From white linen fine dining to cosy neighbourhood eateries, there are a lot of contenders for the Sunshine Coast's best restaurant. As the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country builds its reputation as a burgeoning foodie hub, we're spoiled for choice and the Urban List team is certainly not complaining. Neither are our stomachs.
From north to south, fine dining institutions to up-and-coming venues, one of these Sunshine Coast restaurants should have you sorted. It’s a tough—and by no means exhaustive—list to narrow down, but here are 30 of the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast in 2024.
Market Bistro
8 Market La, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Image Credit: Market Bistro | Instagram
If there was ever a place for top-notch fine dining on the Sunshine Coast, look no further than Market Bistro. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, plush couches and soft green finishes, Market Bistro is your stylish and contemporary European neighbourhood-style bistro.
Boasting a constantly revolving wine list, you’ll be glad you ordered that delicious second glass of fine red wine to go alongside your roast Mooloolaba king prawns or their hand-made ravioli stuffed with confit duck leg. A local tip is that you can purchase a bottle from their Wine Store before dinner, for retail prices, and then have it ready and waiting as you sit down for dinner in the Bistro. We got you.
The Doonan
6 Beddington Road, Doonan QLD 4562
Image Credit: The Doonan | Supplied
Nestled on two hectares in the scenic Noosa hinterland, The Doonan is a sprawling garden-themed venue boasting indoor and outdoor dining, multiple beer gardens, bars, a pizzeria, ice creamery, cellar door and multiple function spaces. Yes, it’s huge. The Comiskey Group, owners of iconic venues Eatons Hill Hotel and Sandstone Point Hotel, have partnered with Noosa locals to bring this game-changing venue to the Sunshine Coast.
You could be forgiven for thinking the venue looks more like a plant nursery than a mega pub—The Doonan oozes character and charm with soft archways and pointed ceilings, decorated in exposed brick and greenery. The Doonan offers the ultimate paddock-to-plate alfresco dining experience with an Italian-inspired menu and a Marana rotary pizza oven imported from Italy.
Frenchies Brasserie Noosa
Shop 11/4 Thomas St, Noosaville QLD 4566
Image Credit: Frenchies Brasserie | Instagram
It would be impossible to write about the Sunshine Coast's best restaurants without included Frenchies Brasserie nestled on Thomas Street in Noosaville. The Parisian-style restaurant serves up exceptional French-style dishes paired with exquisite wines, and they certainly know it.
The extensive menu may seem overwhelming, so we recommend you visit Frenchies at least twice, if not three times...the limit does not exist. The duck leg confit, hand cut steak tartare and warm apple tatin are all standouts.
Liliana's Trattoria
5 Ocean St, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Image Credit: Liliana's Trattoria | Supplied
The words ‘authentic Italian’ get thrown around alot, although venues often don’t warrant the title, which comes with high expectations. Liliana’s Trattoria is a rarity in this sense. Liliana’s Trattoria is a sweet Italian joint located in Maroochydore, serving classic generational Italian dishes inspired by Nonna Liliana.
The inspiration behind the trattoria, Liliana Kain has a passion for sharing her long-held traditional family recipes and for creating food from the heart for her family—and now for the Maroochydore community. Liliana’s touch is ever present throughout the menu—from her crumbed and fried pork shoulder and beef meatballs; to her beef cheek ragu gnocchi; to the array of woodfired sourdough pizzas made in-house. Liliana’s Trattoria is simple, it’s authentic and it’s all about sharing special moments with loved ones.
SOKA
22-24 Ocean St, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Image Credit: SOKA | Supplied
With a sleek and modern interior with low lights, comfortable seating and cocktail menu at the ready, we’ve found your perfect night out. SOKA’s menu is a delicious blend of Japanese and charcoal-prepared cuisine. The melt-in-your mouth chargrilled and raw sashimi dishes have us daydreaming of a one-way ticket to Japan.
With a menu sure to satisfy and delight any travel urges you may be experiencing, SOKA’s modern and extensive Japanese menu does not disappoint. Take your pick of incredible sashimi dishes—salmon, kingfisher, coral trout or scallops. Or a delicious chargrilled yakitori chicken skewer and corn cob served with teriyaki mayo, salted ricotta and shichimi.
