Putia Pure Food Kitchen

Chef, TV presenter and food writer Dominique Rizzo founded this north side gem - Putia; a pocket-sized cafe with courtyard dining underneath a great poinciana tree and backyard herb and vegetable garden.

Conveniently located opposite Banyo train station on Royal Parade, Putia (a little shop selling food and wine in Sicily) is licensed and open for breakfast and lunch from Wednesday through Sunday. With a focus on fresh, whole foods and locally sourced ingredients, the menu is seasonal with plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.

All day breakfasts from a seasonal menu might include the likes of Chocolate studded baked doughnuts with whipped ricotta and vanilla gelato; baked quinoa and almond maple clusters with house made blackberry jam; Breakfast zucchini pasta with ricotta, smoked roast mushrooms and roasted tomatoes; or Signature Putia benedict - avocado smash, poached eggs, sourdough, parmesan and basil béchamel.

Lunch options include gourmet panini with fillings such as Italian meatballs, chicken parmigiana or shaved sopressa, mortadella and provolone cheese and Italian olive salsa. There's also rustic Italian dishes like Osso Bucco, Fritto Misto de Mare along with pastas including Sardinian spicy sausage ragu, spinach and ricotta ravioli, and house-made potato and herb gnocchi.

Drinkwise, there's coffee, pots of tea, house brewed chai, fresh juices (from apple, pear and ginger zinger to all things green and spicy and the sweet end of passion - with orange, ruby grapefruit, mango, passionfruit and strawberry balsamic) and smoothies made with your choice of Maleny, rice, almond, bonsoy soya milk or coconut water. Standouts include the banana chai cashew Sunday, real chocolate hazelnut and sunnyside of life smoothie with mango, pineapple, raspberry, coconut yoghurt, house rhubarb, ginger compote and coconut water.  

And bar drinks include a small selection of boutique beers and ciders, small batch spirits, wines and a smattering of fresh house cocktails.

by Deb Lidster