Somerset Cafes Worthy Of A Roadtrip

If that sounds like the bean to your brew or the bread to your butter, then Somerset’s blossoming café scene is worth discovering.

Nestled amongst South East Queensland’s iconic waterways of Lake Somerset and Wivenhoe, Somerset is an easy day trip from either Toowoomba, Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast with just over an hour of travel time making for an easy weekend road trip.

Here, you’ll find the simple weekend coffee run is instead, a slow and celebrated experience with coffee shops designed to let you linger and mouth-watering menus carefully curated to showcase the region’s producers.

Here’s seven Somerset cafes worth putting into your GPS this weekend.

1. Splityard Social | Fernvale

Popular with locals and known for a very good brew, Splityard Social is located just off the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail in Fernvale.  This café combines rustic timber finishes with an industrial vibe and has both indoor and outdoor dining, including a cute courtyard with herb garden.

Coffee is serious business here with their house blend roasted onsite daily. Celebrating local produce is also a priority, with the café’s menu carefully interweaving flavours from local and regional producers.

Pair a quality cup of coffee with a hearty breakfast or time your run for their lunch time menu.  There’s also a specials cabinet for those who prefer a pastry or savoury bite with their coffee.

 

2. Tree Change Cafe | Fernvale

Plant lovers will adore this small café tucked discretely by the highway in Fernvale. Simple by design, this quirky little nook is a great space to tuck up with a good book and a cuppa. The pancakes are light and fluffy with fresh seasonal fruit and ice-cream but for those that prefer a more savoury start to the day, there’s a tasty selection of options available from the menu or cabinet. 

Top tip – bring your old books with you and swap them at their free onsite book exchange!

 

3. Brisbane Valley Roasters | Esk

Coffee lovers should put Brisbane Valley Roasters on their must-visit list. This specialty café in Esk is all about freshly roasted beans, with its own blends made onsite and available to take home. They also make their own cold brew which you can buy and take with you.

The café is conveniently located alongside the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, making it a natural stop for cyclists and road-trippers alike with all the comforts a weary cyclist could want including bike racks, shaded outdoor dining and on some weekends, visiting llamas for you to chat with while you drink your latte.

On the menu, you’ll find toasties bursting with ingredients like house made herb butter, smoked caramelised onions, mozzarella, garlic pickles and plenty more. If you’re chasing a protein hit, the brekky burger or big breakfast are sure to knock any appetite out of the park.

For lunch, your Aussie classic steak sandwich is an unmissable option, made with steak from local farming family Esk Beef.

 

4. Nash Gallery and Café | Esk

Why choose between a café stop and a browse around an art gallery when you can do both? Nash Gallery and Café occupies the historic Lars Anderson house on Esk’s main street, meaning you’ll be offered plenty of character before you’ve even looked at the menu.

Inside, you’ll find a welcoming café serving breakfast, lunch and sweet treats, with seasonal dishes featuring local produce.

There’s also art, pottery and handmade gifts to browse, making a great stop for a brew and a browse.

Order a coffee, settle in for a bite and leave a little time to discover something made by a local artist.

 

5. Picnic Society | Toogoolawah

If you have a passion for a good grazing board, picnics or pastries, Picnic Society in Toogoolawah is one to save for the weekend.

Part café, part providore and part treasure trove of picnic accessories, this is a destination for people who appreciate the finer details of sharing food.

The weekend café serves freshly made pastries, tarts, cakes and coffee, while the shop is filled with picnic baskets, rugs, vintage glassware and other lovely finds including their own batches of condiments including relishes, jams and pickles.

You can also order a gourmet picnic box in advance, collect it from the store and head out to find your own scenic spot in Somerset to enjoy your bounty.  If you need inspiration for the perfect picnic location to enjoy your spread, click here.

 

6. Linville Café | Linville

This iconic little café located in Linville has a cult following and for very good reason.

Located right along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, the Linville Café offers hearty country breakfasts, gourmet toasties, barista made coffee and a tempting selection of homemade treats including their range of cakes in a can.

It’s a great stop over for those looking to explore the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail or those heading to the recently opened The Station Handmade for a spot of crafts and culture.

 

7. Kilcoy Candy | Kilcoy

Perhaps the sweetest stop in Somerset, Kilcoy Candy is a fun café to add to your trip.

Located on Mary Street in Kilcoy, this colourful space is the place to indulge your inner child, whether you’re craving colourful lollies, chocolate or a scoop of gelato.

With its retro fitout including candy cane striped shelving, and gelato inspired booths, this gorgeous little store is the perfect combination of fun and nostalgia.

The kids will love selecting their own treats from the shelves before settling in for a loaded milkshake or spider.

Top travel tip: Opening days and hours can vary, especially for weekend-focused venues. Check each business’s website or social media before travelling.