Here, small batch reigns supreme – where coffee roasters, bakers, chefs, local producers and gourmet artisans turn simple ingredients into perfect morsels that are worth every minute of the drive.
Think warm pies pulled from the oven, coffee roasted just metres from where you drink it, handmade fudge, golden pastries and farm-fresh meats. Somerset isn’t about mass production. It’s about care, craft and people who are deeply proud of what they make.
Sample and savour your way through the region with this guide to Somerset’s Small Batch Scene – a must do for South East Queensland foodies.
Coffee
Somerset is home to a blossoming coffee culture with bespoke roasters and cafes that celebrate local produce. Here are some of our favourites to explore.
Brisbane Valley Roasters, Esk
A must-visit for caffeine lovers. An edgy fitout, friendly staff, broad café menu and their own blends roasted right on site.
Splityard Social, Fernvale
A favourite stop on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Splityard Social is a VIBE. Think a dark, moody fitout with rich rustic timber, cool music, quiet courtyard (complete with a herb garden), delicious menu and as this writer can attest – a great cup of coffee.
Yowie Coffee, Kilcoy
You don’t need a flash fitout to do coffee well. Operating from their coffee van in Yowie park (Thursday to Sunday),Yowie Coffee is popular with both locals and travellers who stop for a rest and coffee. They have their own blend and a loyal following – for very good reason! This is great coffee with a welcoming community vibe.
Thee Coffee Shack, Toogoolawah
As if Toogoolawah couldn’t get any more appealing, allow us to introduce you to Thee Coffee Shack. Great coffee and delicious local products from other small batch makers are served up in one cute-as-a-button cottage on the main street.
Jams, Honey & Pantry Providores
There is NOTHING better than handmade, particularly when it comes to preserves and spreads. Often made from recipes handed down by generation and tweaked, tested and perfected into complete culinary art.
Here in somerset, small batch providores reign supreme and our tip is to buy more than one – these jams and homegrown treats will be on high rotation in your kitchen!
Picnic Society, Toogoolawah
Open on weekends, this is where you’ll find beautiful small-batch jams, relishes and gourmet pantry goods. This writer can personally recommend the tomato relish – it was a delicious accompaniment to the ploughman’s lunch I crafted the following weekend, inspired by my Somerset visit!
Kilcoy Craft Market
Considered one of Somerset’s hidden gems, this lovely little space is a treasure trove of handmade and homegrown treats including local honey and preserves. The centre also stocks other lines including soaps, candles, dried flowers and more. A must do on any small batch adventure through Somerset.
Folk Art Cooperative, Lowood
Part gallery, part community market, this sweet space is the perfect stop for foraging foodies with jams, honey and artisan products made from the heart. The cooperative also retails plants, crafts and other art items – you won’t be leaving empty handed!
Rudi’s Place
Tucked away just off Ipswich St in Esk, this charming little store is a treasure trove for fashion, jewellery and small bath creations including spices, fudge, rubs, teas, relishes, candles, art and décor.
Little Country Lane
This gorgeous little gift shop showcases the region’s local makers and providores. Treat yourself to locally produced shrubs (perfect for cocktails!), macadamia nuts, condiments and candles.
Meats
Somerset is cattle country, and it shows in the quality of its meat offering. Farm fresh from paddock to plate, explore premium local beef and top-tier cuts at these local outlets.
Esk Beef (available at Esk IGA)
Esk Beef is known for their premium beef cuts from their stock naturally raised on their family farm. Throughout the year, Esk Beef also offers on-farm tours that offer an insight into their operations products and guided tastings.
Kilcoy Butchery
Kilcoy Butchery is somewhat of an icon in Somerset, with their butchery well known for quality meats, poultry and their famous gourmet sausage roll range.
Brisbane Valley Meats
Quality, flavour and provenance come together at Brisbane Valley Meats, Esk’s much revered local butchery. Their reviews are top notch with customers travelling from outside of region just for their crumbed lamb chops!
Pastries, Cakes & Dessert Stops
There’s an old saying “A good companion shortens the longest road” but clearly they’ve never seen the cabinet at Old Fernvale Bakery. Somethings are simply worth driving for and Somerset’s pastry and cake stops are definitely one of those things. Stretchy pants are the must-do requirement when you explore these delicious dessert stops.
Picnic Society, Toogoolawah
Steve’s weekend French pastries are the stuff of foodie legend — plus cheesecakes and baked goods worth planning your trip around.
Linville Store & Café
Loaded cookies, cakes and slices await at Linville Store and Café, a bustling little gem that serves up barista-made coffee and locally made treats.
Esk Grand Hotel
This elegant old girl perched proudly on Esk’s main street oozes classic country pub charm. Aside from the traditional “counterie”, it’s also a surprisingly good place for coffee and cake with a good selection and generous sizes.
Tree Change Café, Fernvale
This writer loved her visit to this quirky café in Fernvale – a spot that plant lovers (and the kids) will absolutely adore. The pancakes were light and fluffy with fresh seasonal fruit and ice-cream and the breakfast menu was also comprehensive.
Old Fernvale Bakery
This award-winning bakery has made its mark with its top-quality pies. The bakery offers more than 150 varieties of pies and a large selection of sweet treats.
Coff & Co, Kilcoy
An institution for locals, Coff and Co is Kilcoy’s go to for fresh loaves and bakery classics including sausage rolls, pies and fresh cream buns.
Esk Bakery
The Esk Bakery promotes their efforts as “bloody good baking” and that about sums up the delicious offering that awaits here. Fresh sandwiches, sausage rolls, pies, cakes and all the usual bakery fare is exactly how a small-town bakery should be – great food and great service.
Fernvale Bakehouse & Patisserie
A lovely little stop in Fernvale offering a wide selection of sweet and savoury pastries plus fresh sandwiches, roles and bread.
Food, glorious food
Totally tempted your taste buds yet? Somerset’s a great example that the best food experiences aren’t in big cities – their found along quiet country roads, in small markets and retail nooks and in villages where everyone knows the maker’s name.
So take the drive. Follow your nose and nd step into the delicious playground that is Somerset.
Start planning your trip here with our Visitor Guide.
