Southport is where the Gold Coast slows down for a good coffee. Framed by the Broadwater on one side and a growing cluster of cafe precincts on the other, it’s become one of the best suburbs on the coast for a relaxed weekend brunch.
This local guide covers what to order, where to go, and the plant-based picks worth knowing about — so your next Southport brunch is an easy win.
What makes Southport great for brunch
Southport blends waterfront calm with genuine cafe culture. You can pair a long, lazy brunch with a walk along the Broadwater Parklands, then browse a gourmet food precinct — all within a few minutes of each other.
A few things set the suburb apart:
- Waterfront setting — the Broadwater is a short stroll from most cafes.
- Precinct dining — The Brickworks on Ferry Road puts cafes, markets and shops together.
- Strong plant-based options — Southport punches above its weight for vegan and vegetarian food.
- Great coffee — independent roasters and skilled baristas are the norm.
It’s also an easy suburb to reach. Sitting just north of Surfers Paradise and a short drive from Burleigh, Southport is central enough for a spontaneous brunch yet relaxed enough to linger over a second coffee.
The best brunch dishes to order
Brunch is all about choice — the joy is in mixing something sweet, something savoury and a good drink to share across the table. Here are the crowd-pleasers worth building your order around.
| Dish | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Acai & smoothie bowls | Blended fruit bowls with granola and fresh toppings | A light, refreshing start |
| Pancakes & French toast | Sweet stacks with fruit, cream and syrup | Weekend treat-seekers |
| Smashed avo & toasts | Avocado, greens and seeds on quality bread | The classic savoury order |
| Benedicts | Toasted base, hollandaise and greens | A hearty, savoury brunch |
| Cold-pressed juice & smoothies | Fresh fruit and veg blends | Pairing with any plate |
Where to brunch in Southport
From plant-based specialists to all-rounder cafes, here’s how a few Southport brunch spots compare.
| Cafe | Vibe | Best for | Plant-based? | Approx. per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cardamom Pod | Colourful, relaxed, family-friendly | Vegan & vegetarian brunch, acai, pancakes | Fully plant-based kitchen | $15–25 |
| Blendlove | Sun-lit and minimalist | Acai and smoothie bowls | Plant-based | $12–22 |
| Humble Cafe | Small, sunny, local | Simple done well, great coffee | Some options | $15–25 |
| Salt Cafe Bar | Open-air, leafy | All-day dining at The Brickworks | Some options | $18–30 |
| Pearl & Ash | Gourmet, polished | Coffee, desserts and brunch plates | Some options | $18–30 |
For an easy, all-round brunch with standout plant-based food, it’s hard to beat The Cardamom Pod at The Brickworks — and you’re right next to a gourmet food market when you’re done.
A plant-based brunch 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, all from a fully plant-based kitchen — with plant-milk coffee (and a cow-milk option if you’d rather).
What keeps locals coming back isn’t only the food — it’s the feel of the place. Bright, welcoming and unhurried, it’s the kind of cafe where a quick coffee easily becomes a two-hour catch-up. Bring friends, bring the family, bring your appetite — and settle in for a proper Southport morning.
See the full plant-based brunch menu at The Cardamom Pod, take a look through our vegan food gallery, or book a table at The Brickworks in Southport for the weekend.
Coffee culture in Southport
No Southport brunch is complete without a proper coffee. The suburb has quietly built a serious cafe scene, with independent roasters and skilled baristas the norm rather than the exception.
Plant milks are standard almost everywhere now — oat, soy, almond and coconut — so a dairy-free flat white or latte is easy to come by. 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’d prefer.
Whether you take it long, short or iced, a good coffee is the thread that ties a relaxed Southport morning together.
Practical tips for a Southport brunch
- Arrive before the rush. Weekends get busy from mid-morning — 8–9am is the sweet spot.
- Book for groups. Larger tables fill quickly; a quick call or text secures your spot.
- Pair it with a walk. The Broadwater Parklands are minutes away for a post-brunch stroll.
- Make a morning of it. Precincts like The Brickworks combine brunch, coffee and gourmet shopping.
Want to explore more of the area first? Tourism & Events Queensland has a helpful overview of what to see and do in Southport to round out your day.
Making a morning of it around the Broadwater
The best Southport brunches don’t end at the last sip of coffee. With the Broadwater Parklands just minutes away, it’s easy to turn a plate of pancakes into a proper morning out.
Start early with breakfast at The Brickworks, walk off the acai bowl along the water, then loop back through the Ferry Road market for coffee beans, fresh produce or a gift to take home. It’s the kind of unhurried, plant-forward morning Southport does better than almost anywhere on the coast.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best brunch in Southport?
Southport has a strong cafe scene spread between the Broadwater and the Ferry Road precincts. For plant-based brunch, The Cardamom Pod at The Brickworks is a long-running local favourite; you’ll also find great coffee and brunch plates across the suburb’s cafes.
What time is brunch served in Southport?
Most Southport cafes open around 6–8am and serve brunch through late morning. The Cardamom Pod, for example, is open 8am to 3pm seven days a week, with the kitchen closing at 2:30pm.
Is there a vegan brunch option in Southport?
Yes. The Cardamom Pod runs a fully plant-based kitchen at The Brickworks, serving vegan and vegetarian brunch dishes, acai bowls, pancakes and plant-milk coffee, with a cow-milk option if you prefer.
Do I need to book for brunch in Southport?
Walk-ins are common, but weekends get busy from mid-morning. For a group or a guaranteed table, it’s worth booking ahead — you can book a table at The Cardamom Pod by phone or text.
Is there parking near Southport brunch spots?
Yes. Precinct cafes like 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
Chasing the best plant-based food in the area? Read our guide to the best vegan breakfast on the Gold Coast, or discover dining at The Brickworks on Ferry Road for coffee, lunch and gourmet shopping.