Having just returned from my second trip to Noosa, I can absolutely see how people become regular visitors. I am already planning my next trip – the weather, the sun, the food – what’s not to love? To help you make the most out of your trip, I wanted to create this list of the best restaurants in Noosa.

Best Restaurants in Noosa

This list encompasses the best cocktails and spots for a drink, the best cafes and brunches as well as the best restaurants in Noosa. I have already shared a post on the best coffee in Noosa, which you can find here.

I have put this list together through extensive research online, on TikTok and in person. Needless to say, I am very happy to continue visiting Noosa to hone in the list and make sure it’s up to date, too.

A few caveats, before we begin: I am a gluten free (fussy) pescatarian. Although Noosa is the place the eat seafood and I have found Queensland to be very gluten free friendly, I feel this is worth mentioning. If there any steak places in Noosa, I haven’t tried them and you won’t find them on this list!

Onto the next caveat: because we are discussing bars and restaurants, I am including Noosa, Noosa Junction and Noosaville in my definition of Noosa. Heck, I might eventually throw in a few Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach recs as well.

The best restaurants in Noosa

Sum Yung Guys (Noosaville)

Both times I have been to Noosa, Sum Yung Guys has been consistently incredible. Truly, some of the best food I have had in Australia (and I love to eat out). The food is out of this world and the cocktails are a bit light on booze but absolutely delicious. I will say the desserts we had were just nice, but the entrees and mains were absolutely incredible. This is my favourite restaurant in Noosa and a must-try while you are in town. At the time of writing, Sum Yung Guys is open from 12pm-9pm Thursday to Monday and 5pm-9pm Tuesday and Wednesday.

Theo’s Social Club (Noosa Junction)

My second favourite restaurant (both trips) was Theo’s Social Club. The food and cocktails are consistently delicious and the staff are always lovely. The food, I’d say, is modern Australian with a focus on local ingredients. The only downside is that it’s walk-ins only! At the time of writing, the opening hours vary a little day to day (and they are closed Tuesday and Wednesday) so I recommend checking online before visiting.

Light Years (Noosa Junction)

I haven’t been to Light Years but it is consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Noosa. This is an Asian fusion restaurant with plenty of options for gluten free and vegetarian/vegan diets. At the time of writing, Light Years is open from 4.45pm-9pm Monday to Thursday and 12pm-9pm Friday to Sunday.

Bang Bang (Noosa Heads)

Bang Bang is another one I have missed out on twice now but I hear about it absolutely all the time. They too have a sister venue in Byron, so you can choose one or the other if you happen to be doing a road trip. Bang Bang is also Asian fusion style food and a staple on Hastings Street (in the Sebel Hotel, I believe). At the time of writing, Bang Bang Noosa is open from 12pm-10pm Thursday to Sunday and 5pm-10pm Monday to Wednesday.

Spice Girl (Noosa Junction)

I TRIED to go to Spice Girl but for whatever reason they were opening later than their socials said on the day I went to visit. It looks absolutely delicious and is 100% of my list of places to try next time I am in Noosa. Spice Girl specialises in authentic Mexican food and the menu seems to be 100% gluten free. At the time of writing (although if you have a short itinerary I would call to check) Spice Girls is open from 5pm-12am Thursday to Monday.

Bistro C (Noosa Heads)

I haven’t been to Bistro C but it seems to be somewhat of an institution in Noosa. Focusing on local seafood, it has absolutely stunning beachfront views. I’m sure everybody is trying to do the same thing, but I’d try and book for a sunset if you can. At the time of writing, Bistro C is open from 11am all the way through until 12am every day.

Somedays Pizza (Noosa Junction)

I got takeaway from Somedays in Noosa last time I visited so I can vouch for it being delicious. It was consistently pumping both times I was in Noosa and the menu looks delicious (they also have gluten free pizza bases). At the time of writing, Somedays Pizza has somewhat varied opening hours (although they are open everyday) so I recommend checking online before you visit.

Best Bars in Noosa (for cocktails and drinks)

I have no idea where the party scene is at in Noosa because I am strictly a cocktails and early night girl these days. These are the best cocktails and places to have a social wine that I have researched in Noosa. Some of them I have been to, the others came up extensively in my research.

• Theo’s Social Club, Noosa Junction
• Spice Girl, Noosa Junction
• Moonstruck (very interesting cocktail menu), Noosa Heads
• Atelier Wine Bar, Noosa Junction
• Seabourne Distillery, Noosaville
• Land and Sea Brewery, Noosaville
• Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving club for the views
• Ricky’s River bar for the views, Noosa Heads
• Anywhere along Noosa main beach for the views

Restaurant recommendations for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa hinterlands

These recommendations popped up repeatedly in my research so I will include them here. I’ll note that I haven’t tested most of these but they all seem to be well loved.

• Spirit House, Yandina
• The Tamarind, Maleny
• Humble on Duke, Sunshine Beach
• Dee Den, Buderim
• Honeysuckle, Buderim
• Yiani’s, Coolum
• Rice Boy, Mooloolaba
• The Mapleton Pub, Mapleton (I did have a great marg here)
• Piggyback, Palmwoods (had lunch here last visit and it was A+)

Cafe recommendations for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa hinterlands

Same goes for the above: these cafes all came highly rated in my research, but I haven’t been to them myself (yet, anyway).

• Velo Project, Mooloolaba
• One Block Back, Moffatt Beach
• Gun Cotton, Yandina
• Outer Square, Peregian Beach
• Hey Day, Buddina
• Happy Turtle Cafe, Caloundra
• Alley Cat, Coolum

Tips for staying in Noosa

• I highly recommend booking somewhere with off street parking. Parking on Hastings Street can be an absolute nightmare, so it’s worth every cent if you intend to spend time on Hastings Street.
• Parking competition is also fierce early for spots near the national park. If you intend to do that walk regularly, it is so helpful to be able to walk straight from your accomodation.
• Book every restaurant you can in advance, particularly in peak season. Noosa gets booked EARLY.
• I always forget that places close during the week and never factor it in to my itinerary. If you only have a short stay in Noosa, I recommend double checking that you restaurants you want to go to are open. Generally Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday can be a bit patchy in terms of opening hours.
• On the flip side, a lot of cafes and coffee places have shorter opening hours on Sunday (if they are open at all). Something to consider when planning breakfasts.
• My favourite place to stay is still Sunshine Beach. I personally loved all the quiet walks, meandering to Sunshine Social in the morning and then the surf lifesaving club in the afternoon. However, I can absolutely see the merit of staying on Hastings Street to be amongst it.
• This recent trip, we stayed at Tingirana (in a Hastings Street facing room). It was a tiny bit noisy (even in off-season) so maybe not for a light sleeper. However, the location, the pool (on the beach, no less!) and the off-street parking were all excellent. I would definitely stay again.
• A note because maps don’t necessarily give this information: Noosa Junction is up a steep hill from Noosa Heads. If you book accomodation in Noosa Junction, you are looking at a bit of a hike down to Hastings Street.