The quaint beachside town of Caloundra has a lot to offer when it comes to white sandy beaches, but we’re here to let you in on a little secret—Caloundra is the real deal southern charm of the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country when it comes to top-notch food.
Caloundra may be small but its restaurant scene is mighty; from fine dining restaurants to the classic pub experience, we guarantee you’ll be satisfied. Read on for 16 of Caloundra’s best restaurants in 2024, according to Urban List.
Amici Restaurant & Pizzeria
16 Bulcock St, Caloundra QLD 4551
Image Credit: Amici Pizzeria | Instagram
There’s no other way to begin this list than with an absolute crowd favourite, Amici Restaurant & Pizzeria. Following the time-honoured tradition, Amici—the Italian translation of ‘friends’—encourages meals to be shared with those you love. The menu offers delectable classic and gourmet pizzas, plates of pasta, mains, salads and, of course, share plates. Personally, we can’t go past the rigatoni gamberi with Australian tiger prawns.
Situated right at the top of town, it’s within walking distance of most accommodations, which means you can let the cocktail menu entice you. Everything about this restaurant is a hit, from the lush interior to the decadent meals. Bellissimo. Bookings essential.
Three Restaurant Bar and Grill
115 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551
Image Credit: Three Restaurant | Instagram
Three Restaurant Bar and Grill certainly isn’t your average bar and grill. The menu offers contemporary modern Australian cuisine focusing on sourcing premium local produce with an emphasis on cuts of Australian prime beef, fresh seafood and Steakhouse-inspired dining. Oh, and the ample wine list is pretty impressive too.
Start your night with an entree of South Australian mussels, moving on to a blackened Porterhouse steak and finishing on a high with the salted caramel s'mores sundae. Be sure to book your night of top-tier dining here, as it fills up quickly.
Greedy Gringo
30 The Esplanade, Caloundra QLD 4551
Image Credit: Greedy Gringo | Instagram
If you’re in the mood for a Mexican fiesta in Caloundra, Greedy Gringo is the spot. Not only will you feel instantly uplifted thanks to the funky interior and ever-vibrant atmosphere, but each menu item is bursting with flavour. Swing by on Margarita Monday for cheekily discounted margs or Taco Tuesday where you can try eleven creative taco flavours.
Greedy Gringo also offers outdoor seating with beach views—you can’t get much better than beef nachos and a frozen margarita on a summer afternoon.
Tides Waterfront Dining
26 Esplanade Bulcock Beach, Caloundra QLD 4551
If you haven’t been to Tides Waterfront Dining, then consider this your sign. The award-winning menu has a focus on seafood, offering up Australian oysters, seared Japanese scallops, NT Barramundi and Mooloolaba prawns, to name a few. You even have the chance to try southern fried crocodile.
This chic, high-end restaurant has 270-degree views of Bulcock Beach and the Pumicestone Passage, making this an experience like no other.
Kings Beach Bar
1/8 Levuka Ave, Kings Beach QLD 4551
Image Credit: Kings Beach Bar | Instagram
Two words: beachfront dining. Need we say more? Kings Beach Bar not only offers a fresh vibrant menu but you can’t pass up the unrivalled beachfront location. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll have plenty of options to tuck into. We recommend the Reuben paired with a spicy margarita for a dinner treat.
The combination of the relaxed atmosphere, the wonderful service, the tasty menu and the ocean breeze puts Kings Beach Bar on the map as one of Caloundra's best bars and restaurant
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Moffat Beach Brewing Co.
12 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach QLD 4551
Sitting in a prime position, Moffat Beach Brewing Co. has beachside vibes accompanied by delicious eats and their very own signature brews on tap. Pop in from 5pm to 8 pm on the weekend and you can soak up live music while scoffing down a burger, chicken schnitzel or tender rump steak.
The dishes celebrate some of the best seasonal and local produce on the Coast, making this spot extra special. This epic Caloundra brewery is open for all-day dining every day, from 11:30am to 8pm.
Bocca Italian
Cnr Bokarina Boulevard, Longboard Parade, Bokarina QLD 4575
Image Credit: Bocca Italian | Instagram
If you fancy incredible Italian (who doesn't?), go no further than Bocca Italian, which is a newer addition to the Caloundra restaurant scene but an absolute winner. Combining atmosphere by the bucket load with your favourite Italian dishes, Bocca captures the flavours we know and love.
We recommend coming back again and again as each item on the menu is worthy, from the pane (bread hot from the Moretti Forno oven) to the antipasti to every single pasta and pizza available. We can’t go past the pappardelle al ragu with lamb ragu, tomato and rosemary or the quattro formaggi pizza loaded with four types of cheese and honey. Bocca Italian is open 7 days, 11 am till Late, book here.
Drift Bar
30 Esplanade Bulcock Beach, Caloundra QLD 4551
No trip to Caloundra is complete without a visit to the iconic Drift Bar. Here you’ll experience ambience and waterfront views with a pub meal and local craft beer to pair. A crowd favourite is the Reef & Beef, a 200g rump steak served with a prawn topper. For the more adventurous types, the chicken katsu poke bowl will not disappoint.
