Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach: When it comes to delightfully decadent, handcrafted pastries on the Gold Coast, there’s a reason Bam Bam finds itself a place on every list. It’s likely you’ll be met with a packed house when you arrive, but trust us when we say the croissants, choux bombs, eclairs, cruffins, cream puffs and tarts are well and truly worth the trip. Hot tip, you can pre-order your pastry online here and it’ll be boxed up and waiting for you when you get there. Genius.

The Paddock Bakery, Miami: Miami and Burleigh locals are often woken up by the aroma of Paddock’s woodfired sourdough billowing through the backstreets. Each day you’ll find the cabinet brimming with sweet delights, from brownies to still-gooey-on-the-inside cookies and more. Got a craving for something savoury? The house-made sausage roll and the slow-cooked beef pie will hit the spot.

Burleigh Baker, Burleigh Heads and Paradise Point: If you take your baked goods seriously, you’ll find your kindred in Geoff Dance (aka the Burleigh Baker) and his wife Lisa. These guys care about your gut health more than you probably do, and as a result, the breads go through a 24-36 hour fermentation process using natural, organic and sustainable ingredients to ensure an easily digestible and delicious-tasting end product. Don’t take our word for it, grab a loaf and see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Bake House Gozen, Ashmore: Could these be the best croissants on the Gold Coast? We’ll let you decide. Nestled in Crestwood Plaza, Bake House Gozen is the handiwork of talented patissier Maki Jinno, who southern locals may remember from the Palm Beach Farmers Market. Delicately crafted croissants, which take three days to make, are the hero here. Alongside the classic plain and almond croissants, you’ll find a variety of sweet and savoury variations, with a delicious Japanese lean. The cabinet will surprise you with something new each time – so repeat visits are a must.

Fuel Bakehouse Currumbin, Burleigh Heads and Cabarita: If you’ve got a hearty hankering for bakery-fresh pies and doughnuts, Fuel is where it’s at. You’ll find it along Currumbin Creek Road slinging everything from flaky pies filled with seven-hour slow-cooked beef to semi-sourdough doughnuts that are guaranteed to hit the sweet spot. There’s also a tasty nook slinging Fuel favourites along James Street in Burleigh, and if you find yourself south of the border, scout Fuel’s third outpost in Cabarita.

Image credit: Brooke Darling Photography
Tarte Bakery & Cafe (Burleigh) and Tarte Beach House (Currumbin): Both Tarte locations continually attract hoards of hungry locals who are keen to get their mitts on its treats. Tarte’s team of pastry maestros roll out an extensive spread of handmade sweets across the day, filling the cabinets with everything from delicious kouign amann and signature cruellers to brown-butter choc-chip cookies, almond croissants and moreish muffin tops. Be warned – Tarte pastries are hot property, so always go early.

5B2F Bakehouse, Chirn Park: Celebrated pastry chef Moonsun Yoo fills his boutique bakery with everything from sourdough to freshly made pies and sausage rolls, cronuts, croissants and more. There’s also a mighty fine selection of intricate French pastries, cakes and petite sweets that will bring a smile to your dial.

Dipcro Pastry, Chevron Island: 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, alongside some savoury selections such as beef bourguignon pies.

Aux Fines Bouches, Burleigh Heads: Originally based in Adelaide, the renowned patisserie made the move to the Gold Coast in late 2019 and now dispenses its creations from its pastry showroom on Taree Street in Burleigh Heads. Pronounced ‘oh-fin-bush’, this quaint space is very much about showcasing the art and magic of pastry. Walk in and you’ll be greeted with a passionate ‘bonjour’ before your eyes quickly fixate on the display cabinet lined with pastries, cakes, whole cakes and tarts. A true hidden gem that is definitely worth venturing out of your way to find.

Well Bread & Pastry, Palm Beach and Miami: This French-style artisan bakery is the handiwork of husband-and-wife duo Stefan and Michelle Van Der Hoven. Its sensational sourdough, pastries, pies and perfectly brewed coffee are a go-to for both Palm Beach and Miami locals. In the cabinets you’ll spy everything from Portuguese tarts and glazed-strawberry-topped fruit danishes to flaky croissants, scrolls and cookies, as well as shelves full of freshly baked loaves ranging from spelt to dark rye.

Rise Bakery, Sanctuary Cove: The mouth-watering pastry emporium is the handiwork of chefs Adrien Marcinowski and Maxime Bournazel, who were immediately drawn to the location for its stark similarities to the south of France. Rise Bakery’s menu showcases a selection of traditional, well-executed French classics that are inspired by Adrien’s own childhood memories of Sunday morning market trips with his parents in his hometown of Troyes, France. Think croissants, pain au chocolat, fruit-topped danishes and soon-to-be kouign-amann. Those who prefer savoury snacks aren’t forgotten, with a range of quiches, pies and sandwiches. Pair your pastry with a Tavalon tea or a coffee from Brisbane’s Bear Bones Coffee.

The Pastry Emporium, Bundall: Best to loosen the belt buckles a little before you visit – this place is jammed with delights from custard-filled doughnuts, colourful macarons and cookies, to hand-rolled croissants, fruit danishes and endless rows of petite and whole cakes. There are fresh-baked baguettes, rye and sourdough loaves available to take home, plus a range of housemade pies, bacon and egg brioche rolls and savoury pastries that are sure to keep you (and your stomach) well and truly satisfied.

