The Best Dinner on the Sunshine Coast, After 19 Years of Eating My Way Around It
- Darcie Moore
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 21
There was a time when Grill'd was as good as it got on the Sunshine Coast. I lived through it. I watched the food scene as it shed its training wheels and became something bigger. Something people travel hours for.
If you’re anything like me, you take eating out seriously. You’re not here to waste time, money, or valuable stomach space on average food.
So, after 19 years of eating my way around the coast, I’ve narrowed it down to the spots that actually deliver. The ones I go back to time and time again.
Let’s get into it.
Corner of First Ave & The Esplanade, Maroochydore QLD
You knew this was coming... didn't you? If you’ve spent more than five seconds searching for the best dinner on the Sunshine Coast, chances are Riceboi has already popped up, and it's for good reason.
This Asian fusion favourite absolutely nails it across the board, from rich bowls of ramen and yellow curry to lighter options like sashimi and duck salad. If you’re heading in with a group, order a mix and share, the fried chicken, bao buns and edamame are essentials.
Set right on the water, the beer garden is the place to be, especially with a cocktail in hand. I've probably been here hundreds of times (I think my most was 3 times in one week), and I've never ever been disappointed. I'll go as far to say it's one of my favourite places to eat in the entire world. Yeah, it's that good.
TABLE NOTES
Go around 5pm to beat the biiiig ass queues
Perfect for both quick bites or long lunches/dinners by the water
It's speedy and affordable af
Bli Bli, QLD
As a a self-proclaimed pasta expert, finding a good Italian isn't easy. My other half refuses to go anywhere because "It's never as good as yours! What's the point in wasting money?"
Usually, I'd agree with him. But Sopra changed that. It's run by Luca and Marco, who both hail from Italy, so it's no wonder they deliver some of the best Italian on the Sunshine Coast.
Expect beautifully done pasta, rich flavours and a menu that focuses on quality over complexity. It’s elevated without doing too much, and one of those meals you’re still thinking about the next day.
TABLE NOTES
Great for date nights or slower dinners
A solid alternative to busier coastal spots
Just make sure you have room cause you'll wanna order everything
Maroochydore CBD, QLD
From the same crew as Riceboi, Giddy Geisha delivers a similar energy with a slightly different menu.
It’s the perfect option when you want those bold Asian flavours but you've been to Riceboi too many times and they're starting to look at you like a crazy person. Plus, the lines are usually shorter, which is always a win.
TABLE NOTES
The chicken sando is a must
Perf for casual date nights or dinners with friends
Maroochydore CBD, QLD
For something a little more fanc-ay, head right next door to Market Bistro. Perfect for a date night or special occasion, Market Bistro brings a refined, European-inspired dining experience to the coast.
The menu is all about simple, high-quality ingredients done really well, and it changes with the seasons.
Which is a blessing and a curse, I guess. They used to do a butter balsamic gnocchi and a chocolate caramel tart I still think about, often. Luckily, the rest of the menu holds its own.
TABLE NOTES
Ideal for special occasions or a nicer night out
Ask the staff for wine pairings
Order a side of fries. Just do it
Maroochydore Sunshine Plaza, QLD
I know the plaza isn't the first place you think of when you think date night, but if you're ever in the area, Joe's is worth bracing the pack of 16-year-olds for. I'd already tried this epic American-diner-inspired sandwich joint on the Gold Coast, so when I heard they were opening one up at home, I was suuuper excited.
My guilty pleasure is that I just love a bit of fried food - especially chicken. So the fried chicken sandwich is right up my alley. And because I will never deny myself of anything, we shared some fries and the prosciutto croquetes which are also delish.
They do loaded hot dogs, subs, reubens, onion rings, and all those things you see on people’s Insta stories in America too. 10/10.
TABLE NOTES
Easy and cheap
Park over the movies side of the plaza, near Timezone, that way you can walk straight in and out
Ocean Street, Maroochydore, QLD
Soka feels different from the moment you walk in. It's perfect for when you’re after something a bit special without going full fine dining, and the open kitchen just does it for me.
It’s modern Japanese, done properly. You get these fresh, flavour-packed plates that are genuinely as good as they look. And they look real good.
TABLE NOTES
Ideal for date nights or special occasions
Great spot when you want something a little more refined
Get the corn ribs...
Alexandra Headland, QLD
Funky Wok was exactly what was missing from our beautiful list of Asian options. A Thai spot bringing biiiiig flavour without compromising on freshness.
Think bold, punchy Thai-inspired dishes that hit every time without trying too hard. And the owner is the sweetest human who greets you and thanks you every time. We lurve a bit of genuine hospitality.
TABLE NOTES
Ideal for sharing a few dishes
Can book unlike other asians on the coast
They just started the first Asian breakfast on the coast (?!)
Kawana Forest, QLD
About six months ago, a flyer was shoved into my mailbox with '$5 gyros!!!' printed in bold letters. It created a commotion in my house. My picky, beige-foods-loving little sister's favourite food just so happens to be gyros, so approximately five seconds later we were on our way to check it out.
Stav's did not disappoint. The portion sizes were MASSIVE, and they’ve got all the meat options, which meant everyone at the table was happy. Since then, we've ordered it a bunch of times on Uber Eats and were always satisfied. If you want fresh, generously sized Greek food, just get to Stav's.
TABLE NOTES
Uber eats it if you cbf
If you go in: share a gyros and a bunch of the small plates
Buderim, QLD
Did we really need another Asian Fusion on this list? The answer is yes. Especially when it's making room for this gorgeous little Queenslander-turned-restaurant. Buderim isn't our neighbourhood, so it's gotta be a good-en to get us to cross into a different territory (we live in Kawana, lol). Dee Den firmly sits in the we-will-travel-an-extra-15-mins-for-this category. If the beautiful exterior didn't give away the quality of this place, the interior does.
Then the food knocks it out the park altogether. It's packed with flavour and the dishes are genuinely creative. I can guarantee you'll have something you've never even heard of, which is hard to come by these days when a lot of Asian restaurants are cut-copy versions of each other.
TABLE NOTES
They have menus that actually help you choose
Bring a date so you can order more
Sit out on the enclosed deck part to feel one with nature
That’s it. The spots that have officially earned repeat status. If you’re eating anywhere else on the Sunshine Coast, pleasseeeeeeeeee let me know in the comments. Mwah xo
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