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Just 200 metres from the beach, The Shores Miami is a masterclass in retro cool meets coastal luxury.

The eclectic musings of 19 Karen Contemporary Art Gallery are a serious showstopper. Boasting around 100 artists and revolving exhibits, this arsty hub in Mermaid Beach showcases styles ranging from urban street art to Abstract and Surrealism.

If you’re on the hunt for some of the best breakfasts on the Gold Coast we recommend hunting down Mermaid Waters local gem, Double Barrel Kitchen. Get cosy with a cuppa surrounded by rustic décor and friendly baristas while tucking into a seasonally changing menu including the likes of hot smoked trout and zucchini fritters with a side of homemade melting moments cookies. 

Tucked along the busy Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach, you’d be forgiven for driving straight past Skull & Bones Espresso. Worth tracking down a car park or beating the pavement, the coffee here is consistently good, but make it exceptional with a milkshake sugar fix or one of their famous loaded gourmet bagels. 

Oozing beach club-style with plenty of rattan, jungle-esque potted and hanging greenery and peachy swinging chairs, Little Mermaid sits along Mermaid Beach's main drag. Morphing from morning 'til afternoon plus nights on weekends, get comfy in a peacock chair while armed with a simple breakfast, coffee and newspaper, or rally the gang for share cocktails as the sun sets and the music tempo steps up a few notches. You’ll even score free coffee for a whole week if your street is featured as part of their ‘Street Of The Week’ shout out.  

At The Pastry Emporium’s tiny Mermaid Waters patisserie, you’ll find an array of delicate cakes and desserts from pimped up brownies to flourless orange and almond cake, shortcrust lemon meringue tarte to milk and strawberry macaroon domes. Yep, you’ll wanna Instagram the heck out of everything. Dine in the cute cafe-style space or take your goodies away to devour free from judging passers by.

A genius concept combining a love of cafe racer bike tinkering and coffee drinking, hip cafe-slash-bike restoration-workshop Espresso Moto popped up in Palm Beach in 2014. Years later, the same vision prevails for its newest location in Mermaid Beach—amazing service, stellar coffee, house-made grub and relaxing vibes.

Their Instagram posts of adorable French bulldogs and pugs (All-Time Coffee are pooch friendly) and drool-inducing vegan-friendly doughnuts are enough to warrant a change from your tried and tested morning routine. These guys live up to their namesake, serving some of the best coffee in Mermaid Beach. If you want an epic doughnut treat, get in before noon or these doughy delights will have already walked out the door. If you’re more of a mid morning riser, we reckon you’ll be pretty stoked with their fun old faves of sweet and savoury toasties and jaffles.

Ask any burger aficionado and this is where they’ll tell you to go. Bringing ‘proper burgers’ to the Gold Coast since early 2015, American-style Easy Street Diner aims to please with their infamous Royale with Cheese (only 12 bucks!), the Flamin’ Chicken Deluxe and the jalapeno-stuffed Big Poppa Royale, not to mention their po’boy-style burger range. Don’t forget to #supersize the calories with a side of old American classics like mac ‘n’ cheese, chicken wings, truffle fries and sweet spiced pumpkin pie. Are these some of the best burgers on the Gold Coast? You betcha. 

There’s no doubt Mermaid Beach (or Nobby Beach to locals) is becoming one of the Gold Coast’s burgeoning foodie hubs and the opening of The Oxley certainly cements this.

A little off the beaten track, you might think that you’ve taken a wrong turn.  Owner and head roaster, Alex Winter is a former United Nations worker who assisted on fair trade coffee programs in Indonesia some time back. Sourcing his beans with a very ethical approach, you can be assured your coffee is not only damn smooth (he roasts his own beans on site), but is also putting money back in everyone’s pockets along the supply chain.

The Doughnut Affair dessert bar in Mermaid Beach is like no other doughnut you’ve experienced before.

With poke bowls taking the world by storm, it was only a matter of time before the Gold Coast caught onto the trend and gained its own dedicated poke bowl restaurant. Like a Hawaiian or Caribbean Island marooned in Mermaid Beach, Póke Póke is a vibrant and utterly unique eatery that’s open for brunch through dinner with a chill crowd and funky tunes bringing the positive vibes.   

Set 30 Studio (aka S30 for those in the know) has recently swung open its doors in Mermaid Beach and we could not be more excited for this unique group weight and hybrid training studio to call the Gold Coast home. 

For top-notch pizza, pasta and share plates that won’t break the bank, it’s obvious why locals have fallen head over heels for Mermaid Beach’s Goccia. Cosy up inside close to the wood-fired pizza oven or dine alfresco under the festoon lights, Goccia (pronounced ‘gotcha’) is like a warm hug from family, made all the more authentic by the Italian accents taking your order with a smile. In all seriousness though, we’re going to be bold and claim Goccia are serving up some of the absolute best pizzas on the Gold Coast. Bellisimo! 

