Charming, friendly, inviting – pamper yourself with warm Polish hospitality at this quaint Mount Tamborine retreat.

Set in beautiful Mount Tamborine, The Polish Place started almost 30 years ago as a small tea house and gallery offering authentic Polish cuisine and selling handmade Polish crafts. Since then it has expanded into a fully licensed restaurant along with five luxury chalets. The location, right on an escarpment overlooking the Albert River Valley across to the Great Dividing Range, is unforgettable.

I love sitting out on the terrace, sipping a Polish coffee with cream and watching the rainbow lorikeets feed in the trees. My favourite dessert is the apricot cake, but the pancakes and rum chocolate torte are also hard to beat. From the lunch menu I can recommend the Pierogi or Polish Dumplings served with smoky bacon and fried onions washed down with a glass of Polish beer (Zywiec or Okocim, among others). The signature dish of the restaurant is the Polish Duck Confit, which comprises a baked whole free range duck stuffed with apples and marjoram, served with red cabbage, apples, sour cherries and Polish gnocchi (for two people, available for lunch or dinner). Served on a huge platter, the tender meat just slides off the bone. Superb.  On cold winter days it is very cosy to sit by the open log fire as you eat your meal; bookings are recommended on weekends and public holidays as it can be very busy.

The adjacent chalets are fully self-contained and feature stunning 180 degree views. Each chalet has cathedral ceilings, with its own private balcony, a log fireplace and spa bath along with kitchen and laundry facilities. The loft style sleeping area in each chalet has a queen sized bed from which you can appreciate the view from a huge window overlooking the valley far below. Having a drink out on the balcony at sunset before walking across to the restaurant for dinner was a great experience. You’re not rushed either; check in is from 2pm and checkout is midday, so you have plenty of time to explore the Tamborine ranges, look at the quirky little shops and admire the views during your stay. It is worth a drive to nearby Eagle Heights, which has a huge array of antique and craft shops as well as a myriad of coffee shops.
Don’t forget to have a look at the little Polish gallery off the restaurant. It is interesting to see the Polish art, amber and silver jewellery and wall hangings on display. The work of well-known Polish artists is featured, where you can see works in oils, water colours, pencil sketches and glass, all available for sale as you browse under the watchful eyes of the owner’s dachshunds.

I have been visiting the Polish Place since it first opened, firstly with my parents and latterly with my partner and I have always found everyone to be friendly and welcoming. It has become a destination in its own right and built up a well-earned reputation for its cuisine and accommodation. Over the years The Polish Place has won numerous awards, including a 2009 Award for Excellence in restaurant and catering.

THE POLISH PLACE

333 Main Western Road, Mount Tamborine

www.polishplace.com.au