by Martin Field
Noosa is one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations and most Noosa visitors we know stay at condos in or near the famous Hastings Street strip. They tend to dine at nearby upmarket restaurants but being unfamiliar with the greater Noosa region, will often ask me where they can eat out in surrounding areas.
Here are my Top Ten recommendations – in no particular order of merit.
At Sunshine Beach you’ll enjoy Alegria – their Spanish oriented tapas are excellent and the staffers are friendly. The stylish Wasabi serves modern Japanese and is one of the highest rated restaurants in Queensland – top service and presentation. Don’t miss the Sunshine Beach Surf Living Club – go for a surf then have a decent feed on the club’s balcony overlooking the ocean – you might even see whales. Beer and wine prices are very reasonable.
In between Noosa and Noosaville is Rock Salt @ Noosa, BYO only – modern Australian cuisine –very tasty.
In Noosaville: Kukai? is a small Japanese restaurant on the river. The chef used to work at the Japanese embassy in Canberra and knows her stuff. First-rate Agedashi. Top value for money (BYO). Nearby is Krung Thep Thai – Thai staff and tasty Thai tucker – try their smoky Pad Thai noodles. It’s always busy and bustling, always full up – so book. Up the road apiece you will find the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club (visitors welcome) where you can enjoy watching the boatie traffic on the Noosa River over a glass and a plate or two of well-priced tucker.
At Noosa Marina: Amici on the Water – offers outside dining on the jetty – very good wood fire oven pizzas. Beware, if you order a sprinkle of chili flakes you’ll be charged an extra dollar on the bill. I sneak my own in, ‘cause I’m cheap.
In Cooroy – about a 25 minute drive from Noosa – you’ll discover Ploy Thai – a tiny Thai restaurant. (BYO) – where the food is lovingly prepared by chef Prim. Everyone we’ve taken there insists on going back on their next Noosa holiday.
Between Noosa Heads and Noosaville is Humid, an upstairs spacious airy eatery overlooking the Noosa River. Easy to drive past – we did on our first visit. Helpful staff, pepper grinders for each table – how hard is that? Good vegetarian choices. BYO lunchtimes, fully licensed evenings.