The round-up: where to get smashed avocado on the Gold Coast for less than $22
So, old mate Bernard Salt came out this week saying that young Australian’s should be spending less money on breakfast. Say what? Yep, the demographer reckons that instead of spending $22 on smashed avocado on toast, the money would be better invested into a home deposit. Whilst Bernie is a whiz at crunching the numbers, we reckon he’s a little off the mark with his $22 estimate. We’re all for planning for the future, but you can’t blame the beloved avocado for our spending habits – after all, what’s breakfast, brunch or lunch without a good smear of the green stuff? With respect to Mr Salt (um, his surname is kinda delicious and goes well with avo anyway) here’s a few places across the Gold Coast where you can get smashed avocado that won’t cost you $22.
Bam Bam Bakehouse: Bam Bam’s avocado toast is a mountain of goodness with char-grilled sourdough, pickled coriander, preserved lemon, chilli flakes, smoked salt and Joseph oil. All that for only $15.90, and if you want to add eggs, bacon or haloumi, you’ll still scrape in at under 22 smackers. Take that, Bernard!
Daark Espresso: This Chirn Park gem is a hot spot on the northern Gold Coast – smashed avo has been on its menu since day one and it’s still as popular as ever. At $16.50, Daark does its avocado smashed with Persian fetta on a quinoa and soy sourdough topped with toasted almonds, sesame seeds, pepitas and lemon-infused olive oil.
Caffeine Kings: The Miami coffee hub has just launched its spring menu, inclusive of all things avocado – the smashed version comes with a seeds mix and labneh on organic sourdough for just $13. You’ll be able to get a decent punchy brew here too.
Griffith Street Larder: For those on southern end, head to Griffith Street in Coolangatta for local smashed avo on crusty sourdough toast with fetta crumbs, dukkah as well as a couple of poached eggs for $16.50. That means there’s enough change out of a $20 note for a brew on the side.
Hot Shott: A newbie to Main Beach, the Hot Shott menu is already drawing a crowd. The Smokin’ Avocado is served with cherry tomatoes, red onion, dukkah, fetta and grilled lime finished with applewood smoke (yep, it comes out smokin’), all for $15.
Double Barrel Kitchen: Nestled in Waterway Wonderland at Mermaid, Double Barrel’s Rustic Avo is served smashed on sourdough and topped with house-marinated fetta, balsamic reduction, lemon and salt flakes. $15 will get you out of trouble, or you can add a sneaky little bit of bacon for an extra four acorns.
Skull & Bones: There’s plenty of sourdough talk being thrown around, so if you want to mix up your avocado experience, Skull & Bones will give you a toasted bagel with a good slab of bright green avo smash for just $9.50. Add a schmear of cream cheese if you’re living on the edge, man.
Koi Dining & Lounge Bar: Koi is known as a place to hit after sundown, but it has a really vibrant breakfast spread – and believe it or not, for just $10 you’ll get smashed avocado with lemon and thyme-roasted tomato, balsamic reduction and lemon oil. You can even choose your own toast. Yes Bernie, for $10.
Paddock Bakery: Like its sibling venue Bam Bam, Paddock treats the humble avocado with the respect it deserves – served fresh on its own house-baked wholemeal sourdough with toasted pistachios, sunflower seeds and pepitas with a splash of lemon and olive oil. This one comes in at $14.90 if you can resist the thick-cut bacon (just have it goddamn).
Little Mermaid: Little Mermaid smashes its avocado with lemon, mint, coriander and sumac dukkah then pops it on top of some crusty toast for just $12. This is a good little mash-up and the price totally sticks it to Bernard Salt.
Local & Co.: Main Beach is coming through with the sub-$22 goods – Local & Co. serves avocado crushed with Persian fetta, two free-range poached eggs, watercress, lime, plus seeds and spiced nuts. Here’s the catch – it’s served in a toasted croissant, which totally warrants the $17.50 price tag. Hungry now? Same.
One Cafe: Nestled along Bundall Road, One Cafe does one avo-licious (it’s a word) breakfast with watercress, poached eggs and nigella seeds – all that on top of a tasty slab of sourdough for just $16.
My Little Kitchen (MLK): Anything with charred corn has our attention – MLK’s smashed avocado is served with fetta, quinoa, spiced nuts, tasty charred corn, za’atar dressing, plus (this is a hearty one) you’ll also get two poached eggs and organic sourdough for $18.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.