THE SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND
Whether it’s fiery Asian, classic Italian or elevated vegetarian, dining out in Noosa (and nearby) is as laid-back as the local lifestyle.
Best Asian Sum Yung Guys
After playing to a full house for four years, this Sunshine Beach restaurant upped the polish and floor space with a move to Noosaville. The neon manga aesthetic has undergone a suave upgrade with mood lighting, plum banquette booths and a fishscale tiled bar, while punchy pan-Asian cuisine remains the star. Start with hiramasa kingfish with green chilli, laksa oil and dollops of coconut cream, before ripping into crisp roti and a firecracker barramundi larb. Nightcaps play on in the lounge bar.
1/205 Weyba Road, Noosaville; (07) 5324 1391; sumyungguys.com.au
Best craft beer Land & Sea Brewery
Rinse the salt off and have a drink with the locals at Land & Sea Brewery, a tilt-slab concrete altar to craft beer in Noosa’s industrial area. Grab a sheet of tasting notes, choose four ales for your paddle and snack on bites including Korean barbecue chicken wings. If you can’t agree on a designated driver, ask Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours (sunshinecoastcraftbeertours.com.au) for a ride.
19 Venture Drive, Noosaville; (07) 5455 6128; landandseabrewery.com
Best waterfront Lucio’s Marina
With a legacy spanning four decades, Lucio Galletto’s iconic Sydney eatery recently made a Noosa seachange, the new venture headed by his children Michela and Matteo, plus Matteo’s wife, Dieuwke Albertsma. A canny move, when much of Lucio’s adored clientele holiday here. Expect classic Italian, such as the signature tagliolini alla granseola or dry-aged whole fish, with a little Queensland flair at this 60-seat riverfront trattoria and all-day aperitivo bar.
2 Parkyn Court, Tewantin; luciosmarina.com
Best vegetarian Herbert
While the beachfront has undeniable appeal, some of the best restaurants in Noosa are just up the hill from Hastings Street in Noosa Junction – like this plant-forward diner with a cracking cocktail list. The décor and service is as elegant and organic as the menu – think tamari-glazed charred watermelon, harissa roast carrots topped with a crunchy pistachio granola and crumbed eggplant with zingy kohlrabi pickle. Sit barside for the best banter.
1 Arcadia Street, Noosa Heads; 0460 858 060; herbertrestaurant.com
Best atmosphere Spirit House
This lagoon-side restaurant has put sleepy Yandina on the map. It’s surrounded by bamboo and tropical palms that instantly transport you to Thailand while inside, the moody bar, Hong Sa, takes you there via a different route – a knockout Tom Yum Bloody Mary. Diners book months ahead for whole crisp fish in tamarind and chilli, plus Moreton Bay bug miangs. Go with a big group to relish a banquet.
20 Ninderry Road, Yandina; (07) 5446 8977; spirithouse.com.au
Best bistro Market Bistro
A sophisticated anchor point in the new Maroochydore CBD, Market Bistro is modern Australian meets Manhattan grill. While it mostly hosts the business crowd during prix fixe lunch, evenings are a slick affair with French onion soup, housemade pasta and woodfire-grilled steak frites. Grab something from the adjoining Wine Store to drink or let the sommelier guide you through the extensive wine list.
8 Market Lane, Maroochydore; (07) 5412 1401; marketbistro.com.au
Best yum cha Honeysuckle Buderim
Elevated Asian cuisine meets the lunch set at this leafy spot, where owner-chef Seung Joo Kim – previously head chef at Sunshine Beach favourite Embassy XO – oversees a brunch banquet for the dainty sum of $29. Dishes spanning fried beef mapo tofu, Mooloolaba prawn milk bun and Korean fried chicken are served on ceramics crafted by Kim’s wife, Peri. The name Honeysuckle references the meaning of “Buderim” in local Gubbi Gubbi language.
8/4 Ballinger Road, Buderim; (07) 5445 1802; honeysucklerestaurant.com
Best seafood Pier 33
Watch the trawlers from the shade of a Breton-striped umbrella while tucking into a Mooloolaba prawn roll with truffle mayo or sesame-crusted seared wild tuna. What was once the old Mooloolaba Yacht Club is now a sleek waterfront spot offering seafooddriven share plates and topnotch service. The shoestring fries with addictive secret seasoning are a non-negotiable side and it’s hard to beat sunset cocktails on the lawn in summer.
33-45 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba; (07) 5294 5675; pier33.com.au
Best coffee Flying West Coffee Roasters
Hinterland coffee spots don’t come much cooler than this striking warehouse in Doonan, 15 minutes drive from Noosa. Old motorcycle fuel tanks, rustic furniture and a vintage bandsaw take centrestage in the space, while beans are roasted out the back. Try one of two blends named for the owners’ kids – Cheeky Monkey and Little Friend – and don’t leave without sampling a homestyle sausage roll.
13/9 Fellowship Drive, Doonan; (07) 5471 1865; flyingwest.com.au