Follow your nose to the Gold Coast’s best bakeries and patisseries
Is there anything better than the aroma of freshly baked bread? Or biting into a flaky, buttery croissant? That’s a trick question because the answer is no, obviously. That moment when you walk into a bakery or patisserie is like a comforting hug – and it’s not uncommon to go a little weak at the knees. If, like us, you love nothing more than schmearing salted butter on a piece of fresh sourdough, have a slightly unhealthy obsession with sausage rolls and consider cream-filled choux bombs a breakfast staple (they are), then you’ll take great pleasure in working through this list of must-try bakeries and patisseries on the Gold Coast.
Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach: When it comes to delightfully decadent, handcrafted pastries on the Gold Coast, there’s a reason Bam Bam finds itself a place on every list. It’s likely you’ll be met with a packed house when you arrive, but trust us when we say the croissants, choux bombs, eclairs, cruffins, and tarts are well and truly worth the trip.
The Paddock Bakery, Miami: Miami and Burleigh locals are often woken up by the aroma of Paddock’s woodfired sourdough billowing through the backstreets. Each day you’ll find the cabinet brimming with sweet delights, from brownies to still-gooey-on-the-inside cookies and more. Got a craving for something savoury? The house-made sausage roll and the slow-cooked beef pie with smoked speck will hit the spot.
Bake House Gozen, Ashmore: Could these be the best croissants on the Gold Coast? We’ll let you decide. Nestled in Crestwood Plaza, Bake House Gozen is the handiwork of talented patissier Maki Jinno, who southern locals may remember from the Palm Beach Farmers Market. Delicately crafted croissants, which take three days to make, are the hero here. Alongside the classic plain and almond croissants, you’ll find a variety of sweet and savoury variations, with a delicious Japanese lean. The cabinet will surprise you with something new each time – so repeat visits are a must.
Custard Canteen, Tallebudgera: The Custard Canteen pastry team crafts and bakes a wide range of delicious goodies from its umbrella-lined digs at the front of the Rec Centre, just metres from Tallebudgera Creek. Here, Portuguese custard tarts are the hero – the flaky, melt-in-your-mouth custard-filled morsels are baked in small batches at regular intervals to ensure perfection for pastry lovers at any time of day. There are also other baked goods like strawberry puff-pastry tarts, gooey cookies, almond croissants and sausage rolls for a savoury hit. Next time you need a little treat, grab one of Custard’s blueberry and lemon-curd muffins – you can thank us later.
Tarte Bakery & Cafe (Burleigh) and Tarte Beach House (Currumbin): Both Tarte locations continually attract hoards of hungry locals who are keen to get their mitts on their treats. Tarte’s team of pastry maestros roll out an extensive spread of handmade sweets across the day, filling the cabinets with everything from delicious kouign amann and signature cruellers to brown-butter choc-chip cookies, almond croissants and moreish muffin tops. Be warned – Tarte pastries are hot property, so always go early.
Dipcro Pastry, Chevron Island: If you’re strolling along Thomas Drive on Chevron Island, it’s entirely likely you will smell Dipcro Pastry before you see it. Step inside and the glass pastry production space captivates your immediate attention, with the pastry chefs hard at work folding, laminating, rolling and baking all of your favourite pastries. Here, you’ll find everything from croissants, cinnamon buns and pain au chocolat to delicate mille feuille, alongside some savoury selections such as beef bourguignon pies.
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Burleigh Baker, Burleigh Heads and Paradise Point: If you take your baked goods seriously, this is where you’ll want to grab your morning loaf. These guys care about your gut health more than you probably do, and as a result, the breads go through a 24-36 hour fermentation process using natural, organic and sustainable ingredients to ensure an easily digestible and delicious-tasting end product. There’s also a delicious array of baked treats like sourdough croissants, pistachio cookies (if you know, you know) and eclairs, as well as savouries like sausage rolls and steak pies.
Rise Bakery, Sanctuary Cove: Rise Bakery’s menu showcases a selection of traditional, well-executed French classics that are inspired by co-owner Adrien’s own childhood memories of Sunday morning market trips with his parents in his hometown of Troyes, France. Think croissants, pain au chocolat, fruit-topped danishes and kouign-amann. Those who prefer savoury snacks aren’t forgotten, with a range of delicious quiches, flaky pies and fresh sandwiches available all day.
Franquette, Tamborine Mountain: If it’s been a minute since you last wandered around Tamborine Mountain, let Franquette be your reason to visit. The impressive bakery specialises in artisan bread, sweet and savoury pastries, gourmet sandwiches and much more. Expect delicious morsels like apple-crumble danishes, mini croissant loaves, decadent chocolate flans and dulce de leche cruffins. Grab some takeaway goodies or perch on the Parisian-style seating along the deck area while you devour your treats.
