SeeYo Cafe & Bakery

SeeYo Cafe & Bakery is a small cafe and bakery on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach, and the first thing people tell you about it is the gluten-free food. Coeliacs and others who avoid gluten, egg or lactose speak warmly of a place where the menu is safe to order from, with vegan and soy-free options marked on certain items. One visitor who barely eats out said they became regulars over a short Gold Coast stay.

Bread is the bakery side of the story, and the sourdough gets a good name. It turns up in the Classic Benny, which comes with haloumi and hollandaise, and people rave about the bacon and egg roll, which one local calls their favourite. There's also a good run of brunch and lunch plates, from an acai bowl to a mushroom toastie, plus smoothies, juices and iced lattes. Coffee arrives in generous mugs. Sweet things get plenty of attention too, with the chocolate and vanilla cheesecake and the Basque cheesecake both singled out. One local found the strawberry waffle far too sweet, so it pays to ask about it.

It's a cosy room with a calm, quiet feel and music that suits the mood, and there's outdoor seating as well. Families will find high chairs and a kids-friendly welcome, and there's a wheelchair-accessible car park. They do takeaway and dine-in, and they also cater. Parking is easy in the shopping centre next door, though roadworks nearby have made getting in a bit fiddly for some.

Value gets a nod from most people, and the helpful staff win praise. Opinion isn't entirely one-sided on service, though. We've heard the odd complaint about an abrupt moment at the counter, and one person felt the card payment fee was on the high side. Most people leave happy, and some travel a fair way to eat here.

The weekly hours are worth checking before you head over, as they don't open every day. If you're looking for a gluten-free-friendly cafe and bakery in Mermaid Beach, Queensland, this one is a sound pick for a relaxed breakfast or brunch.