A yen for a bike ride saw us heading to Mt Tamborine on Sunday. It was a great morning with blue skies although a little hot.Find for the day was the newly opened Mountain Larder Deli owned by ex chef Michael Taylor. Although eating options are plentiful on what's known as 'Gallery Walk' on Tamborine, there are few places where you can put together your own meal to take out and enjoy in the the wonderful World Heritage listed surrounds.
Mountain Larder Deli has got it sewn up with a great range of meats, cheeses, sandwiches, wraps and other speciality foods. Michael really knows his cheeses and his range includes imported items you won't find elsewhere. He's happy to offer a taste as well.
I'd love to go back when I have an esky to try some of the locally cured bacon. Yum.
Another great idea of Michael's is the picnic packs that he has available for hire for the day or free with food purchased from The Mountain Larder. I would certainly go one of those filled with their food. They'll even wash up for free when you bring it back.
But the most important items, the ones which made my eyes light up, were of course the cupcakes. Made by staff member Caroline, the cakes come in small and large sizes and have very cute printed paper cases around them. They are a rich butter cake recipe with a sweet, slightly crunchy, well flavoured icing. The strawberry cupcake had a small dollop of strawberry jam near the base and I saw another with a similar treatment. I love those unexpected surprises when you bite into a cupcake.
Do yourself a favour and check out this shop on Gallery Walk.
We also visited the MT Brewery and had a coffee at Olive Cafe.
My favourite place to stay on Tamborine is Witches Falls Cottages.
The Mountain Larder Deli,
Shop 1, 151 Long Road, Gallery Walk
Tamborine Mountain. +61 7 5545 4111