Tamborine Mountain’s misty scenery, lush rainforests and picturesque waterfalls are just the beginning of what this gorgeous country town offers. Nestled within the Scenic Rim's pristine hinterland, here you’ll find a foodie wonderland of breakfast nooks, coffee hot spots, top-notch restaurants and after-dark eateries.
Whether it’s a leisurely meander through the snaking streets, or a full-blown culinary experience perched high in the mountains, Tamborine Mountain dishes out a smorgasbord of foodie favourites and tasting trails that hero local produce, and artisan chefs. Here are the best restaurants and cafés on Tamborine Mountain to elevate your next hinterland trip.
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Best Tamborine Mountain Cafes
Best Tamborine Mountain Restaurants
Tamborine Mountain Cafes
Franquette Bakery
The brainchild of Jérôme Favier, a Baker Diploma graduate, globe traveller and renowned Burleigh baker turned new bakery owner, Franquette Bakery doesn’t disappoint. Translating from French as ‘without any fuss’, drop by this quaint café on Tamborine Mountain for flaky pastries, loaded deli-style sandwiches and inventive toasties like the French Onion toastie.
With caramelised onion, Gruyère cheese and chives, it's just like the soup. But in a toastie. Or is a classic ham and cheese croissant more up your alley? To all of the above, we say oui oui.
Ness & Nells Nook
Wandering into Ness & Nells Nook there really is an air of ‘she’ll be coming ‘round the mountain when she comes’. With its laid back ambience, sustainable giftware and creative workshops, drop in for smooth coffee, lava hot toasties and vegan treats galore, this coffee nook is well-worth a stop.
Tucked a mere 700 metres away from the main drag of Gallery Walk, escape the crowds for a wholesome meal and caffeine aficionado-approved cuppa. You’ve just found the best café in Tamborine Mountain for a relaxed bite and browse.
Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation
Catching rays on a crisp day on the Mountain is hard to beat. Pair it with a piping hot brew at Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation, and it's near impossible. With its onsite roastery, available for tours, and house-made delicacies featuring locally sourced produce on the pass, couple your sips with nibbles around brunch and Plantation pizza menus.
Think—mid-morning grazing zucchini corn fritters topped with hickory bacon, rhubarb and raspberry crumpets with hazelnut praline and spiced bourbon maple. Or head in from midday Friday through Sunday for a 'Plantation Pizza' evening; specialty pizzas topped with delights like fresh prosciutto, confit garlic and artichoke hearts.
Wild Plum Kitchen
Bundling up the pooch for a day at Tamborine Mountain? Head straight to Wild Plum Kitchen. This doggo-friendly wholesome food-loving hot spot plates up some of the best cakes, salads and health foods in the area. Wild Plum Kitchen is a family-run business, donned one of the best on the mountain by locals, and a cosy oasis located right by Gallery Walk. That’s Tamborine Mountain’s street-lined artisan stores, restaurants and cafés to city folk.
Drop in for French Toast around brunch, the much-loved halloumi burger and vegan and vegetarian options Tuesday through Saturday morning ‘til early afternoon. Consider it the best café in Tamborine Mountain for healthy dishes and indulgent desserts.
Picnic Real Food Bar
Trick yourself into thinking you really do have a home among the gum trees with a late breakfast or long lunch at North Store’s own Picnic Real Food Bar. Cuddled up inside North Shores, Tamborine Mountain’s environmentally sustainable and architecturally designed nature precinct, Picnic is joined by a neighbouring pottery studio and art gallery. Pouring fresh, cold pressed juices each morning and a selection of natural Australian wine, craft beer, mountain cider and organic kombucha, the folks at Picnic also offer velvety coffee from micro-roastery Reuben Hills.
Taste your way around local and seasonal produce, like salads and house-baked pastries. Or, pick from the menu and take away in a picnic box ready for your next waterfall adventure. We recommend the Farmer’s platter, brimming with an assortment of local smoked leg ham, creamy triple brie, marinated goat cheese, chickpea herb falafels, caramelised onion, green olives and pickled pumpkin just for starters.
Tamborine Mountain Restaurants
Pethers Rainforest Retreat
Image Credit: Pethers Rainforest Retreat | Isabel Croker
Our top pick for fine dining on Tamborine Mountain goes to a once-hidden gem—but hidden no more. Pethers refreshed restaurant is headed up by talented Head Chef Alex Fee and to say it's exceptional is an understatement. With hyper-local produce at the heart of the menu, it is a dynamic reflection of the seasons, constantly evolving to showcase the freshest local produce available.
While the menu changes regularly, current menu standouts include the roasted beetroot and whipped Meredith goat's cheese with buckwheat paper, roasted Sovereign lamb rack with hummus and roasted kipfler potatoes, pan-fried barramundi with truffled pea puree and pandan-infused coconut panna cotta with mango sago sauce. Oh, and Alex's housemade bread and butter is simply sublime.
With an intimate 11 tables inside the restaurant, the culinary team are able to craft a personalised dining experience for each diner, with alternative options available for those with dietary requirements (with notice given). And the pricing, you ask? The exquisite three-course menu will set you back just $89 per person. What are you waiting for? Book here.
