Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are relaxing sun-drenched destinations. But do you know that they are actually worlds apart? Those looking for more exciting activities usually head to the Gold Coast, while those who are seeking a more laid-back holiday will typically choose the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast is not as crowded, which means that you’ll likely be able to find a quiet spot to soak up the sun. Here’s our food guide which we hope will help you make the most of your trip, regardless of your destination. Thank you Visit Queensland and Jetabout Holidays for making this trip possible.

GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast, which is home to Surfers Paradise, is so much more than just beaches — laid-back neighbourhoods and a booming culinary scene await too. #WeAreGoldCoast

Charis Seafood

Pelicans arrive daily at 1.30 pm for their own special feed of fish! It was interesting to see how they gather at the feeding spot. They would come really close to you, but remember not to touch them! Come a little earlier and have a picnic in the beautiful parklands overlooking the Broadwater. Charis Fresh Seafood Market stocks the freshest seafood which includes fresh fillets of Coral Trout, the finest Sydney Rock Oysters, freshly cooked Mud Crabs, and the world’s best Smoked Atlantic Salmon. My favourite dish here is the fish and chips.

Night Quarter Market

Night Quarter is the Gold Coast’s newest creative playground, featuring night markets, micro-restaurants, emerging fashion and a unique live music space. Located across the road from the Westfield Helensvale Shopping Centre and the Helensvale Train Station, the shipping container city houses more than 120 speciality food purveyors, designers, musicians and craftspeople. It opens every Friday and Saturday night from 4pm-10pm.

Northcliffe Surf Club

The BMD Northcliffe Supporters Club was founded in 1988 for the purpose of raising funds to educate, train and provide vital equipment for the Life Savers who patrol Northcliffe beach. Even though food is not the highlight here, we had a really enjoyable breakfast by a window which overlooks the ocean. The Lifesaver Breakfast features 2 eggs, bacon, tomato, chipolata sausage, hash browns, mushroom and sourdough. It is a typical Australian breakfast, but I really enjoyed my scrambled eggs that day.

Cowch

Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast is Queensland’s largest shopping and dining destination. Dessert before lunch is always a good idea, yes? Cowch is an edgy light-filled bar, with pink ottomans and quirky lights, that whips up cocktails and sweet treats. The churros here are baked, not fried, and served with your choice of ice cream. They were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The most Instagram-worthy dish has to be the Waffle Sandwich which is beautifully decorated with two scoops of ice cream, hot shot, oreo and strawberries. Those with a penchant for anything sweet will probably love this.

Betty’s Burgers

I enjoyed Betty’s Burgers thoroughly. This burger shack has great vibes, cool music and awesome service. The Betty’s Classic is a stunner made up of a juicy Angus beef patty, fresh vegetables, melted cheese and Betty’s special sauce. You might be pleased to know that the Australian beef patties are made from fresh all-natural beef(NO hormones and NO antibiotics). Oh, and that perfect housemade special sauce is to die for. 

Rick Shores Restaurant

There were two restaurants that really left an impression on me on this trip. One of them is Rick Shores, which is the perfect place to experience modern Asian dining. While the menu has its roots pretty firmly grounded in Thailand, it is also influenced by Indian, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine. The Massaman Curry is served with tender Katsu beef brisket and Jerusalem artichoke; while the creamy Steamed Snapper is served with lup cheong, dried scallop and mustard greens. The view is straight up stunning. I just love watching waves crashing against the shore. The service crew was knowledgable about the entire menu, and they were more than happy to help when we asked for recommendations. Rick Shores just might be the Gold Coast’s finest!

SUNSHINE COAST

The Sunshine Coast is not all about a relaxed beach lifestyle. The beautiful coastal area is also a foodie paradise which plays host to world-class restaurants, cafes, as well as markets. The warm climate, rich soil, and abundant oceans made the coast suitable for the production of a wide array of fresh produce.

Noosa Farmers Market

If you are here over the weekends, be sure to visit the Noosa Farmers Market which happens every Sunday from 7am to 12pm. The Noosa Farmers’ Market showcases the finest and freshest regional produce that is grown on the Sunshine Coast and surrounding districts. Expect fresh fruits such as pawpaw, avocados, apricots and more. You’ll get to meet local farmers and food producers, and have a taste of different cuisines here. Warning: please come on an empty stomach!

Bistro C

Don’t always opt for eggs for breakfast. Sometimes, change is good. I found a good cafe along Hastings Street – Bistro C. Not only do they have a million dollar view of the sea, the breakfast items here are different as well. I absolutely loved my pancakes which came with figs, passionfruit curd and candied pistachios. Yummy pancakes with the freshest fruits that are in season? I’m sold. My partner went for the Truffled Mushroom Ragu with sweet potato hash cake, poached egg and goats curd. 

Belmondos Organic Market

The Belmondos Organic Market at Sunshine Coast specialises in organic food. They offer one of the largest ranges of organic products on the Sunshine Coast. The marketplace also houses Clandestino Roasters, which roasts their coffee beans on-site in a trendy warehouse microroastery. The coffee here is the best in Noosa. You get to choose from two blends and eight single-origin coffee that can be prepared in different ways — espresso-style, cold-drip, clover, V60 pour-over and siphon. Communal tables and free wi-fi make the space a popular spot with the laptop brigade.

