Hey there, welcome to Tamborine Mountain! Picture yourself surrounded by stunning views and incredible food. Tamborine Mountain has everything you need, craving a cozy cafe vibe or a fine dining experience. Get ready to discover the best cafes and restaurants this foodie paradise offers!
Tamborine Mountain Cafes
Franquette Bakery
Franquette Bakery lives up to its name, which translates from French as ‘without any fuss’. It is the brainchild of Jérôme Favier, a graduate of Baker Diploma, a globetrotter, and a renowned Burleigh baker turned bakery owner. Visit this charming café on Tamborine Mountain for mouth-watering toasties like The French Onion, loaded deli-style sandwiches, and flaky pastries. It features caramelised onion, Gruyère cheese, and chives and is reminiscent of the soup but in a toastie form.
Do you prefer a classic ham and cheese croissant? Franquette Bakery has that too. To all of the above, we say oui oui.
Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation
Enjoying the sun on a crisp day atop the Mountain is hard to beat. Add a piping hot brew from Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation, and it becomes near impossible to resist. With a roastery on site that is open for visits and homemade treats prepared with produce that is obtained locally, This café serves mid-morning snacks including hickory bacon-topped zucchini corn fritters or raspberry and rhubarb crumpets with spiced bourbon maple and hazelnut praline. If you visit between midday Friday and Sunday, don’t miss their ‘Plantation Pizza’ evening, featuring specialty pizzas topped with delights like artichoke hearts, confit garlic, and fresh prosciutto.
Ness & Nells Nook
When you step into Ness & Nells Nook, you’ll feel like you’re experiencing the song “She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes”. With its sustainable giftware, creative workshops, and laid-back ambience, this coffee nook offers smooth coffee, lava-hot toasties, and an array of vegan treats. Located just 700 meters from the bustling Gallery Walk, it’s the perfect spot to escape the crowds for a wholesome meal and a cup of caffeine-aficionado-approved brew. It’s no wonder locals consider it one of the best cafés in Tamborine Mountain for a relaxed bite and a browse.
Picnic Real Food Bar
Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature at Picnic Real Food Bar. This restaurant is located in North Shore, Tamborine Mountain’s architecturally and environmentally sustainable designed nature precinct. Picnic serves fresh, cold-pressed juices daily alongside a neighbouring pottery studio and art gallery. It offers a selection of natural Australian wine, craft beer, mountain cider, and organic kombucha. Indulge in local and seasonal produce with options like salads, house-baked pastries, and the Farmer’s platter, featuring an assortment of local delicacies. Alternatively, choose from their menu and take away in a picnic box for your next waterfall adventure.
Wild Plum Kitchen
If you plan a day at Tamborine Mountain with your furry friend, head straight to Wild Plum Kitchen. This dog-friendly, wholesome, food-loving hotspot serves some of the area’s best cakes, salads, and health foods. Run by a family, it’s been hailed by locals as one of the best spots on the mountain. Conveniently located near Gallery Walk, it’s the perfect oasis to enjoy French Toast for brunch, a much-loved halloumi burger, and various vegan and vegetarian options. Consider it the best café in Tamborine Mountain for healthy dishes and indulgent desserts.
Restaurants in Tamborine Mountain
Main St. Provedore
Fine dining takes on a new meaning at Main St. Provedore in Tamborine Mountain. With its intimate setting, impeccable evening dishes, and impressive wine selection, you might forget that it transforms into a pastry and espresso bar during the day. Led by chef Brenden Schutz, Main St. Provedore offers a tailored experience with four-course dinner events on Friday and Saturday evenings for up to 16 people. Alternatively, drop by from 8 am Wednesday through Sunday for quality coffee, house-baked bread, and an array of sandwiches. It’s official: Main St. Provedore is the best restaurant in Tamborine Mountain for day-to-night culinary experiences.
Trattoria MKIII
Experience the charm of an industrial-chic Italian-American trattoria at Trattoria MKIII. This restaurant on Main Street offers cozy booths perfect for enjoying aperitivo or a leisurely dinner. Pair your pasta and pizzas with Italian wines or sip-worthy cocktails. Indulge in crispy arancini, buttery house-made gnocchi, and various fresh pasta dishes. Check out their dessert specials, such as rosewater and pistachio panna cotta with Turkish delight ice cream. Don’t forget to message them on Facebook to book your table beforehand.
El Burro Cantina
If you’re craving a gluten-free Mexican feast after a hike to Curtis Falls, look no further than El Burro Cantina. This authentic Mexican restaurant offers all your favourites, from jalapeño poppers to build-your-own tacos. Indulge in sizzling fajitas with field mushrooms, sliced steak, seafood, or chicken, all topped with Mexican rice, lime chipotle crema, and tortillas. With its vibrant atmosphere, El Burro Cantina is undoubtedly the best Mexican restaurant in Tamborine Mountain. Don’t forget to try one of their six handmade spicy sauces, from moderate to intense enough to burn your mouth.
Fox & Hound Country Inn
Transport yourself to an authentic old English pub at Fox and Hounds Country Inn. Situated at the base of Tamborine Mountain in Wongawallan, this bustling restaurant boasts an interior transported from Britain’s West Sussex. With sporting memorabilia, fireside seating, and a classic red London telephone booth, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a Guinness and traditional English dishes like Toad in the Hole, beef and Guinness pie, or a weekend roast with Yorkshire pudding. Book ahead to secure your table.
Cauldron Distillery
<p>No roundup of Tamborine Mountain’s best restaurants and cafes would be complete without mentioning Cauldron Distillery. Known for its award-winning craft gins, Cauldron is a must-visit for craft gin aficionados. Start your visit with one of their gin paddles featuring Cauldron’s three-core range gins paired with tonic or soda. Enjoy loaded cheese boards, dips with lavash bread, and various eats like halloumi and chorizo skewers, gin-cured salmon croquettes, nachos, and burgers. With live music on Saturdays and Sundays, Cauldron Distillery is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the afternoon. Consider booking somewhere to stay the night.
Hickory
For a next-level smokehouse experience, head to Tamborine Mountain’s own Hickory. Known for its succulent selection of slow-cooked meats and wings, Hickory offers pork ribs smoked for eight hours, 14-hour melt-in-your-mouth Hickory smoked brisket, and spiced buffalo cauliflower wings for vegetarians. Indulge in feast platters, palate-cleansing desserts, and noteworthy cocktails Friday through Sunday. Reservations are essential.
St. Bernards Hotel
Enjoy breathtaking views of Guanaba Gorge at St. Bernards Hotel, a quintessential restaurant in Tamborine Mountain. This food spot offers a traditional pub meal or classic breakfast. St. Bernards Hotel is housed inside a 110-year-old hotel. With its aerial perspective of Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast cityscape, it’s the perfect spot for a meal after meeting the literal St. Bernards by the front door. This is our top pick for the best pub-style restaurant in Tamborine Mountain.
Leaf Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Experience a magical evening at Leaf Japanese Restaurant & Bar, Tamborine Mountain’s best-kept Japanese hideaway. Delight your senses with fresh nori rolls, authentic bento boxes, hot pot or sizzling dishes, and fluffy bao buns. Finish off your meal with matcha and black sesame ice creams. With vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available, Leaf is a must-visit destination. Be sure to book ahead to secure your seat.
Make it a Culinary Tour of Tamborine Mountain.
So, there you have it: Tamborine Mountain’s must-try cafes and restaurants! From charming cafes with picturesque views to elegant restaurants serving exquisite dishes, this destination has something for every palate. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, add these culinary gems to your must-visit list!
Also read: Can You Take Dogs to Mt Tamborine?