Toowoomba’s 50 top dining destinations: Your picks for restaurants and cafes
From breakfast options to fine dining and world cuisine, Toowoomba’s favourite dining destinations is an eclectic group. SEE THE TOP 50 RANKED
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After more than 1500 votes on The Chronicle’s online poll, these are your favourite places to sit down for a meal.
1. Monty Brewing
One of our newest restaurants and microbreweries has fast become a favourite for diners in the Toowoomba region.
Years in the making, the venue opened its doors in 2021 and offers classic staples like pizza and buffalo wings along with more eclectic dishes such as beef carpaccio.
Complete with a stunning setting that overlooks the Lockyer Valley and a wide range of craft beers, Monty Brewing has emerged as one of the premier destinations for the area.
Address: 10481 New England Highway, Highfields
2 Fitzy’s
Fitzy’s is one of Toowoomba’s most well-known and well-loved pubs and restaurants in the Toowoomba CBD.
Owned by the Fitzgibbons family, the venue includes a popular restaurant Fitzy’s on Church and smaller bar Tapestry with a Margaret Street frontage.
Its newest section is The Atrium, a new bar and function room.
The main restaurant features a range of premium beef cuts along with a selection of burgers, barramundi and schnitzels.
Address: 153 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
3. Cafe De Velo
Situated in a popular strip of locations along Railway Street, Cafe De Velo has emerged as a popular cafe in just a short space of time.
Serving food for both breakfast and lunch, some of the popular menu items include gourmet sandwiches and salads like the croque monsieur and the chilli and lime calamari salad.
Address: 11 Railway St, Toowoomba City
4. Hog’s Breath Cafe
An iconic chain across Australia, the Neil Street venue is one of about 20 situated throughout Queensland.
The locally-owned family restaurant is well-known for its prime rib steaks that come in three cut sizes and offer a variety of toppers.
The menu also includes burgers, salads and more.
Address: Corner Neil & Bell St, Toowoomba City
5. El Attar
You will find an authentic Middle Eastern cuisine experience at El Attar, located at the corner of Neil and Bell Streets.
The restaurant’s chef trained in restaurants across London and Egypt and now brings a taste of his home village to Toowoomba.
The large menu includes marinated shish kebabs, traditional street food koshari and the fresh and crunchy falafel, served with sauces and flatbread.
Address: 34A Neil St, Toowoomba City
6. Steakhouse 48
The Drayton steakhouse is popular among Toowoomba region diners for its smoked meats and premium steak cuts.
Some of those popular menu items include Angus beef short ribs, smoked beef brisket and pork spare ribs.
If you’re game, you can also try the 1kg steak challenge – if you can finish it in 20 minutes, it’s yours for free.
Address: 48 Brisbane St, Drayton
7. The Cube Hotel
One of Toowoomba’s most popular restaurants and pubs is the only place in the city where you can order your meal on a stonegrill.
Menu items including various cuts of steak and chicken dishes are served cooking at the table on heated natural volcanic stones.
In addition to this unique dining experience, you can also order classic staples like chicken schnitzel and spaghetti bolognese.
The Cube is located at the corner of Neil and Margaret Streets.
Address: 169 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
8. Cobb’s Coffee Shop
The cafe situated inside the Cobb and Co Museum has long been a favourite for visitors.
Part of their menu includes sausage rolls, quiche, bruschetta, Thai beef salad, burgers and more.
Address: 27 Lindsay St, East Toowoomba
9. Piccolo Papa
If you’re chasing an authentic Italian pizza, it’s hard to go past the popular Piccolo Papa.
This restaurant, which moved from High Street in Rangeville to Duggan Lane inside Grand Central a few years ago, serves some of the city’s most-loved traditional slices and pasta dishes.
City diners’ favourites in the past have included the lamb ragu and gnocchi with black truffle and mushroom sauce.
10. Karan-An
This restaurant is one of the newest along Margaret Street, offering authentic Filipino and Asian dishes to Toowoomba diners.
The venue specialises in share plates that include chicken skewers, beo buns and spring rolls, and bowls that include black bean beef and Malaysian chicken satay.
Address: 209 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
11. Jillys Cafe
This popular cafe has been an institution on the Margaret Street strip for a number of years, and has frequently been voted one of the city’s most loved cafes.
