Butter Bodega is redefining the neighbourhood convenience store with gourmet sandwiches and excellent coffee
One of the great joys of travel is wandering the streets in search of food and coffee. Whether it’s a quick bite to quash those pesky hunger pangs or settling in to a solid multi-course meal, nothing helps you get to know a place quite like diving into the local food scene. After spending time eating their way around New York and San Francisco, husband-and-wife duo Ivan and Monique Sayad developed a deep appreciation for the charm of family-run bodegas. For years, Ivan and Monique dreamed of bringing this concept to Australia, but the timing was never quite right. That is, until now. Say hello to Butter Bodega …
Butter Bodega in Labrador is the northern Gold Coast’s newest hybrid convenience store – part sandwich haven, part independent grocer and all-around coffee stop.
The idea for Butter Bodega had been bubbling under the surface for years. After a whirlwind few years, which included a couple of life curveballs and tying the knot in San Francisco, Ivan and Monique realised that now was the right moment to bring their bodega dreams to life. They set their sights on creating a space that embodied the best of New York’s bodegas, but with an Australian twist. “We wanted to up the ante,” Monique says, “especially when it comes to coffee and made-to-order sandwiches.”
Convenience stores in Australia generally serve one purpose – providing a quick spot to grab a couple of essentials. But rarely do they deliver anything that leaves a lasting impression or sparks culinary joy. Butter Bodega is flipping that script by transforming the former convenience store beneath Aqua along Marine Parade into a cosy, bustling bodega brimming with personality.
For the uninitiated, a bodega is a small neighbourhood store, typically found in urban areas, offering everything from snacks to toiletries to fresh food. But Butter Bodega adds a tasty twist – here, you’ll find excellent coffee, artisan sandwiches and locally-sourced goods.
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The coffee, a carefully selected blend from Melbourne’s Padre, is a key part of Butter Bodega’s offering. Whether you’re an espresso aficionado or someone who loves an iced brew, there’s something for everyone. One standout is their caramel-popcorn-topped iced latte, which tastes like dessert in a cup. If that’s not your vibe, you can always switch gears and try the pumpkin-spiced matcha – a crowd-pleaser that feels just as cosy as it sounds.
But let’s talk about the sandwiches, because that’s where Butter Bodega really shines. After testing hundreds of variations, Monique and Ivan settled on a succinct, quality-driven menu. Each sandwich has been meticulously crafted, designed to bring a little gourmet to the everyday. Try the Bangalow spiced pastrami on New York rye, layered with Swiss cheese, cultured butter, pickles, jalapenos and sauerkraut. Or, if you fancy a bold flavour, wrap your mitts around the black-truffle squid-ink salami with honey on a seeded baguette.
The Butter Bodega story isn’t one and done. Ivan and Monique aren’t just stopping with the Labrador location – they’ve got plans to grow Butter Bodega, with a few additional satellite locations on the cards. Each new spot will have its own little twist, Monique tells us. If Labrador’s Butter Bodega is any indication, the classic neighbourhood convenience store may be getting a deliciously modern makeover – and we’re here for it.
Head to The Directory for opening times.