There’s more to Palm Beach than just sun-kissed shores and epic surf breaks—it's a gem for coffee lovers and brunch fanatics alike. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this vibrant southern Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country neighbourhood is brimming with sweet cafes serving up everything from artisanal brews to inventive brunches.
Read on for your ultimate guide to 11 of the best cafes in Palm Beach that are worth a visit, any day of the week.
Barefoot Barista
15 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Barefoot Barista | Instagram
Quality will always stand the test of time, and for the ever-popular Barefoot Barista, which first opened its doors in 2009, that has certainly proven to be the case. This friendly, contemporary Palmy café is beloved by locals and visitors alike, with a vision built on flavour, freshness, people, culture and community.
The tasty brews from Gabriel Coffee go hand-in-and with our absolute top pick brekky on the menu: crispy potato hash served with poached eggs, bacon and house-made mustard hollandaise. We’re also suckers for the golden zucchini haloumi fritters with salad, because balance.
Canvas Palm Beach
Shop 3/1328 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
You can’t really go wrong in the cafe space when you have Commune founders and previous Etsu Izakaya owners Mitch and Nerissa McCluskey at the helm. Canvas Palm Beach is on its way to becoming something of a neighbourhood icon as these hospitality veterans craft a vibe based on their years of experience, complemented by the smooth notes of Seven Seeds coffee.
Tucked beneath the Magnoli Apartments with a playground right out the front, this family-friendly joint is the perfect stop in for a cappuccino and a sweet pastry treat from the cabinet, or one of the ever-evolving menu items. Hot tip—grab the shakshuka, loaded with gooey eggs and a generous amount of shaved parmesan, while you still can.
Sisterhood Coffee
1099 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Sisterhood Coffee | Instagram
Sisterhood Coffee is the brainchild of friends Christie Graae and Sam Dunne, who after years in the hospitality industry decided they wanted to create a cafe that welcomed truly everyone.
Serving up some seriously delicious brews courtesy of Burleigh Roasting Co, these all-round good humans don’t charge any extra for alternative milks or gluten free bread. While the menu will change seasonally, expect tasty bites like freshly baked muffins, Turkish eggs with generous lashing of labne, and spiced pumpkin nourish bowls.
Third Base Cafe
3/24 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach QLD 4221
This casual cafe on the corner of Third Avenue and Philippine Parade has exactly the kind of chilled-out vibes we want in a beach-adjacent eatery. The drinks game is strong here, with Kul-Cher coffee, cold-pressed juices and fancy pants smoothies all on offer, seven days a week.
Throw in a range of tasty snacks and meals, and Third Base is your new southern breakfast venue must-try. They’re particularly famous for their epically loaded acai bowls, but personally we can’t go past the pavlova pancakes. Can’t get enough of their coffee? Nab yourself a bag of beans on the way home.
Custard Canteen
1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Custard Canteen | Instagram
This ever-bustling creekside cafe is the perfect place to stop in after a hard day’s swimming and sunbathing at Tallebudgera Creek. Pull up a table under one of the red-and-white striped umbrellas and let the aromas of freshly baked pastries lead you into temptation. Bonus: doggos are always welcomed.
Custard Canteen’s signature menu item is the simple but utterly divine Portuguese tart, featuring a crisp pastry shell and filling of sweet, creamy custard that’s often slightly warm from the non-stop baking of these insanely popular pastries. Pair your Portuguese tart with Custard’s iconic eggs benny atop sourdough or the Butter Boy Benny—two poached eggs on a toasted Bam Bam croissant with bacon and hollandaise—and you’ve got yourself a winner. And just like their sibling venue Cubby Bakehouse, the Custard Canteen crew slings a damn fine coffee, too.
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Dune Cafe
945 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4223
Primely situated in the popular Palm Beach Parklands, Dune Cafe is something of a Palm Beach institution. With sparkling water views for days, the Pirate Park nearby for the kidlets and plenty of pooches to pat, it’s an attractive enough proposition before you even get to the food and coffee side of things, which is impressive on its own.
The generous Dune menu features locally sourced produce wherever possible, and puts a contemporary spin on brunch classics like the rustic potato and quinoa hash with field mushrooms, halloumi, eggs and dukkah. The drool-worthy cabinet treats are nothing to sneeze at either, and go perfectly with their strong, smooth coffee selections.
Mylk Well
1134 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Mylk Well | Instagram
Almost directly across from Balboa Italian sits Mylk Well, one of the newer kids on the southern café block. Serving up Coffee Supreme brews in a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired setting, the Mylk Well crew is living proof that simple things done well are often the best.
The brekky burger with crisp-edged bacon and an oozy egg will start your day off the right way, as will the totally loaded breakfast burrito. And you can’t visit without trying the to-die-for house-made sourdough crumpets at least once. The only problem is you’ll never be able to go back to commercial ones. We also love that they are super dog-friendly, so furry friends don’t need to miss out.
Good Day Coffee
Shop 2/1073 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Known as a ‘friendly place for friendly people’, it’s always a good day at this bright, coastal-inspired Palmy cafe.
We love Good Day’s classic offerings with a twist, like their smashed avo with a generous sprinkling of chilli flakes, their gluten free banana bread with espresso butter, and the rhubarb and strawberry Danish. It may be small, but it serves up a mighty brew, too—along with a decent helping of good vibes. Head on in and feel the love.
Scott's Luncheonette & Bar
Shop 1/1114 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Scott's | Instagram
Sangas, wine, cocktails and bites are what it’s all about at Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar. And just like any place that specialises in a few things done well, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better sandwich on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
Even hardened carnivores froth over the meaty mushroom sanga with melted swiss, and the Scott’s Reuben is their own stacked and juicy take on this American classic. If you’re feeling slightly less peckish, you can choose bug or smashed wagyu taco, and don’t forget your side of crunchy fries. Kids will love their wee menu too, featuring cheeseburger spring rolls, mini ham and cheese quesadillas, and brekky sangas.
Vegepatch Studios
Shop 3/10 Fifth Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
It’s safe to say that you’ve probably never been to a coffee shop quite like Vegepatch Studios. The brainchild of Jordan Galinie and Molly Bowes, this quirky speciality coffee house is part of a business that sells handmade souvenirs, curios, handmade wares and a gallery wall, as well as a selection of sublime vegan and vegetarian pastries courtesy of Fuel Bakehouse and Got Baked.
Sip on a truly excellent brew and browse the shelves for a unique, bespoke artisan product or something pre-loved to take home as a little treat. They’ve garnered a cult-like local following and after one visit, you’ll understand why.
The Palm Coffee
Shop 9/15 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
This is probably the most unassuming Palm Beach cafe, but well worth the pop in. The Palm Coffee is a small, Vietnamese-inspired café that serves freshly made grab-and-go food as well as a limited menu of delectable dishes you’ll be keen to work your way through, including Vietnamese Bahn Mi on crunchy baguettes, noodle salads, acai bowls, brekky burgers and robust, locally roasted coffee.
With quick and friendly service from owners Jac and Eileen and a convenient 5am opening time for the early birds among us, The Palm Coffee is one of those word-of-mouth places that definitely warrants its reputation.
Looking for more Gold Coast cafes? Check out:
- The Gold Coast's Best Dog-Friendly Cafes
- The Best Cafes To Work From
- The Best Boozy Bottomless Brunches
Main image credit: Dune Cafe | Instagram
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