Ocean 4218 cafe

Ocean 4218 cafe is a beach-inspired brunch spot on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach, and the name is simply the postcode: 4218. It opens from 6am on weekdays and 7am on weekends, closing mid afternoon, which makes it an early-bite stop before the heat sets in. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, water bowls come out, and the kitchen turns out big breakfast plates, burgers and acai bowls in generous serves.

The dog setup

Dogs sit with you at the tables along the front of the cafe, and staff set out water bowls for visiting pups. A natural dog ice cream has appeared on the menu before, so it is worth asking what is on offer when you arrive rather than assuming. Indoor seating is not the default for dogs, so if the weather turns, check with staff before settling in.

The vibe

The kitchen leans into all-day breakfast. The Ocean Big Breakfast runs eggs your way, bacon, haloumi, mushroom, grilled tomato, hash brown, sausage and sourdough, and the brekkie roll stacks egg, bacon, cheese and a hash brown with BBQ sauce. Smashed avo on sourdough and an organic acai bowl with banana, seasonal fruit, granola and coconut cover the lighter end, and a southern fried chicken burger with hot chips anchors the lunch list. There is a solid gluten-free range, coffee is well regarded, and waffle specials rotate through the sweets.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits at 1a/2475 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, a few minutes south of Broadbeach. Street parking is available in the surrounding blocks, though spots tighten up during the peak morning rush, so arriving before 8am on weekends is the safer bet. Access from the street to the outdoor tables is flat and easy.

Close by with the dogs

For a proper run before or after breakfast, Pizzey Park at Mermaid Waters is about 1.2km west, with a fenced dog park beside a lake where dogs can paddle. The Palm Beach dog off-leash beach is roughly 8km south for a swim in the surf or the creek. If you would rather turn brunch into a walk day, the Emerald Lakes circuit at Carrara is a short drive inland. Flipside Cafe and Cocktail Garden is another dog-friendly option in the same stretch of Mermaid Beach for a return visit.

More dog-friendly options across the state are on the Queensland cafes page, and local picks sit on the Mermaid Beach guide.

Max: big breakfast, hot chips on the side, and a water bowl with my name on it before I even sat down.