The Bread Social, Tweed Heads, Currumbin and Isle of Capri: Since its inception at The Farm Byron Bay, famed bakehouse The Bread Social has expanded north over the past few years – so no matter what end of the coast you’re on, its delicious goodies are never far away. The Tweed Heads location is a go-to for everything from sourdough bread to sausage rolls, sandwiches, savoury tarts and mind-blowing pastries, while Currumbin locals can follow their nose to the new kiosk-style outpost, which neighbours an enormous warehouse that will soon become The Bread Social’s HQ. Those up north can find bread, artisan pastries, bake-at-home cookies, savouries and more at Harris Farm Markets at the Capri on Via Roma precinct.

Custard Canteen, Tallebudgera: Custard Canteen is equipped with state-of-the-art baking equipment and ovens to produce its hero product – the Portuguese custard tart. These flaky, melt-in-your-mouth custard-filled morsels are baked on-site in small batches at regular intervals to ensure perfection for pastry lovers at any time of day. There are also other baked goods like strawberry puff-pastry tarts, gooey cookies, almond croissants and sausage rolls for a savoury hit. Next time you need a little treat, grab one of Custard’s blueberry and lemon-curd muffins – you can thank us later.

Marie Anita’s, Mermaid Beach: Here’s another for gluten-free folk. Marie Anita’s on the Gold Coast Highway is completely (and passionately) gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free, it also happens to be downright delicious. There’s an all-day breakfast and lunch menu filled with wholesome bites such as buckwheat pancakes to bowls brimming with roasted sweet pumpkin, turmeric rice and avocado, to name a few.

My French Pastries, Robina: My French Pastries aims to take things back to basics, crafting authentic sweet and savoury pastries and cakes that stick to tradition. You’ll find French delights like fresh-fruit tarts, hand-made croissants (including savoury style with ham and cheese and sweet almond croissants), eclairs filled housemade creme patissiere and dipped in fondant icing, lemon tarts, flaky mille feuille, chocolate tarts, galette des rois and more.

Fosters Bakery, Nobby Beach: Now look, we’re aware that there are plenty of old-school bakeries that have been around for donkeys that continue to do amazing things (shoot us an email if you’ve got any local faves you want us to know about), but Fosters holds a special place in our hearts/stomachs. This beachside beauty is a primo spot for a post-swim pie or sauso’ roll. Our pick of the bunch is the lamb and rosemary pie, with a small squirt of tomato sauce.

Miami Hot Bread, Miami: Another local gem and very worthy addition to the list is this Miami-based bread nook. Hot tip, the bahn mi and bowls pack a flavour punch you 100 percent need in your life.

The Mill Bakery & Cafe, Paradise Point: Known for its freshly baked breads, rolls, pies and sweet treats, The Mill has carved a sizeable local following and for good reason! The custom cakes are also next level.

Flour Bakery, Southport: Flour’s cabinets are overflowing on the daily with delicious sweet and savoury pastries, both petite (aka unsharable) and large cakes, and a considerable offering of fresh bread, from sourdoughs to spelt, rye, seeded and gluten-free varietals. This is a good spot to satisfy your insatiable appetite for sausage rolls.

Le Bon Choix Boulangerie Patisserie, Broadbeach: There’s a pretty excellent reason this Pacific Fair patisserie is always busy, Le Bon Choix specialises in the kind of creations that blur the line between baked good and art. With a dash of Parisian flair and charm, Le Bon offers a drool-inducing selection of sweet and savoury delights as well as superb coffee. Pop in next time you’re out for a shop.

Made With Love, Southport: Hunting for a plant-based bakery? You’re in luck. This family-owned-and-operated vegan bakehouse slings plant-based goodies like Nutella- and jam-filled doughnuts, custard tarts, vanilla slices, sausage rolls and some of the meatiest meat-free pies you’ll ever try. All made on site, with love.

South of the border spots:

Cubby Bake House, Chinderah: Located right on the Tweed River in Chinderah, Cubby is the southern go-to for all of your favourite baked goods – from hot cinnamon doughnuts and cream-filled eclairs, to zesty lemon tarts, decadent cookies, fluffy muffins and more. For a savoury fix, tuck into Cubby’s famed bacon-and-egg bahn mi featuring crunchy house-baked bread rolls, eggs Benny hugged by a buttery croissant, or grab yourself a beef-bolognese sausage roll wrapped in Cubby’s own puff pastry.

Baked at Ancora, Tweed Heads: Warning – this Parisian-style bakehouse will absolutely ruin your diet. Nestled on the water in Tweed Heads, Baked is a haven for sweet and savoury pastries and fresh-baked bread. There’s always something new and innovative coming out of the oven, so repeat visits are a must.

Franquette, Tamborine Mountain: If it’s been a minute since you last wandered around Tamborine Mountain, let Franquette be your reason to visit. The impressive bakery specialises in artisan bread, sweet and savoury pastries, gourmet sandwiches and much more. One of the best-sellers is Franquette’s take on the classic French onion soup, which has been recreated in sandwich form, as well as the ham-and-cheese croissant that’s made using ham off the bone, a schmear of bechamel sauce and layers of Swiss cheese. Grab some takeaway goodies or perch on the Parisian-style seating along the deck area while you devour your treats.

Of course, this is just a sweet snippet! If you are keen to hit the road in search of baked goods, check out this list of best country bakeries in Southeast Queensland.