The Olive Branch

I don’t have kids but my sisters and other family/​friends do, and the Olive Branch café is the perfect place to go if you’re looking around the hills for an affordable, delicious brekky/​coffee to enjoy/​share with those with tinlids.
the owner is a well known hills chef and is always around for a chat. Super friendly. The service has always been good when I’ve been there, quick, attentive and understanding esp. when there are kids around.
The owner/​head chef does catering too and although i couldn’t be there she catered one of my good friend’s weddings this January just gone and by all reports the food was amazing.
It’s nestled in on the corner of a well designed hills complex next to a newsagents, a great local butcher, a chemist, and a foodland supermarket. Super convenient for the locals. Not to mention it’s tucked behind the Balhannah pub and bottle shop so you can always grab a cheeky drop of plonk if you’re heading home to unwind after a day out with the younguns!
There used to be a great little homewares shop a stone’s throw away called Balhannah by Design in the same complex but it has recently moved down the road into a newly established complex next to Mitre10. It’s now called Living by Design and is also well worth checking out.
Olive Branch. A great way to spend a morning, kids or not!

So I may be biased as a former employee (about 3 years ago) of The Olive Branch but this place is great! Owner and head chef, Nicole is an absolute delight who brings a real passion for food and hills produce to the small town of Balhannah.
The menu hasn’t changed drastically for about the past four years but there’s a good reason for that– it’s all delicious and there’s something on there for whatever mood you’re in! There are also always specials up on the board and I believe the dinner menu does have a little variation from week to week. The other great thing is the all day breakfast because going out for breakfast is one of those great pleasures that we don’t always want to wake up early for!
My top picks would have to include the club sandwich– a classic, the lamb wrap, the chicken tandoori wrap and the chips. I don’t know how but these girls have the ability to make basic food so delicious. Curries, salads and an array of delicious foods feature regularly on the specials boards.
There’s always a delicious range of cakes and treats in the fridge– all made on site and all of which match fantastically with their amazing hot chocolates (with real chocolate!)
The menu features gluten free and child friendly options while there’s also a small kids play area inside as well.
If you’re driving through on a weekend in the hills, I would highly recommend stopping in for a local wine and some tasty treats– there’s a delectable tasting plate on the menu– perfect for visitors to the region!