Sweet escapes: The 13 best desserts on the Gold Coast

Find the cherry on top of your Queensland adventure with our list of the best desserts on the Gold Coast.

They say you can’t buy happiness — but you can buy dessert, and that’s kind of the same thing. The Gold Coast wholeheartedly agrees, boasting a vast landscape of goodies that cater to the sweetest of tooths. From a boozy hot chocolate and TikTok-famous Dubai chocolate to crispy bubble waffles and skillet-filled hot cookies, creativity runs rife in delectable shapes and forms. Here, our hand-sampled pick of the best desserts on the Gold Coast to sweeten every new adventure.

1. Dipcro Pastry

croissants at Dipcro Pastry, Gold Coast dessert

Dipcro Pastry is renowned for its dippable cup-like croissants.

Bringing TikTok’s hottest sugar trend to its already spectacular patisserie range, Dipcro Pastry knows how to create a stir. Renowned for its dippable cup-like croissants, filling three-day aged pastry with the likes of liquid Biscoff and vanilla custard, the Gold Coast dessert haven now offers a Pistachio Dubai Chocolate Tart, crafting pure excellence out of social media’s favourite crunchy, nutty chocolate. Australian Traveller devoured the new May 2025 menu item which also incorporates chocolate ganache, homemade pistachio butter and crispy kataifi pastry. Gazing into the glass-walled bakery in Dipcro’s Chevron Island location, we’re in awe of how the team manage to keep their hands off all the irresistible gooey ingredients that surround them. If you can’t grab one of the few tables inside, there are another four or so on the street, while the Main Beach location is larger if you’re prepared to drive another 10 minutes’ north.

Address: 55 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island and 27 Tedder Ave, Main Beach

2. 5B2F Ciabatta

Southport welcomed 5B2F Ciabatta in December 2024, a little sister to the suburb’s long-adored 5B2F Bakehouse that seriously stepped up the northern Gold Coast’s desserts scene. Run by an ex-Hyatt chef from South Korea, Moonsun Yoo, the shop presents its delicately crafted sweets in a display cabinet that dazzles every time you visit. Posh pastries, almost too pretty to eat, include the popular ‘Earl Grey’ double-baked marble sponge slice, danishes topped with seasonal fruits, a ‘Paris Brest’ with choux pastry, cream and hazelnuts, and the signature Mont Blanc, which layers honey sponge, chocolate and mascarpone cream.

Address: 29 Davenport St, Southport

3. Ze Pickle

oreogazm dessert at Ze Pickle, Gold Coast

Deep-fried Oreos in doughnut batter with ice cream and liquid Nutella at Ze Pickle.

A Burleigh Heads institution better known for its burgers, Ze Pickle is renowned locally for its sweet chasers. The home of deep-fried dessert innovation, these guys roll out the ‘Oreogazm’, topping deep-fried Oreos in doughnut batter with ice cream and Nutella, plus the ‘Darrell Lee’s Dead’, a baked chocolate chip brownie in a skillet with Dulce de Leche sauce. The main event, however, has got to be the cheeky #WhoTheF***WasMaxBrenner, another skillet filled with a caramel M&Ms and choc-chip cookie and drizzled with marshmallow “gravy". Grab a table outside on the street corner to ensure you score the drooling-onlooker reaction every creation deserves.

Address: 1/37 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

4. Waffle & Bean Dessert Bar

Golden waffle bites topped with crushed Oreo, Kinder Bueno, toasted marshmallow, biscuits, custard, coconut, whipped cream and mixed berries – it’s just the tip of the iceberg at Waffle & Bean Dessert Bar. On paper, the Burleigh Heads nirvana (the team have since opened a second store down south) serves as a speciality dessert bar, but in reality, the decadence of this place is hard to put into words. Alongside their dreamy Belgian-born line-up (a bacon waffle sandwich, perhaps?), there’s freshly baked cookie pies, Mars and Snickers slices, Dubai chocolate brownies (there it is again) and over-the-top milkshakes including ‘I Want Candy’, mixing bubble-gum syrup, milk and ice cream before bringing on the chaos with whipped cream, coloured popcorn and sprinkles. It hits the spot, we promise.

