Gold Coast

1. Vegan and Vegetarian Options

The Gold Coast has a thriving vegan and vegetarian food scene, with many restaurants and cafes offering plant-based menus or dedicated vegan options.

Notable Restaurants and Cafes

• Greenhouse Canteen & Bar (Miami and Coolangatta)
  A fully vegan restaurant offering creative dishes like jackfruit tacos, vegan lasagna, and plant-based desserts.
  Price Range: AUD 20–30 per main dish.
  Tip: They also serve vegan cocktails and mocktails.

• The Cardamom Pod (Broadbeach and Southport)
  Known for its vibrant, Instagram-worthy vegetarian and vegan dishes, including smoothie bowls, curries, and salads.
  Price Range: AUD 15–25 per dish.
  Tip: Their desserts, like raw vegan cheesecakes, are a must-try.

• Blendlove (Southport)
  A vegan cafe specializing in wholesome, plant-based meals and desserts. They also cater to gluten-free and refined sugar-free diets.
  Price Range: AUD 10–20 per dish.

Grocery Stores

• Flannerys Organic & Wholefood Market (various locations)
  A great place to find vegan and vegetarian groceries, including plant-based meats, dairy alternatives, and organic produce.
  Tip: Look out for their bulk food section for affordable pantry staples.

• Woolworths and Coles
  These major supermarket chains stock a wide range of vegan and vegetarian products, including brands like Beyond Meat, Tofurky, and local Australian options.

---

2. Gluten-Free Options

The Gold Coast is highly accommodating to gluten-free diets, with many restaurants and cafes offering gluten-free menus or alternatives.

Notable Restaurants and Cafes

• BSKT Cafe (Mermaid Beach)
  A health-focused cafe with a dedicated gluten-free menu, including paleo and vegan options. Their gluten-free pancakes and smoothies are popular.
  Price Range: AUD 15–25 per dish.

• Iku Yakitori Bar (Burleigh Heads)
  A Japanese restaurant offering gluten-free options, including rice-based dishes and gluten-free soy sauce.
  Price Range: AUD 20–40 per dish.

• Paddock Bakery (Burleigh Heads)
  A charming bakery with gluten-free bread, pastries, and breakfast options.
  Tip: Arrive early as gluten-free items can sell out quickly.

Grocery Stores

• Fundies Wholefoods Market (Burleigh Heads)
  Specializes in gluten-free products, including bread, pasta, snacks, and baking ingredients.
  Tip: They also stock organic and vegan items.

• Aldi
  Offers an affordable range of gluten-free products, including bread, crackers, and snacks.

---

3. Organic and Whole Foods

Organic food is widely available on the Gold Coast, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced produce.

Notable Stores

• The Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market (Miami)
  Held every Sunday, this market is a hub for organic fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products.
  Tip: Bring cash as not all vendors accept cards.

• Flannerys Organic & Wholefood Market
  Offers certified organic produce, pantry staples, and eco-friendly household products.

• Earth Markets (Helensvale and Robina)
  A smaller chain specializing in organic and whole foods, including fresh produce, dairy, and meat.

Pricing

Organic products are generally more expensive than conventional options. For example:

• Organic fruits and vegetables: AUD 5–10 per kilogram.
• Organic milk: AUD 4–6 per liter.
• Organic bread: AUD 6–8 per loaf.

---

4. Halal and Kosher Options

The Gold Coast has a growing number of halal and kosher-friendly establishments, though they are less common than vegan or gluten-free options.

Halal Restaurants

• Shiraz Persian Restaurant (Surfers Paradise)
  Serves halal-certified Persian cuisine, including kebabs, stews, and rice dishes.
  Price Range: AUD 20–30 per main dish.

• Burgster (Palm Beach)
  A burger joint offering halal-certified meat options.
  Tip: Confirm halal status with staff as it may vary by dish.

Kosher Options

Kosher food is less widely available, but you can find some options at specialty stores:

• Kosher Kingdom (Brisbane)
  While not on the Gold Coast, this store delivers kosher groceries to the area.

Grocery Stores

• Woolworths and Coles
  Stock some halal-certified and kosher-friendly products, including meats and packaged goods.

---

5. Other Dietary Needs

The Gold Coast also caters to other dietary preferences, such as keto, paleo, and low-FODMAP diets.

Notable Restaurants

• BSKT Cafe (Mermaid Beach)
  Offers paleo and keto-friendly options, including bulletproof coffee and grain-free dishes.

• The Paleo Cafe (Robina)
  Specializes in paleo meals, with a focus on grass-fed meats and unprocessed ingredients.

Grocery Stores

• Flannerys Organic & Wholefood Market
  Stocks a range of specialty products for keto, paleo, and low-FODMAP diets.

---

6. Local Tips and Considerations

• Cultural Practices: Australians are generally accommodating of dietary restrictions, and most restaurants are happy to modify dishes to suit your needs. Always inform staff of your dietary requirements when ordering.
• Pricing: Specialty foods (e.g., vegan, gluten-free, organic) tend to be more expensive than standard options. Budget around AUD 15–30 for a meal at a cafe or restaurant.
• Farmers Markets: The Gold Coast has several farmers markets (e.g., Miami Marketta, Palm Beach Farmers Market) where you can find fresh, local, and often organic produce at reasonable prices.
• Delivery Services: Apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Menulog offer delivery from many specialty restaurants and stores.

---

The Gold Coast is a fantastic destination for those with specific dietary needs, offering a wide range of options to suit every lifestyle. Whether you're dining out or shopping for groceries, you'll find plenty of choices to enjoy a healthy and delicious experience.