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Lanai Noosa
201 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville QLD 4566
Image Credit: Lanai Noosa | Supplied
There was a palpable sound of hearts breaking when Noosaville stalwart, Thomas Corner Eatery closed its doors several years back. The well-known waterfront dining establishment has been transformed into a stunning new venue, bringing the iconic space back to its former glory.
Lanai Noosa is a sophisticated seafood-centric restaurant which truly embodies the essence of Noosa’s casual elegance and boasts scenic views of the Noosa River. Lanai has a strong focus on sharing and connection, which is reflected in the shareable menu—from small nibble platters to large share plates which champion sustainably sourced seafood, native ingredients and locally crafted artisan products. The menu is light and fresh, reflecting the very essence of Noosa and complemented by an extensive drinks list.
Park & Cove
33A Viewland Drive, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Park & Cove | Supplied
Park & Cove is Peppers Noosa's reimagined coastal dining destination overlooking Noosa from its gorgeous home on the hill. The kitchen is headed up by Chef Andrew Wilcox, third-generation Noosa local, who describes his food philosophy as simple and designed to bring people together. The relaxed modern coastal menu stars local delights like K’gari spanner crab linguini, seared beef picanha and Swiss chard and smoked potato agnolotti.
All lunch and dinner courses can be paired with a carefully curated selection of Queensland wines—but be sure to save room for Wilcox’s signature Daintree chocolate melting moment dessert. Pair your culinary experience with picturesque views of Noosa National Park and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Dirty Moes
8 Esplanade St, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
Image Credit: Dirty Moes | Instagram
Born from a love of the American southern culture of slow-cooked soul food shared with the ones you love, Dirty Moes delivers unpretentious eats on the daily and is easily one of the best casual restaurants on the Sunshine Coast.
So it’s no surprise you can come to expect ‘Low 'n' Slow’ platters of succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat. Wash it down with a glass of hand-crafted beer, whiskey or their famous sticky date espresso martini. Wednesday night is nacho night at Dirty Moes and on Thursdays you can score a burger and fries for just $17.
RB Dining
123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
Image Credit: RB Dining | Supplied
When it comes to opening stellar restaurants on the Sunshine Coast, it’s undeniable that the Tony Kelly Restaurant Group has the Midas touch. With renowned venues like Riceboi, Riceboi Upstairs, Giddy Geisha, Piggyback, Spero and more under their belt, there’s little doubt their latest venue will be phenomenal.
RB Dining is Tony Kelly’s tenth Sunshine Coast restaurant; the modern-Asian fine dining restaurant is located upstairs at The Wharf and was inspired by the multitude of Riceboi fans requesting a venue with bookings. Ask and Tony Kelly shall deliver. RB offers a fine dining experience but it still prides itself on delivering the same powerhouse flavours that diners have come to appreciate at sister restaurant, Riceboi. The modern Asian menu showcases elevated snacks, raw dishes, small share plates and larger dishes, and even has dedicated gluten-free and vegan menus.
Giddy Geisha
South Sea Islander Way &, Market La, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Image Credit: Giddy Geisha | Instagram
Another from the lauded Tony Kelly Group, we are suckers for another Asian-fusion favourite in Giddy Geisha. The first thing you’ll notice is the grungy urban surroundings, swiftly followed by the drool-worthy smell of whatever is cooking in the kitchen.
Giddy Geisha serves a funky mix of street food and refined Asian dishes. Chow down on some crying tiger beef, crispy pork and prawns or one of their tasty sashimi dishes while you cheers your mates with a deliciously quirky cocktail.
Humble On Duke
54 Duke St, Sunshine Beach QLD 4567
Image Credit: Humble on Duke | Instagram
Colourful, creative, authentic and just the kind of delightful new dining spot we need in our lives right now: meet Humble on Duke, the intimate—and yes, humble—14-seater restaurant that has already set tongues wagging in the Sunny Coast hospitality scene with its delicious cuisine, creative twists and genuine passion for dishing up good, honest food.
