Cafes and restaurants

Right on Lamington National Park’s doorstep, the Binna Burra Tea House is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with sweeping views across the Numinbah Valley setting the scene. Settle in for a relaxed bite at the Tea House or if you are keen to explore a little more, grab a Takeaway BBQ Pack and cook up your own feast in the nearby national park day use area. To end the day, head over to Groom’s Cottage Bushwalker’s Bar – one of the last remaining heritage buildings within Binna Burra, for a cosy and casual afternoon drink, paired with a slice or two of pizza and share stories about your adventures in the Scenic Rim as the sun dips behind the mountains and the fresh air cools.

Boasting country charm and warm hospitality, breathe in the fresh country air at the Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Cafe. Surrounded by working farms near Kalbar, this relaxed destination is serving barista-made coffee alongside a menu of fresh, home-made food of local Scenic Rim produce. While you’re here, take your time browsing the shelves stocked with local cheeses, gourmet pantry items and seasonal produce, or wander through the Elderflower Farm’s garden shop to discover fresh blooms and a variety of gorgeous garden goodies.

Just up the road, Summer Land Camels offers one of the Scenic Rim’s most unique stops. Set on a working camel farm, just outside Kalbar, it’s not every day you find yourself ordering a scoop of camel milk gelato – but here, that’s half the fun! Take a seat at the cafe and sample creamy gelato, handcrafted cheeses and seasonal dishes made at the farm. To finish off the visit, stroll down to meet the camels up close and see where it all comes together.

Set within Tamborine Mountain’s architecturally designed North Stores precinct, The Picnic Real Food Bar is your one-stop shop for feel-good bites. It’s stocked daily with vibrant salads, house-baked pastries, and wholesome dishes made with Scenic Rim love. Enjoy micro-roasted Reuben Hills coffee or a cold-pressed juice on the deck as you look through the seasonal menu, or order a generous platter to take alfresco and indulge in picnic style on the mountainside.

Looking for indulgent pastries? Franquette Bakery is a must-visit. This French inspired bakery is known for beautifully crafted baked goods and quality coffee, with artisan breads, buttery croissants, gourmet sandwiches, sweet and savoury pastry goodies that are all baked fresh daily. Pick your sweet or savoury treat and find a seat on the outdoor deck and take in the warm and inviting atmosphere that feels straight out of a movie, only with a Scenic Rim backdrop.

You know what they say about variety – and you’ll find plenty of it at Spice of Life Cafe Deli, tucked along Tamborine Mountain’s Main Street. From flavourful brekkie and lunch favourites, think chilli scrambled eggs to start your day, then crispy mango salad come lunchtime – there is a dish for all tastebuds. Add in catering platters and a selection of deli bites from Australia and abroad. Then for that final taste of ‘spice’ the dessert cabinet is stacked high with decadent cakes, cheesecakes and tarts that are hard to resist.

If you are in the mood to linger a little longer, make your way to The Paddock Restaurant for an elevated dining experience. In the heart of the rolling countryside, enjoy paddock-to-plate dining, with seasonal local produce at the centre of every dish. For the full experience, opt for the Paddock Tasting Menu, featuring a curated seven course degustation of the region’s in-season ingredients.

Vineyards and breweries

Growing and preserving many of their own ingredients, Kooroomba Kitchen – the on-site restaurant at the outrageously dreamy Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm – serves up an inventive menu that celebrates local Scenic Rim’s produce. Set among six hectares of vineyard and rows of vibrant lavender, take in the rolling Scenic Rim mountains as you enjoy your meal with a house-made drop and sample a selection of lavender-infused delights for a unique destination dining experience.

Wine tasting, cafe lunches, gourmet picnic baskets, stone baked pizzas, sweeping views, a stunning creekside location, and even friendly on-site alpacas – there’s a lot to love about O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards. Gaze out over the 6000 grape vines – including Shiraz, Chambourcin and Verdelho varieties from the Restaurant Verandah, the Creekside Deck, underneath a Silky Oak Tree or down by the Canungra Creek – as you dine, sip and swirl the day away.

Tamborine Mountain is home to Witches Falls Winery and Cellar Door is an award-winning, family-run winery known for its innovative, minimal intervention approach. Step up to the cellar door to sample their wild fermented Sauvingon Blanc, Nero d’Avola or Provenance Shiraz, each flavourfully showcasing the region in every pour. Afterwards, between the vines, lay out your picnic rug and with a glass in hand and experience the local taste with cheeses, chutneys and crackers.

Raise a glass at The Overflow Estate 1895 – a magnificent vineyard that is nestled into the banks of Lake Wyaralong. Enjoy the estate’s wine your way, whether you are tasting at the architecturally designed cellar door or enjoying the lawn with a divine menu to share. At the heart of the experience is Roastbeef and the Frog, where French and English culinary traditions come together and pair so perfectly with a glass. Don’t miss what they are known for - the sand crab lasagne with a creamy crustacean sauce is an all-time favourite.

Sweet stop

Famous for all things fudge, Granny Mac’s, named after the macadamia nut found in many of its popular sweet treats – is a Tamborine Mountain institution. For more than 25 years, the team has been making fresh fudge in mind-boggling flavours – think chocolate honeycomb; coconut ice; granny’s mars; and Aussie classic lamington. The team here might just be arguably the best fudge makers in the world (just don’t tell your granny we said so)!

Catering not just to the citrus fans, but to chocoholics, berry enthusiasts and vegans too, the nearby Tamborine Mountain Gelato Co and The Mountain Scoop make everything on site using real fruit and local ingredients. With a mix of traditional and modern flavours, alongside sorbets and creamy vegan offerings, your only conundrum is which to try first - and how quickly you can come back for your next fix.

Food tours and classes

If you’re crazy about all things craft beer, join the knowledgeable team at Hop On Brewery Tours and discover some of Scenic Rim’s independent distilleries along the way. Their full or half-day tours will take you behind the scenes to meet the makers and hear their stories – raise a glass, have some fun, and maybe even learn a thing or two about the beer-making process along the way.

‘Kiff’ is South African slang for something that’s cool or downright awesome, and you’ll find plenty of epicurean delights when exploring Tamborine Mountain with the crew at Kiff & Culture Tours. Founded by two friends who know their way around the region’s local and sustainable scene, these epic (and extremely instagrammable) tours serve up incredible wine, food and views – all you have to do is relax and enjoy.

Hubble, bubble, toil and… tipple? Craft your own delicious bottle of gin from over 100 botanical options at Cauldron Distillery’s Gin Making Class. In this small, intimate class you’ll be guided through the history of gin and the art of distilling by an expert, before enjoying a few well-deserved G&Ts and a cheese platter on their verdant 18-acre grounds.

Curious about what goes on behind the bar? Tamborine Mountain Distillery’s weekly classes offer an interactive introduction to the world of craft spirits and mixology. Guided, you will pick up new skills as you work your way through the flavours, then explore the museum and working distillery before a final guided tasting of their award-winning liqueurs and spirits – the essence of Tamborine Mountain Distillery.

Wanting to devour more? Plan your trip around the month of June where The Scenic Rim Eat Local Month takes over the entire region for a unique and explorative culinary journey. A festival celebrating locally made food and drink, farming and cooking demonstrations through to exclusive dining experiences. You can expect to dine like a local with authentic paddock to plate experiences by some of Queensland’s best chefs.