A Gold Coast man will appear in court tomorrow after he allegedly stole a taxi from outside a convenience store at Mermaid Waters on Monday morning.

Police say the driver of the cab parked outside the Night Owl store on Christine Avenue at about 3am and went inside to purchase some food.

While in the store, a 22 year-old Ashmore man allegedly stole the vehicle. Police say he abandoned the car a short time later.

He was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing and other traffic offences and will appear in Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.