Humble on Duke mixes it up with their ever-changing weekly menu, but you can rest easy knowing it’s always going to be top-notch. Modern Australian flavours take centre stage and are boldly accentuated with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spices, a combination which makes for a truly delectable experience
Pavilion Mooloolaba
121 Mooloolaba Espl, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
Image Credit: Pavilion Mooloolaba | Supplied
Located just a stone’s throw from Mooloolaba’s stunning shoreline, Pavilion Mooloolaba boasts uninterrupted sweeping views of the ocean, balmy sea breezes and an intimate, laid back vibe. The dreamy interior oozes Mediterranean vibes, with terracotta hued feature tiles, creamy white tones and splashes of greenery.
Indulge in the tastes of a European summer with their modern share-style menu, which already has us drooling. Start with freshly shucked oysters, crispy cauliflower tacos and forest mushroom arancini before moving onto their famous 72-hour fermented base pizzas, which are tantalisingly topped with delicacies like slow-roasted lamb shoulder, vegan butternut and garlic prawns.
Bang Bang Noosa
32 Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Bang Bang Noosa | Instagram
With exotic chandeliers above, lush greenery surround and an open marble bar, Bang Bang Noosa serves up ultra-cool vibes before you've even had a chance to crack open the menu. Bang Bang showcases up-market South-East Asian cuisine, a share-style menu and an extensive wine and signature cocktail list.
Your taste buds will delight over braised beef massaman in a rich creamy coconut curry and kipfler potatoes and BBQ barramundi grilled in a banana leaf over coals with fresh coconut and ginger. Enjoy a Crouching Tiger or Miyagi’s Margi cocktail to truly transport you to another land. If you find yourself Byron way, be sure to check out their sister restaurant, Bang Bang Byron.
Honeysuckle
8/4 Ballinger Rd, Buderim QLD 4556
Image Credit: Honeysuckle | Instagram
It’s no surprise that Honeysuckle makes our list of best Sunshine Coast restaurants; there isn’t a restaurant like it in Buderim, offering traditional Yumcha share-style meals at incredibly affordable prices. Boasting both an extensive lunch and dinner yumcha menu with separate vegetarian menus and a dinner banquet menu, it's safe to say your tastebuds are in the ride of their life at Honeysuckle.
During lunch (or brunch yumcha, as they call it), you can make your way through East Asian-inspired dishes like Mooloolaba prawn milk bun with cashey satay, Thai coconut soup, sweet and sour eggplant with pineapple and Korean rice cakes.
Orleans
24 Duporth Ave, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Image Credit: Orleans | Lumea Photography
For those special occassions when you would like to leave the country but can’t quite afford a private jet for the night, Orléans is one of the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast for a romantic date night.
A fusion of New Orleans and French cuisine, walking into this bar slash restaurant totally feels like you’re stepping into a fine little bar in Melbourne, and that’s a big win in our books.
Bocca Italian
Cnr Bokarina Bouvlevard & Longboard Parade, Bokarina QLD 4575
Image Credit: Bocca Italian | Instagram
When renowned Sunshine Coast hospitality icon, Tony Kelly, opens his eighth dining venue, you know it’s going to be good. His eighth venue you ask? A stunning beachside Italian restaurant in Bokarina.
Bocca Italian is situated in Bokarina Beach and emulates refined yet casual dining vibes. The 150-seater restaurant boasts a sleek fit-out and even has a 14-seat private dining room for those more intimate occasions. Bocca Italian has a strong focus on fresh produce, serving only the best of the best in their signature pastas and pizzas, the latter of which will come piping hot out of a stone base Moretti pizza oven imported from Italy.
Locale
62 Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Locale Noosa | Instagram
Nestled down the Noosa National Park end of Hastings Street, Locale is a must-visit when working your way through the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast. Pop in for a moody cocktail at the dimly-lit bar and we guarantee you’ll be staying through dinner, dessert and an espresso nightcap.
Serving authentic Italian dishes, including freshly-made pastas, antipasti and a slow-roasted lamb shoulder that will change your life, this sophisticated restaurant feels like a hidden slice of Italy in a bustling resort town.
