classics executed excellently—think a breakfast burrito with jalapeno aioli, or a steak sandwich served grilled on Turkish bread slathered with chimichurri and caramelised onion. Our personal fave from the 2024 summer menu: slow-braised lamb packed onto an egg-in-the-hole bagel, rounded out with an iced strawberry matcha.
Background (Barista)
2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
If Double Barrel feels cosy and rustic, Background (Barista) is the opposite—a stylish, pared-back venue softened by splashes of greenery. Based in Mermaid Beach Village, it’s the sibling to Barefoot (Barista), and that same beverage-focused DNA infuses the menu.
Expect pleasingly plated all-day options like avocado smashed on sourdough with Meradith goat cheese or a chicken-and-egg combo served on a Burleigh Baker croissant. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, snap up one of the vegan smoothies and pair it with an organic sticky chai for maximum culinary pleasure.
Le Cafe Gourmand
2545 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
So Le Cafe Gourmand might be a Mermaid Beach cafe, but it feels more like a café (emphasis on the accent) —a shot of undiluted Frenchness that could have been transplanted straight from the countryside of Gascony. They even do set-menu dining every Friday night. Don’t blame us if your taste buds come away completely spoiled.
Park yourself inside or on the outdoor balcony and browse the menu to find your perfect meal. And, yes, you’ll have a hard time picking just one—fusion dishes like the salmon and avo bun compete with French classics like raclette (melted cheese poured over a potato-and-onion compote with French ham) and garlic-buttered escargots. Order your coffee piccolo or espresso to complete the Le Café experience.