Here at The Urban List we’re absolute suckers for a gorgeous interior. So from the moment we stepped foot inside The Milkman’s Daughter we were positively squealing with delight.

Founders of Palm Beach’s OG cafe Barefoot (Barista) and Burleigh’s Borough (Barista) have added another family member to the fold, launching Background (Barista) in Mermaid Beach. 

The sassiest new addition to Mermaid Beach’s highway strip has got to be Lovechild. Just a few shops up from Board Culture Espresso, this boutique beauty will have you weak at the knees. Stocking a range of ethically-sourced apparel, you’ll find only the finest cruelty-free, vegan fashion and beauty products at Lovechild. Slip on some vegan leather boots (yes, that’s a thing!) or a cruelty-free silk tank and walk out completely on trend, while also doing your bit for the planet. Lovechild also hosts a twice monthly vegan market in the neighbouring laneway, overflowing with plant-loving foodie stalls, live DJ and all of the warm and fuzzy feels. 

Meda Deli is Mermaid Beach's sweet new artisan deli championing the zero-waste movement and slinging up an incredible array of European-inspired delicatessen products. With a heavy focus on sustainability, Meda Deli aims to establish itself as a leader in high-end artisanal products and simultaneously educate its customers by showcasing produce that is geared towards net-zero. 

Since opening in early 2014, Bonita Bonita has been a runaway success, delivering some of the best Mexican on the Gold Coast. This is undoubtedly one of our fave restaurants in Mermaid Beach, and it’s all thanks to the tight-knit local team busting their beautiful backsides to bring us next-level foodie fare and ambiance. While we could go on forever, start with the crispy snapper tacos, ceviche, sweet pumpkin empanadas, Bonita Margaritas and tequila with a verdita chaser. The latter are best consumed next door at sexy BonBon Bar. Hola!

Fanciful dishes from an ever-evolving menu, served in an intimate 28-seater dining room, are what you can expect from Mermaid Beach’s The North Room. Be spoilt with a refined European-style dining experience combining faultless, personalised service, buttery smooth ambiance and a menu that champions the finest of seasonal, locally-sourced produce.       

Heven-yah’s addictive frozen treats have a loyal local following. Nabbing a posi in a reno’d 1950s corner building in Mermaid Beach, complete with recycled brick, polished cement flooring and original exposed hardwood ceilings, Heven-yah is the most charming Gold Coast gelateria we’ve ever laid eyes on! Secondly, it’s the only venue on the Coast using a traditional Pozzetti refrigeration system, with built-in tubs, imported direct from Italy. These gutsy young sisters have spent years mastering dozens of drool-worthy flavours from classic chocolate or, for vegans, the chocolate almond (made with almond milk), to the popular salted caramel, hazelnut or orange and poppy seed. We’re being bold and claiming this is hands down one of the best gelato bars on the Gold Coast. 

Mermaid Beach’s Bonita Bonita dishes up some of the best Mexican on the Gold Coast. So it’s no surprise the team did a stellar job converting a vacant neighbouring shop front into an intimately sexy tequila bar—BonBon. One hundred tequilas behind the bar is dang impressive, plus you can order all the delicious Latino delights you’ve come to love from the talented culinary team next door. All while you sip on the best margarita of your life—the Bonita Margarita.

Is it just us or does a good brow make you feel like you can take on the world? If you’re nodding your head along with us then you’ll want to pay the talented gang at the iBrow Boutique a visit asap. The Mermaid Beach salon is a tranquil little oasis were, after a consultation on your wants and needs, the technicians will work their magic giving you the perfect set of brows. But that’s not all they do. They also specialise in lash lifts (this is a game changer) as well as spray tans, cosmetic tattooing, make up and a bunch of heavenly skin treatments—there’s even a mini teen facial, sah cute. So if you’re looking to treat yo’self (and you should, every damn day we reckon) then you know where to go.

Nestled in an unassuming cul-de-sac overlooking the Broadbeach skyline, Six-Tricks Distilling Co. is Mermaid Beach's innovative artisan rum and whiskey distillery, tasting room, and cocktail bar.

Sitting pretty in the burgeoning foodie hub that is Nobby Beach lies Buoy, standing out like a beacon to hungry passerbys. This new breakfast hotspot is primely located in Nobby’s highly-anticipated new dining precinct, The Oxley and if you don’t spot the whitewashed cafe first, you’ll certainly smell the freshly roasted coffee.

The Sweet Fine Artist Studio has opened up shop in the ever-growing creative hub of Mermaid Beach. Located just around the corner from The Borrowed Nursery and Morena Espresso, this awesome new studio is the brainchild of artist Maree Quinn who has over 20 years of experience, creating, selling and teaching art. And now she wants to share her passion with people like us. 