Fuel Bakehouse, Currumbin, Burleigh Heads and Cabarita: If you’ve got a hearty hankering for bakery-fresh pies and doughnuts, Fuel is where it’s at. You’ll find it along Currumbin Creek Road slinging everything from flaky pies filled with seven-hour slow-cooked beef to semi-sourdough doughnuts that are guaranteed to hit the sweet spot. There’s also a tasty nook slinging Fuel favourites along James Street in Burleigh, and if you find yourself south of the border, scout Fuel’s third outpost in Cabarita.
5B2F Bakehouse Chirn Park and Southport: Celebrated pastry chef Moonsun Yoo fills his boutique bakeries with everything from sourdough to freshly made pies and sausage rolls, cronuts, croissants and more. There’s also a mighty fine selection of intricate French pastries, cakes and petite sweets that will bring a smile to your dial.
Aux Fines Bouches, Burleigh Heads: Originally based in Adelaide, the renowned patisserie made the move to the Gold Coast in late 2019 and now dispenses its creations from its pastry showroom on Taree Street in Burleigh Heads. Pronounced ‘oh-fin-bush’, this quaint space is very much about showcasing the art and magic of pastry. Walk in and you’ll be greeted with a passionate ‘bonjour’ before your eyes quickly fixate on the display cabinet lined with pastries, cakes, whole cakes and tarts. A true hidden gem that is definitely worth venturing out of your way to find.
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FARINA & Co, Southport: Named after the Italian word for flour, FARINA & Co dishes up drool-inducing baked goods and an all-day Italian-inspired menu. From choc-chip cookies to indulgent pistachio croissants, strawberry-topped custard tarts and dulce de leche doughnuts, this patisserie is brimming with deliciousness.
Well Bread & Pastry, Palm Beach and Miami: This French-style artisan bakery is the handiwork of husband-and-wife duo Stefan and Michelle Van Der Hoven. Its sensational sourdough, pastries, pies and perfectly brewed coffee are a go-to for both Palm Beach and Miami locals. In the cabinets you’ll spy everything from Portuguese tarts and glazed-strawberry-topped fruit danishes to flaky croissants, scrolls and cookies, as well as shelves full of freshly baked loaves ranging from spelt to dark rye.
The Pastry Emporium, Bundall: Best to loosen the belt buckles a little before you visit – this place is jammed with delights from custard-filled doughnuts, colourful macarons and cookies, to hand-rolled croissants, fruit danishes and endless rows of petite and whole cakes. There are fresh-baked baguettes, rye and sourdough loaves available to take home, plus a range of housemade pies, bacon and egg brioche rolls and savoury pastries that are sure to keep you (and your stomach) well and truly satisfied.
The Bread Social, Tweed Heads, Currumbin and Isle of Capri: Since its inception at The Farm Byron Bay, famed bakehouse The Bread Social has expanded north over the past few years – so no matter what end of the coast you’re on, its delicious goodies are never far away. The Tweed Heads location is a go-to for everything from sourdough bread to sausage rolls, sandwiches, savoury tarts and mind-blowing pastries, while Currumbin locals can follow their nose to the The Bread Social’s HQ for their fix. Those up north can find bread, artisan pastries, bake-at-home cookies, savouries and more at Harris Farm Markets at the Capri on Via Roma precinct.
My French Pastries, Robina: My French Pastries aims to take things back to basics, crafting authentic sweet and savoury pastries and cakes that stick to tradition. You’ll find French delights like fresh-fruit tarts, hand-made croissants (including savoury style with ham and cheese and sweet almond croissants), eclairs filled housemade creme patissiere and dipped in fondant icing, lemon tarts, flaky mille feuille, chocolate tarts, galette des rois and more.
Fosters Bakery, Nobby Beach: Now look, we’re aware that there are plenty of old-school bakeries that have been around for donkeys that continue to do amazing things, but Fosters holds a special place in our hearts/stomachs. This beachside beauty is a primo spot for a post-swim pie or sauso’ roll. Our pick of the bunch is the lamb and rosemary pie, with a small squirt of tomato sauce.
Le Bon Choix Boulangerie Patisserie, Broadbeach and Robina: There’s a pretty excellent reason this pair of patisseries are always busy, Le Bon Choix specialises in the kind of creations that blur the line between baked good and art. With a dash of Parisian flair and charm, the Le Bon venues offer a drool-inducing selection of sweet and savoury delights as well as superb coffee. Pop in next time you’re out for a shop.
Cubby Bakehouse, Chinderah: Located right on the Tweed River in Chinderah, Cubby is the southern go-to for all of your favourite baked goods – from cream-filled eclairs, to zesty lemon tarts, decadent cookies, fluffy muffins and more. For a savoury fix, tuck into Cubby’s famed bacon-and-egg bahn mi featuring crunchy house-baked bread rolls, eggs Benny hugged by a buttery croissant, or grab yourself a beef-bolognese sausage roll wrapped in Cubby’s own puff pastry.
Baked at Ancora, Tweed Heads: Nestled on the water in Tweed Heads, Baked is a haven for sweet and savoury pastries, fresh sandwiches and fresh-baked bread. There’s always something new and innovative coming out of the oven, so repeat visits are a must.