Awaken-ing new fans at prime site
Southern Gold Coasters are divided by the new venue that’s risen from the demolition site of the much-loved Cafe DBar.
Brisbane hospitality family The Gambaro Group’s first Gold Coast coffee haunt Awaken Cafe is causing quite the froth down south.
The venue, by group owner John Gambaro, with brothers Frankie and Donny, opened on March 19 and was the final stage of the family’s Gold Coast hospitality debut and takeover of the new 12-storey Awaken Residences.
It followed their launch of the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Pipi’s on February 28.
Awaken Cafe is on the bottom level of the site, where local favourite DBar Cafe used to trade before being demolished to make way for the Awaken Residences.
While the decision was shrouded in controversy, John Gambaro said the response from locals since opening had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
Social media reaction includes the cafe being “nice” but “really tiny” while Lisa Jane adds: “Another sterile, overpriced cafe under a concrete monstrosity. The old place had charm, character and good food.
“It’s a hard no to the new one from this local.”
But Southern Gold Coaster Gary Lock said the Awaken Cafe was a “great place” and told people to “think ahead” before judging.
Mr Gambaro last week said the cafe was still to release its full hot food menu but that its homemade madeleines and cakes were “gaining huge popularity”.
“Awaken and Pipi’s receive a steady flow of visitors daily, contributing to their vibrant atmospheres and bustling environments,” he said.
Mr Gambaro said his first Gold Coast hospitality venture had “presented” challenges.
“We’ve had to adapt and tailor our approach to accommodate the specific dynamics and preferences of each new location,” he said.
“This might involve adjusting our menu offerings, finetuning our marketing strategies, or even rethinking operational logistics to better align with the local community’s needs and expectations.”