“Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. And we nourish all those things when we eat well.” – Michael Pollan
There are few new cafes possessing assets as comprehensive as Gathering Co: a ready clientele, an ambient relaxing venue, both ‘green and blue space’ on a peninsula with views through trees to water, obliging committed staff and a creative team in the kitchen. With astounding potential, Gathering.co opened with little fanfare in March 2024, a bright new talent on our culinary scene.
Hidden away behind a forest of paperbark trees in Greenwich Court, Robina, Gathering.co is good news for the Gold Coast. Situated in the Newlife Uniting Church precinct between a popular op shop and the church, there is ample parking servicing the centre and it is centrally located. Though the precinct is diagonally opposite the Q Super Centre, its hidden location gives it both privacy and tranquillity.
There had been an existing coffee shop and bookshop in this location, however, with expert guidance behind the scenes, a new team and new menu has led to a rebirth. The old venue has been refurbished, transformed into a fresh, modern, light-filled space, its colours of seafoam green and white reflecting the ambience of surrounding foliage.
From early morning, a menu of mouth-watering choices encompasses breakfast, morning tea and lunch for adults and children. A cabinet of pastries sourced from Fuel Bakehouse entices us to settle with a cup of Parallel Roasters coffee or a Hrvst St juice. Cakes and sweet treats are also available, sourced on rotation from trusted suppliers.
The concise, well curated breakfast menu provides tasty staples with a modern twist. Though there’s lots of attention to detail in the preparation and presentation of each dish, prices are kept within the range of most families. Your breakfast could be a slice of sourdough or fruit toast with your choice of spread or eggs ‘your way’ and bacon, but ‘simple’ it is not, because the stone-ground, organic Wild Breads bread is a treat for the health conscious, the detailing eye-catching. Splash out with dishes you probably don’t make at home, such as Feta scrambled egg pimped with truffle oil and hazelnut dukkah, the luxurious Buttermilk fried chicken bene with spinach and sriracha hollandaise or tickle your tastebuds with the Blueberry and lemon French toast with honeycomb ice cream. There’s a dish to suit every palate, including a kids’ menu of waffles, bacon and eggs and burgers.
Lunch delves into burgers, sandwiches and salads, the Fresh corn fritters with avocado, Persian feta and bacon jam being a notable delicious exception. Of course, there is also pre-prepared food in the cabinet for those on the go.
As excellent as the food is, it would be remiss not to refer to the purpose of the café.
“At Gathering Co., our mission extends beyond serving coffee; we exist to foster a sense of community and belonging, to create a space where people can gather and glue in community. This is the heart of Gathering Co.” – Newlife Church website
Gathering.co. is an especially welcoming café. We noted on our visit that not only staff, but also other diners greeted us as they made their way in or out of the café. It even crossed my mind that if I needed to sit in a tranquil space or wanted a way to connect with others, that this would be a great place to start. It’s a place to breathe slowly, a place to feel at home…’How’s the serenity!’ (The Castle)
With two breakout alfresco dining areas, one overlooking the river, the other in view of the fenced children’s playground, the café is a popular place for meetings and gatherings of friends and family. It’s a natural addition to the centre. People visiting the op shop can stop and have a coffee, and parents attending playgroup might include morning tea as part of their visit, the café providing catering for church events as needed. A welfare arm of the church also provides food boxes to those in need.
Perfect for groups and families, this is a very friendly and relaxed cafe hidden away from traffic with easy parking and a concise but inviting menu of beautifully presented dishes. More than that, Gathering.co is an invitation to take time out to connect to others. We can’t wait to go back.
Gathering.co Cafe, 4 Greenwich Court, Robina Qld Ph: 07 5578 9322 Open: Mon – Fri 7am – 2pm; Sat, Sun 7am – 1pm.
NOTE: Markets are held outside the cafe each Wednesday from 6.30 – 11.30am.