Morning tea will never feel as whimsical as it does at The Owlery Cafe & Tea House, a Harry Potter themed cafe located in the heart of Samford on Brisbane’s north side. Located adjacent to the popular Store of Requirement (also known as the Harry Potter Store), this is a cafe that is as much a destination as a place to eat.
What is the The Owlery Cafe in Samford?
If its name sounds familiar to you, then you are likely a Harry Potter fan which is a great sign you are going to love this place! The Owlery Cafe & Tea House is named for the room in which the owls were kept in Hogwarts. Harry Potter visited it in the top of the west tower several times during the books. The building where the cafe is located is a repurposed church with high ceilings, verandahs for outdoor eating, a mix of moody and airy indoor rooms and numerous different seating configurations for small and large groups.
The owners of the cafe have done everything possible to embrace an owl and wizardry theme throughout the cafe, with hundreds of different owl additions (like frames and figurines), and areas of interest with accessories like cauldrons and spell bottles. A chandelier hangs in one of the rooms and stained glass windows add to the old world feel.
What’s on the menu
This is a cafe where you can order light meals and drinks and enjoy them in a unique atmosphere quite unlike any other cafe in Brisbane. Their menu is extensive and seasonal with a range of offerings like scones and jaffles, bacon and eggs, steak and soup. They also offer treats like cake and chocolate frogs, tea and milkshakes plus their own coffee blend called the “Elixir of Life”. Some of their menu has standard names, and just for fun some are called things like “Slug Club Pain Perdu” and “Sirius Steak Sanga”.
Inside The Owlery: What to Expect When You Arrive
The experience of the Owlery begins from the moment you set eyes on it. The exterior is an ode to Harry Potter, featuring the Weasley blue car and the red telephone box as well as huge pumpkin accessories and weathered wooden tones that give it a timeless, almost enchanted feel.
There are a couple of different ways to enter the cafe including ramps for wheel chairs and prams.
The entry to where you actually order is located right next to the Harry Potter Store entrances. What will strike you is how intimate and small the place that you order is, versus the volume of seating options available. The kitchen which is much larger sits out the back concealed from the very lovely and once again owl themed ordering area.
The ordering area also doubles as a small retail space, with owl-themed accessories and some very charming tea and coffee mugs available to purchase. When you arrive, you simply find your own seat and then head up to the counter to order your meal.
The Store of Requirement: Shopping for Potterheads
We could not review the Owlery without a quick mention of the Store of Requirement. Filled to the brim with Harry Potter Merch, it’s almost a rite of passage for all Brisbane Kids to have the sorting hat experience when they visit.
In addition to the retail offering, The Store Of Requirement also hosts kids’ birthday parties and have a popular holiday program with activities like Potions Classes and Wand Making Workshops.
Tips for Visiting with Kids (Ages, Crowd Times, Parking)
We aren’t going to lie, this is a popular place, not just the Owlery and The Store of Requirement but Samford itself is loved for all sorts of reasons. There is street parking on station and main street, but on weekends it can feel like an impossible task, but if you pack your patience you should be able to find one on the surrounding streets.
Things to do nearby in Samford Village
The Owlery is located directly opposite John Scott Park, a train themed, shady playground with swings, a fort, slides and a hilly bmx track for kids. Samford also features a fairy accessory store (The Fairy Shed) in the Samford Valley Garden Centre, a crystal shop and tons of places to eat (for another visit).
Samford itself is close to Lyell Deer Sanctuary, not too far from Trevena Glen Farm and Samford Lifestyle Centre. Mount Glorious is also only a 30 minute car ride away, with one of our favourite child friendly rainforest walks.
Is The Owlery Cafe Worth the Trip? Our Honest Take
We think the world needs more whimsy and the Owlery has whimsy in abundance. If you are looking to take your kids to morning tea, and you want to make it a little bit special then absolutely visit! Be mindful that this is a locally run cafe, and it does get extraordinarily busy in peak times, so please be prepared to wait a little longer than usual for your food (with a smile).
How to Book and What to Know Before You Go
You can book in advance for larger groups and even hire out specific spaces for birthdays and special occasions. If you are just planning a casual visit then you just need to turn up and enjoy. You might wait a little longer for a seat during busy times, but there are a lot of seats so you should be okay.
The Owlery is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8am – 2pm and Saturdays and Sundays 7am – 3pm.ย
The Owlery is located on 18-20 Station Street Samford (just off main street). Samford is around 30 minutes from Brisbane CBD.ย
Bookings can be made by calling 0414 909 502
For more information go to https://www.theowlerycafe.com.au/
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