Background Barista

Background Barista is a welcoming space located in Mermaid Beach’s shopping centre on the Gold Coast Highway between Tamborine and Alfred Streets. 

Tucked between Poke Poke and the local fish'n'chip favourite, you can’t miss the timber urban oasis created by the clever team behind sister cafés Barefoot Barista and Borough Barista.

Bringing the same artisanal coffee and outstanding modern café cuisine its older siblings are known for, Background Barista is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, who loves to soak up some sun with the beverage and bite of choice in Background’s curb side “birdcage”.  Inside you’ll find sleek urban style seating atop polished concrete floors, with plush benches set amongst leafy potted foliage, topped by a dramatic Asian-style timber light feature.

Choosing the light and crisp Monte Carlo blend from Gabriel’s Sydney-based roastery, using beans that aren't typically 'off the shelf', gives way to a unique coffee experience that Background is proud to share with Mermaid’s community.  Background provides tasting notes for the Gabriel blends on offer so caffeine connoisseurs can explore the rich candied citrus & chocolate notes of Monte Carlo; the raspberry, fuji apple and chamomile of the Colombian sourced La Maria lot; or the blackberry and citrus peel of Kenyan washed Maganjo roast.

Background Barista is also known for food that focusses on what’s in season and locally farmed and is busy serving delights from its sweet-toothed cabinet selections and simple yet clever menu.  Breakfast favourites include the breakie bowls, the avocado sourdough with edamame, the fully loaded halloumi street wrap and of course the classic charred corn salsa lovingly poured over some smashed avo, goat’s cheese and poached eggs.  

Lunch diners can’t go past the Asian slaw salad, the Karaage chicken or the cherished cheeseburger.  There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options along with child-friendly menu variations of favourites like the strawberry, banana and Nutella waffle. The food is complemented by an extensive beverage menu including iced drinks (like Chai on ice), cold-pressed juices (such as Green and Bondi), smoothies (featuring Açaí, Green & protein) and bottled drinks (including Kombucha, coconut and sparkling water).

If you’re in Mermaid, you’ve simply got to put Background in the foreground of your cafés of choice!

By Michaela Lyons