How to Eat Local all year ‘round in the Scenic Rim
Don’t wait for a festival or special celebration to buy into the Eat Local phenomenon that’s sweeping the world, tuck in now because it makes perfect seasonal sense, it supports local farmers and producers, and it’s kinder to the world.
Queensland’s Scenic Rim is an Australia leader in the Eat Local movement, having staged the famous Eat Local Week, now a full month, for the past 12 years. Now, the internationally acclaimed region is championing restaurants and cafes that serve local produce all year ‘round; those that work closely with local farmers and producers on what’s in season, and design menus and dishes that highlight this produce. Images here
Visitors and locals alike can now enjoy every bite, knowing it’s all local.
The Paddock, Beechmont Estate
Executive Chef Simon Furley has a saying – ‘if it’s not from ‘round here, it’s not on our plates’, and his dishes are remarkable, so remarkable you can often hear the oohs and ahhs from Brisbane and the Gold Coast as diners experience his menus! A casual take on fine dining, this chef-hatted restaurant serves up seasonal creations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Furley has a close relationship with the 6th generation Tommerup Dairy Farm ‘down the road’, making weekly visits to walk the gardens and paddocks with the owners and hand pick produce.
Address: Beechmont Estate, 422 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont 07 5602 9710
Website: beechmontestate.com.au
The Roadvale Hotel
The region’s FIRST GASTRO PUB, and under the culinary baton of award-winning chef Daniel Groneberg, the dining experience at this classic country hotel is extraordinary! The team live and breathe ‘eat local’ all year round, offering indoor and outdoor dining with regular live entertainment. PS the duck dish is next level!
Address: 320 Gray Street, Roadvale 07 5463 5702
Website: theroadvalehotel.com.au
Blume Restaurant
Just a few years old and already multi-award-winning, and nationally acclaimed, fine-diner Blume is a stand-out dining experience. The menu reflects their ethos of ‘time and place’ - seasonal fresh food made using local ingredients and Chef Jack Stuart works with local suppliers to showcase the best of the Scenic Rim throughout the food and wine menus. Dining at Blume is a truly memorable experience, especially if you happen to be ‘drawn’ by Uncle Angus!
Address: Shop 4, 12 High Street, Boonah 0477 900 535
Website: blumerestaurant.com.au
Picnic Real Food Bar
The passion project of famed Chef Brenda Fawdon, a pathmaker in the food industry who owned Brisbane’s first organic restaurant in Mondo, Picnic Real Food Bar on Tamborine Mountain serves local and seasonal produce, and nourishing food made with care. Sustainability is important, so there’s a closed-loop system that turns the kitchen waste into compost to minimise garbage and nourish the soil. Their food bar is stocked daily with freshly made salads, house-baked pastries and a range of healthy, wholefood options. The sausage rolls are life-changing!
Address: 46-48 Main Street, Tamborine Mountain 0480 344 539
Website: northstores.com.au
Scenic Rim Farm Shop & Café
There’s something really special about the Scenic Rim Farm Shop & Café – it’s nestled under towering 120-year old jacarandas and surrounded by working farms, with the carrot paddocks so close, you can almost pull out your own! Scenic Rim Food Ambassador Chef Kate Raymont celebrates all that is local, seasonal and fresh in her menu, and the coffee from Tamborine Mountain is worth the trip alone. You can buy local produce at the farm shop and Elderflower Farm shares the shade of the jacarandas, so a visit is just heavenly!
Address: 541 Kents Lagoon Road, Kalbar 0493 437 220
Website: scenicrimfarmshop.com.au
The Bowl Boonah
New to the dining family of the Scenic Rim, yet steeped in history, The Bowl, is the former Fassifern Bowls Club that has reopened as a local produce bistro, is super inclusive and a great spot for barefoot bowls and cocktails! The kitchen team keep the menu hyper-local and hyper-flavour filled, owner Emily Lochran is the perfect host, and the drinks menu has fabulous Scenic twists!
Address: 42 Coronation Drive, Boonah 07 5463 1016
Website: thebowlboonah.com.au
Scenic Rim Brewery & Café
With beers named the Shazza, Digga and PharQue, you know this brewery has personality! It also has a deep commitment to local flavours and produce – their new Red IPA is named Ripa Rita and features Beetroot from the Scenic Rim's Valley Pride and Rosellas from Vanberry Jam Co. It’s a small family-owned brewery in Mount Alford in a heritage listed building and absolutely is a must-visit! Enjoy a beer tasting, stay for lunch and their local-produce lineup or just pop in to explore.
Address: 898 Reckumpilla Street, Mount Alford 07 5463 0412
Website: scenicrimbrewery.com.au
Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm
One of the most beautiful places in the Scenic Rim, ‘Kooroomba’ is an award-winning cellar door and restaurant, blending rustic and contemporary architecture and a haven of lavender, food and fine wine! Kooroomba’s selection of wines, along with modern Australian cuisine featuring local produce under Head Chef Nicholas Thiess, provides a unique regional wine and food experience.
Address: 168 F M Bells Road, Mount Alford 07 5463 0022
Website: kooroomba.com.au
Oaky Creek Farm & Harvest Café
Authentic and welcoming, this family owned farm and café offers stunning views of the Scenic Rim as well as self-guided farm tours, is dog friendly and boasts a selection of farm and local products for sale as well as an excellent breakfast and lunch menu made from locally sourced ingredients.
Address: 208 Oaky Creek Road, Oaky Creek 0427 381 954
Website: oakycreekfarm.com.au
Teaspoons & Aprons
At home in Beaudesert, Teaspoons and Aprons offers beautifully presented, flavour packed meals and delicious, award-winning coffee – all locally sourced! Their chefs are passionate about sustainability and inclusion, showcasing a range of local producers and talented creators from across the region.
Address: Shop 12, 125 Brisbane Street, Beaudesert 0477 794 047
Facebook: @Teaspoons & Aprons Beaudesert
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCENIC RIM - visitscenicrim.com.au
ABOUT THE SCENIC RIM: In a major international coup, the Scenic Rim was named by global travel authority Lonely Planet as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2022! Just an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar and is home to the ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, six historic national parks, charming towns and villages, adventure parks, farm stays, craft breweries, boutique wineries, ecolodges, tantalising gourmet experiences, world class camping and glamping and breathtaking spaces in between. It’s a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators, more than 30,000ha of parkland, plus three dams - Lake Moogerah, Lake Maroon and Wyaralong Dam.
For media opportunities, imagery and more, please contact Kath Rose on kath@kathrose.com or 0416 291 493