Sum Yung Guys
205 Weyba Rd, Noosaville QLD 4566
Image Credit: Sum Yung Guys | Supplied
Sum Yung Guys is the masterpiece of four local lads, including ex-Masterchef contestant Matt Sinclair. Since opening in 2017, this Noosaville restaurant has built such an impressive reputation that there’s now a waitlist to dine here.
Serving up incredible, share-style pan-Asian dishes, we recommend gathering a group of your favourite foodies and taking on the banquet, a 'best of' hit list from the menu, featuring the likes of king prawn Toast, beef rendang and sour yellow curry. Sum Yung Guys is, hands down, one of the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast.
Lucio’s Marina
3/2 Parkyn Ct, Tewantin QLD 4565
Image Credit: Lucio's Marina | Instagram
Lucio’s Marina is a waterfront seafood trattoria and aperitivo bar that effortlessly combines freshly caught seafood with premium local produce from the Noosa Hinterland, dishing up an exquisite menu that will keep you coming back, again and again.
Lucio’s Marina pays homage to northern Italian flavours, with a menu that will transport you to coastal Italy with a nod to the original Lucio’s menu. Warm your palate with antipasti like patat dolce e ricotta salata—a tantalising combination of fried sweet potato, honey and shaved ricotta salata—before moving onto mains like the spaghetti alla caprese or the ravioli mare e monti.
Dee Den
87 Burnett St, Buderim QLD 4556
Image Credit: Dee Den | Supplied
Loosely translated as 'the odd one out' or 'standing out', Dee Den does exactly that. This modern Asian restaurant prides itself on community, on creativity and elevating familiar Asian flavours with playful twists. Nestled in a refurbished old Queenslander beside the Buderim Tavern, this gorgeous spot will draw you in and you might just never want to leave.
Dive into their signature betel leaf wraps with grapefruit, charred eggplant and lotus root chips and once you’ve warmed your palate, we recommend the twenty-hour slow-cooked beef cheek massaman and the crying tiger short ribs with Thai ‘e sarn’ sauce.
Spice Bar
123 Mooloolaba Espl, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
If you love modern Asian cuisine, Spice Bar needs to be on your priority list. This stunning restaurant, perched high in Mooloolaba, offers gorgeous ocean views during the day, and at night, exudes a modern luxury making your dining experience something truly special.
The Asian-inspired menu is something worth raving about and the incredible degustation options are a great way to get a full Spice Bar experience. Otherwise, don’t go past the beef tataki, the crispy wakame crice cakes or the crispy pork belly…oh hell, just get it all.
Noosa Waterfront Restaurant and Bar
142 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville QLD 4566
If you’ve never been to the Noosa Waterfront Restaurant, then you really need to schedule it in. Tucked away from the busyness of Hastings Street, this elegant gem offers views of Noosa River, delicious Italian-inspired cuisine and a dining experience that is both casual and luxurious.
They make their own pasta in-house and also offer a divine six-course degustation tasting menu. You can't go past the tortellini with pumpkin and sage burnt butter. A top contender for the best Italian, nay best restaurant, on the Sunshine Coast.
Rice Boi
123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
Image Credit: Rice Boi | Instagram
Grunge, neon lights and lanterns, Rice Boi feels like an underground city bar that’s mistakenly landed on the Sunshine Coast—but that’s exactly what we love about it. Channelling the essence of a Japanese izakaya dive bar, Rice Boi dishes up the goods when it comes to modern Asian street-style food.
Undeniably one of the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast, this Mooloolaba joint hums every day of the week, serving up delicious ramen, bao, curries and some of the tastiest pork belly we’ve ever wrapped our mouths around.
Bella Venezia
95 Mooloolaba Espl, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
Bella Venezia is the mamma of Italian dining here on the Sunshine Coast, opening in 1983 and winning first place in Australia’s ‘Top Everyday Eats’ competition, according to Tripadvisor’s 2021 Travellers Choice awards. And while the restaurant has undergone a facelift in recent years, their menu has largely stayed tried and true, just the way we like it.
