When: 26th March – 18th April
The Ferntree Gully Food Trail around the Village shops gives everyone an opportunity
to extend shopping habits, try out a new taste, a new takeaway, a coffee spot, bakery or bar.
Funded by Knox Council as part of township renewals, the Food Trail will be great for Easter and school holiday activities.
How to walk the Food Trail
Pick up your ‘Food Connects Us’ brochure at any of the participating Traders or download a copy here. Then use the Map to visit traders and collect your stamps.
Once you have collected 10 stamps you can enter the draw to win 1 of 3 $100 Bunnings vouchers or a $50 Voucher from Flame Trees Burger Bar.
You can enter as many times as you like by dropping off your entry at a participating Trader location. T&Cs apply. Remember to check opening hours for participating traders before you visit and collect your stamp.
Tag us on your Instagram and/or Facebook and use #FerntreeGullyFoodTrail, and the best photo will receive a $100 Bunnings voucher.
Food Connects Us
Gully News Editor Anne and Assistant Kirsten recently walked the trail together over a few days to enjoy some of the great food offerings in Ferntree Gully Village. This is their story.
1. Rapture Café
We decided to start at Rapture Café opposite the cemetery in Forest Road. Rapture Café has an interesting history. Anne remembered her father operating ‘Boyd’s Better Bargains’ on this site, selling furniture in the 60s. He used to take turn serving petrol next door when Peter Straub went to lunch.
When you enter Rapture Café today it is full of natural light, and your eyes cannot help but be drawn to the display of bakery goods including pies, cakes, slices and lots more baked by Namita. It looks mouth-watering and on tasting the Lemon Ricotta Pie (GF) and their famous Sausage Rolls we can vouch they taste delicious. Complementing the beautifully crafted food is a terrific coffee.
Website: www.rapturecafe.com.au/
2. Mumbai Grill
Further down Forest Road is Mumbai Grill, Indian Food and Tandoori. On entering we were struck by the warm welcome and the extensive menu.
We sampled some of their authentic dishes including Vegetable Pakora, Butter Chicken, Malai Paneer, Lamb Biryani and the delicious tandoori oven-baked naan. It was Kirsten’s first visit and she stands by her assessment that ‘Mumbai Grill serves the best Indian Food I have eaten in years’.
Website: mumbaigrill.com.au/
3. Flame Trees Burger Bar
A few doors on is Flame Trees Burger Bar. One of the best places to get a burger in Ferntree Gully, it is a spacious venue with an outdoor courtyard.
Kathryn, the new president of the Ferntree Gully Village Traders is the owner. Her Great Southern Land burger with beef, cheese, bacon, egg, house-pickled beetroot, home-style tomato relish, mayo, lettuce and tomato is legendary – reminding you of a burger with the lot from the old-style Aussie Burger Takeaway joints that seem to have disappeared in recent years.
Website: flametreesburgerbar.com.au/ferntreegully/
4. Italianissimo Pizza and Pasta
On to Italianissimo Pizza and Pasta where you can get some traditional Italian dishes.
If you have a large family you cannot get better value for money than their 15-inch family pizza in all the traditional favourite styles such as Cappriciosa, Marinara, Tropical and Margherita on their extensive list. Or try one of their gourmet pizzas such as Lamb Tzatziki or Salmon – there is something for everyone’s taste.
Website: italianissimo.com.au/
5. Paddy’s Tavern
Our next stop is Paddy’s Tavern, it is an equivalent of the local pub with a great selection of Beer and Guinness. We missed out on the St Patrick’s Day celebrations last week, but heard it was a great party!
On Friday nights listen to music while noshing down on a traditional pub style meal like Beef and Guinness Pie, Reef and Beef, or Salt and Pepper Squid.
Website: paddystavernftg.business.site/
The next day we continued our journey down Alpine Street – the name comes from a 19th century plan for a funicular railway up to the national park. What a pity it wasn’t built – we keep thinking how much fun it would be to travel to the top of the mountain in this manner.
6. Hills Church Op Shop
The Op Shop always seem to be bustling – and for the foodies it has a terrific collection of cookbooks, crockery, pots and pans and cooking utensils It’s s worth a visit to find a sought-after bargain.
Website: www.hillsopshop.com.au/
7. Kyra’s Café
Across the road is Kyra’s Café. Stop by and have one of their delicious homemade slices with a cuppa for afternoon tea. While you’re there don’t forget a loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread.
Website: kyars-cafe.business.site/
8. Foodworks
At 9-13 Alpine Street is Foodworks Supermarket – providing plenty of choices for all your grocery needs. Ask Joel, the owner, to give you a hand if you need help finding anything.
