Get jacked up on brews and wholefoods at Southport’s newest coffee house Zi Espresso
Whether you’re a self-professed coffee connoisseur or simply appreciate a decent flat white, you’ll be pleased to know that Southport’s coffee game just got a cool new player – Zi Espresso. The doors to the new coffee bar have officially swung open, bringing top-notch brews and a vibrant wholefoods menu to the bustling heart of Scarborough Street.
Zi Espresso is (clearly) all about the coffee. Step inside and you’ll find owner and barista Daphne Zi passionately pumping out morning brews from her pride and joy – the super-fancy San Remo Opera v2 coffee machine, the first of its kind to be used in a cafe in Australia. Cool, eh? After three years as the owner-operators of Espressions Cafe in Burleigh Waters, Daphne and her husband Scott Lo took a short sabbatical before setting out with their latest venture, which aims to satisfy Southport’s weekday crowd. Now, whilst coffee is king here, there’s plenty to appease the non-caffeine drinkers, from spiced beetroot lattes, golden (turmeric) lattes, matcha lattes, and a series of colourful cold-pressed juices. Oh, and it’s pet friendly – so, puppycinos all ’round! As for the food – most of what you see on the menu and in the cabinet is made in-house by Daphne and Scott. The duo are aiming to subtly spread a health-conscious wholefoods vibe, without shoving it down your throat (so to speak). So, if you want a jam doughnut or a sneaky pastry with your coffee, you totally can. It’s all about balance.
By morning, you can munch on house-made granola with Tasmanian leatherwood honey, fruit-topped acai and pitaya bowls, or opt for something a little heartier with the bacon, egg and rosemary potato tortilla wrap. If a smoothie is more your style, the Vegan Dream is a nutritious bomb of hand-soaked black beans, quinoa, dates, blueberries, banana and almond milk. Slices of delicious sourdough from The Pastry Emporium are brimming with tasty sandwich combinations – the grilled vegetables with haloumi, fermented red cabbage and housemade chutney is perfect for a meat-free munch. For those that dabble in the art of making coffee at home, you’ll find lots of nifty accessories for the ultimate coffee junkie, like V60 vessels, filter papers, jugs, hand-held grinders and more. High five, Sopo (that’s cool talk for Southport), we’re digging the vibe.
Keen to taste what Zi Espresso is serving up? Head over to our Stumble Guide for opening hours and location.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.