The Flying Nun Cafe

Overview

The further you get from the city centre, the more exciting it becomes to find an excellent brunch spot. When we set out on a road trip to the D'Aguila National Park north of Brisbane, stopping by The Flying Nun Cafe in Samford proved to to be an unexpected highlight. Tucked off the main road, the cafe is set in an old church, renovated with a massive deck that winds between large trees where a cool breeze blows by.

It's a hot day, and the first thing on the tempting specials board is a watermelon, apple and mint frappe — it hits just the spot. As does the caramel malt milkshake. You read right, we've found a place that still serves malt — a rarity indeed.

When we open the menu, we find one of the best breakfast selections we've seen in a while. While they've got a whole page for eggs benny and big breakfasts, the main menu includes the likes of scallops with fennel and red wine sausage, and a mushroom bruschetta done two ways. Even the avo on toast is stacked so high, the green smash is taller than the fat sourdough toast itself.

The potato and Persian feta hash cakes with poached eggs, a chorizo crumb and carrot puree sounded like a winner, and didn't disappoint. A wooden board arrived laden with three short, fat potato cakes and the eggs resting in a nest of chorizo crumb.

Despite the cafe being a busy hive of activity on a Sunday morning, the staff still made the time to make us feel at home —cracking jokes, and running to the kitchen to get the hash cake order in before another waitress snagged the last one for someone else. We lucked it with timing and were able to grab a walk-in table, but we recommend booking on weekends.

Samford is only a half hour drive from the city, but it feels like a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle. Next weekend, embark on your own mini road trip and make The Flying Nun your first port of call. At least try the incredible-looking homemade lemon meringue pie for us. We couldn't find the room.