Aux Fines Bouches: This Adelaide-born bakery joined the Gold Coast nearly five years ago and has quickly become a staple in the authentic French pastries scene. Pronounced ‘oh-fin-bush’, Aux Fines Bouches’ bakery cabinet is always brimming with delectable creations from show-stopping pastries to tantalising tarts. On the gâteaux side of things, choose from a wide menu of cakes with masterful combinations like pistachio and dark chocolate, coffee chocolate and almond biscuit and Japanese citrus and hazelnut. Plus, Aux Fines Bouches’ also specialises in the ever-spectacular croquembouche as well – ooh la la!

Bam Bam Bakehouse: Just off the Gold Coast Highway, you’ll find Bam Bam Bakehouse – the French-style patisserie from the team who first founded Paddock Bakery. Famed for its flaky croissants (made over three days), Bam Bam’s special occasion menu has reimagined its beloved almond croissant in cake form. The almond croissant cake features layers of almond crunch with almond frangipane sponge soaked in rum syrup and vanilla bean custard – all coated in almond and coconut flakes. You’ll also find other reworked French delicacies like the supersized salted-caramel eclair as well as lemon or strawberry tart.

Basque Cheesecake: As its name would suggest, Basque Cheesecake is dedicated to the San Sebastian delicacy of ‘the King of Cheesecakes.’ For the unconverted, the basque cheesecake’s signature burnt top might seem like an unconventional look, but the high temperature helps to intensify the rich flavours for a creamy, custard-like result. Basque Cheesecake, found in Chirn Park, has an extensive menu of cheesecakes to order from, including the classic basque as well as passionfruit and chocolate varieties and a lemon tart. If the moment calls for celebrating, Basque Cheese also doubles as a wine bar, and has a cheesecake and champagne package available for pick up.

Cubby Bakehouse: The sibling venue to Bam Bam Bakehouse, Cubby Bakehouse is located on the Tweed River in Chinderah. Whilst specialising in traditional French baguettes, Cubby bakes up a suite of cakes layered with a buttery cheesecake filling in flavours like biscoff, brownie, vegan raspberry coconut and carrot cake. These creations can also be picked up in a numbered design for a personalised touch. For non-cake fans, fear not! You’ll also find Cubby Bakehouse’s brownie bites box as well.

Johneecake: Launched just last year, Johneecake prides itself on its delicious and always visually stunning cake selection – led by the motto: “eat cake, be happy.” With both pick-up and delivery options, Johneecake might not have a brick-and-mortar outpost, but the bakery is known for slinging a wide range of cake flavours and designs. Discover everything from chocolate mud cake, citrus-flavoured butter cake, a tiramisu-inspired cake and traditional Victoria sponge. Each can be customised by size, flavours and finishings, with even the viral vintage design available.

Le Bon Choix: With multiple locations across Brisbane, Le Bon Choix spoils the Gold Coast with its picture-perfect patisseries from Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Founded by Savico Basset-Rouge, who was trained under the iconic Laurent Boillon, Le Bon Choix is home to a show stopping selection of traditional treats. The gateaux menu draws on the patisserie’s gift for delicate and fine creations, describing the cakes as akin to visual artwork. Choose from a range of visually beautiful and uniquely constructed cakes such as the miroula (chocolate macadamia mousse with a creme brulee centre), the Moulin Rouge (layers of almond streusel, madeleine biscuit with raspberries and a light, lemon-mousse) and the bamboleo (mango mousse, passionfruit and banana jelly).

Oh My, Waffle, Burleigh Heads: Punters walking down The Esplanade of Burleigh have likely been enchanted by delicious smell of waffles wafting from Oh My, Waffle. The takeaway treat hotspot serves up heavenly golden waffles topped with your choice of chocolate, icing sugar, marshmallows and more. Oh My, Waffle specialises in excess so also find a selection of fresh-baked cookies, hot chocolates and milkshakes. A crowd favourite is the Straight Outta Burleigh Belgium waffle bites, which are loaded with strawberries, brownie pieces, melted-Cadbury-milk chocolate and dusted with icing sugar and vanilla ice cream. It’s a sweet tooth’s paradise.

Paddock Bakery: Home to a fiercely sought-after menu of baked goods, Paddock Bakery has gained a cult-following from its converted Queenslander bakehouse and eatery in the back streets of Burleigh. On its pre-order menu, you’ll find a delicious selection of cakes, tarts and even a 1 kg giant cookie. One of its most popular items on offer is the carrot cake with caramel glaze and cream-cheese icing, decorated with edible flowers and sized to serve up to 15. Cakes can also be paired with a Happy Birthday plaque as well.

Peace of Cake: As its name would suggest, Peace of Cake is dedicated to making you custom cake purchases as seamless as possible. Each cake is created by baker Katie Miller, who serves up a tight menu of cake, cupcakes and cookies which can be personalised for your next event or occasion. Crowd favourites include the kid’s fairy bread cake (vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream and hundreds and thousands), the white chocolate ganache cake topped with native flowers and the ever-trendy vintage heart cake.

Rise Bakery: Spearheaded by French chef Adrien Marcinowski, Rise Bakery celebrates the art of French pastry through a menu of viennoiseries, breads and savoury snacks inspired by his childhood spent in hometown of Troyes, France. If the occasion calls for it, indulge in one of Rise Bakery’s shareable creations like the paris brest which showcases choux pastry filled with velvety-hazelnut creme and adorned with roasted almonds and hazelnut coulis. You’ll also find a gluten-free almond dacquoise as well as a lemon meringue and millefeuille. Rise Bakery’s large cake creations are designed to serve up to eight.

Tarte: Just around the corner from Burleigh Beach’s Justins Park, you’ll find Tarte Bakery and Cafe perched on the corner, swarmed by a sprawling line of cafe lovers. The beloved bakery is known for its rustic baked goods and bustling brunch service. Find a tight menu of mouth-watering sweet treats like the rustic peach pie, the seasonal berry tarte and lemon butter cake – all in a large size that’s designed for sharing.

The Pastry Emporium: You’ll find this bakery house tucked away in the backstreets of Bundall and Sorrento, serving up handmade treats with an Italian and French twist. Beyond its ever-popular brunch service and cabinet of sweet treats like petit gateau and viennoiseries, The Pastry Emporium is also home to a menu of cakes designed for sharing. Here you’ll find the likes of dark chocolate mud cake, New York cheesecake, tiramisu cake, strawberry shortcake and plenty more.

Dipcro Pastry: If you’re strolling along Thomas Drive on Chevron Island, it’s entirely likely you will smell Dipcro Pastry before you see it. Step inside and the glass pastry production space captivates your immediate attention, with the pastry chefs hard at work folding, laminating, rolling and baking all of your favourite pastries. Here, you’ll find everything from croissants, cinnamon buns, pain au chocolat and delicate mille feuille, but we can’t go past its signature dippy dessert, the Dipcro.