Altitude on Montville

Altitude on Montville is located in Queensland’s vibrant tourist hub, Montville. Its lunch set starts from $30 for 2 courses. Appetizers include fried cuttlefish with preserved lemon aioli, lamb brains with sesame, and carrot kimchi. I like the Spanner Crab Spaghetti which is cooked with confit garlic, chilli, white wine and fresh herbs. If you are here just for the weekend, book a stay at their luxury studio suites or bedroom apartments.

Depot Cafe

After having so much good food in Sunshine Coast, it’s time to eat clean. Gympie Terrace along the Noosa River is one of Noosa’s newest cafe hotspots. If you want to have a healthy brunch and good coffee, Depot Cafe is definitely one of your best bets. This little cafe serves up healthy options such as pitaya bowls, smashed avocados, protein smoothies, fresh juices and more. They also serve freshly ground Clandestino coffee.

Noosa Fishing and Crab Tour

We took a taxi from Noosa Drive, near the main roundabout, to O Boat Hire in Noosaville. Being one of Queensland’s most pristine fishing areas, the Noosa River is an idyllic location for a day out on the water. On a good day, you’ll get to go fishing, crabbing and sightseeing. The professional fishing guide will catch Queensland mud crabs, or blue swimmer crabs, and cook them for you on the spot. After feasting on the fresh crabs,, you can explore the Noosa River and catch your own fish! However, in my opinion, it is not advisable to go for the tour during the rainy season. Also, note that there is only one small mobile toilet on the punt.

Eumundi Brewery

Officially opened in August 2017, The Eumundi Brewery at The Imperial Hotel is the only place where you can taste their beers tapped directly from the brewery tanks. These beers have been developed by some of the best brewers in the business — Lion’s Master Brewer Chuck Hahn, Eumundi’s Head Brewer Chris Sheehan and Brewer Allan Tilden. The beers are crafted using quality ingredients and are perfect for the incredible Queensland climate.

Noosa Beach House

Contemporary cuisine can be enjoyed at Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita. The menu shines light on the best produce in Sunshine Coast, and the chef’s Sri Lankan heritage. The 6-course degustation menu featured all the signature items such as Roasted Pork Belly with Yellowfin Tuna, Goroka Glazed Lamb Belly, Sri Lankan Snapper Curry, and Wagyu Sirloin. Dishes are nicely presented and well prepared.

Wasabi Restaurant

If you are looking for a restaurant that will definitely dazzle on the Sunshine Coast, Wasabi Restaurant is just the place that you’re looking for. We had a great evening at Wasabi, enjoying a 7-course omakase dinner by the window while the sun set. Executive Chef Zeb Gilbert showcases, beautifully, the seasonal produce from their farm at Honeysuckle Hill, and the amazing seafood that’s caught daily by the local fishing fleet. 

Diners can expect dishes such as Moreton Bay rock oysters with salt cured cherry blossom and cherry vinegar gelee. We also had the tempura dumpling of local king prawn, yamaimo yam and kinrenka leaf. My favourite dish was the Binchotan charcoal roasted Charters Towers venison which is served together with Mugi barley, Noosa oyster mushrooms and umami tea. The food was served at a great pace, and we were never rushed. I was really pleased that our final night at the Coast concluded with an amazing meal.

MEET THE LOCAL CHEF – Matt Golinski

Even though there wasn’t much sunshine in Sunshine Coast during my trip, the rain didn’t dampen our spirits as we get to spend some cozy moments with Chef Matt Golinski. Everyone I met during this trip had that look of admiration when I mentioned his name. It is easy to understand why. A house fire took the life of his wife and three daughters during Boxing Day in 2011, leaving Matt terribly injured and the entire Sunshine Coast reeling with shock and compassion.

Thankfully, Matt made a speedy recovery and he is now busy with many work assignments such as chef appearances at festivals and cooking at pop up events. Matt has a swag of local and international awards to his name, including when he beat the Italians at their own game and earned a bronze medal from Bologna’s Internazionale della Cucina Bolognese for cooking fresh pasta. Born on the Sunshine Coast, Matt’s dishes were all about supporting the local farms in his hometown and showcasing the beauty of the fresh produce that is available. We spent half a day visiting Belmondos Organic Market and oyster mushrooms farm. The following day, he brought a whole lot of local produce to our home to whip up a 3-course lunch for us.

The first dish was spanner crab and finger lime served with betel leaves, and the second was homemade pasta with pan-seared duck breast and oyster mushrooms. The third, and final course, was a crepe with mangoes and passionfruit. Chef Matt certainly did the produce of Sunshine Coast justice.

Thank you Visit Queensland and Jetabout Holidays for planning this trip. To get more travel tips on Sunshine Coast, register for the Queensland Travel Talk where you’ll get to meet Rachel Meyer, the Director of International Marketing from Visit Sunshine Coast. Learn about  Queensland’s naturally refreshing Sunshine Coast, and receive local tips on driving, highlight attractions, best stops for coffee, snacks, souvenirs PLUS indulge your senses and taste yummy local treats and goodies such as jams, confectionary ginger and delicious macadamia nougat bites! More travel specials to be unveiled at the event – ONLY FOR YOU! Click here to register.