Head along for breakfast to grab the savoury mince, breakfast fritters or the Canadian pancakes.
The restaurant also has a comprehensive lunch menu sure to delight all tastebuds.
Address: 181 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
12. Sofra
Toowoomba’s premier Turkish restaurant takes inspiration from the country’s famous area, Kayseri, known for dishes based predominantly on meat and pastry.
Its menu blends ingredients and techniques from both the Mediterranean and the east.
Some of the menu items you can dig into in this well-known city restaurant include kayseri manti, Turkish pasta dumplings with beef, and Hunker Begendi, a traditional Ottoman dish of spiced beef.
Address: 164 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
13. Chong Co
Located in the dining quarter of the Grand Central shopping centre, Chong Co offers Thai food with a modern twist.
Its signature dishes include the lamb shank massaman curry and the barbecue wagyu pad cha in addition to a variety of curries and stir-frys.
14. Meringandan Hotel
If you’re looking for an honest pub meal, it’s hard to look past the Meringandan Pub.
Famed for its traditional meals that will fill your plate, this iconic watering hole is located about 20 minutes from the Garden City.
Address: 30 Main St, Meringandan
15. Cafe 63
This cafe chain is popular with Toowoomba patrons – so much so, there are four locations across the city at Centenary Heights, Kearneys Spring, East Toowoomba and Wilsonton.
Each location uses the same enormous menu, filled with eclectic dish names like the carbon tax – scrambled eggs with sausages and cheese – and the disco ball – a vegetable rosti topped with wilted spinach.
16. Encores Restaurant
This fine-dining experience has been a favourite in Toowoomba for more than 20 years, often for people catching a show at the connected Empire Theatre.
Current main course dishes at Encores include lamb shoulder with mushroom risotto, duck breast and roasted sweet potatoes.
The restaurant on Neil Street is open throughout the week for both lunch and dinner.
Address: 56 Neil St, Toowoomba City
17. 4 Brothers Brewing
Since its move from Brook Street in 2021, brewery 4 Brothers Brewing has opened The Brewhouse on Margaret Street and grown its dining offering.
The menu is provided by Flaming Knights and includes a range of delicious burgers, pizzas and ribs.
Address: 183 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
18. Urth Cafe
Opened in 2014, this family-run cafe on Hume Street serves DiBella Coffee along with a breakfast and lunch menu that suits all tastes.
Pick up a loaded BLT or a club sandwich for lunch, or the bad benny croissant or Persian feta avo snack for breakfast.
Address: 195 Hume St, East Toowoomba
19. Rak Thai Kitchen
This authentic Thai restaurant can be found in Westridge Shopping Centre and serves an assortment of traditional food including curries, stir fry, and rice and noodle dishes.
If you’re chasing a great lunch deal, there is also an assortment of specials to choose from each day.
20. Burrow
This Bridge Street cafe is another location that has fast become a favourite among Toowoomba food lovers.
The venue has an ever-changing seasonal menu and an assortment of delicious specials that change regularly, from banh mi to spiced waffle and carbonara spaghetti.
Address: 117A Bridge St, Mount Lofty.
21. Gip’s Restaurant
Established in 1999, this restaurant is known as one of Toowoomba’s premier fine-dining destinations. The dishes have a modern Australian influence.
Address: 120 Russell St, Toowoomba City
22. Bull and Barley Inn
Dig into some classic pub grub with the backdrop of this beautiful and iconic hotel in the heart of Cambooya.
Address: 61 Eton St, Cambooya
23. Kajoku
The only location in Toowoomba offering Korean barbecue, you can cook your meats at the table or dig into their vast menu that includes fried chicken and a heap of other Korean and Japanese dishes.
Address: 1/430 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
24. Cafe Valetta
This cafe is situated along the well-known strip of restaurants on Margaret Street across the road from Queens Park and is housed in an elegant, heritage setting.
Address: 96 Margaret St, East Toowoomba
25. GPO Cafe
This well known cafe is located in the old post office building, and has been a Toowoomba favourite for many years.
Address: 140 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
26. Copper Bench
This modern cafe is situated in the heart of the Toowoomba CBD and offers a fresh and contemporary menu.
Address: 428 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
27. City Golf Club
One of Toowoomba’s biggest golf clubs is also a favourite for diners to eat, with a bistro, Asian kitchen and various cafes to feast from.
