Scenic Rim:
Where to eat and drink
Known for its abundant natural beauty and flourishing culinary scene, the Scenic Rim – less than an hour away from Brisbane – has a bevy of passionate producers and chefs dishing up local and seasonal goodness by the plateful. From rustic rainforest restaurants to vineyards with a view, we’ve discovered the best places to eat and drink in this flourishing region.
Binna Burra Tea House, Scenic Rim
These Scenic Rim cafes and restaurants will really hit the spot
Right on Lamington National Park’s doorstep, the Binna Burra Tea House is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and boasts breathtaking views out over the Numinbah Valley. Treat yourself to the three-course set menu packed full of flavours from local Scenic Rim produce, including the Canungra mushroom risotto, sirloin with bush-spiced salt, and native lemon myrtle tea cake.
For a cosy, casual vibe, mingle with your fellow walkers at the nearby Groom’s Cottage Bushwalker’s Bar – one of the last remaining heritage buildings at Binna Burra. Perch yourself on one of the outdoor tables with a well-deserved beverage while sharing stories from your day, before ordering a hearty meal off their blackboard menu as the sun goes down.
Located in Tamborine Mountain’s architecturally designed North Stores precinct and serving up local, seasonal produce., Picnic Real Food Bar is your one-stop-shop for salads, house-baked pastries, and healthy wholefoods made with love. Enjoy micro-roasted Reuben Hills coffee or a cold-pressed juice on the deck as you look through the seasonal breakfast menu or you can order a platter to enjoy as a picnic alfresco style on the mountainside.
Boasting country charm and warm hospitality, breathe in the fresh country air at the Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Cafe. Surrounded by active farms near Kalbar, the farm shop and café are open Thursdays to Sundays and serving up barista-made coffee and features a menu of fresh, home-made food of local Scenic Rim produce. Once your belly is satisfied, stock up on an array of local cheeses, gourmet pantry items, the freshest produce and specialty treats. Also on site, the Elderflower Farm’s garden shop grows and cuts fresh flowers for purchase as well as a variety of garden goodies.
Is this Mount Tamborine’s most iconic bakery? French inspired bakery, Franquette Bakery presents quality crafted baked goods and delicious coffee. Artisan bread, French baguettes, croissants, gourmet sandwiches, sweet and savory pastry goodies are prepared and baked fresh daily. Pick your sweet treat and sit out on the outdoor deck, and take in the warm and inviting atmosphere that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into an authentic boulangerie in France.
You know what they say about variety – and you’ll find plenty of it at Spice of Life Cafe Deli, on Tamborine Mountain’s Main Street. From delicious brekky and lunch options to catering platters, impressive handmade cakes, and a selection of deli bites from Australia and abroad, a visit here will be a thoughtful treat for your tastebuds.
Raise a glass to the Scenic Rim’s best 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 showcasing the Scenic Rim’s finest produce. Enjoy live music on the terrace every Sunday and take in the amazing purple fields and mountain views as you sample a house-made drop or assorted lavender-infused delectables.
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 – as you dine, sip and swirl the day away.
Mount Tamborine’s Witches Falls Winery and Cellar Door is an innovative award-winning, family-run winery with a minimal intervention approach. Be sure to try their wild fermented Sauvingon Blanc, Nero d’Avola or Provenance Shiraz during your tasting. Afterwards, park your picnic rug between the vines to soak up the relaxing ambience and snack on locally sourced cheeses, chutneys and crackers – just magic.
Let your cup (or wine glass) runneth over at The Overflow Estate 1895 – a vineyard featuring an architecturally designed cellar door, cafe and restaurant, nestled into the banks of Lake Wyaralong. Pair your wine with their seasonal lunch menu with a unique French and English fusion cuisine – the famous sand crab lasagne with a creamy crustacean sauce is a particular highlight.
Get your Scenic Rim sugar-fix
Famous for all things fudge, Granny Mac’s, named after the macadamia nut found in many of its products, is something of a Tamborine Mountain institution. Making fresh bars of the sugary goodness in a mind-boggling array of flavours for more than 25 years – think chocolate ginger; chai; lavender rose; and lemon meringue – 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 makes everything on site using real fruit and local ingredients. With a range of traditional and modern flavours sitting 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.
Vino Bus, Scenic Rim
Eat and drink with the experts with these Scenic Rim food tours and classes
If you’re crazy about all things craft beer, join the knowledgeable team at Hop On Brewery Tours to experience the best independent breweries the Scenic Rim has to offer. 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 awesome, and you’ll find plenty of epic epicurean finds when exploring Tamborine Mountain with the crew at Kiff & Culture Tours. Started by two friends who are in the know about the best local, sustainable spots, you’ll enjoy wine, food and views for days on this carefully curated (and extremely Instagrammable) adventure.
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 gin-making by an expert instructor, before enjoying a few well-deserved G&Ts and a cheese platter on their verdant 18-acre grounds.
Wanting to devour more? The Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is your chance to feast on a culinary journey around the region throughout the month of June. A festival celebrating locally-made food and drink, farming, 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.
Tempted to eat and drink your way around this beautiful region? Book your Scenic Rim adventure today.
