Known as the Garden City, Toowoomba is a beautiful place to spend a few days soaking up the sun while surrounded by green.
But beyond lavish lawns and flowery fields, this in-land town has plenty to offer, especially when it comes to foodie hotspots. Dig in to these wonderful places to eat and drink in Toowoomba to satisfy any craving.
Gip’s Restaurant
Found in the billiard room of the historic mansion known as Clifford House, this restaurant is all about delicious modern Australian cuisine.
Gip’s Restaurant offers a casual yet sophisticated dining experience using the best fresh ingredients. The head chef, Craig Edser, and his team have designed an uncomplicated yet delicious seasonal menu with light lunches and a la carte dinners. In the evening, guests can dine in the garden while surrounded by tall trees and sparkling fairy lights.
Sofra
Sofra is inspired by the famous Kayseri area of Turkey, which is known for its amazing meat and pastry dishes.
Here, the team is all about warm hospitality and authentic food. Their menu features an array of traditional Turkish dishes, flavoured to perfection with oils, herbs and spices. Sofra uses only the best fresh and simple ingredients to create dishes that will have you coming back for more.
Ground Up Espresso Bar
This popular espresso bar is responsible for kick-starting the Toowoomba coffee scene thanks to its laid back and rustic feel. You’ll find this cafe tucked away in a mural-covered alley. The vibrant and bright location perfectly matches the atmosphere, where regular patrons love to come for their early-morning coffee fix. Ground Up Espresso Bar serves classic pastries, coffees, and a variety of house-specials such as pulled pork loaded chips and quesadillas.
The Bakers Duck
When visiting this artisan bakery, don’t be surprised to find a long line of people trailing out the front. The team at The Bakers Duck rise well before the sun to kneed, roll and bake the best sourdough bread around. In the store you will also find handmade pastries and delicious coffee.
From the famous strawberry cheesecake danish to country sourdough, the perfect morning treat is always available at this fantastic bakery run by passionate artisans.
4 Brothers Brewing
This small independent brewery has been a family-operated affair since it first opened. Five days a week, visitors can head to The Brewhouse to try a selection of house-made beers, ales and lagers, as well as classic pub snacks to complete the meal.
Their collection of boutique beers are also stocked in stores across the country. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to 4 Brothers Brewing to try a beer cocktail. The Dark Knight is made using coffee vodka, chocolate powder, milk, and the 4 Brothers’ Coffee Porter.
Muller Bros
Muller Bros is a rooftop bar, restaurant and cafe rolled into one. Located in a historical building, you’ll find holes in the courtyard brickwork made by the rifles that used to be sold when the building was a gun shop back in the early 1990s.
These days, the rooftop bar is an ideal place for a relaxing sunset drink with friends, looking out over the city. However, the main attraction is the Muller Bros restaurant. This eatery is based on a churrascaria, a Brazilian steakhouse which champions high quality meat typically seared over charcoal and open flames.
Banter Coffee Kitchen
This social-enterprise cafe is dedicated to supporting refugee and migrant workers in the Toowoomba community. It’s also a spot for local artists, who can apply to hang their work in the in-store gallery.
Banter Coffee Kitchen was first opened by Stephen Payton in 2019, and quickly became a popular spot for artists and locals seeking connection. Stephen wanted to create a culture of inclusion and diversity by promoting those in the community who come from a range of backgrounds. With delicious food and drinks, it’s not only a great hang-out spot, but the perfect place to grab a morning pick-me-up.
Travel to Toowoomba
Rex flies to Toowoomba. Book your flights here.
Can’t get enough of these foodie hotspots? Check out what else is on offer in this thriving town by clicking here.
