SIMPLE START

Great coffee, a top spot for people-watching, sparkling water on tap and not too many decisions to make – what’s not to like?

SOMETIMES it’s good to keep things simple in the morning. You don’t want to confuse your world too early with too many options. And so it is if you choose to stop in at ESPL. Coffee Brewers under the Soul tower in Surfers Paradise for a spot of breakfast.

Local Tim Westaway bought it a year ago from founders Blackboard coffee roasters in Burleigh, who still supply the blend.

ESPL. don’t really do breakfast, not in the traditional sense. Forget various takes on bacon and eggs, eggs benedict, smashed avocado etc.

The place is really all about the coffee. To illustrate, a couple of “coffee menus” sit on the counter, detailing where Blackboard have sourced the latest blend on offer.

ESPL. also notes on the window: “Whilst coffee is our thing, we have a few goodies that go hand in hand.”

The food menu is tastefully displayed on the wall. But my advice is cast your eye over the glass cabinet stocked with delicious, sweet and savoury breakfast-y treats.

You’ll find bagels from Bagel Boys in Brisbane, doughnuts from Pastry Emporium in Bundall plus danishes and croissants (I highly recommend the sweet almond one) from Panya Bakery Currumbin.

I’m a blueberry bagel fan and always go for that – toasted until crispy, lathered in cream cheese, and with a dusting of strawberry jam. Simple.

And wash it all down after with a glass of water out of their self-serve taps – one is sparkling, one filtered and one chilled. Cool and very simple.

The other thing the place notes on its window is: “We look forward to being a friendly face in your daily routine.”

And they always are, seven days a week, 6am to 6pm, 365 days a year. UNDER THE SOUL TOWER, SURFERS PARADISE

Get it while it’s hot: Blueberry bagel, cream cheese ($6.50) Cheap and cheerful: Fruit toast ($3) Sweet treat: Sweet almond croissant ($4.50) Cool extras: Sparkling water on tap