8 Sustainable Sunshine Coast Restaurants Worth The Road Trip

There’s a special kind of magic you experience when dining at a restaurant that heroes local produce and champions sustainability—the flavour bombs feel bigger when you get to support a business that aligns with your values. And because we’re always chasing epic eats, we’ll gladly hit the highway to find our next culinary adventure—especially if that road leads to the breathtakingly beautiful Sunshine Coast.

That's why we’ve teamed up with the legends at Toyota—whose Toyota bZ4X is the ultimate EV choice—to spotlight restaurants doing their bit for the planet on the Sunshine Coast, so you can hit the road with ease on your next eco-adventure. 

Buckle up, this is a flavour-packed roadie you won’t want to miss.

Rickys

2 Quamby Pl, Noosa Heads QLD 4567

Perched on the glittering Noosa River, Rickys is the ultimate dining destination for a meal that’s both tasty and sustainable. The relaxed fine dining institution sources fresh produce from its own farm tucked in the Noosa Hinterland, including three large veggie plots, citrus groves, honey bees, 20,000 macadamia trees and a herd of Nindooinbah Ultra Black cattle. Rounding out the farm-to-table journey, all of the restaurant’s waste is transformed into compost.

Pro tip: snag a table on the deck for a breathtaking sunset view while devouring Mooloolaba prawns with yellow chilli sauce, whole roasted baby barramundi with saffron beurre blanc and Maravista Farm zucchini gnudi with whipped ricotta.

The Long Apron

68 Balmoral Rd, Montville QLD 4560

Take your taste buds on a trip to France with a decadent dining experience at The Long Apron. Set within the tranquil grounds of Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville, the two-hat restaurant is a foodie’s nirvana.

The kitchen is led by head chef Geoff Abel, a Sunshine Coast local who celebrates ‘from-scratch’ cooking, sourcing local, sustainable produce and single-origin ingredients from Sunshine Coast farmers and providores, stretching from Kin Kin down to Ocean View. Feast on venison tartare with black garlic gel, Peachester lamb with seasonal veg, and twice-baked cheese soufflé. 

Kondalilla Restaurant 

61 Kondalilla Falls Rd, Flaxton QLD 4560

Set within a dreamy rainforest setting—and lowkey looking like something out of a fairytale—you don’t have to stay the night at Kondalilla Eco Resort to enjoy a meal at its sustainable restaurant, Kondalilla.

The seasonal, modern Australian menu is inspired by the region, brimming with locally grown fruit and veg, ethically sourced Aussie seafood and premium meats. Tuck into homemade pesto gnocchi with roasted root vegetables or wagyu rump steak with garlic mash and red wine jus.

Finish it off with a scoop of Maleny Food Co Gelato or a cheese board packed with goodies from Maleny, Woombye and Kenilworth. And if you swing by on a Sunday, there are live tunes on deck from 12pm. Bliss!

Humble On Duke

 4/48-54 Duke St, Sunshine Beach QLD 4567

Humble in size with only 14 seats, but huge in heart and flavour, Humble On Duke will take you on a culinary journey. Choose between the short seasonal menu or the ‘Chef’s choice’ and tuck into a feast that is equal measures comfort and flair.

In the kitchen, duo Stacey and Dave will whip up a selection of international eats inspired by their travels, with a nod to Middle Eastern flavours. Think: line caught coral trout with sweet ‘n’ sour leeks, herb yoghurt and walnuts, and the pistachio and parmesan crusted lamb rack with spiced quince. The food ethos here is rooted in sustainability, with the menu changing often—even daily—to ensure local produce remains the hero.

Flame Hill Vineyard

249 Western Ave, Montville QLD 4560

For a truly delicious paddock to plate experience, pop Flame Hill Vineyard in your GPS and book yourself a seat at their Montville restaurant. Set on a 300-acre estate that is home to a vineyard, market garden, orchard and a herd of beef cattle, the eatery curates culinary adventures that put sustainability front and centre, with much of their menu sourced from their own land.

Dine on the sun-drenched terrace, or get cosy inside the restaurant with dishes like free-range pork belly with Flame Hill greens and apple sauce.

Fish On Parkyn

25 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557

You’ve heard of paddock to plate, but what about dock to table? That’s the focus at Fish On Parkyn, where the talented team (led by chef Motonori Oki) have been serving up sustainable seafood to the community for over two decades.

Each day, the wild-caught seafood is selected from the dock, just moments from the restaurant. Inspired by the venue's bountiful surroundings, dishes are simple but packed with flavour, letting the seafood shine. Picture: pan-seared scallops with mango and chorizo, and macadamia-crusted barramundi with sage butter. Our advice? Arrive hungry.

Brouhaha Brewery

5/39 Coral St, Maleny QLD 4552

If you’re looking for a tasty feed, then aim your wheels for Brouhaha. While they have two locations across the Sunshine Coast, Baringa and Maleny, the latter is where you’ll find their kitchen led by chef James Ostridge, who has a deep passion for sourcing and utilising local ingredients.

The wagyu comes from nearby Witta, the eggs from Peachester, even their signature pork scratchings—served with applesauce and fennel salt—come from nearby Belvedere Farm. Grab a table on the deck and look out over Obi Obi Creek while you feast your way through their incredible local menu. 

Nurcha 

566 Kawana Way, Birtinya QLD 4575

With a mission to help people make small but impactful changes through a plant-based diet, Nurcha's dishes are vibrant, drool-worthy, and soul-nourishing. If you’re swinging by for brekkie, start with a smooth coffee and order the wholemeal pancakes—fluffy and sweet, they’re served with caramelised apples, maple tahini caramel, coconut ice cream and spiced coconut sugar.

For something hearty at lunch, try the Thai yellow curry or the classic cheeseburger made with a plant-based patty, dill pickles and moreish smoky BBQ sauce. Post-meal, check out their retail store, perfect for the conscious shopper, where you can fill your bag with sustainable and cruelty-free produce and homewares.

Ready to hit the road? Get exploring on your next eco-adventure with the Toyota bZ4X.

Toyota promotes safe driving practices.

Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Toyota. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.

Images: Kondalilla Restaurant, The Long Apron, Humble On Duke, Brouhaha Brewery, Fish On Parkyn on Instagram.