In my last article, I mentioned a little cafe in Mount Glorious called the Elm Haus. Well yesterday Karen and I made a special trip up the mountain to try their Devonshire tea, having left Xander with his grandparents. We’re delighted to say that it was well worth it.
It’s easy getting to the Elm Haus (or Elm House, depending upon which sign you read). If you’re driving from Brisbane, make your way to Mount Glorious via Samford Road, or for a more scenic drive, wind your way up Mount Nebo Road, which eventually joins Mount Glorious Road. Either way, drive through Mount Glorious Village until you see the Elm Haus Cafe on the right side of the road. (Click here to see the Elm Haus in Google Street View.)
The cafe is nestled in a grove of tree ferns by the Maiala rainforest. This setting immediately conveys a sense of calm, a feeling enhanced by its cozy interior. Although it was a perfect day to sit on the deck outside among the tree ferns, Karen and I found a comfy couch inside to lounge on.
It’s counter service at the Elm Haus. We wasted no time in ordering two Devonshire teas – after all, that’s what we came for.
While waiting for our tea and scones, we wandered around looking at the various curios on display: an old typewriter, this knight in shining armour, an array of preserved snakes and insects (in the nook off to one side, so they’re not in your face while you eat), and a host of other knick knacks. If you want, you can also play a game of chess, draughts or backgammon. In many respects, the Elm Haus shares a similar ambience with Three Monkeys in West End, despite the more open layout.
The Elm Haus resembles a church in its construction, with high ceilings and arch windows. Of course, it’s possible the Elm Haus was a church at some point in its life. The Putumayo CD playing in the background certainly benefited from the acoustics of the place.
With a Devonshire tea, presentation plays a big part, so I was encouraged when I saw the two scones neatly arranged on a plate with a little twin pot for the jam and cream. As usual, we ordered English breakfast tea. It was real leaf tea served in a small tea pot.
The Elm Haus Devonshire tea comes with two scones: one plain scone and one sultana scone. Both delicious. All the more so because they served us real cream, not that whipped stuff from a can, which some other establishments that shall not be named have deigned to serve us in the past.
We were so comfortable at the Elm Haus that after our Devonshire tea we ordered some home made potato wedges to share, and I had a latte. I wouldn’t normally spoil a perfectly good Devonshire tea by having a latte straight after, but since we were hanging around, we needed to order something. Anyway, the latte was good, and you’ll be hard pressed to find better wedges anywhere!
Karen and I rate the Elm Haus’s Devonshire tea highly. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that it’s the best we’ve had in south-east Queensland so far, all things considered. Having eaten lunch at the Elm Haus previously, we can also vouch for the quality of the chicken pie and the house special burger. The friendly staff prepare your food quickly and with an eye for presentation (even the wedges looked a treat), and serve you with a smile.
So next time you’re in the D’aguilar Range, I heartily recommend that you stop off at the Elm Haus for good food and a relaxing time.
8 replies on “The Elm Haus Cafe”
I would usually agree, but I was sadly disappoited that the front of the Cafe is now plastered in advertising from that corporate monster known as TeamMoto, which is undoubtedly the greediest, most disrespectful motorcycle business in Australia. It was sad to see The Elm Haus become a commercial sell-out and sacrifice its dignity.
OH NO! Wrong tea house SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
24-04-11 – Elm Haus Cafe, whispered to be under new management – (CONFIRMED) – provided the perfect excuse for a Sunday afternoon drive through the tranquility of the vast winding roads that lead to Mt Glorious Village. Easter Sunday April 24th 2010, was a truely memorable afternoon for myself and family as we relaxed in the truely unique and somewhat à la mode atmosphere created by the new host and staff.
Greeted in the front garden we were led inside and presented a menu that offered everything from Devonshire Tea, (with an extensive range of flavoured loose leaf tea) with homemade scones, to a hearty Beef Burger with classic shoestring fries & everything from the spicy red lentil soup served with crispy traditional organic sourdough to a mouthwatering moussaka, specialty salads and gourmet treats inbetween. After much deliberation we finally chose and decided we would just have to return another day to try the rest!
I forgot to mention the miniture Easter themed cupcakes with soft pastel icings and mini chocolate eggs on top which I had to have immediately and ate on our way to the table – mmmm so delicious and clearly homebaked! With such an exquisite display of cakes it was hard to walk away to be seated.