Enjoy the nautical interior or dine on the breezy terrace to soak up the views of Bulcock Beach. Drift Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week so you have no reason not to visit.
Acqua Restaurant and Bar
Bulcock Beach, Cnr of The Esplanade & Otranto Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551
Whether you’re treating your other half to a romantic dinner or enjoying lunch with the girls, Acqua Restaurant & Bar is the place to be for culinary delight. The stunning views are matched by the mouth-watering menu, featuring a seafood platter for two, pressed lamb shoulder and pan-seared duck breast.
The exceptional food is presented exquisitely in a waterfront location, and if that wasn’t enough to convince you, Acqua won a Reader’s Choice Australian Good Food Guide award in 2022. Acqua is open for tapas, lunch and dinner every day, with the bar open until late.
Coffee Cat
4/8 Levuka Ave, Kings Beach QLD 4551
Image Credit: Coffee Cat | Instagram
Coffee Cat, right on the golden sands of Kings Beach, has one of the most highly-coveted beachfront views and you'd be remiss not to visit here with the whole gang. While Coffee Cat is renowned for its fantastic coffee (hence the name) it also transforms into a sweet tapas restaurant on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, from 4pm to 9pm.
Friday Pizza Nights are famous in Kings Beach, as are Saturday Seafood Nights and Sunday Ribs Night. Phew. All of this is in addition to their regular a la carte dinner menu, which is seriously impressive. Small plates include baon buns and arancini, while larger plates incldue butter chicken cury and lamb shank.
The Pocket Espresso Bar
6 Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach QLD 4551
Image Credit: The Pocket Espresso Bar | Instagram
Tucked away at unassuming Moffat Beach, the Pocket Espresso Bar is a sweet surprise that’s well worth the trip. The Pocket Espresso is another top Caloundra cafe which moonlights as a restaurant on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, from 4pm to 9pm.
The dinner is certainly not to be scoffed at, with the extensive menu covering everything from snacks like Mahi Mahi ceviche and baked brie to mains like confit duck penang and Japchae (Korean stir-fried noodles). We dreamed about the crispy eggplant burger and smoked corn with miso butter for weeks.
Your Mates Brewing Co.
41 Technology Dr, Warana QLD 4575
Born on the Sunshine Coast in 2013, the Your Mates Brewing Co. was crafted by a community of mates, a search for the perfect bevvie and a celebration of everything great about Aussie culture.
The original brewpub is located in Warana (only a short drive from Caloundra) and we think it's absolutely worth the drive with a loaded pub menu and regular live music. 12-hour smoked meats are definitely a stand-out on the menu, as are share plates for mates—make sure to try the brisket beef burger with mac'n'cheese croquettes and if you're with a group of mates, the Meat Board with lamb and pork ribs, street corn, cheesy bacon potato bake, brisket, wings and slaw. Phew.
Nick's Pizza Co.
6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach QLD 4551
Nick’s Pizza Co. is where you’ll find one of the most incredible pizza experiences on this end of the Coast. With over 10 years of cooking pizza in the top Australian restaurants, Nick’s Executive Chef has graciously brought the goods to Caloundra, and you can bet we’re damn happy about it.
The drool-worthy 18-inch pizza pies can be ordered by the slice so you can sample a few, like the Artichoke On This or The Big Saus. If you can squeeze it in, don’t leave without trying the house-made cinnamon doughnuts, a flavour sensation. Trust us, it’s worth leaving that extra stomach space.
Green Zebra Restaurant & Bar
5 Grand Parade, Parrearra QLD 4575
Image Credit: Green Zebra | Instagram
Classy yet unpretentious with waterfront views, Green Zebra Restaurant & Bar has to be on your hit list of Caloundra restaurants. Green Zebra is a little drive from Caloundra but a stand-out venue we just couldn’t skip.
Situated on Kawana Island and overlooking the picturesque Double Bay, this unique restaurant has it all, from outdoor fresco to private dining and function spaces. Drawing inspiration and highlighting flavours from the vibrant Mediterranean region, you’ll find delights like apple glazed pork scotch fillet and Fraser Isle spanner crab spaghetti on the menu.
Parklands Tavern
238 Parklands Blvd, Meridan Plains QLD 4551
Parklands Tavern, coined the best neighbourhood pub, is a draw-card for locals and Caloundra visitors alike. The popular tavern offers upscale pub meals for the whole family. The modern Australian menu features a banging selection of smoked meats, pizzas and classic Australian pub feeds, starring local ingredients.
The interior wows with its eye-catching design and the outdoor area boasts plenty of space. We promise you won't get bored here because always something to do, from rounds of trivia to playing pool in The Yard Bar.
ZeeCaf.
63 William St, Moffat Beach QLD 4551
Tucked away in the back streets of Caloundra, we’re about to let you in on a hidden gem— ZeeCaf., a Japanese and fusion food delight. ZeeCaf. serves up authentic Japanese cuisine unlike any other, from lunch to dinner.
Enjoy a Teishoku, a Japanese-style meal set or sashimi with Japanese pickles in a relaxed atmosphere. Available for dine-in or takeaway, you can visit ZeeCaf. from Wednesday to Saturday.
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Main image credit: Bocca Italian | Instagram
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