Tarte Bakery has made an indelible mark on the Gold Coast cafe scene, and their footprint has just become more marked with the opening of a second Tarte location. Yes, that’s right, Tarte Bakery has dropped a sweet, sweet bombshell on us with the opening of a second venue in Currumbin, Tarte Beach House.
The two-storey coastal Hamptons-esque bakery and restaurant is as gorgeous as it is primely located—a seamless marriage of Hamptons style and Parisian touches is complemented by a direct creekfront view of the Currumbin Creek vista. So, yes it’s heavenly.
The multi-level building encompasses an upstairs restaurant, which just beckons you to sit back and pass the day away over a long, boozy lunch, and a downstairs bakery cafe, reminiscent of the classic Tarte Bakery Burleigh experience we know and love. The restaurant seats 100 diners and the bakery cafe seats 120 patrons, so yes, they’re both massive. While the two venues are distinctly unique, they both share the signature Tarte flair and unparalleled hospitality.
Owner Chloe Watts has the Midas touch when it comes to creating incredible venues—and we mean that quite literally. Almost everything in Tarte Beach House is custom-made, from the Hamptons-style windows designed from scratch to the custom Italian marble tables. Gold brass accents are scattered throughout while an 100-year-old timber bench repurposed from an old pharmacy serves as the main display counter atop an elegant black and white chequered floor.
A custom duck egg blue La Marzocco coffee machine peeks out of a hole in the wall, a sweet private dining booth is nestled away for intimate catch ups, 100-year-old repurposed French light pendants hang outside and black and white photographs lining the walls speak to the site’s history as a stalwart of Currumbin.
An expansive entranceway first greets you upon entering the restaurant, with Tarte’s signature gold lettering and slate grey colouring standing out like a beacon to hungry patrons. The first thing you notice—aside from the intoxicating smell of freshly baked pastries—is the impressive view of Currumbin Creek from the sprawling coastal-style dining room.
Tarte’s standout menu is unlike anything else on the Gold Coast and serves as a memoir of the owner Chloe's international dining adventures over the past decade. The menu encompasses a slew of modern takes on the French, New York and Australian dining medley Tarte has become renowned for. However, Tarte Beach House offers an elevated restaurant-style dining experience; while still staying true to their roots of ‘order at the counter’ and no QR codes, this venue leans more restaurant-style than its older sister.
The menu is truly a labour of love, carefully crafted by Chloe and her team of talented chefs. The steak’n’frites sandwich with grilled wagyu, shoestring fries and housemade chimichurri on a semi-sourdough baguette is sublime, as is the house cured beetroot salmon delicately arranged around whipped creme fraiche, fresh orange and grapefruit. Don’t make the mistake of visiting without ordering the Boston-style lobster roll with Southern rock lobster in hot butter, celery, chives and lettuce in a toasted homemade brioche bun.
Tarte’s ethos of making everything in house resonates throughout the menu—from curing salmon in house to showcasing their house made baked goods wherever possible. Now, speaking of baked goods… At Tarte Beach House you’ll find all of Tarte’s usual baked good suspects, from New York-style bagels to delicate tarte tatins and cruellers, that we have come to know and love.
On the drinks front, the Parisian hot chocolate is what a sweet tooth’s dreams are made of—four types of melted chocolate topped with housemade torched marshmallow. If that wasn’t sweet enough for you, Chloe has crafted a specialty creme brulee drink just for Tarte Beach House, with a rich custard base and torched sugar top. Parallel Roasters’ exclusive Tarte House Blend is the coffee of choice and the venue is fully licensed so there’s an extensive array of cocktails, wine and beer for when you’re chasing those boozy long lunch vibes.
There’s talk of a function space opening very soon, weekend afternoon openings and even supper clubs in the works….keep your eyes peeled. Tarte Beach House opens Thursday 10 August so hit up the group chat right now—your new weekend brunch spot is here and she’s damn beautiful.
THE DETAILS
What: Tarte Beach House
Where: 1/4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin, 4223
When: Open seven days; 6:30am to 3pm
For more information, click here.
Image Credit: Pandanus Lane