Address: 6/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads and 11/118 Griffith St, Coolangatta

5. Bam Bam Bakehouse

a strawberry tart at Bam Bam Bakehouse, Gold Coast

You can’t go wrong with special strawberry tarts at Bam Bam Bakehouse. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

No ‘best desserts on the Gold Coast’ list can overlook the fabulous Bam Bam Bakehouse, a cult sweet spot that pulls relentless crowds in Mermaid Beach. While the focus sits firmly on refined pastry techniques (but also serving a breakfast menu that dances the line between nasi goreng and karaage chicken-stuffed croissants), Bam Bam is the Gold Coast equivalent of your favourite Parisian boulangerie. Pop in for one of their famed twice-baked almond croissants but don’t be surprised if you’re heading out with a dulce de leche twice-baked version or a Nutella cruffin with almond frangipane, too. What you can be certain of, however, is getting there early because the heavy hitters tend to sell out within just a few hours.

Address: 2519 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

6. Gemelli Broadbeach

tiramisu at Gemelli Broadbeach, Gold Coast dessert

Treat yourself to a tried-and-true tiramisu at Gemelli Broadbeach.

Gemelli brings Little Italy to the Gold Coast – giving you the chance to taste local, truly Italian specialties across various Glitter Strip locations. Our favourite outpost is the original, the Broadbeach eatery, which still nails its famed Nutella Bomba to this day. A deep-fried Sicilian calzone, the standout Gold Coast dessert features a crispy outer layer with a soft inner filling that oozes Nutella goodness and vanilla gelato before quickly melting in your mouth. Bellissimo.

Address: 2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach

7. Janus Deli

the doughnut variants at Janus Deli, Gold Coast dessert

Get swept up in doughnut goodness. (Image: Supplied)

For those who consider the art of doughnuts a competitive sport, you’re probably familiar with Janus Deli. The doughy connoisseurs offer staple creations, like plain cinnamon and vanilla-glazed, but it’s way more fun leaning into their innovative concoctions including the apple fritter, crème brulee, Dubai chocolate and Biscoff varieties. All this and some pretty amazing branded merch spanning t-shirts, tumblers, caps and more.

Address: Shop 14/458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar

8. The Paddock Bakery

Stop by the much-adored Paddock Bakery for sweet treats. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

We defy anybody to visit The Paddock Bakery and leave without a sweet treat in tow. Yes, it’s a killer brunch spot, easily one of the best cafes on the Gold Coast, but their sweet treats are pure soul food, sliding smiles upon dials with just one glance at the crammed glass cabinet by the registers. The sourdough doughnuts are a popular pick, available in salted caramel and pretzel cookie crumb, Biscoff cheesecake and other mouth-watering varieties, but don’t neglect the strawberry and Lindt white chocolate muffin or strawberry glazed tart or gooey chunky cookies or itty-bitty carrot cakes or… well, we could go on. Expect to line up around the corner of the building no matter when you arrive but the wait is always worth it.

Address: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

9. Little Sweet Cafe

With unicorns on the wall and traditional Hong Kong crispy bubble waffles on the menu, it’s hard to say no to a sugar fix from Little Sweet Cafe. You’ll also find pastry puffs with vanilla custard, souffle pancakes, as well as many flavours of bingsu (a Korean shaved-ice dessert) including tropical, super brownie, matcha, and green tea. And to quench your thirst? Pearl teas and matcha lattes should do the trick.

Address: 10/2 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

10. Franquette

Raspberry & Pistachio Danish at Franquette, Gold Coast dessert

The irresistible Raspberry & Pistachio Danish at Franquette.

A bustling bakery found along Tamborine Mountain’s charming Gallery Walk, Franquette whips up standout sourdough and baguettes — but the stars of the show are its sweets. Paying homage to traditional French patisseries, edible art includes raspberry and pistachio danishes, croissant loaves, tiramisu, lemon curd cruffins and delicious associates. Additionally, there’s plenty of table space across two storefronts that sprawl onto the pavement with further seating, and the staff are warm and chatty, happy to share their favourites if you’re struggling to select.

