HOTA Café — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

I’m really lucky that the Gold Coast’s cultural precinct is in my neighbourhood, and I’m often there to see an exhibition at the HOTA Gallery, take in a movie at HOTA, or just spend some time in the beautiful parkland, surrounded on two sides by the Nerang River.

There are also excellent options for dining. The Exhibitionist Bar is atop the Gallery (and one of my fave GC spots - view over the coast or hinterland is great, and food and service excellent), Palette on the ground level of the Gallery (haven’t tried yet but it has a Chef’s Hat - so looking forward to that experience), or the Café which is situated at the original HOTA building.

Today I called into the Café for what is fast becoming a regular treat - a slice of delicious Orange and Almond Cake (gluten free) and a coffee. Speaking of which, the coffee (Lavazza) is great.

I love the relaxed ambience of the Café, no matter where I am sitting - inside in the air conditioning, or in one of the two covered outdoor areas, and the Café team are super friendly. Parking is a breeze (unless there is a major event on) with four hours free, and be sure to register your vehicle at one of the many machines scattered around the precinct, and there is a lots of variety menu if you want something substantial, or a cabinet with both sweet and savoury, offering lighter options.

I love the HOTA Café and...

Not sure what the food actually tasted like as we had to cancel the order before it arrived. We waited 20 minutes in a queue to order and then another 40 minutes before we finallly got a very ordinary coffee but had to cancel the order before the food arrived (we did get a refund). You'd expect a cafe servicing theatre goers would have a slicker system than what we experienced yesterday, but they were completely overwhelmed. There was in suffiecient staff, not enough tables to place a dine-in order so we placed a take-away. Collecting take-away food was a joke! There is a bizarre process of waiting for food in one area and having to wait for food in a different area ????...not easy for one person, while the other person waited for someone to leave a table. As it was getting very close to show-time, tables did eventually became available but were never cleared from the 2 set of previous diners. It was such a disappointing beginning to what should have been a lovely experience...(the play was fantastic!) But I will never again attempt to have a theate /dining experience at the cafe. I would suggest eating at one of the local coffe...

I was pondering before we went to the HOTA cafe for lunch prior to taking in a film at HOTA, whether this would be another end of the line, no option to go elsewhere, therefore rubbish food, take it or leave it kind of joint. Wondrously this was not the case. The menu is relatively short and sweet but with capacity to please everyone. However a counter with wraps and cakes and other goodies greatly expands the choice I had a reuben sandwich, my partner a veggie wrap. We both had an apple crumble to follow. Really nice food and the crumble was spot on. I reckon everything would be good. The staff were easy to deal with, very warm and friendly as it=f we have known them for years. The cafe has plenty of seating options and it light and airey. A great spot with lovely food. Mu only gripe is just a pet thing with me. The music playing was too loud but was hard to hear as it was poor quality. It was a distraction which I doubt anyone listened to. Get it off. Or at least have a reason for having it...e.g Aussie only artists, relaxing music whatever not just annoying noise. Thankfully you...