When it gets a little bit cooler, we all like to mix things up a little, it’s just in our nature. Instead of days laying starfish on the sand, us coastal cruisers flock to the hills to see what the country folk have goin’ on.
We’ve zipped along the range to bring you this list of the best cafes in Montville and Maleny you should really visit this weekend. Or next. Or just soon. Or anytime it gets a lil' bit chilly on the Coast!
Monica’s Café
Maleny
Monica’s Café has been a Maleny resident for many, many years, which is a huge feat in itself. And when you feast on their fresh, seasonal menu that manages to accommodate pretty much everyone and anyone (dairy-free, gluten-free, vegans, vegos), you’ll understand why this place is packed. Every single day of the week. The food, well, where do we start? Perhaps with one of our faves the roast veg and haloumi burger. This baby consists of eggplant, pumpkin, zucchini, capsicum, sun dried tomatoes, haloumi, pesto, mayo, lettuce, turkish, thick cut chips & aioli—we’d be totally joining the rebellion if this were ever to fall off the menu. On top of that, there’s also paninis, meat-filled burgers, salads, freshly squeezed juices served in glass jars—basically if you’re wanting breakfast or lunch, these guys have you covered in every possible way.
Little May Espresso
Montville
Ahhh little miss May is possibly our pick of the bunch among the best cafés in Montville. They serve amaze breakfasts—do not pass up The Big May Bowl, featuring maple bacon, cheesy eggs, avocado, fresh greens, almond dukkah and sourdough. Once you've had your savoury fill, it’s time for a little spoiling, so head straight for the sweets cabinet and pair your pick with a decadent hot chocolate. Lurve what you’re tasting? You’ll be pleased to know Little May sells some of its house-made condiments instore, including the hot chocolate powder, so you can take those flavours home. Booyah!
Shotgun Espresso
Maleny
When talking ‘bout the best cafés in Maleny, this list would not be complete without mentioning Shotgun Espresso. If we owned a hinterland abode, this is how we’d want it to look—mismatched furniture, indoor plants galore, and teeming with good food that’s been lovingly prepared. Using only free-range meats and eggs, if you’re a foodie with a conscience this Maleny joint should be your next port of call. What do we recommend? The apple pie porridge, oh baby, oh baby. Did we mention these guys offer an all-day breakfast and an all-day lunch menu? Well, we have now!
La Botiga
Mapleton
At the northern end of the range, La Botiga takes care of locals at their Mapleton café. It’s modest, unassuming, and produces some of the best coffee, cakes, and eats in the hinterland. If you’ve climbed up the hill to the hinterland to explore the depths of Obi Obi, make a pitstop here for a caffeine fix before you start going down, down, down.
Maple & Sage
Maleny
After a busy morning exploring, you're probably going to be feeling peckish again, no matter how big a breakfast you had. Enter, Maple & Sage, a gorgeous raw vegan cafe and store, where you'll find raw treats, vegan baked goods and gourmet salads that will cure your hanger and give you a healthful boost for the day ahead.
Homegrown
Palmwoods
Yeah, yeah. So Palmwoods is at the bottom of the range, but it’s also home to a cafe that all hinterland peeps are willing to jump in the car for, because it’s THAT good. And if they’re rating it, then no doubt you will too. Homegrown are masters of food—dreaming of it, creating it, then plating it, all for us to eat. Without sounding corny, everything that comes out of this place is made with love, from the ravioli, winter warmer soups, and even their own Tin Shed Coffee. We’ll meet ya there, m’kay?
What about a visit to the other hinterland? That's right we're talking about everything else we can do in the Noosa hinterland here. We've also rounded up the best farms you can visit here on the Sunshine Coast.
Image Credit: Claire Plush and Ariana Gillrie for The Urban List