Janine Edwards has landed in the heart of Mermaid Beach, bringing premium denim and sought-after fashion labels to The Oxley precinct.

One of the most beautiful cafes on the Gold Coast, Bam Bam Bakehouse will have you leaving serious heart-eye emojis all over their Insta account. From the crafty team who brought us Paddock Bakery, we’re crushing over the gorgeous styling with layers of textures and subway tiling, pressed metal, up cycled wood furnishings, fragrant blooms, leafy park views, and dreamy glimpses into the bakehouse—there’s no shortage of goodness at Bam Bam. 

As the name suggests, this stylish steak house is a nod to traditional gastro pubs from the motherland. With a classically styled dining room, featuring an exposed globe and candle-lit interior, sinkable leather Chesterfields, dark-wood furnishings, and rough-brick feature walls, The Glenelg Public House is one cool establishment. Dishes include rabbit terrine, cured ocean trout, glorious steak cuts, and saucy sides. Ravenous? Order the mammoth one kilo Black Angus T-Bone cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. All this, plus an impressive wine list, craft beer on tap, and classic cocktails. With its new sunny pub garden, this is a Mermaid Beach must-visit.

The Gold Coast is certainly a melting pot of flavours and cuisines, but every now and then, a new restaurant comes along which brings something truly unique to the table. Meet Tayta.

These days, Gold Coasters are well acquainted with pillowy steamed Chinese bao buns, and we can thank Lucky Bao for igniting the obsession. Introducing the Coast to bao back in the early days at Miami Marketta, Lucky Bao now has a permanent home in Mermaid Waters. Come for their $16 two-bao lunch specials (Mon to Fri), or return after dark when their dining footprint doubles and spills over to the neighbouring deck.

If you like your co-working space with a side of beach strolls, then New Wave is for you. The Mermaid newbie is located a short stroll from the ocean and is just down the road from Bam Bam Bakehouse so your lunch break can now consist of karaage chicken croissants and salted caramel eclairs topped off with a dip in the sea. New Wave boasts a cool, coastal vibe, with crisp white walls, touches of pink, loads of greenery, velvet couches in jewel tones and a cinder block bar.

From the outside looking in, dimly lit Lupo has the essence of an Italian neighbourhood trattoria and late-night bar. It already feels worn and lived in, like it’s been there forever. Dark timber furnishings and Bentwood chairs join inviting forest green booths and banquettes; spherical ceiling lights, grey-washed walls and exposed cement floors all tie together seamlessly in the 40-seater dining room. 

Going to the local nursery may just become your next weekend ritual. Why, we hear you say? Because who doesn’t love a lush indoor plant? In fact, they’re actually really good for your health because, science. Indoor plants have been proven to help purify the air in your home, calm the mind and even increase productivity. 

Esteemed Mermaid Beach dining institution Little Truffle has reopened its iconic timber doors, revealing a magnificent million-dollar renovation. Renowned chef and restaurateur Daniel Ridgeway and wife Ruggie are the maestros behind the highly-anticipated rebirth of their distinguished fine-dining haven, Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar, which closed for 11 months due to light rail construction.

Sitting pretty on the corner of the iconic Nobbys strip, comes newcomer Zephyr Kitchen & Bar, but it’s not just your average Nobbys joint. Sure, it’s got the prime location, the trendy vibe and the impressive cocktail list to boot, but Zephyr sure is mixing up things on the south end of town.

Cardamom Pod is the OG of vegetarian eating in the heart of Broadbeach, where you can enjoy a weekend breakfast array of Insta-worthy waffles, pancakes, mermaid and acai bowls. They've also always had options for lunch and dinner, like vegetarian salads and hot savoury meals like shepherd’s pie, lasagne, curries, dahl and moussaka, but recently they've upped their dining game and we're loving it.

Exclusively vegetarian, using nothing but fresh and unadulterated ingredients, Nude Sisters Whole Food Cafe is an inviting space with a vibrant all-day menu that’s fast luring those Gold Coasters who are meticulously counting their calorie intake, while refusing to give up on their social brunching dates. Bright, white and minimalistic décor with blonde wood, polished cement floors and dusty pink accents is totally trending right now, providing a clean backdrop where the garden-fresh, fragrant ingredients and decadent desserts can take centre stage.

Pasta, pizza, and wine—the Italians certainly know how to live. If you’re a fan of  the divine cuisine that is Italian food (and let’s face it, who isn't?) then make a beeline to Sogno Italiano in Mermaid Waters.

A Nobby Beach institution, we love to pull up a stool on Mexicali’s western-facing upper deck to soak up those late afternoon rays. 

