Venturing to the Garden City? Here are the must-try cafes, restaurants and bars in Toowoomba
Heading up the range? Bring your appetite. Toowoomba has plenty to tempt, from buttery croissants and specialty coffee to woodfired pizza, Turkish banquets and paddock-to-plate dining. And the fun doesn’t stop when the sun sets – think wine bars tucked in laneways, rooftop cocktails, craft breweries pouring fresh from the tank and pubs buzzing with live music. If you’re planning a day trip or a weekend escape to the Garden City, here are some spots to eat and drink.
Coffee spots, cafes and bakeries
Need a morning pick-me-up? Toowoomba has no shortage of great coffee spots. Banter Coffee Kitchen on Margaret Street is a go-to for brews and bagels, while those who like to sip straight from the source can settle in among the roasting machines at Six of One in The Mills Precinct. Small-but-mighty Routine Espresso keeps mid-week sippers fuelled from Monday to Friday, and if you fancy a spot of shopping with your latte, make tracks to the Sunday Merchant for caffeine, homewares and pantry provisions, or sip as you browse gifts and artworks at The Storeroom.
Grab a bunch of blooms with your flat white at coffee-slinging florists Ruby Lane or Possum and Bloom, or pick up a takeaway to wander among the fiddle leafs at plant haven The Mills Production. Locals also flock to Framed Espresso Bar and Sage & Butler for coffee and sweet treat, and venture down the graffti-covered laneway on Ruthven Street for brews and bites at Ground Up Espresso.
Purveyors of perfect pastries, The Baker’s Duck, is often buzzing with regulars getting their daily sourdough, coffee and pastry fix – the line moves quickly, and it’s worth the wait. Hot tip – if you’re in town on a Saturday, you’ll also find The Baker’s Duck at the Toowoomba Farmers Market under the windmills at Cobb & Co Museum. For breakfast, brunch and beyond, don’t miss the sausage-and-egg bun at Sweet Talk (tucked behind Margaret Street) or head to Burrow for inventive specials like Shanghai-style eggs Benny. Soak up the sunshine overlooking Queen’s Park at leafy brunch haven Cafe Valetta, linger over high tea at 95 Mary, or treat yourself to decadent waffles at local favourite Ortem.
Restaurants and casual dining
Toowoomba’s dining scene is diverse and delicious, with everything from wine bars to casual eats. Host Dining + Wine Bar serves clever small plates, share dishes and a wine list worth exploring, while Loulaki brings the Mediterranean vibes with housemade dips, charcoal chicken and the famed Penelope’s Lamb.
At Bergen in the Walton Stores precinct, local produce shapes its seasonal paddock-to-plate menu. Sofra serves generous Turkish feasts in a vibrant, traditional setting, and Piccolo Papa keeps Italian traditions alive with handmade pasta and woodfired Neapolitan pizza.
International flavours shine too – Kuro Beko covers Japanese favourites, Karan-an blends Filipino and pan-Asian dishes, and Tram Vietnam serves authentic Vietnamese classics. Hungry diners can head to Clock and Bull for Bavarian-style steins and hearty fare, or swing by Dumphling for quick, flavour-packed dumplings. There’s also El Attar, an unassuming CBD gem for wholesome Middle Eastern cuisine.
Just 20 minutes out of town, Rosalie House Vineyard & Cellar Door is perfect for long lunches and sunset sips among the vines. A little further, Myrtille Bistro (and its sweet sibling My Little Blueberry Patisserie) rewards the drive to Crows Nest with French charm and European-inspired dining.
Bars, pubs and after-dark fun
When the sun dips, Toowoomba’s nightlife comes alive with cosy bars, rooftop cocktails and craft breweries. Laneway fairy lights lead to Santé Cocktail Bar, an award-winning sipping spot known for playful, carefully crafted cocktails. In the Walton Stores alleyway, Uva Wine Bar invites you to explore its curated selection of drops, with food and snacks to match. Cork & Lever is a favourite on Margaret Street, where share plates and cocktails fuel the night.
If a pub is more your pace, roll into The Rock for cold beers, fun cocktails and live music, sip at Fitzy’s for a classic night out, raise a Guinness at The Irish, or take in views over the range with a schooner at the Blue Mountain Hotel.
Craft-beer fans are in for a treat. At Bone Idol Brewery & Bar, house-brewed beers flow all day, with a beer garden for lazy afternoons and live music after dark. Mouse Proof Brewery serves fresh-from-the-tank brews with plenty of outdoor space to kick back over food and pints, while crisp beers and sweeping views await at Monty Brewing Company in Highfields.
For some rooftop glamour, George Banks Rooftop crowns a heritage building in the CBD, mixing sunset cocktails before rolling into snacks and dinner under the stars.