Golden Times — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

Golden Times Cafe on the Gold Coast was the best find of my recent trip to Australia for a few reasons. I was getting dropped off early to the Gold Coast Airport and was anticipating with a low hum of existential dread that I was due for a bad coffee, overpriced airport croissant and a delayed flight.

Instead, my friend’s morning had cleared, and we could instead head for breakfast, and after a quick Google, decided on Golden Times. The space was comfortable, and the menu looked great. I went with the Miso Avocado on Sour Dough, with the recommended addition of the pickled egg. I really enjoyed it and even though my friend’s Turkish Eggs looked amazing and the taste I had confirmed they were also a winner, I was very happy with my choice.

The coffee was very good, I liked the fancy chocolate on top. I am embarrassed how much I rely on coffee to get me through a day, and this barista nailed my first morning cup, it felt elevated and special.

The place buzzed with locals, who all seemed to like each other and pleasant chats about dogs and kids were frequent. I feel like I found a lot of people’s local and morning stroll by routines, not a café of convenience that tricks tourists to go there through proximity to the airport.

The vibe was eclectic, friendly, and distinctly unpretentious – they do what they do very well, and I can’t wait to go back for breakfast. The staff were polite, attentive and genuine, and made the experience even better.

Golden Times Cafe isn’t just a stopover before your flight; it’s worth making it a destination. Highly recommended, with a side order of enthusiasm and a dash...

Golden times Belinga : I had the best Chai latte in a long time, pricey though at $5.80 it was meant to be a mug but was served in a cup, the alternative was a small beaker glass at $4.80,. I wasn't super keen on my breakfast roll due to the Aoili, it spoilt it. To be honest had I not been so hungry I would have left it. The young male assistant showed me the bottle as I was curious as to what ingredients was in it to give it's brown tinged colour and taste, it was just a commercial brand, as it looked like Vegemite or something had been added to it, I read the ingredients but nothing unusual or fancy added. (not normal creamy white colour).so if you like the normal Aoili ask for their Aoili to be served separately in a little container so you can add it if you like the taste as it's too late if they serve with it already on it

The rest of the ingredients and presentation of the breakfast roll was beautiful, you can't go 9 and three quarters and ruin it with commercial Aoili. Use some decent Aoili!

Breakfast roll was $17.80

Total cost was $21.60

The cafe is very cute, large open windows, nice decor it was a nice beachy vibe

The staff were cordial, could be more friendlier, the woman who served me looked stressed, no smile and not very welcoming. Not sure if they are new owners or new to the hospitality business or what.

Think it could have done with a record player on a side table playing LPs on entry to help lift...

Excellent coffee and the food is knock your socks off incredible! Perfect stop on your way to or from the airport, if you're just visiting.

The smoked salmon on sourdough with their house made cashew nut cream cheese, and pickled eggs is divine. My favourite! The tartness of the cashew nut cheese with the sweetness of the pickled eggs sings in the mouth. Honestly the best smoked salmon on bread dish I've ever eaten.

The Vietnamese inspired long roll blew me away. I have it with eggplant (choice of bacon too) and holy hammers is it good! The crispy shallots give it such a nice texture, and the sunny side up egg on top makes the presentation so pretty to look at and asks you to devour it, which I did.

I really want to try so many other things on the incredible menu but I can't go past these two dishes - obsessed!

To top it all off, the crew there are so lovely - such warm smiles. There's a love that's put into every detail, such a gem of a spot, and sorely needed...