The large frill-necked lizard looked very much at home in the cafe despite the action around him.
Children were laughing in the adjacent playground, a waitress was moving tables and people were walking about but nothing was upsetting his moment. That's until I asked him to smile for a photo and then he took off, scuttling across the cafe and sending a small girl crying to her parents.
Eden Garden World (formerly Carseldine Garden World) is a garden-lovers delight, stocked full of an amazing variety of lush plants accompanied by a wide selection of homewares.
I was tempted by the pillow that stated “an outfit is not complete unless accompanied by dog hair” but I just couldn't do it. My quest to remove every dog hair from my wardrobe remains.
However we weren't there for the plants or the homewares. Instead our aim was to try out the newly renovated Dragonfly Cafe and meet the resident lizards.
We were there just before lunch and so some of us chose from the lunch menu and others from the 'desserts and delightful treats' section. The sweet treats – flourless ttalian almond cake, chocolate brownie and a freshly baked muffin – were well presented and eagerly received. There were no complaints.
The same for the toasted turkish bread with house dips and BLT with smoked bacon, roma tomatoes, mixed lettuce, avocado and aioli, and it came with chips.
On the main meals menu prices range from around $20 to around $40 for a seafood platter for two, with most priced between $25 - $30. Offerings include salt and pepper calamari; prawn and smoked salmon fettucine; crispy skin duck and a MSA 200g rib fillet steak.
The cafe was well patronised and I'd suggest booking if you can get that organised. It's also very child friendly with a large playground adjacent to the eating area.
Botttom line: A child-friendly cafe with a wide selection of food.
Eden Garden World, cnr 1657 Gympie and Beams Roads Gympie Rd, Carseldine p 3263 9888