By Leigh O’Connor.
Long known for its warm weather, beautiful beaches and relaxing holidays, the Sunshine Coast has become a hotbed of must-visit restaurants delivering everything from fresh seafood to Asian fine dining.
As we celebrate 2023 Chef Hat award-winning restaurants around the country and the enormous effort they put in every day to serve sensational produce in memorable dishes, here are six of the top must-visit Sunshine Coast dining destinations on our list:
Signature restaurant of Montville’s picturesque Spicers Clovelly Estate, The Long Apron (15) is a dining experience – the highest-ranked Chef Hat on the Sunshine Coast - that insists on a lengthy stay. This intimate restaurant feels instantly inviting and once seated in the elegant yet comfortable dining room, or out on the terrace gazing over the Hinterland, you’ll find it hard to leave.
Inspired by the terroir, seasons, feelings and memories, embark on a journey of the region in an ever-changing menu delivering starters like raw scallops, with orange, shiso, radicchio and roe, followed by dry-aged duck breast, braised endive and orange reduction.
Highlighting a passion for Asian cuisine and culture, Sum Yung Guys (14) on Weyba Road in Noosaville is an ideal spot to share plates and cocktails with friends. Styled to capture the personalities of the four partners, the dining room presents a fun and funky vibe with neon signs, Japanese-style wall murals and wooden furniture, creating warmth and energy, just like the fare on the menu.
No visit is complete without a starter of signature Mooloolaba prawn toast and gochu mayo, or perhaps hot buttered cuttlefish, XO, nan ling and a Chinese donut; then devour larger plates of ‘Crying Tiger’ beef short rib, fried garlic, kaffir and Thai basil.
Set in a lush rainforest near Maleny on the Sunshine Coast, award-winning The Tamarind Restaurant (14) offers stylish dining infused with contemporary Asian twists. Head Chef Daniel Jarrett and team excite palates with exotic flavours of the Far East with a Thai heart, while effortlessly combining sweet, sour and spicy flavours with the finesse of traditional and new techniques.
An elegant open timber pavilion immerses guests in the natural beauty and tranquillity of the surroundings; be tempted by larger plates such as whole crispy fried fish, three-flavour sauce, pickled garlic, toasted rice and crisp basil.
When Paul Leete stepped into the Sails Beach Restaurant & Bar (13) kitchen in Noosa Heads to take up the position of Head Chef, little did he know he would still be there 25 years later. Located on the iconic Hastings Street dining strip, Sails offers contemporary dining with stunning ocean views over Laguna Bay, making it a chic and laid-back destination to capture sea breezes and enjoy creative Mod Oz dishes.
Delve into BBQ Fraser Coast octopus to start, with whipped feta and puttanesca dressing, or signature sand crab lasagne and herb salad; followed by butter-poached Moreton Bay bug, sauce from the shell and Sails’ Caesar salad.
Tucked away in Parkridge Resort on Alba Close in Noosa Heads with calm grassy surrounds, is a new hub of food and beverage offerings – ALBA NOOSA (13). The beautifully designed space combines a cafe, providore, pizzeria and a relaxed all-day bar offering, which evolves into a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar as the day progresses.
The menu features Peter Kuruvita’s signature style of global flavours and the Sri Lankan spices of his childhood; lunch is casual, dinner in the restaurant provides a premium serviced experience and the bar offers tasty snacks and wood-fired pizza.
Winning a Chef Hat in their first year of operation, head to Bask (13) restaurant on Memorial Drive in the heart of Eumundi for long lazy lunches, intimate dining and elegant events. Expect stylish, sophisticated, yet casual dining with white drapes creating an ethereal vibe, along with white-clothed tables, fresh native flowers and potted greenery.
Start with torched ocean trout, local honey, seeded mustard and tahini glaze, then indulge the senses with saffron-roasted quail, cauliflower and nutmeg purée, finishing with upside-down pineapple cake and vanilla bean ice cream.
For more Chef-hatted Sunshine Coast destinations, click here.