Main St. Provedore
Fine dining is done differently in Tamborine Mountain. And with Main St. Provedore’s intimate locale, immaculate evening dishes and impressive wine selection, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that by day the crew transform the lot into a pastry and espresso bar. Led by chef Brenden Schutz, expect a tailored experience throughout Friday and Saturday evening’s four-course dinner events for up to 16 people. Or head in from 8am Wednesday through Sunday for quality coffee, house-baked breads and sandwiches galore. It’s official, Main St. Provedore is hands down the best restaurant in Tamborine Mountain for day-meets-night culinary affairs.
El Burro Cantina
Got the kind of craving that only a gluten-free Mexican fiesta around the corner from iconic waterfalls can satisfy? We know just the place. The perfect pit stop after a hike to Curtis Falls, El Burro Cantina is the authentic Mexican restaurant of your Tamborine Mountain-loving dreams. Gobble up your usual favourites like jalapeño poppers, hot sauce dunked wings and build your own tacos.
Or opt for sizzling fajitas with sliced steak, field mushrooms, chicken or seafood topped with lime chipotle crema, Mexican rice and tortillas. If it's the best Mexican restaurant in Tamborine Mountain you’re looking for, you’ve found it at El Burro. Bonus points: try one of six homemade hot sauces ranging from mild to yikes, my tongue.
Trattoria MKIII
This industrial chic Italo-American trattoria and bar is Tamborine’s answer to authentic Italian dishes in a classically charming pozzie. Located on Main Street, it is lined with booths worthy of aperitivo or a long boozy dinner, pair pastas and pizzas with Italian wines or sip-worthy cocktails at Trattoria MKIII.
Taste your way around crispy arancini, buttery house made gnocchi and more fresh pasta dishes than you could poke your garlic bread loaf at. Facebook message to book ahead and secure your spot at the table. While you’re at it, check out dessert specials like pistachio and rosewater panna cotta with Turkish delight ice cream. Two, thanks.
Fox & Hound Country Inn
Get whisked away to an authentic old English pub at Fox and Hounds Country Inn. Set at the base of Tamborine Mountain in Wongawallan, this bustling restaurant literally had its interior transported all the way from Britain’s West Sussex. Sporting memorabilia, open fireside seating and a classic red London telephone booth, grab a Guiness and make yourself at home at Fox and Hounds.
As the best English-styled restaurant in Tamborine Mountain, it’d be rude not to try a Toad in the Hole, beef and Guinness pie or weekend roast with a mandatory Yorkshire pudding. For your best bet to score a table, book ahead. You’ve been warned.
Cauldron Distillery
It would be rude of us not to include a distillery in our roundup of Tamborine Mountain's best restaurants and cafes, because after all, wineries and distilleries are the backbone of this mountain town. Cauldron Distillery has been making a name for itself in the gin world, winning awards left, right and centre for its craft gins. If you’re a craft gin aficionado, you may want to start your visit off with one of their gin paddles, which features Cauldron’s three core range gins and tonic or soda to mix them with.
Of course, you’ll want some nibbles to go with your drinks, and Cauldron delivers. Monday to Thursday you can snack on loaded cheese boards and dips with lavash bread, while on weekends the caravan kitchen opens up for eats like gin-cured salmon croquettes, chorizo and haloumi skewers, burgers and nachos. With live music playing on Saturdays and Sundays too, this is basically the spot to set up shop under a shady umbrella and settle in for a lengthy afternoon session—it might be best to plan ahead and book somewhere to stay the night.
Hickory
For a next-level smokehouse experience, head down to Tamborine Mountain’s own Hickory. Renowned for their succulent selection of slow-cooked meats and wings, be sure to arrive with a belly ready for generous serving sizes. These smokin’ bandits dish out eight-hour smoked pork ribs with lashings of homemade BBQ sauce, 14-hour melt in your mouth Hickory smoked brisket and even spiced buffalo cauliflower wings for vegetarians. Head in for feast platters, palette cleansing desserts and noteworthy cocktails Friday through Sunday. Bookings essential.
Leaf Japanese Restaurant & Bar
There’s something particularly magical about chowing down freshly made dumplings on a cool winter’s night. Just as magical, is stumbling upon a quaint hidden gem for an impressively flavour-packed feast. A favourite among locals, Leaf Japanese Restaurant & Bar is without a doubt the best Japanese hideaway restaurant in Tamborine Mountain.
Dine in and delight your senses with authentic bento boxes, fresh nori rolls, fluffy bao buns and hot pot or sizzling dishes before finishing off with matcha and black sesame ice creams. With vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, Leaf is a must-visit on your trip to Tamborine Mountain. Book ahead to save your seat.
St. Bernards Hotel
Overlooking Guanaba Gorge, St. Bernards Hotel is a quintessential hinterland restaurant. With a birds eye view of the Gold Coast cityscape and Moreton Bay in the distance, enjoy a traditional pub meal or classic breakfast after a greeting from literal St. Bernards right by the front door. Set inside a 110-year-old hotel, come for the pooch pats, stay for the breathtaking views. This is our pick for the best pub-style restaurant in Tamborine Mountain.
Looking for more to do on Tambo? Here's some of our favourite things to do on the mountain.
Image Credit: Trattoria MKIII, Main St. Provedore, Picnic Real Food Bar, Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation & Franquette Bakery