The Caf, Coolum Beach
Coolum can offer just that, with a number of beachside restaurants, cafes and bars to satisfy your appetite as well as your need to unwind.
Here we’ve highlighted some of the best beers, brews and breathtaking food joints – from local favourites at the base of Mount Coolum to brand new craft breweries to unwind in at the end of the day.
Bars and relaxed eats
Shoot the breeze at High Tide Bar and Grill
High Tide Cafe
Opposite beautiful Mudjimba Beach, High Tide Bar and Grill has the buzz of a place that says ‘locals go here’ with banter and laughter spilling out on to the street.
Recently voted one of the Sunshine Coast’s top 12 places to dine, soak up the laid-back vibes and coastal breeze over coffee and brekkie or fix the hungers after a surf with one of their hefty burgers or fish tacos.
If happy hour at sunset is more your thing, then unwind with a coldie and their famous fried chicken wings or round off the day with dinner and a glass of your favourite vino and live music.
Too cool for school at Blackflag Brewing
Blackflag Brewing
Blackflag Brewing have been pumping out the beers and the good times in Mooloolaba with the owners’ love of punk, metal and skateboarding clearly showing in the graffiti-clad bar and skate-board lined walls.
The good ale and great times are also right here in Coolum with a new taproom and food trucks on site from Thursday to Sunday!
Give your tastebuds a party with Amore Pizza Co
Amore Pizza Co, Coolum Beach
Did you know that pizza is a better brekkie option than most cereals? FACT!
Whether it’s a cold slice the day after, or Friday night dinner, do yourself a favour and get the party started with a pizza (or two) from Amore Pizza Co.
Their hand-stretched, wood fired pizzas have become an institution on the coast with people trekking far and wide for a slice of the good stuff. There’s something for every kind of eater, on Appetit!
Wander the Marcoola Markets
Marcoola Twilight Market
Nestled right behind the sand dunes of Marcoola beach, take a leisurely wander through the night market at Marcoola Markets every Friday from 4.00pm to 8.00pm.
With an eclectic mix of international flavours and fresh foods, immerse yourself in the balmy beach vibes and grab some fresh calamari or paella and kick back on a picnic rug while listening to some live music.
Get your weekly shop sorted at the same spot every Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market too. You’ll be going bananas over the quality of fresh local produce. From tomatoes to tangelos and a whole lot of baked goods, kick-off your weekend the right way!
Cafes
Sit streetside at Little Boat Espresso
All aboard! Well not exactly... Little Boat Espresso isn’t a little boat, but it is quaint like one and just a few steps from stunning, Marcoola Beach.
This daytime cafe and night-time hot spot takes your typical café/eats and adds a certain je ne sais quoi to them. It’s the kind of place you’ll be whipping out your phone to take Insta food pics even though you ‘never normally do this...’
Little Boat’s menus are to.die.for. But wait, there’s more… Perfectly poured Vintage Black Co. coffee and a bevvy of locally brewed beers on tap. Joy in a cup!
People watch from The Caf Coolum
Get those European promenade feels at the Caf Coolum right opposite Coolum beach.
With its sidewalk seating under stripy umbrellas and a simple, yet sumptuous all-day menu, there’s something decidedly understated and elegant about The Caf.
Take yourself to caffeine heaven with The Caf's freshly roasted coffee and house made pickles and preserves. It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax with friends, while picking up some decadent treats for the pantry too.
Get sorted at Daily Dose
For your daily hit of coffee, eats, and banter, Daily Dose has you sorted. Hiking Mt Coolum? This is an ideal pitstop afterwards to refuel and restore the feeling in your legs!
Serving Campos coffee and taking your daily brew seriously, this breezy beauty brings the good times. There aren’t many cafes on the coast taking vegemite and avo on toast seriously, but you’ll find it here, along with a stellar line up of brekkie favourites.
Wind down after a big week on Friday nights with some epic cocktails, tap beers, tapas and tex-mex goodness. One word: YUM!
Restaurants
Coolum Beach
Find fresh at Canteen Kitchen & Bar
Open for brekkie, lunch and dinner, Canteen Kitchen and Bar has created four mouth-watering menus with an eclectic mix of dishes showcasing the Sunshine Coast’s best fresh and locally sourced produce.
Never tried Mooloolaba Tuna or Hervey Bay Scallops? You’ll get them here. Need a decent feed after a surf? Grab your crew and get ready to transport your tastebuds to another dimension of deliciousness!
Chow down at Bao Down
Soft, fluffy pillows of goodness. Mmm… The bao is in the house on the Sunshine Coast and Boa Down is the number one place you’re going to want to chow down!
This night-time hive of energy is a treasure trove of flavour. Wrap your mouth around dishes like buffalo cauliflower bao, southern fried chicken or satisfy a craving with the best Singapore noodles and noodle-soups around. Hello comfort food!
With no-fuss, bench seat style seating, you’ll feel like you’re in Vietnam or Singapore with a Tiger beer Bao in hand and the energetic street-side vibes down pat.
Try the finest at The Loose Goose
This locals’ favourite for fine dining at Twin Waters is a must-book classy joint.
With a five-course degustation menu, including wine pairing options, get ready for Loose Goose to transport you to another dimension of deliciousness.
Celebrate a special occasion in style and feel extra nourished by Loose Goose’s house-made focaccia with truffle butter and rich, bold dishes like House Made Gnocchi with Braised Beef Cheek that will take you on a culinary adventure reminiscent of a trip to Paris.
