The Cottage Restaurant
Ipswich
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
The Cottage Restaurant offers an exquisite fine dining experience in a beautiful national-trust-listed 1860's Ipswich cottage that is well worth taking a trip for.
Tables are set with white linen cloths and silver candlesticks on the verandah of Darver Cottage (circa 1861) and in the three elegant old-world dining rooms with polished floorboards, two of which feature the original fireplaces.
Within this realm of old-world charm and refinement diners can take their time to enjoy delectable French-inspired cuisine that is a rare treat and up there with the best in south east Queensland.
From Wednesday to Friday from 10.30am-1.30pm you can enjoy a delectable high tea within the beautiful historic surrounds. Pre-bookings essential.
To start The Cottage’s baked herb focaccia is served with smoked paprika-encrusted butter cubes and diners can enjoy dainty morsels such as Mushroom Carpaccio with Truffle Oil or Duck Liver pate with Lavosh from the Tastes list.
To follow, Entrees include options such as Parmesan and Thyme Gnocchi, Fried Triple Cream Brie with endive and apple salad, Bouillabaise, or Forest Mushroom Risotto.
From the Mains diners can choose from Rolled Rabbit with pistachio and macadamia nuts , melt-in-the-mouth 48 Hour Pork Belly with confit garlic and eschalot croquette or Braised Lamb Shank on creamed potatoes, green beans, olives and gremolata.
In addition there are Sides such as Seasonal Greens with toasted macadamia nut butter and Roasted Baby Potatoes with lavender honey mustard dressing.
Desserts are every bit as delectable as the rest, with the Roast Fig Turnovers with spicy fig sauce goats cheese ice-cream alone worth driving to Ipswich for, not to mention the Dark Chocolate Ravioli with vanilla bean anglaise and boysenberry ice-cream and the Assiette of Lavender Brulee with ice-cream and white chocolate brownie, mixed berries and praline.
And to finish The Cottage Restaurant has a range of Coffees and pots of tea, Port and Dessert Wines (ask the waiter for the selection).
The wine list is every bit a match for the food, and personally chosen by the wine buff owners of The Cottage Restaurant and there’s also a small selection of beers.
Nice to know – In its first incarnation, Darver Cottage was a private day and boarding school for girls up until 1869. From the verandah are views over the city rooftops, with the D’Aguilar Ranges on the horizon.
Need to know – The Cottage Restaurant has fantastic access for wheelchairs, with a ramp and glass lift from street level up to the verandah and a chic and spacious restroom that is designed for disabled access.
The menu may have changed since our visit.
And, for more great things to see and do in Ipswich, visit Discover Ipswich HERE.
