Elk Espresso wins friends, first of all, for being a world away from slick modern cafés of Broadbeach. Once an unremarkable shop, it is now a minimalist shopfront overseen by the stencil of a giant elk standing in splendor on the distressed paint wall. There’s a rough but timeless elegance that says “I dare to be different.” The well-chosen eclectic menu is rustic and retro with a modern twist. Changing with the seasons, brunch standouts include a completely gluten- and dairy-free passion fruit and coconut breakfast panna cotta with granola, summer fruits and cinnamon yogurt. Whether you stop in for an early morning breakfast, leisurely brunch or a decadent afternoon tea, Elk has a welcoming charisma all its own, calling you off the beach to the fern forest beyond.

Good Food Gold Coast

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