Gluten Free Dining on Tamborine Mountain

Dine in or out – Our cottages offer a very unique and very special dining experience

These days, an increasing number of people with gluten intolerance, whether it is a mild reaction, coeliac disease or anything in between, are realising that their health improves (sometimes dramatically) when they avoid it.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and foods that use these or their derivatives as an ingredient. And no, it is not a fad – RESEARCH has shown that even people who do not have coeliac disease or obvious symptoms (yet) can still suffer intestinal damage.

If you must avoid gluten, you may be wondering what your options are for eating out in this small mountain town, but there are plenty of choices. Here are SIX of them:

Masala Shanti

I (Alexandra) list Indian food as one of my favourite cuisines, alongside Thai and Persian food. Why?

I also cannot eat gluten, and the neurological reaction I get would surely cancel any bushwalking plans, but Indian cuisine is always a safe bet with no compromise on health or flavour.

Masala Shanti doesn’t disappoint, with almost all entrees, main dishes and desserts being gluten-free!

From butter chicken to dahl and mattar masala, you aren’t limited to one dish.

El Burro Cantina

Mexican restaurants are another quite safe option, including El Burro Cantina, where the entire menu is gluten-free, both lunch and dinner.

It suits a wide range of food preferences too.

With the lunch menu, you can go simple with the chicken wings or more elaborate with the tostada bowl; the dinner menu features dishes ranging from classic nachos to Mexico’s national dish, Mole Poblano. This is a roasted chicken leg covered in a sauce of chilli, chocolate, nuts and spices, served with rice and fried plantain.

Some dishes allow you to choose your meat, or to swap it for beans or mushrooms.

Three Little Pigs Bar & Bistro

With its stone fireplace, polished wood and outdoor tables made from wine barrels, Three Little Pigs is popular with visitors because of its rustic yet open style.

Although their menu is seasonal, there are always gluten-free options, including their Famous Slow Roast Pork Belly, Oink n’ Surf and salt and pepper prawns.

The seasonal menu sent to me also listed a Gratin of Market Fresh Fish with crab mornay, kumara and pumpkin; and pan-seared scallops.

Clancy’s Irish Bar and Restaurant

A traditional Irish pub is another place where you wouldn’t expect to see many options for gluten-free meals, but Clancy’s dinner menu does list several options.

If you’re into red meat, their organic rib fillet gives you the choice of how well-done it’s cooked; either vegetables or chips and salad; and either mushroom sauce, green peppercorn sauce, onion gravy or mustard.

If you’re more interested in seafood or poultry, the seasonal menu listed on AGFG at the time of writing lists dishes including Moroccan-spiced prawns, served with pilaf rice, baby spinach and Harissa-flavoured yoghurt.

Tea & Niceties

Typically, high tea is off-limits when you need to stay on a gluten-free diet. Although this may have traditionally been the case, Tea and Niceties keeps the best of the old days while throwing out exclusivity.

Their Wellbeing and Wellbeing Celebrations high tea packages are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, making them accessible to everyone.

These feature a very similar selection of sandwiches, warm savoury foods, scones and tiny desserts, including delicate cakes and tartlets.

Spice of Life Café and Deli

The owners at Spice of Life love to explore the world’s flavours, so you’ll never have to worry about being limited to that one lonely ham and cheese sandwich on crumbly gluten-free bread.

If you Just Want Eggs on Toast, that’s fine, or you can be a little different with kumara zucchini fritters or the Middle Eastern cauliflower dish.

As for lunch, dishes include the gourmet vege burger with haloumi, mushrooms and beetroot orange chutney; and the Buddha Bowl with green tea-infused rice, salad and pickled ginger (smoked salmon optional).

Looking at what’s available, you don’t have to pack a week’s supply of food to stay on Tamborine Mountain.

At Witches Falls Cottages, we also accommodate your dietary requirements in our breakfast hampers. You can choose between the Gourmet hamper, with ham, cheese, fruit, yoghurt and more; or the BBQ hamper with eggs from our own chickens, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and German sausages.

An honourable mention goes to the Rainforest Café next to Bygone Days and Vintage Crafts, for their gluten-free sandwiches and friendly service – Alexandra.

As you can see, Tamborine Mountain is not short on gluten free dining options, despite being a small town. Do you have a favourite gluten free recipe, or dish to order when eating out? Let us know.

Click here if you would like to visit Tamborine Mountain and stay in one of our beautifully appointed private cottages so that you can experience this diverse and yummy dining experience for yourself. Or if you have any questions not answered just contact us via this page.

This article written by Alexandra Preston – BHSc (Naturopathy)