For bean-slinging baristas Alex Begley and Stephen Harris, owning and operating their own coffee dispensary was on the cards for quite some time, though never in their wildest dreams did they think they would be opening the doors to their first business right in the thick of a global pandemic. Luckily, their concept involved quality coffee and quick grab-and-go plant-based food options, so apart from not being able to let their customers hang out and sip from porcelain cups at the bar, they haven’t had to deviate too far from their original plan. The ethos at Watson Bloom is simple and humble – top-notch coffee and easy eats served by kind people, which, let’s be honest, is just about everything we need right now.

The Watson Bloom brews are pouring from 5:30 am daily, with a crowd-pleasing house blend and rotating single origins from Brisbane roaster Bellissimo Coffee used across blacks, whites, filter batches and everything in between. Apart from an organic full-cream milk, everything else drinkable and edible here is plant based, with creamy milk alternatives (the norm here) offered at no extra charge. In the food cabinet you’ll find sweet treats and savoury pastries to accompany your daily brew, as well as a fine arrangement of warm and fluffy vegan cinnamon doughnuts that definitely need to be in your mouth.

Watson Bloom is now open beneath the Sable apartments on the Gold Coast Highway. For its contact details, address and other info, scoot to our Stumble Guide.