Get your comfy pants out folks! Not only will you need them for the two hour drive up the range to spy on Toowoomba’s flora in all its colourful grandeur, but there is a not-so-secret “Feastival of treats” happening during the carnival that all you gourmands really should endeavour to conquer. This is a few of our picks on how to eat your way through this years Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
De Dutch Cafe
With its cosy cottage ambience, De Dutch Cafe is famous for its warm hospitality, glorious waffles, and decadently rich brownies [that you won’t want to share]. During the Feastival, er, we mean carnival, De Dutch are serving up homemade waffle stacks with lemon and curd meringue and ice cream. Definitely get the brownie for take away.
Gips Restaurant
Housed in one of Toowoomba’s most historic buildings, Gip’s is perfect for a casual cafe style lunch or dinner. Whilst the restaurants regular menu features the likes of pappardelle pasta, Stanbroke beef sirloin, and sweet potato gnocchi, the crew there are serving up a tasty Crispy Chicken burger with tomato avocado salsa and spicy mayo, complete with thick fries and a soft drink or coffee. Sounds exactly perfect for a well earned lunch break after much floral gazing.
Urban Grounds Cafe
With an all day breakfast, Urban Grounds Cafe serves up pan fried parrot fish for those who prefer a savoury start. Served with a crisp slaw and set on a nest of house friend hokkien noodles and finished with a zesty mango salsa, there’s only one thing to say about this dish: Yum!
The Bakers Duck
For the pastry fiends, behold the glorious food art that hails from The Bakers Duck. If their best seller – a Strawberry Cheesecake Danish [and by that we mean a Danish stuffed full of strawberry cheesecake goodness] – takes your fancy, then the sounds of a “Lamington Choux Bomb featuring coconut craquelin Choux bomb filled with a chocolate coconut cremeux and vanilla sponge layered with strawberry gel then topped with a tempered dark chocolate disc, toasted coconut pastry cream, a mini lamington and edible flowers” will blow your socks off (with a taste to match). You might even need a minute to awe at all of its fluffy, delightful brilliance. Sincere round of applause to the chefs on that one.
Festival of Food & Wine Experience
Also worth mentioning is the Festival of Food & Wine Experience, taking place over the weekend starting Friday 9th September with single day passes available, or even a 3 day pass for all of those wanting to make the most of the festivities (and eats). BBQ fanatics can learn how to grill like a pro in the Pit Yard, beer lovers can enjoy Queenslands best craft beers in the Beer Garden, there are plenty of sips available at the festivals cocktail and wine bar, and there is even a fun Cubby House to keep the little nuggets entertained – complete with face painting and arts and crafts.
The Feastival [we mean Carnival] starts this week and continues throughout September so be sure to check out what’s happening, including multiple Foodie Dinners, Pub Tours and even a High Tea.
As for us? We are off to get bigger, stretchier pants.
