The Sunshine Coast used to be the small cousin of the Gold Coast. You’d find a place to have a beer and there were always fish and chips on the beach, but that was about it. Now you can still have fish and chips, but also a range of amazing eateries have opened to treat your tastebuds.
Spread across the Sunshine Coast are a host of ethnic cuisines, gorgeous Aussie food and options that everyone in the family will love.
Australian food
As the local cuisine starts to incorporate elements of ‘bush tucker’ and indigenous flavours, more restaurants are opening that offer a real local experience. Starting with classics such as fingerlimes, you’ll find regional ingredients like bush tomatoes, bunya nuts, lemon myrtle, warragul greens, and kangaroo gracing menus.
Take a bush tucker tour in Jinbara Country. You’ll try a range of unfamiliar fruits and plants, including the lilly pilly fruit.
Seafood
Being this close to the sea means some seriously fresh and delicious seafood. There are excellent fish, prawns and shellfish available in a range of styles.
Head to Wasabi in Noosa for ultra-fresh Japanese seafood. Moreton Bay rock oysters, sashimi and sushi are all featured on their a la carte or set menus. Try sakana, the fish of the day cooked with ponzu butter, pickled bamboo, cucamelon and greens.
Bistro C in Noosa has a more European feel, with meals such as barramundi fillet in a scallop and king prawn bouillabaisse. Fresh pasta adorned with prawns, melt-in-the-mouth calamari and oysters are all on the menu that’s complemented by some fantastic Aussie wines.
Tides Waterfront in Caloundra is an award-winning restaurant with an emphasis on seafood. Snapper from Mooloolaba, Cloudy Bay clams, and a seasonal selection of other freshly-caught fish will delight. And, as the name suggests, you can enjoy the food while watching the 180 degree views from mountain to sea.
Vegetarian and vegan
The Sunshine Coast is known for its alternative lifestyles, and this encompasses many juice bars and a growing demand for vegan and vegetarian restaurants. While most places offer a few veg options, there are dedicated non-meat joints that are so good, carnivores might convert, if only for the night.
Soul Kitchen Bakery in Buderim has baked desserts, raw desserts, 100% gluten free, allergy friendly, cakes, pies, donuts, basically it’s heaven for those with limited diets due to allergies. Visit. Eat. Enjoy. Buy a whole cake and take it home to enjoy there.
Umami Ramen in Maroochydore not only is pocket-friendly, but it has ramen with a vegan broth. Mushrooms, kelp seasoning and toppings like lotus root, wood ear mushroom and bok choy make this the kind of meal you’ll come back for. Incredible.
Also in Maroochydore, Elixiba has vegan food like loaded tacos, kimchi dumplings, a huge range of plant-based burgers and some incredible desserts. And, the best hand-cut spiced chips, herb cocktails and craft beers.
Ethnic food
With the popularity of ethnic foods growing as well as people immigrating into Australia and bringing their phenomenal food skills with them, the ability to find great food from other cultures is becoming easy. The Sunshine Coast is no different, and you’ll find dishes from all over the world within a quick drive.
In Yandina, you’ll find the Thai restaurant The Spirit House. This is a legend in the Sunshine Coast, so you’ll have to book to ensure you get a table. Take friends and share loads of plates – start with the classic Tom Yum Soup, ease through the Moreton Bay Bugs on Betel leaf, try the 16 hour sous vide pork jowl in sriracha glaze, and finish with the tamarind panna cotta. Delish. They also have a cooking school so you can learn some of their magic.
If you have a curry and naan craving, then India Today in Caloundra has the best Indian food- eat-in, takeaway, or delivery. Try the classic south Indian Idli which is steamed rice cakes served with coconut chutney and sambhar. Or a classic home-style mutter paneer, peas and paneer in a smooth creamy gravy. For dessert, finish with a kulfi, home-made Indian ice cream with dried fruit.
Fine dining
The Long Apron in Montville offers fine dining with a European flair. For a special night out, the refined dishes here will delight. With dishes such as venison tartare, gnocchi with truffled pecorino and grilled kale and morels, and Wagyu Rôti, this is going to be a very special night out. Finish with the riz au lait de coco or peach mille-feuille, and lavish in the French wine matching.
Sails Beach Restaurant is a local favourite with regional produce and European flavours. With appetisers such as charred ciabatta served with smoked trout butter, Buffalo curd with anchovy, caramelised onion and black olive tartlets, or caviar, the place just gets better from there- crab lasagne, pork and coconut poached scallops, or roast lamb shoulder sounding enticing.
Cheap eats
If you’ve got $20 burning a hole in your pocket, you can find a delicious meal that will make your stomach very happy.
Dirty Moes in Mooloolaba has amazing burgers, including the Southern Fried Chicken burger with buttermilk chicken and jalapenos, the philly cheese steak sanga, a veef burger for the vegetarians, and a bunch of side dishes that sound like heaven, like nachos, pork belly bites, corn bread and chilli cheese fries. Rib night is Tuesday, brisket night is Wednesday, and burger night is Thursday.
Junk in Maroochydore is best when you take a few people and you share plates. The Asian street food menu includes steamed prawn dumplings, seared beef tataki, chicken karaage (order two of these), and a 10 hour red curry of beef brisket. That and an ice-cold Asahi and you will be set for an amazing night.
Of course you cannot beat fish and chips, a couple of cold drinks and lavish use of tomato sauce eaten al fresco. The weather is always warm, the sun always shining, and the fish always fresh. So get out there and enjoy the incredible food that the Sunshine Coast offers.