9. Salte Cafe
After visiting Foodworks we head to Salte. They have delicious coffee, food and sweets – with all food made on site by Steve. So many yummy options including Vegan and Gluten Free. Check out their daily specials, particularly their indulgent muffins. You always feel welcomed by the cool vibe and great service!
Website: www.saltecafe.com.au/
It’s time to cross the railway line, which was built in 1889. Did you know that the traders on either side used to stagger their lunch hours in those early days, with one side closing from 12 noon to 1pm and on the other, 1pm to 2pm?
As we cross, we linger by the Swagman, carved from the wood of the great pine tree that dominated the scene until the early 2000s. It is reminiscent of the pioneer in Frederick McCubbin’s painting ‘Down on his luck’. We discuss, is he pondering the mysteries of life or he just wondering on where the next tucker comes from?
10. Newsagent
Turn left at Station Street and look for the Newsagent at 69. How does a newsagent get in to a food trail? Food magazines and cookbooks of course – it’s worth a visit to see what you can discover.
11. Ferntree Gully Fish and Chips
At 71 Station Street is Ferntree Gully Fish and Chips. No food trail would be complete without the great staple that kept the Brits going throughout the war. Fish and Chips cooked just right is a comfort food we expect to be always there. And it is.
12. Railyard Espresso
Then we cross Station Street and visit Railyard Espresso – the newest of the Gully coffee shops with a fun railway décor that mimics metro trains. It’s not fine dining on the Orient Express, but their smoothies and their jaffles are outstanding (we recommend the Cheezy Boi).
Website: www.facebook.com/railyardespresso/
13. Goodlife Party Food
On the other side of Station Street head into the Village Court, a cluster of shops built in the 1970s. The Food Trail leads you to a newcomer, Goodlife Party Food – the perfect shop for all your party and event catering needs with finger food packages from $4.50pp, including selections like gourmet sandwich platters, mini-Italian pizzas, mini-Greek souvlakis, sliders and more.
Website: www.goodlifepartyfoodshop.com.au/
14. Jennifer Anne’s Cakes
Back to Station Street and the next stop is Jennifer Anne’s Cakes, a long-standing business. The new owners, Jen and Jodie, were passionate home-based cake decorators and regular customers – they loved the business so much they bought it!
They create gorgeous quality cakes for customers and help cake makers chose the right products and how to use them. So, if it is a wedding cake you are after, or just a cookie cutter, they can help!
Website: www.jenniferannescakes.com.au
15. Ferntree Gully Thai Restaurant
Next door is the Ferntree Gully Thai Restaurant, where in happier pre-COVID days the Gully News team gathered for a celebratory meal after each issue of the paper went to Press.
After surviving the long lockdown, it is good to see this popular restaurant trading once more. From their authentic Thai food menu, we can recommend the spring rolls, pad thai and satay chicken that we enjoyed immensely on our visit.
Website: www.ferntreethai.com.au
16. IGA
Down the walkway next door is the local IGA, where Ning and her caring team at IGA were Editor Anne’s staple during the long lockdown. For many weeks last year, they ‘saved her life’. Small supermarkets maybe called convenience stores but they are a huge help, especially for locals who don’t drive.
As well as finding all the basics of food and liquor, you will also find your own favourites, like Blue Castello cheese and a Spanish rioja.
17. Chandelier Wine Lounge
We loved visiting Chandelier Wine Lounge, a newcomer with a special contribution to the Village Food scene.
This elegant wine lounge is the dream of owner Janine. She battled throughout last year’s lockdown to open a food/wine experience that you would normally find in Spanish villages. On an autumn evening it was is the perfect place for a glass of wine, olives, charcuterie, and conversation.
Website: chandelierwinelounge.com.au/
18. Chook Station
Chook Station is another Gully icon having been in the village for many years. The team will produce a meal for any occasion: roast chicken, chips and a variety of fresh salads. Take-away or sit out front to watch the trains, the passing parade and enjoy the mountain view.
Website: www.facebook.com/Chook-Station-1168184663241884/
19. Frock Up
Last stop of our food trail is Frock Up. How does a Dancewear shop fit in a Food Trail you might ask?
Owner Kerrie, who took over the premises of the iconic Gully Watches and Clocks shop, is doing for dance clothes what Philip, the previous owner, did for timekeeping. Call in to see her imaginative connecting of food and dance. And dancewear for every age.
Website: www.frockupdancewear.com.au/
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So that’s our food trail – we did this over three days having a terrific time visiting traders, tasting many delicious foods and drinking coffee. One evening we did a progressive dinner of all the dinner locations having an entrée at each venue – so much fun!
We are sure you will enjoy your version of the food trail as much as we did ours.
Kirsten Rappolt and Anne Boyd
Don’t forget to download your brochure here. Then use the Map to visit traders and collect your stamps.
