EAT

"First we eat, then we do everything else."

M.F.K. Fisher

...and drink

Longboard's

Surfer's Paradise//Gold Coast//Queensland

I’ve done my fair share of foodie research here on the Gold Coast and what initially started as a quick search for tasty local coffee turned into the discovery of Crave Gold Coast, the foodie website jackpot. Browsing through all the different categories from best pizza to best cupcakes to best cocktails, I was creating a mental library of all the places I wanted to visit. So far I’ve visited quite a few of those places and recently got to check off another one. Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar was listed as number three on the list of top ten burgers, but I’ve heard a lot about it just from small talk on campus and at work. Apparently on “Hang Ten Thursday’s” burgers are $10 from 5pm-9pm. My last class seminar ended super early so Linds and I decided to finally go check out the infamous burger joint. It ended up being pretty chilly that night, but we ventured over to QT in Surfer’s Paradise to find Longboards. It’s all outdoors and runs right along the QT hotel pool. We asked for a table closest to the heater and after a short wait were seated. It was so chilly that we ordered coffee (which ended up being not very good) while we waited for our burgers. Lindsey ordered the Nacho Libre and I chose the Beach Cheeseburger. The burgers arrived with a knife stabbed straight through into the board. After mandatory food pictures we indulged in easily the best burgers we’ve had yet. So good that we might have even returned the following week for seconds ;)

Skull & Bones

Broadbeach//Gold Coast//Queensland

Yet another find from the lovely creators of Crave Gold Coast, however, this location we did not make a huge effort to hunt down. In previous weeks we were taking the bus down to Burleigh Beach and noticed the familiar name amongst all the shops lining the road. We recognized the name from its high ratings on the website and decided we would go check it out sometime in the near future. Well that day finally came and I discovered heaven in the form of a bronut. Starved as usual, I grabbed a “bagel banger” and a flat white. There is really nothing else to say other than Australians really know how to do breakfast. It was delicious. Being that the shop was known for its freshly made donuts (or as they call them, “bronuts”) we figured we should probably try one. Nutella filled was the decision and Lindsey allowed me the honor of cutting the donut in half to share. I really can’t explain how wonderful that minute of my life was. The warmth of the donut had melted the Nutella inside and it was all just so beautiful. Skull & Bones: …bravo.

Raw Espresso

Southport//Gold Coast//Queensland

As I was waiting one day for my next lecture to begin I decided to Google gourmet donut shops in Gold Coast (judge me). I found a website, Crave, that rates local bars/shops/restaurants and makes lists of the top ten in each category. As I scrolled through the lists, I found a café called Raw Espresso. It made it on two of the lists, one for their cupcakes and the other for their coffee. I looked up how to get to this place and it was actually pretty close to where I live. It took me several days, as I had classes and trials, but I eventually made my way down to the café, tucked away in a corner plaza. I decided on the Brekkie Bagel and a flat white (pretty much the Australian version of a latte). I have not one complaint. The sandwich, although quite messy, was scrumptious. This was the first time I have tried true Australian coffee here and I’ve gotta say, there’s definitely a difference. It is stronger and much richer in flavor. They also make little designs in the foam on top so that’s pretty fun. I enjoyed the morning to myself, catching up on my book and savoring my brekkie.

Protein Shake

Coolangatta//Gold Coast//Queensland

On the adventure down to Kirra beach to see the Quiksilver/Roxy pro, we passed a shop called Protein Shake. Being the protein junkie that I am, I got a little excited. On the way back I booked it to the café, not giving Lindsey much of a choice haha. We entered and it’s a little café that keeps its doors wide open with a sign above that says: “Positive Mind. Positive Vibes. Positive Life.” Which makes me like the place that much more. They sell all types of shakes and power bowls and also some cool looking swimwear which was hanging on one of the walls. I didn’t read too far into the menu because as soon as I saw the Monkey Flex shake I was sold. Banana, chocolate protein (40 grams!!), organic cacao, PEANUT BUTTER, flaxseed, and creatine. Done. Sold. Gimme. Let me just say it was just as delicious as it sounds. Unfortunately, this seems to be their only location. It’s quite a distance from where we live, but the next time we are in Kirra (because we definitely will be back) I know where I’ll be stopping :)

Nando's

Everywhere//Gold Coast//Queensland

Oh, Nando’s. This place has had my heart since day one. I now understand their loyal following. During our first week of arriving in Australia and exploring the streets of Surfer’s Paradise, this restaurant caught our eye. They serve pretty much just chicken, but in all sorts of forms (sandwiches, wraps, pitas, plain) and flavors (mild to extra hot, lemon herb, bbq, etc). After having their “Supremo” chicken sandwich, I was hooked. We have been to Nando’s five different times since we’ve been here (and you know that number will go up). We even joined the birthday club with fake birthdays to get a free meal haha. I’m pretty sure they have a Nando’s in Washington, but they really need to expand over to the U.S.