Address: 254 South Street, Toowoomba
28. Chocolate Cottage Cafe
Take in amazing views and dig in to wholesome food, coffee and handmade chocolates at this popular Highfields destination.
Address: 10475 New England Highway, Highfields
29. Ortem Cafe
This popular Railway St cafe has had a long history with Toowoomba, starting in 1999 as The Warehouse Larder and Cafe.
It eventually became Metro and now Ortem, and its delicious menu remains popular with city food lovers.
Address: 15 Railway St, Toowoomba City
30. Urban Grounds Cafe
Located in an old Queenslander, this large cafe and restaurant serves up a wide variety of dishes sure to suit all tastes.
Address: 210 Herries St, Toowoomba City
31. Park House Cafe
Another popular cafe located in a well-known strip of venues opposite Queens Park on Margaret Street.
Address: 92 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
32. Zev’s Bistro
Head chef Kyle Zevenbergen has created one of Toowoomba’s most unique fine-dining experiences in Zev’s Bistro.
The set menu is a selection of seasonal dishes following that highlights local produce.
Address: 517 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
33. Sushi Machi
This Grand Central restaurant is one of Toowoomba diners’ favourite places to pick up sushi.
34. Rosalie House Cellar Door
This restaurant is housed in an old railway building on a small vineyard in the Lilyvale Valley and features delicious food and its own wines.
Address: 135 Lavenders Rd, Lilyvale
35. La Pizzaiola
This longstanding restaurant is serving up traditional Italian dishes in a rustic setting on Margaret Street.
Address: 173 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
36. Club Glenvale
The home of Toowoomba hockey is also a popular place for Toowoomba diners to grab a feed.
Address: 564 Boundary St, Glenvale
37. Aromas Cafe
This cafe, situated on High Street, offers a wide selection of food and drink menu items.
Address: 14/52 High St, Toowoomba City
38. Another Life Coffee & Wares
This cafe with a social conscience is an inclusive venue with quality, fresh food on the menu.
Address: 114 Bellevue Street, Toowoomba
39. Vapiano
This Italian restaurant chain has a popular location in Grand Central, serving up delicious pizzas and pastas.
40. The Rock
This restaurant, situated on Ruthven Street, has quickly become a city favourite for its contemporary pub-style menu and relaxed dining experience.
Address: 520-526 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
41. Proof BBQ
If you’re looking for mouth-watering smoked cuts of meat, it is hard to look past one of Toowoomba’s newest restaurants, which expanded from its Brisbane location in 2021.
Address: 14 Duggan St, Toowoomba City
42. Dee’s Vintage Thai Restaurant
This spacious and no-fuss destination is serving up Thai classics from its Ruthven Street location.
Address: 515 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
43. Muller Bros
This restaurant is located in an early-1900s building and offers a unique Toowoomba dining experience in churrascaria – a Brazilian-style preparation of seasoned and skewered meats.
Address: 25 Bell St, Toowoomba City
44. Ice ‘N’ Spice
This restaurant remains one of Toowoomba’s most-loved Indian restaurants, situated in the Bell Street Mall.
Address: 1/386-388 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
45. The Southern Hotel
This Toowoomba watering hole has three unique restaurants for diners to experience, including bistro Fire & Ice and Cafe Inferno.
Address: 839 Ruthven St, Kearneys Spring
46. Emerge
This social enterprise cafe employs youth who need a helping hand, and recently moved into the heart of the city.
Address: 126 Margaret Street, Toowoomba
47. The Finch
This CBD cafe has proven so popular it last year expanded to a second location at the top of the range, at the site of the former Charred.
Address: 2/469 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City and 2 Margaret St, East Toowoomba
48. Sweet Talk
Located in the Longs Quarter on Margaret Street in Toowoomba’s CBD, this sweet venue offers diners a creative and seasonal menu.
Address: 3/203 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
49. Ground Up
This popular spot offers a varied menu and delicious coffee in a laneway setting between Ruthven Street and Duggan Street.
Address: 501 Ruthven St, Toowoomba City
50. 2TG Thai Restaurant
Situated in the Rededge centre, this restaurant offers delicious Thai dishes, breakfast, snack foods and more.
Address: Shop 6/192 James St, South Toowoomba
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