11 Of Palm Beach’s Best Cafes For Brunching In 2025
Danielle Read
Contributor | Urban List
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. And I'm one of them.
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.
So what makes a cafe one of the best in Palm Beach? I believe that it's more than just hype. It's got to deliver on good brews, epic food and maybe something unexpected or new too. I've sipped, scoffed down and sat unsuspectingly on my laptop right across Palmy to narrow down a selection of epic cafes.
Here you have it, my shortlist of 11 of the best cafes in Palm Beach that are worth a visit, any day of the week.
Palm Beach Cafes At A Glance
Cafes Open From 5am
Mylk Well
1134 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 5am-1pm weekdays, until 12noon on weekends
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.
Their house hash benedict goes down as one of my absolute favourite brunch meals. It's the dreamy rosemary hash and poached egg symphony that's sprinkled with chives and I love to add salmon. But if a toasted burrito is your jam, then consider the Chorizo Burrito with cheesy scram and jalapeno jam an absolute must-try. It's the perfect level of spice in my opinion.
INSIDER INTEL
- I can basically never visit without ordering the to-die-for house-made sourdough crumpets
- Super dog friendly
Good Day Coffee
Shop 2/1073 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 5am-11am, daily
Known as a ‘friendly place for friendly people’, it’s always been a good day at this bright, coastal-inspired Palmy cafe for me.
I 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- Do not leave without trying at least one of their loaded cookies
Barefoot Barista
15 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 5am-3pm, daily
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. I'm also a sucker for the golden zucchini halloumi fritters with salad, because balance.
INSIDER INTEL
- Each month, new coffee beans are available. In store you might find flavours like stone fruit, cocoa and brown sugar or something new
- Order takeaway hot chippies and açai bowls to the beach for perfect date bites and swims
Vegepatch Studios
Shop 3/10 Fifth Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 5:30am-1pm, daily
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, wares and homes an ever-changing gallery wall. As well, there's 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- The vibe's eclectic and the wares are original gems perfect for birthday present hunting
- It's dog-friendly, baby-friendly and the kind of place where a seat on a stool or the floor is welcomed
Sisterhood Coffee
1099 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 5:30am-12noon Monday to Wednesday, until 1pm Thursday to Friday, until 2pm weekends
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. Can't quite put your finger on the locale? Its inside the building that used to be Mr. Bengel and neighbours with Las Palmas.
Serving up some seriously delicious brews courtesy of Burleigh Roasting Co, the menu changes seasonally, so expect tasty bites like their new Chicken Caesar Sandwich and loaded eggs benny croissants which are smothered in hollandaise, just the way I like it.
INSIDER INTEL
- These all-round good humans don’t charge any extra for alternative milks or gluten-free bread
- They're dog-friendly, so bring your pooch before a splash in the sea
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Custard Canteen
1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 5:30am-2:30pm daily
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.
Custard Canteen’s iconic Portuguese tart is best paired with their loaded eggs benny which sits atop sourdough. Admittedly, my go-to is the Butter Boy Benny—which sits two poached eggs on a toasted Bam Bam croissant with bacon and hollandaise. Just like their sibling venue Cubby Bakehouse, the Custard Canteen crew slings a damn fine coffee, too.
INSIDER INTEL
- Doggos are always welcomed
- Don't be put off by the long line-up at this place - tabletop QR codes offer the quickest service
- Their 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
Cafes Open 6am And Later
Dune Cafe
945 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4223
Open 6am-3pm, daily
Image Credit: Dune Cafe | Instagram
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 go perfectly with their strong, smooth coffee selections.
INSIDER INTEL
- The carpark fills up quickly here. Opt for a spot down the street off Thrower Drive, next to the school, alongside Lions Park
- Better yet, follow this street to the very end for a park under the bridge, then wander down a boardwalk, along the sea and through the beach forest to make an adventure out of your arrival to the nearby park and Dune Cafe
Canvas Palm Beach
Shop 3/1328 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 6am-3pm daily
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 Magnoll 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- Grab the shakshuka, loaded with gooey eggs and a generous amount of shaved Parmesan, while you still can
- Look for a park on Nineteenth or Brooke Ave, or down by Currumbin Alley for a leisurely stroll up along the beach
Third Base Cafe
3/24 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 6am-1pm daily
This casual cafe on the corner of Third Avenue and Philippine Parade has exactly the kind of chilled-out vibes I 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.
INSIDE INTEL
- They’re particularly famous for their epically loaded açai bowls, but personally I can’t go past the pavlova pancakes
- Nab yourself a takeaway bag of beans for beaut brews at home
Scott's Luncheonette & Bar
Shop 1/1114 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 6am-3:30pm weekdays, until 5pm Saturday and 4pm Sunday
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 lunch menu's 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- Care is taken with these made-to-order sambos, so get comfy and excited
- Nab a spot at the window for ample people-watching
The Palm Coffee
Shop 9/15 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Open 8am-2:30pm weekdays
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, The Palm Coffee is one of those word-of-mouth places that definitely warrants its reputation.
INSIDER INTEL
- Your go-to spot for brunch Bahn Mi
- For your Vietnamese coffee fix, this is the cafe in Palmy that'll sort you out
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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