It’s hard to pick a favourite, with such a lengthy menu, but we can confirm that the slow-cooked beef cheek ragout with hand-cut pappardelle and monnalisa pecorino is a rich and glorious offering, best served with a glass of Shiraz. And the Florence pizza honours its namesake, laden with Italian tomatoes, spinach, sauteed mushrooms, pumpkin, roast capsicum and garlic aioli.
Miss Moneypenny's
6 Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Miss Moneypenny's | Supplied
Located on Hastings Street, Miss Moneypenny’s coastal colour palette is dreamy and the styling is elegantly timeless and very classy. Serving up a diverse range of international-standard cocktails and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired Modern Australian dining, this place has the best of both worlds, a great location and even better food and drinks.
With social dining at its heart, the artistically executed menu boasts delights like chargrilled king salmon served strikingly atop charred chunks of wood, roast lamb shoulder with cucumber raita and Middle Eastern spiced pumpkin with spiced ras el hanout, sherry glaze, pickled enoki mushroom, cous cous and grain salad.
The Long Apron
68 Balmoral Rd, Montville QLD 4560
Rarely are resort restaurants worth tooting the horn about, The Long Apron however, completely defies that logic. Set among the lush hilltop gardens as part of Montville’s Spicers Clovelly Estate, this French-inspired restaurant has an inviting charm that welcomes you right on in.
Presenting courses that are fresh and modern whilst drawing from classic techniques, the care and thought that has gone into creating each dish is obvious.
Rickys River Bar & Restaurant
2 Quamby Pl, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Rickys Noosa | Instagram
Rickys is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic restaurants and for good reason, the food and views are unbeatable, and the waitstaff are super attentive.
Here, you can expect tables dressed in white linen and a faultless modern Australian menu, thick with seafood options and ingredients sourced from their very own Noosa Hinterland farm. If you really want to take this fine-dining experience next-level, you can even arrange to arrive in style via ferry, straight to Rickys wharf. Now that’s special.
Embassy XO
Cnr Duke and, Bryan St, Sunshine Beach QLD 4567
Suckers for yum cha probably already know about Embassy XO. Serving up some of the best yum cha and modern Asian cuisine on the Sunshine Coast, it’s a local favourite.
With a la carte, banquet, yum cha and bar menus, there’s all kinds of moreish eats up for grabs. It also doubles as a wine bar, so lovers of a good drop can get their fix too. We love that Embassy XO is casual and unpretentious, yet slings up some of the best yum cha we've had the pleasure of devouring.
Light Years
1 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Light Years Noosa | Instagram
If you were to Google “cool”, we reckon Light Years would be right there beside it. Already loved in Burleigh and Byron Bay, Light Years Noosa is a modern and distinctly upbeat Asian diner that’s sure to work its way into your heart, and most certainly your social life.
It features a colourful leapord-print wall feature, velvety chairs, tropical fiesta pops and dark navy walls. Just a quick glance at the share-style menu and pretty much everything from the raw ocean trout, to the honey and sesame king prawns or mud crab and scallop dumplings will jump out at you. We’re also a big fan of the deconstructed spicy Korean fried chicken or eggplant katsu bao, so you can build your own to your liking.
Sails
75 Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Sails Noosa | Instagram
For a long, lazy lunch overlooking Noosa Main Beach, you can't go past Sails. Combining laid-back coastal cool with just the right amount of class and elegance, Sails takes beachside dining up a notch and is undoubtedly one of the Sunshine Coast's most iconic restaurant views.
With a menu full of fresh local produce, straight-out-of-the-ocean seafood and a decadent wine list that has won three Australian Wine List of the Year awards, you’re guaranteed to be spoiled for choice.
Harry’s On Buderim
11 Harrys Ln, Buderim QLD 4556
The quaint Harry’s On Buderim is a fine dining restaurant offering modern Australian cuisine within a charming 120-year-old homestead. With two-hatted chef and owner, Stuart Bell at the helm, the menu uses the freshest local produce and ingredients.
The sprawling veranda offers guests a true outdoor Queensland dining experience with views over the open parklands and rainforest. Trying to impress someone? They’ve even got an elegant fireplace here to snuggle up by.
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Main image credit: Rickys Noosa
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