Looking for a break from big city life? Trade in those back-to-back Zoom meetings and five-minute lunch breaks for a breath of fresh country air, served alongside the best farm-fresh produce on the market. One day basking in the glory of Brisbane’s sprawling backyard and you’ll be left refreshed, energised, and rejuvenated—just in time to have it all come crashing down on Monday morning. Sigh.
But back to living the carefree country life. End the work week with a trip inland and treat your tastebuds to some of the tastiest morsels Queensland has to offer. Better yet, make a day of it, and hop between the best country cafes in the southeast. You’ve totally earned every last bite.
Little Tree Bake & Brewhouse
Samford
Start your journey by heading northeast to Samford Valley, with a stop at the delightful Little Tree Bake & Brewhouse.This leafy retreat offers only the best in artisan bakery goods and cafe dining. If sourdough doesn’t do it for you (blasphemy, but moving on), their delicious chicken, thyme and mushroom pie is sure to settle even the fussiest rumbling stomach.
Jak & Mo
Gatton
We’ve got four words for you: Baked. Chocolate. Ricotta. Cheesecake. Need we say more? Jak & Mo take sweet treats to the next level, with mouth-watering cakes, crumbles and cold brews. Their hot menu is nothing to sneeze at, either—we hear the beetroot smash puts avo to shame.
Little May Espresso
Montville
If you needed an excuse for the two hour drive to Montville (time it right to avoid the inevitable Bruce Highway gridlock), look no further than Little May Espresso. Blink and you’ll miss it, this tiny cafe is tucked away on Main Street, and is one of Montville’s best kept secrets. Get in early to score yourself the ultimate breakfast duo—an ice cold coffee and almond croissant. Life doesn’t get any better.
The Finch
Toowoomba
The trek to Toowoomba is one heck of a drive, but thankfully, the city is full of charming country cafes to alleviate those hunger pangs. The Finch is just one of our many go-tos when we’re headed out west. The cool industrial vibe is offset by award-winning customer service, and a delicious cabinet full of drool-worthy sweet treats. If you’re already a fan of The Finch, we’ve got your back—check out this list of Toowoomba’s best cafes for your next road trip.
Mill Creek Cafe
Dayboro
Headed out to Mount Pleasant? Stop in for that post-hike carbo-load at Mill Creek Cafe. Their menu gives off a quality-over-quantity kind of vibe, and boy, do they deliver. Trust us when we say you haven’t lived until you’ve tried their house cured ocean trout—although we’re also partial to their raspberry french toast, if you’re looking for something sweeter.
Canungra Hub Cafe & Deli
Canungra
At first glance, Canungra Hub may seem like your typical cafe—their menu consists of all your fave brekky classics, from bacon and eggs to omelettes and raisin toast. Don’t get us wrong, their hot food is exceptional—but it’s nothing compared to the homemade treats sitting in their cabinet. We’re talking brownies, bikkies, custard tarts, raspberry meringue: you name it, they’ve baked it. And if they’ve baked it, trust us, you’ll want to taste it.
Cafe On Cusack
Jimboomba
Okay, okay—time to give a little love to the southside. Thankfully, Cafe on Cusack makes that easy. The smell of their fresh, home baked goods waft through the open cafe windows, so chances are you’ll smell them before you see them. In addition to mouth-watering brekkies made using fresh local produce, the cafe also serves up freshly squeezed juices and warm brews. Get in quick to see what you can snag for brunch.
Flying West Coffee Roasters
Doonan
If you can’t quite drag yourself away from the iconic Queensland coastline, pay a visit to Flying West in the charming town of Doonan. Nestled in the scenic Noosa Valley, Doonan is known for its charming bed-and-breakfasts, luxury villas and country retreats, making it the perfect place for a cafe catch-up. We recommend their house-made sausage rolls, served with a dollop of tomato relish courtesy of Noosa Reds tomatoes. De-lish.
Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation
Tamborine
All day brunch? Tick. Fully licensed? Tick. Delicious coffee? Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner. Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation offers the best coffee in the Scenic Rim, with all of their coffee carefully blended and roasted on site. You can even score a crop-to-cup plantation tour, giving you a hands-on experience into how their delicious brews come to be.
The Old Storehouse
Dayboro
The Old Storehouse combines everything you’ve ever wanted in a country eatery: fresh food (kind of a must), fromage, pantry provisions and handcrafted homewares. Fill up on lemon polenta and passionfruit curd as you browse through their weird and wonderful collection of home decor, stopping every now and then to sample some Sicilian olives and buffalo blue cheese. They even throw a weekly Friday Fiesta, so swing by for pizza, mai tais and plenty of good vibes.
Looking for somewhere to stay on your country adventure? Check out these 16 cosy cabins with fireplaces just outside of Brisbane.
Image credit: Ingrid Coles, Amy Higg, The Finch