The details
After recently selling Mexican eatery Bonita Bonita, Morgan’s attention shifted to bringing her newest venue to life, teaming up with partner Mary Steel to give the Gold Coast a brand-new coffee hub and meat-free hang. To all of the bacon lovers out there, do not run for the hills – think of The Milkman’s Daughter as ‘vegetarian for beginners’. While there’s no meat in sight, this bright and breezy new hang is designed to cater for (and fool) even the most carnivorous among us. The Milkman’s Daughter is in good company in the Mermaid Beach hub – not only is it surrounded by its cheeky siblings Poké Poké and FuFu, but it’s also within metres of Background (Barista), Italian eatery Goccia, Heven-yah gelateria and Alfred’s Diner. Seriously, what a hood.

The food
Morgan and Mary have sunk their teeth into the new vegetarian direction, developing a creative series of dishes where visual appearances matter just as much as the taste. Armed with local Paradox Coffee Roasters beans, The Milkman’s Daughter slings caffeinated sips on the daily, alongside an all-day breakfast (hello afternoon eggs) and an all-day lunch menu – and we promise you won’t even know that the bacon is missing. While The Milkman’s Daughter holds its own identity in the family of three, the menu keeps to the style of offering an imaginative twist on familiar favourites. There’s a little hint of the Bonita Bonita days in the breakfast tacos, which come topped with smoked-corn puree, hash browns, scrambled eggs, salsa and sour cream. You can keep it sweet with the lemon ricotta pancakes with custard cream, candied walnuts and peach, or you can add tofu scramble to a breakfast salad for a vibrant and protein-packed morning munch. Keen to expand your tastes? Go for the truffled breakfast risotto (kind of like a savoury porridge) with asparagus, Brussels spouts and a slow-cooked egg. The succinct lunch offering features dishes like chilli-bean nachos with corn salsa and lashings of guacamole, a spiced-kofta grain salad with crispy kale, beetroot chutney, hommus and pita bread, as well as corn fritters stacked high with avocado salsa and coconut yoghurt. There’s also a rotating range of salads, on-the-go savouries, and housemade cakes and slices in the cabinet.

The space
As with Poké Poké and FuFu, Morgan is the brains behind the design of The Milkman’s Daughter, transforming the quaint multi-level space into a bright and eye-catching venue that’s full of personality. There’s six-seater alcoves affectionately known as the ‘igloos’, street-view bar seating, plenty of glorious live greenery, and glass-topped tables that house gardens of tiny succulents. High five to whoever is responsible for watering the plants.

Want to meet The Milkman’s Daughter? Head to our Stumble Guide for opening hours and location.