But no sooner had we sat our coffee arrived and as we sat and warmed our hands on the cups we noticed all the unique ornaments about the room. An old typewriter – antique I would guess, hessian coffee bags from Papua New Guinea, a range of ol’ farmhouse tins, candelabra and various other knick knacks and brick a brack caught our interest and made for great conversational peices and within minutes the meals were all served.
What’s more they were served enthusianstically and literally within minutes! (What a welcome change to the very lacking service of other coffee houses!!)
Although when we arrived there was only one other table occupied – somehow as we looked up from our meals we realised that we were now surrounded by people and the line was 12 people out the door and counting. The Elm Haus – Under New Management – had drawn quite an afternoon crowd, and the open layout provided for all.
From the motorcyclists eating a late lunch on the deck under the umbrellas overlooking the Maiala Rainforest to young couples who shared coffee & cake on the couch by the fire place, the elderly couple, cosied up by the arch windows with their devonshire tea, to the extended family who filled the large table in the centre of the room, everyone was accomodated for and the atmosphere remained relaxed whilst the high ceilings clarified the acoustics of the jazz band vocals masking just enough of the converstaions and amplifying the ambience of a modern rainforest cafe.
We were amazed to find that we could even grab a chess board and strategize our next move over coffee and a homemade lemon curd tart.
I am sure that there is much more to discover at The Elm Haus and we will be heading back up around the mountain again soon to see what’s new on the menu and relax and unwind. Be sure to stop in as they are open daily for Breakfast Lunch Dinner and inbetweens.
Heather, I don’t suppose you are affiliated with the Elm Haus Cafe in any way, are you?
Heckuva good job. I sure apaicerpte it.
Sorry my mistake – major typo – we visited on 24/04/2011 – not 2010…ooops
Heather may, or, may not be affiliated with the Elm Haus, but I have to say, having visited the the Elm Haus yesterday for the first time in many years, that the new management, Kara, has made an amazing change to the place. Food was awesome, service excellent, staff friendly and attentive. Heather and I are obviously not the only ones to agree with the change, the cafe was packed with customers and it was Wednesday !!!
Great work Kara, keep it up :)
The Elm Haus is wonderful, Kara is adorable, and she is an excellent hostess; actually remembered my name when I returned the following weekend for a second visit.
I have been visiting Mt. Glorious on and off for over 30 years now. I have eaten at all the places up there and some of them are very good too; but after my first visit to The Elm Haus I knew I had found my new ‘home’.
The Elm Haus is how I always imagined, and wished, coffee shops to be; it’s like something right out of a good novel. The decor is a bizarre eclectic mix; the wood construction, exposed beams, and super comfortable chairs and sofas create a warm, welcoming, comforting feeling. The food is absolutely delicious, and the hot chocolate in particular is to die for; though I recommend asking for a pot of hot water to go with it, because I swear I have stood my spoon upright in it sometimes it is so thick and rich…grin. I think the prices are good too.
Ultimately though it is the people who make the place what it is; you can have a marvellous building and location, but you need great people running the place right? Well The Elm Haus has wall to wall gracious, lovely, caring staff, and they also attract a very friendly clientele. I have had some fascinating conversations with perfect strangers; excellent people watching place too by the way…smile.
As I wrote at the beginning, Kara is adorable! She is outrageously good at what she does; though I have told her that I wouldn’t want her for a boss – she is the energizer bunny on speed! Her team are all brilliant; attentive, friendly, and when Kara’s not watching, very interesting to talk with; sorry Kara! I know! I know! I know! They have their jobs to do. But I just can’t help it…grin.
If you get up that way, be nice to yourself, visit The Elm Haus, you won’t regret it. Heads up though, if you arrive late in the afternoon they may be out of food, it’s all so good it sells out super fast!
(Kara, if you read this, I’ve been in Colombia for a month; look forward to seeing you and everyone again soon!)
Kerry.
PS: I was asked today if I had any plans for the long weekend. After writing this I know where I’ll be headed this Sunday!
PPS: Definitely not affiliated with The Elm Hause in anyway, though Kara does have to eventually kick me out whenever I visit as I have a great reluctance to get off the comfy sofa and go home…grin.