Heads up, vino lovers: a glorious new specialty wine store has popped up in the burgeoning Nobby Beach shopping precinct and we are ready for it to quench our thirst. If you’re a wine connoisseur looking for some fun wines for your fun times, the sommelier-owned SOMM Wine Store has got you covered.

Gone are the days you need to travel to Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise when in search of a good time post 8pm, with small bars like The Cambus Wallace leading the charge. Moodily lit and with effortlessly cool cocktail slingers behind the bar, this nautically-themed rum and whisky bar is an after-dark destination in its own right. You can expect live local musos and DJs most nights, plus a rotating roster of mains and bar snacks such as sliders, whisky-glazed ribs, arancini, and charcuterie boards. Vegans are well catered for too! Pass us another Kraken spiced-rum espresso martini please, sexy bartender.

Wood-fired steak, hyper-local seafood and a head chef with seriously impressive creds—Lars Bar & Grill has just opened in Mermaid Beach and we’re hyped about it. 

A feeling of devastation settled over the Gold Coast when Francie’s Pizzeria closed their doors for renovations in early 2022, with the only solace being that they would be back, with a promise of new and improved. 

Sitting pretty above Steele & Co cafe, Mermaid Beach ladies love their local—The Loft Hair Salon. Whether you’re after on-trend colour work, an effortlessly cool new cut, blow dry or updo for your next special event, a goose bump-inducing scalp massage, or the whole shebang, this friendly team of Gold Coast hairdressers are some of the best in the biz.

Say hello to Frida Sol, the Coast’s newest Mexican bar and taqueria. Frida comes to us courtesy of the crew at Mermaid Beach hotspot Bonita Bonita who wanted to give southern Gold Coast a taste of their mouth-watering eats and cocktails. Their timing couldn’t be better.

If you needed another sign that Mermaid Beach, or Nobby Beach to us locals, is the rising star of the Southern Gold Coast’s burgeoning culinary scene, the opening of Sunkist Eatery could be it. 

The Facial Bar is the Gold Coast’s first dedicated premium facial experience, bringing high-end facial treatments and a luxury beauty destination to Mermaid Beach. The Facial Bar is driven by a strong ethos of prioritising self-care, skincare and overall wellbeing and is based on the belief that facials should be part of your luxury, everyday experience. Don’t mind if we do.

Bobby Bang’s is where cafe classics meet Asian-inspired flair.

Based in the Mermaid Beach nook neighbouring Lupo and Glenelg Public House, Zeppelin.B is seriously cool and has earned itself a dedicated following of loyal clients—who return again and again for friendly banter and fashion style cuts with attention to precision scissor work, texture and slicing. Recently recognised as a top five finalist for Best Barber of the Year at the esteemed 2019 Australian Hair Industry Awards, if you’re on the hunt for an absolute standout among the best Gold Coast barbers, Jase Alpen and his crew are legends around these parts. Bookings required.   

In case you missed the memo, the salad game is changing and the Gold Coast is leading the charge. In our glorious beachside paradise, nothing hits the spot quite like a refreshing summer salad and we might have just found your new favourite salad joint. 

Kick off your shoes, take a deep breath and prepare to be transported to a luxurious, stress-free environment reminiscent of a tropical paradise. No, you’re not on an island getaway, you’ve just stepped into the heavenly Soak Bathhouse.

Say hello to Australia’s first plastic and waste free kitchen, Mother Nirvana.

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous golden tan? What we don’t love is the harmful effect the sun can cause on our skin. Thankfully we’re blessed with a bunch of seriously good spray tan salons here on the Gold Coast, and they don’t come much greater than the crew at Bella Bronze.

Monsieur Chow is the elevated new direction of Ally Chow where French sophistication meets pan-Asian flavours in a unique fusion dining experience.

Once upon a time, the only thing you could find on tap on the Gold Coast was XXXX, VB, Tooheys, and other mass-produced versions of the same. TF those days are over, and we can totally thank trailblazers like Bine Craft Beer Bar for bringing the Coast into the new age. A firm Nobby Beach favourite and Gold Coast’s original dedicated craft beer watering hole, Bine rotates its tap list frequently. Right now, it’s local brews like Balter, Burleigh Brewing, Stone & Wood, and Newstead, among others—check their website for today’s carefully-brewed lineup. While any time is the right time to visit Bine, erryday between 4pm and 6pm you’ll get a craft beer and bucket o’ wings for a tiny 10 bucks; or our fave, $15 Parmy and a Paddle on Thursdays. Dinner = sorted!

The Gemelli empire is about to get even sweeter with the highly anticipated opening of Gelato Gemelli.

Some like it hot and NBHD Hot is definitely the hot spot for those intrepid folks. The Gold Coast’s first dedicated infrared hot pilates studio, NBHD Hot really turns things up with a fusion of strength training and pilates designed to sculpt, strengthen and tone, all while in an infrared heated room.