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After a stopover in Los Angeles last year, I had multiple people ask me if I went to Erewhon to try the Hailey Bieber smoothie. Anyone who is even mildly online will know exactly what they meant. For the past few years, social media feeds have been hijacked by influencers standing in sunny LA parking lots, sipping pastel-pink smoothies and declaring it "life-changing." They are talking, of course, about Erewhon’s infamous $21 USD (~$30 AUD) Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie. The good news? You don’t need to fly to LAX, because I’ve found Australia’s answer to those celeb-approved smoothies on the Gold Coast. But at $22, are they worth the hype? I went to find out.
Step inside, and it’s easy to see why House of Hälsa has completely taken over local social media feeds since launching in January 2026. Translating to House of “Health” in Swedish, this Mermaid Beach wellness hub feels like a cross between a minimalist Scandinavian day spa, a chic Palm Springs hotel lobby and a relaxed coastal Aussie café. Think calming terracotta tones, a retro sunken lounge, sun-drenched outdoor seating, and a super-aesthetic menu that proves health food can look – and taste – elite.
Of course, the smoothies are the main event, having gone viral not just for their resemblance to Erewhon’s blends, but for their eye-watering price tag of up to $22. One of their most popular flavours is the Strawberries ’N Cream – a dupe of Hailey Bieber’s infamous creation – where strawberries, banana and avocado are blended with sea moss, collagen and protein for supposed skin-glowing benefits.
Leaning into the celebrity-collab trend, House of Hälsa has teamed up with Gold Coast-born singer Cody Simpson for the Blue Neptune. This best-selling smoothie blends mango, banana, avocado and lemon with almost every superfood fad under the sun – from blue sea moss and spirulina to protein, collagen and coconut cream.
The luxury elixir will set you back $22 for the full-size cup, or $14 for the mini. Now, that might seem like a crazy amount to pay for a non-alcoholic drink, but having worked across both the hospitality and wellness industries, I think that cost is justified. You aren’t just paying for blended frozen fruit and ice. Each cup is loaded with premium superfoods sourced from small local businesses. And look at it this way: if you don’t think twice about paying for a $22 cocktail that leaves you with a headache the next morning, you shouldn’t overthink investing the same amount into a drink that will actually make you feel good.
Inspired by the rolling, frothy blue and white swirls of the ocean, my Blue Neptune smoothie wasn’t just super photogenic – it tasted incredible and was surprisingly filling (and that was just the mini size). Other flavours I’d like to try on my next visit include the Millionaire Shortbread, Double Choc, Piña Colada and Black Charcoal Sesame.
Given how popular the smoothies were from day one, founders Coco Loberg – locally known as the tattoo artist behind The Raspberry Room – and her partner Gareth Fletcher were forced to pause their brunch offering. But after expanding into the neighbouring tenancy and building out a larger kitchen, food is officially back on the menu.
True to the café's aesthetic DNA, every single plate arrives as a total work of art – think colourful cubed salads, watermelon ‘ceviche’, fresh papaya boats and vibrant acai bowls. But it’s the loaded bagels that are shaping up to be the crowd favourites, featuring everything from smoked lox to hot honey eggs.
After happily polishing off an apple pie bagel ($16) with my mini Blue Neptune smoothie ($14), my bill came to $30. I’d consider that super reasonable for a superfood-packed brunch on the Coast. And you know what they say, “Health is wealth!”