Address: 155/157 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain

11. The Gelato Shop

gelato cups at The Gelato Shop, Gold Coast dessert

Save room for gelato. (Image: The Gelato Shop)

Aptly voted as the Gold Coast’s favourite gelato, The Gelato Shop in Broadbeach makes its hero dessert in-store daily, using the finest Italian and Australian ingredients. Scoop your favourite flavour (Kinder Surprise, Baileys Irish Cream and Ferrero Rocher are never bad ideas) into a cup or cone, or go all out with a Rocky Road sundae topped with whipped cream, melted chocolate, marshmallows and nuts.

Address: Shop 8 Aria Building, Cnr Surf Parade & Albert Ave, Broadbeach

12. Quince

Prefer savoury to sweet? We hear you. Quince is an exceptional place to raid, located in the trendy Cornerstone Stores and appearing as a boutique wine shop at first glance. Step inside the tiny shopfront to discover its creamy charms, including incredible cave-aged cheddar from the United Kingdom, housed securely inside a temperature-controlled fromagerie. The team is armed with expert wine pairing advice, ensuring guests leave plenty prepped for a dessert hit sans refined sugar.

Address: Shop 5/570 Gold Coast Hwy, Tugun

Originally written by Natasha Gamra with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

Discover the best things to do on the Gold Coast

The unique tranquillity of Japanese bathing culture can now be experienced in a Queensland rainforest.

I’m the first official guest at SOL Elements, an elemental bathhouse located in Mt Tamborine, roughly 50 minutes inland from the Gold Coast beaches. The town is already a calm-inducing hinterland heaven as birdsong echoes over rolling hills and roadside avocado shacks pop up around many corners. But with the arrival of SOL Elements, Mt Tamborine evolves into a wellness destination. Let me take you through the experience.

The new bathhouse is set in the calming hinterland. (Image: Timothy Birch)

First impressions

The exterior of the new SOL Elements Bathhouse in the Gold Coast hinterland

The setting delivers maximum serenity. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Given the jaw-dropping rendered photography released by the team in January 2025, I wondered if SOL Elements could meet the hype. Additionally, the location is at the end of a large car park at Tamborine Mountain Glades’ Thunderbird Park, an iconic kid-friendly hinterland attraction, so I was curious as to how they’d bring the Zen.

Surprisingly, no shrieking children are heard as I approach one architecturally magnificent facade. Positioned off a small lake dubbed Lotus Lake, swimming with turtles and ducks, it features thin timber boards that gradually fan out via meticulous three-millimetre increments. More than 2000 metres of hand-charred wood, burnt personally by Russ Raven, who founded SOL Elements with his wife Shae Raven, make up the entrance and much of the interior walls, channelling the ancient Japanese art of wood preservation, Yakisugi. It’s an aesthetic that pops amid bushland without ever jarring. It’s dramatic yet graceful, bold yet grounded – a lot like what’s going on inside, really…

Communal bathhouse

The communal bathhouse is circular with treatment rooms branching off from a garden. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Positioned to take in the entire breadth of that fairytale lake, three small outdoor thermal mineral pools are the cornerstone of SOL Elements’ communal bathhouse, which caters to just 30 people at a time. While the warm pools bubble at a toasty 38 degrees, the cold plunge drops to an icy 12 degrees.

There are two ways to soak up some hot and cold therapy. The first starts inside SOL’s Cedar Wood Sauna, fitted with bench seating and extensive windows that let in more Lotus Lake views, before I go 90 full seconds in the cold (I’m aiming for two minutes, but it’s still winter). The sauna is small, and I’m grateful to be in there alone, but six or so people could fit in here comfortably.

Sit around the sunken fire pit at SOL Elements Bathhouse

Sit around the sunken fire pit. (Image: Timothy Birch)

The second way to hop between hot and cold is via the showstopping submerged outdoor fire pit. I take a seat on its curved bench seating and watch the flames flicker against my serene view. Sitting in wet cozzies, I feel reinvigorated, ready to dip in and out all over again.