Café Catalina

Broadwater//Gold Coast//Queensland

Whenever I feel like going for a run, I usually head down to the bay and run along the water. If you go down far enough you encounter several children’s play areas and big open fields with giant statues in them. I pass a little water park, a mini skateboard ramp, a few types of playgrounds, and even a giant balloon in the ground for kids to jump on like a trampoline(one day I’ll end up joining in I’m sure). Anyway towards the end of all that I’ve been passing a little café that looks onto the water, Café Catalina. I mentioned it to Lindsey and we decided to check it out one Sunday night. Walking through the entrance and out onto the grass covered deck, there were several benches sitting under giant umbrellas and the lawn was filled with bean bag chairs. We grabbed a drink from the bar and plopped our butts into the bean bags (not without a little struggle). There were twinkling lights along the rails that bordered the café. On the weekends they have live music and that night we enjoyed a local musician’s covers of artists such as John Mayer and Jack Johnson. It was such a peaceful atmosphere and looking up at the clear sky, I could see so many stars. Being that we can walk to it from the house, we might just end up becoming regulars :)

Grill'd

Harbour Town//Gold Coast//Queensland

Looking at the short lines on Google maps is quite deceiving when traveling by foot. 2.3 miles? What a breeze. Factor in the blistering heat and lack of direction and you get a lot of frustration and good amount of butt sweat. That being said, by the time we reached Harbour Town we had worked up quite the appetite. As we passed through places to eat we were both drawn to this little corner restaurant, at first by its unique and trendy atmosphere, but as we wandered closer we were excited to learn what it had to offer. In my mind I was thinking, burgers? Sold. It had been a several days since we’d eaten a solid (and delicious) meal. However, as I continued reading, my allure grew further. All the beef is sourced from family-run farmers who raise their cattle in the green pastures of Victoria and are only fed on grass(increasing the nutrient level of the beef). On top of that it’s all 100% Australian, hormone free, and antibiotic free. I personally feel you can taste a huge difference in grass-fed beef and this was easily one of the tastiest and satisfying burgers I have ever inhaled.

Kitty O'Shea's

Surfer's Paradise//Gold Coast//Queensland

Searching for a place to live on foot is exhausting. Knowing that you only have three days to land a spot is stressful. A little bit of anxiety starts to set in when, on the first day, almost every place we stopped informed us that they were completely booked. In our desperation to find better leads, we signed up for a site called flatmates that feature locals looking to rent out places to live. With the power of positive thinking we managed to find the most charming little beach house. It didn’t take more than an hour after seeing it that we decided to seal the deal. A fully furnished beach house not even two streets from the ocean! We’re off to a great start. There was definite reason to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than with not just a beer, but an Australian beer! In all our excitement we headed straight to the closest bar, which happened to be an Irish pub (there’s quite a lot here) called “Kitty O’Shea’s.” We settled on 5 seeds crushed pear cider. It was served to us in a bottle alongside a small glass brimming with ice. It was the perfect beer to celebrate with, so smooth and refreshing. It is crafted here from seasonal Australian pears blended with orchard apples. There were several other flavors that I will surely be back to try :)

Tap & Grind

Southport//Gold Coast//Queensland

We were on a mission: acquire pillows and a fan. We trekked a mile or so down the road to a mall-type building called Australia Fair. We wandered through several stores, picking up necessities like close pins (dryers are not as common here), hairdryer, pillows, and a fan (AC is surprisingly not standard here). Our brains were a little fried from the long walk as well as navigating the unfamiliar environment. Caffeine was needed ASAP. Up to this point we found ourselves at Starbucks whenever our caffeine levels were running low. This time we decided it was time to try Australian coffee; according to the locals it tastes quite different than American coffee. We saw a tiny coffee shop called Tap & Grind, shared a giggle at the name and went in. It was a quaint family-owned coffee shop with a brick wall along one side. Behind the counter was a massive chalkboard with scribbles of different types of coffees. Display cases ranging in size filled the countertops, flaunting all sorts of breads, cookies, and muffins. We each ordered an iced latte and split a piece of the banana bread. After a few sips, we agreed the coffee was stronger here. With local coffee in out tummies and caffeine flowing in our veins again, we continued onto the day’s mission.