From historic pubs dishing up anything but your typical pub grub to beachside bars slinging seriously good cocktails, the Sunshine Coast’s dining scene is buzzing.

We take good food and drink seriously here, boasting some of Australia's best seafood and award-winning local produce. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a slew of mouthwatering restaurants to book a table at the next time you’re in town.

Matso's

Matso's Brewery

Matso's Brewery

Aussie brewing legend Matso’s have arrived in Eumundi with plenty of quality chilled drinks and food in tow. Located just a short walk from the grounds of the famous Eumundi Markets, Matso’s new digs offer a fabulous way to unwind with your mates after a morning spent browsing through local produce. Wrap your hands around a tall glass of their classic alcoholic ginger beer, or test out their mango beer: the familiar fruity hits in this one make it a real crowd-pleaser. Best of all, there’s plenty of space to spread out across the garden and spacious interior, with lots of moreish fare from the kitchen to go around.

Mapleton Public House

Mapleton Public House

Mapleton Public House

Tucked into the scenic town of Mapleton in our lush Hinterland, you’ll find the picturesque Mapleton Public House. This historic tavern has the freshest pantry, with a large proportion of its fruit and veggies being sourced from The Falls Farm down the road. Settle back on the spacious verandah and kick start the dining experience with a glass from their carefully selected wine list, or a chilled local brew. On the menu, you’ll find trendy twists on classic pub fare (and ample portions designed to share), such as their buttermilk fried chicken burger with crunchy chilli farm cucumbers and red pepper mayo. Other favourites include their roasted carrots with ndjua and smoked coconut milk, and the farm risotto.

Bella 101

Head over to Bella 101 in Eumundi for a laidback dining experience that celebrates fresh, modern Australian dining. Surrounded by chic décor and lush greenery, you’ll feel right at home as you take your seat on the deck. Tapas are the name of the game here, with plenty of small plates to fill the table. After all, it's hard to go wrong with roast pumpkin and cheese arancini, grilled broccolini with parmesan, and feta-stuffed crumbed olives! If you're keen to indulge in something a bit more substantive, you'll also find a fancy chicken parmigiana amongst the list of mains.

The Doonan

The Doonan

The Doonan

Sitting loud and proud on two hectares of land, The Doonan is a multifunction venue sporting a whole lot of wow-factor. This one-stop-shop hauls everything from buzzing bars to beer gardens and indoor/outdoor dining areas, where you’ll find a pizzeria, ice creamery, cellar door and even an outdoor playground for the kids. While there’s a lot to be excited about here, it’s the alfresco dining that really takes the spotlight (and sunlight). We’re talking green and white tassel brollies, brick archways, suspended ferns and fairy lights — making it a truly magical place for a sun-soaked long lunch.

Bask

Bask Restaurant, Peregian Beach

Bask Restaurant, Peregian Beach

Sound familiar? You might recognise the name from when the esteemed Bask restaurant called Eumundi home. It has since relocated its dining digs to the coastal hotspot of Peregian, building its name as a champion of leisurely long lunches and paddock-to-plate cuisine. With a menu that celebrates seasonal Australian flavours, such as Brisbane spatchcock, Mooloolaba leader prawns, and Lockyer Valley rabbit and pork pate en croute, we know you'll be in good hands at Bask.

Bottarga Restaurant 

Bottarga Restaurant 

Bottarga Restaurant 

If you're partial to big bowls of homemade pasta and a chilled glass of Aperol Spritz, make tracks to Bottarga Restaurant. Ideal for date night, the menu here is dotted with an antipasto line-up well worth your time, including creamy carbonara arancini, grilled Fremantle octopus, and beef carpaccio served alongside olives, cherry bocconcini, balsamic pearl, and caper berries. For your main course, you can’t go wrong with their pizzas (the dough is slowly fermented for 48 hours), or their seafood risotto, which is abundant with mussels, clams, octopus and calamari.

Your Mates BowlsPub

Your Mates Brewery

Your Mates Brewery

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most prolific breweries, Your Mates, has thrown open the doors to their very own Your Mates BowlsPub in the Noosa Hinterland town of Cooroy. If you’re wondering what to expect, think epic craft brews, banger live entertainment and barefoot bowls. This is a cracker spot for birthdays or a Sunday session alongside your mates, with a menu that takes comfort food to the next level. There’s no roast of the day here: instead, it’s all about beer-battered pickles, chicken wings loaded up next to plenty of sauces, juicy pork ribs with slaw and chips, and even hot churros to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Prawn Star

Prawn Star, Mooloolaba

Prawn Star, Mooloolaba

The Wharf Mooloolaba has long been hailed as an unmissable foodie destination and one of its latest additions proves exactly why. Enter Prawn Star, a cheekily named converted fishing trawler moored permanently at the Wharf where you can dine on deck and dig into local seafood. Bring along your mates and tackle a platter of world-famous Mooloolaba prawns, crab, and oysters. 'Sea-to-plate' never tasted so fresh!

Virtue Bar & Eats

For a true celebration of our stunning native flavours, check out Virtue Bar & Eats. Located on the beachside Mooloolaba Esplanade, this Indigenous-owned-and-run foodie hotspot offers an array of cocktails, local craft brews and scrumptious eats. Tuck into everything from freshly baked muffins to breakfast classics with a game-changing twist (like their Kanga Reuben with native sauerkraut, Gruyère, fried egg and Oorat chilli). Enjoy!

Frank Food & Wine

With a brunch menu lasting until 2:30pm daily, Frank Food & Wine serves up an array of tasty eats that'll have you soaking up the crisp Maleny air in style. Tuck into classics like their French waffles, and chilli scrambled eggs, or step a little left of field with their deep-fried whitebait served alongside kaffir lime aioli, and roasted mushroom bruschetta. The team's passion for ethically sourced ingredients (including greens straight from the garden) means you'll get to feel extra good about your next brunch date.

Plus a bar or two...

Wat Den

WAT Den. Credit @chevaunehindley

WAT Den. Credit @chevaunehindley

If you have a predisposition for whisky and tequila (and mezcal, for that matter), you'll love the feel-good, late-night vibes at Wat Den. Located on the Mooloolaba Esplanade, this cheeky bar has all the trimmings of a moody Melbourne haunt. Settle back and enjoy their fabulous list of cocktails, including a Rum ‘n’ Raisin Espresso Martini, and a signature 'Raspberry Beret' with raspberry-infused vodka, lemon, and house pineapple shrub.

Casita Wine Bar

Casita Wine Bar Mooloolaba Beach

Casita Wine Bar Mooloolaba Beach

Looking for a new spot to enjoy a sunset tipple? You'll want to add Casita Wine Bar in Mooloolaba to your list. Looking like it stepped right off the pages of your TikTok feed, Casita oozes an aesthetic charm with its chic, pastel interior and boutique drinks menu. Here, Coffin Bay oysters are dressed in a lemon balsamic vinegarette, and cute wedges of dried citrus adorn your mid-afternoon aperitivo.

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