Lunch at The Wharf, Mooloolaba
Whether you’re at the bustling Wharf precinct or the cruisy beachside esplanade, there's plenty of choices for a casual meal or a local brew, so make sure to add these eateries to your bucket list next time you're in town!
Let your tastebuds delight at Rice Boi
Rice Boi (at The Wharf), Mooloolaba
Rice Boi is THE spot to be for modern Asian street food style on the Sunshine Coast right now.
Think Japanese Izakaya dive bar meets grunge hangout, with an open plan fit-out right by the water, and delectable dishes designed for sharing banquet style.
Go here (ASAP!) for mouth-watering dumplings, super soft bao, flavour-packed curries and whatever frothy takes your fancy. Fresh, local, buzzing – Rice Boi is an absolute must-try.
Pull up a pew at Pier 33
Pier 33
Sunsets at Pier 33 are hard to beat. With the restaurant perched on the edge of the Mooloolaba Marina, pull up a chair on the back terrace overlooking the sea with swaying palms and bobbing yachts and boats before you.
The menu is what you’d expect here: fresh, locally sourced seafood and local, sustainably sourced produce with a modern, eclectic menu.
It’s the perfect place for lazy long lunches on the deck or a sunset snacking with a refreshing Mooloolaba Mools house cocktail (Gin, Matcha Powder, Fresh Mint and lime, and Freeze Dried Raspberries).
Watch the boats sail by at The Dock
Grab your beer paddle from some 52 taps(!), your menu and settle in for a sunset session of boat watching as the locals take their yachts, tinnies and kayaks back into moor for the night.
At The Dock fresh, seasonal and local ingredients are the driving forces for Executive Chef Chris Sell who’s determined to rock you with delectable dishes like Seared Hokkaido Scallops, or a wood-roasted eggplant with whipped hummus.
Discover flavour paradise at Spice Bar Mooloolaba
Spice Bar, Mooloolaba
Spice Bar is a flavour-packed institution serving up ornate Japanese delicacies from its modern-meets-traditional décor with spectacular views overlooking Mooloolaba Beach.
Considering they have a dedicated saké menu, including a ‘flight’ of saké (to sample all four on offer), it's hard to see how you could go wrong here.
With dishes and sides designed for degustation style sharing, this is the place to try something new, or something ‘out there’. Whether it’s tiger prawns in a tamarind broth, or black-tea-cured duck breast, your senses are going to be on hyperdrive here. Live the dream and book in.
Toast the week at Mooloolaba Surf Club
Mooloolaba Surf Club
Nothing says coast life like a local surf club and The Surf Club Mooloolaba has nailed the most quintessential spot, smack bang on the beach.
Five o’clock on Friday is happy hour in Queensland and the Surf Club is the spot to be for a coldie to wrap up the week or a decent feed after a big surf, swim, or ride around Mooloolaba.
With typical Aussie pub fare, the all-day menu won’t let you down with classics like chicken parmie, steaks and burgers, and for some lighter options, why not try the poke bowl or a loaded watermelon salad.
Make your way to Mooloolaba Pavilion
Pavilion Mooloolaba
Step through the magical archway, take a seat and enjoy breathtaking views of Mooloolaba beach. Here is an ideal spot to round up your mates and celebrate, sip and share, as well as stop by for brekkie’s and brunches. Green bowls, eggs your way and oh so good buttermilk pancakes are hitting the spot big time with punters, so book ahead.
At nights the place is packed to the max for Pav’s infamous pizzas, using 72-hour fermented bases. Let the sumptuous flavours like gorgonzola, black summer truffle, mushies and smoked scarmoza on the Tartufo pizza take you to new levels of culinary perfection.
Sit on the beach with fish and chips from The Spit
Nothing beats unfolding brown wrapping paper to reveal piles of steaming battered fish and chips. Whether a ‘Pack for 2’ of crumbed Cod with prawns, calamari and chips is your thing or a big ol’ style burger dripping with beetroot is more your bag, any line up is worth it at Fisheries on the Spit for old school fish and chips you can eat right on the beach.
Boston Shaker Bar
Boston Shaker Bar
Classy, stylish and sophisticated. That’s what the Boston Shaker Bar oozes by the truckload.
From its lush, red-velvet-clad bar to the intricate warm lighting and classic retro glassware, this cocktail bar will transport you to another era where conversation was God and music was too.
Amid all the beach-style pubs of the coast, the Boston Shaker is in a league of its own bringing a touch of 1920s art deco elegance and European style table service to the region.
Here you can soak up the vibes of a bygone era and try some of the cocktail classics like an Aphrodisiac or whatever floats your feather boa!
Satisfy your cravings at Backlane Tapas and Bar
With a street food inspired fusion menu, Backlane Bar and Street Food offers a range of share plates like fish tacos, karaage chicken and corn ribs, plus the perfect nibbles for a knock off drink or two.
Enjoy the relaxed and energetic vibes here as you share space with other punters on long tables.
You can even satisfy late night cravings with a sweet selection of tasty supper options, available until late.
Blackflag Brewing
Blackflag Brewery Mooloolaba Bar
Blackflag Brewing is the kind of secret spot you stumble on down a back alley and think you’ve struck frothy gold.
With massive graffiti murals lining the walls inside and out, a jungle of indoor plants and even some swings, the vibe here is an eccentric mix of skater meets surfer, with a twist of messy boho. The floors are sandy and the brews are top notch.
Tapping into the grunge era of the 90s, here you can unwind with brews like their ‘RAGE’ pale ale or have a go at the ‘Old School Cool’ draught and feel pretty relieved you found this gem of a place. Cheers to good times!
Get your daily fix at The Old Bean
If you love people watching as much as we do, the Old Bean Espresso Bar on the Esplanade is like an old pier winding out to sea while people walk up and down her planks for generations.
Take a front row seat here and watch the world whirr by as you get your morning dose sorted by the latte-art making baristas of the Old Bean. Your morning latte will be crafted to perfection so that all you have to do is sit, sip and soak up the beachgoers, holiday makers, and local faces that move through its doors.
Keen to venture off the Esplanade? Try the Velo Project for epic breakfasts and teas in a place that’s mastered the relaxed, hotchpotch vibe, hidden in the burbs of Mooloolaba. Here you can play scrabble around the big table with total strangers and no one will bat an eyelid. We dig it!
