Southport has quietly become one of the Gold Coast’s best suburbs for a good coffee. Framed by the Broadwater and dotted with independent roasters and precinct eateries, it is made for slow mornings and long catch-ups.
This local guide rounds up the best cafes in Southport — where to find great coffee, standout brunch and plant-based food — plus a few tips to make the most of your morning.
What makes Southport great for cafes
Southport blends waterfront calm with genuine coffee culture. You can pair brunch with a Broadwater walk, then browse a gourmet food precinct, all within a few minutes of each other.
A few things set the suburb apart:
- Serious coffee — independent roasters and skilled baristas.
- Precinct dining — The Brickworks on Ferry Road clusters cafes and markets.
- Strong plant-based options — Southport punches above its weight.
- Waterfront setting — the Broadwater is never far away.
The best cafes in Southport
From plant-based specialists to buzzy new coffee spots, here is how a few Southport cafes compare.
| Cafe | Vibe | Best for | Plant-based? | Approx. per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cardamom Pod | Colourful, relaxed | Vegan & vegetarian brunch, acai, pancakes | Fully plant-based | $15–25 |
| Blendlove | Sun-lit, minimalist | Acai and smoothie bowls | Plant-based | $12–22 |
| Cheek Café | Peachy-pink, playful | Big breakfasts & coffee | Some options | $18–30 |
| Day Off | Modern, design-led | Specialty & frozen coffee | Some options | $6–18 |
| Humble Cafe | Small, sunny, local | Simple done well | Some options | $15–25 |
For all-round brunch with genuinely great plant-based food, The Cardamom Pod at The Brickworks is hard to beat — and you are right next to a gourmet food market when you are done.
What to order at a Southport cafe
Whatever your morning mood, there is a Southport order for it.
- A proper coffee — flat white, batch brew or an iced number for warm days.
- Acai or smoothie bowls — the coast’s signature light breakfast.
- Smashed avo or toasts — the reliable savoury classic.
- Pancakes or pastries — for when it is a treat kind of morning.
A plant-based morning at The Cardamom Pod
The Cardamom Pod has been a Southport fixture since 2016, serving clean, colourful, plant-powered food at The Brickworks on Brolga Avenue.
Brunch here means vibrant acai bowls, fluffy pancakes and savoury plates from a fully plant-based kitchen — with plant-milk coffee and a cow-milk option if you prefer.
The setting helps, too. Relaxed and colourful, with a spot at The Brickworks that puts a gourmet food market right on your doorstep, it is the kind of cafe where a quick coffee easily turns into a lazy two-hour brunch. Add in the loyal local following and the easy, all-ages menu, and it is no surprise it has become a Southport fixture since 2016.
See the full plant-based cafe menu, browse our food gallery, or book a table at The Brickworks in Southport.
Southport’s coffee scene
If there is one thing Southport takes seriously, it is coffee. The suburb has quietly built a reputation for quality, with independent roasters and skilled baristas the norm rather than the exception.
You will find everything from classic flat whites and batch brew to experimental frozen coffees and Vietnamese-style iced coffee across the local cafes. Plant milks — oat, soy, almond and coconut — are standard almost everywhere, so a dairy-free coffee is never hard to find.
At dedicated plant-based venues like The Cardamom Pod, the full range of plant milks is poured as a matter of course, with a cow-milk option there if you prefer. However you take it, a good coffee is the thread that ties a relaxed Southport morning together.
The best approach is simple: pick a cafe, order a coffee and a plate to share, and settle in. Southport rewards a slow morning.
Making a morning of it around the Broadwater
The best Southport cafe mornings do not end at the last sip of coffee. With the Broadwater Parklands just minutes from most cafes, it is easy to turn brunch into a proper morning out.
Start early with breakfast at The Brickworks, then walk it off along the water, where you will find shady picnic spots, the Rockpools water playground and wide, easy paths perfect for a stroll. Loop back through the Ferry Road market for coffee beans, fresh produce or a treat to take home.
It is the kind of unhurried, plant-forward morning that Southport does better than almost anywhere on the coast — equal parts good food, good coffee and fresh sea air. Bring friends, bring the family, and give yourself no reason to rush.
Tips for the perfect Southport cafe morning
- Arrive before the rush — 8–9am is the weekend sweet spot.
- Book for groups — larger tables fill quickly.
- Pair it with a walk along the Broadwater Parklands.
- Make a morning of it at a precinct like The Brickworks.
Planning a bigger day out? Tourism & Events Queensland has a helpful overview of things to see and do in Southport.
A cafe scene that keeps growing
Part of what makes Southport exciting right now is how quickly its cafe scene is evolving. Alongside the established favourites, a steady stream of new openings keeps things fresh.
Recent arrivals have brought everything from ultra-frozen signature brews and design-led fit-outs to Vietnamese-Australian fusion breakfasts and gluten-free bakeries. It means that even regulars have somewhere new to try, and visitors are spoilt for choice within a short drive.
Through all the change, the fundamentals stay the same: quality coffee, a warm welcome and a genuine focus on good food. The plant-based end of the scene has grown right alongside it, so wherever you land, a great dairy-free coffee and a satisfying meat-free plate are never far away.
The best way to keep up is simply to explore. Pick a different cafe each weekend, follow your favourites on social media for specials, and build your own short-list of Southport go-tos.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best cafes in Southport?
Southport has a thriving cafe scene, from specialty-coffee newcomers to long-running favourites. For plant-based food and all-round brunch, The Cardamom Pod at The Brickworks is a local standout, alongside a growing line-up of independent coffee spots.
Where can I get the best coffee in Southport?
Independent roasters and skilled baristas are the norm in Southport. Most cafes stock oat, soy, almond and coconut milk, and dedicated plant-based venues like The Cardamom Pod pour the full range as standard.
Are there vegan cafes in Southport?
Yes. The Cardamom Pod at The Brickworks runs a fully plant-based kitchen, and several other Southport cafes offer strong vegan and vegetarian options.
Do Southport cafes serve breakfast all day?
Many serve breakfast and brunch through late morning. The Cardamom Pod is open 8am to 3pm, seven days, with the kitchen closing at 2:30pm.
Is there parking near Southport cafes?
Yes. Precinct cafes such as those at The Brickworks on Ferry Road have on-site parking, and there is plenty of parking around the Broadwater and Southport CBD.
Keep exploring
For more local food inspiration, read our guides to where to brunch in Southport, the best vegan breakfast on the Gold Coast, and dining at The Brickworks.