Then there’s the communal Earth Lab, a mind-blowing alchemy station. Before I hit the showers, I’m invited to spoon out two ingredients from a bar filled with salts, flowers and powders. Utterly delighted to personalise my sensory journey, I go for the ground coffee and hibiscus flower petals before pumping body wash into my palm and creating an exfoliating polish. It’s hard to ignore the likes of raw brown sugar, chamomile flowers, rose petals and spirulina powder (there are 10 options in total), but my blend is straight-up delicious.

The Earth Lab features an alchemy station for guests to create a personalised sensory journey that suits their mood. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

Himalayan Salt Sanctuary

The Himalayan Salt Sanctuary at SOL Elements. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

There’s one other communal element at SOL: the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, featuring a gasp-worthy design (and gasps are welcomed, given the respiratory benefits salt therapy is famed for).

Built with illuminated salt bricks that morph between sunrise shades, pale pink and clear white, the room radiates as I breathe in negative ionised air. Bench seating wraps the entire space while three stunning pendant lights glisten, dialling up the drama. It feels as though I’m sitting inside a lantern, all while my lungs are high-fiving me as I attempt further breathwork.

Floatation caves

For the ultimate sensory deprivation experience, two Floatation Caves are calling. Located right next to the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, the rooms open to beautiful all-black stone fit-outs. Magnesium salt water is heated to complement your unique body temperature. Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt are expertly utilised to create the most extensively filtered water in Queensland. This is magnesium magic on steroids.

Once the doors shut, it’s completely dark. I float blissfully unaware of my surroundings; waterproof headphones ensure total immersion.

Secluded Suites

an outdoor mineral plunge at SOL Elements

The onsite accommodation features a heated private mineral plunge. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

I step up my SOL Elements visit by booking one of its two Secluded Suites, and the experience is end-to-end luxurious. Facility-wise, the suite (which caters for groups of up to five) gives me my own infrared sauna, single-person cold plunge, shower, private Earth lab with four ingredients, mini-bar with mocktails, tea station and clay mask, all while floor-to-ceiling glass windows throw up more of those soothing views.

The cherry on top? An outdoor private warm mineral plunge right by the lake. I sip on an organic, caffeine-free lemon myrtle and ginger root tea as the afternoon slips by. But before I go, there’s one more unmissable element to indulge in.

Massages and treatments

Inside the treatment rooms at SOL Elements Bathhouse

Up the ante with a rejuvenating massage at one of the two onsite treatment rooms. (Image: Timothy Birch)

I dress in a plush black waffle robe and stroll a couple of doors down to one of SOL Element’s two treatment rooms. I’m booked in for the Earthing Immersion as I love hot stone massages, and this features stones gathered with permission from Indigenous elders right around Australia. How special is that?

For so many reasons, but mainly the skills flexed by therapist Milena (who specialises in stretching), this is a massage like no other. I’m asked about my mood and lifestyle before Milena tells me she’s reading my energy. I’m not typically partial to energy readings, but I can’t deny that my limbs surrender under the hands of Milena, who uses Synthesis Organics’ essential oils that smell divine.

The stones differ in size and shape, heated and rolled across me like Café de Paris butter. 90 minutes later, I feel weightless as I return to my Secluded Suite to shower again and, begrudgingly, depart. I’m truly transformed into jelly. It took Shae and Russ four long years, but SOL Elements manages to live up to every expectation before soaring far beyond.

Details

Address: Cedar Creek Falls Rd and Tamborine Mountain Rd, Tamborine Mountain (within Tamborine Mountain Glades)

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm, Friday to Sunday, 8 am to 10 pm

Prices:

Communal Bathhouse: $95 for 90 minutes
Floatation Cave: $90 per person for 60 minutes (2 guests maximum)
Secluded Suite: From $360 for two people, for 90 minutes
Earthing Immersion: $300 for 90 minutes
Other massages, facials and treatments: View the spa menu

Accessibility: SOL Elements welcomes guests with access needs. The building features wide pathways, accessible for wheelchairs, throughout. A pool hoist can also be arranged if requested in advance.

Please note: All guests must be over 18.