The 17 best restaurants in Noosa

You have every season and every reason to visit this iconic waterfront restaurant. With the lively buzz of Hastings Street on one side and the gentle waves of Laguna Bay on the other, this all-day eatery offers a laid-back setting for long lunches that effortlessly turn into dinner and drinks. You can breathe in the salty ocean air while feasting on freshly shucked oysters, kingfish sashimi, goat cheese soufflé, or a seasonal salad of Noosa red tomatoes tossed with basil, bocconcini and aged balsamic. For mains, spin your fork into spanner crab pasta, slice into a showstopping chargrilled eye fillet, or share the signature lamb shoulder with a crisp porcini crust. 

This trendy Asian diner made quite the bang when it opened just off Hastings Street in 2021. You might recognise the name from its popular older sibling in Byron Bay, which launched just a year earlier. Bang Bang Noosa offers an almost identical menu, showcasing bold Southeast Asian flavours in a lively, low-lit setting. The menu is cleverly divided between ‘little bangs’ and ‘big bangs’, while the ‘bang-quet’ menu offers a taste of their greatest hits. If taking the DIY route, kick things off with kingfish sashimi dressed in green nahm jim, or a trio of spiced pork spring rolls. For mains, get ready for a flavour-packed line-up of sticky pork belly, braised beef ribs, and a whole pan-fried snapper coated in sweet and sour sauce. Then round out the feast with a selection of Bang Bang’s wok-tossed noodles and comforting curries.

This stylish restaurant and bar sits on prime real estate, overlooking the shimmering waters of Noosa’s most famous beach. Bistro C delivers one of the town’s most iconic dining experiences, with its breezy, light-filled dining room perfect for leisurely lunches, sunset cocktails, romantic dinners and everything in between. Noosa’s finest produce shines on the menu, with standout dishes like caramelised pork belly, chargrilled eye fillet, locally caught miso-glazed salmon, and sweet chilli calamari. 

Time Out tip: Book early and request seats by the window or outside, where you can watch the waves roll in beneath a starry night sky.

Let the good times flow at this charming French crêperie by day and modern French bistro by night. Owner and crêpe connoisseur Flo Guillemard has 20-plus years of experience adapting French classics for the Aussie palate, both on the sweet and savoury front. In addition to all your classic fillings, you’ll find flambées (crêpes on fire), salad and seafood galettes (like pizza but with a lighter base), and a world tour series of galettes featuring toppings inspired by the flavours of the Mediterranean, Asia, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Can’t decide? Just go with the flow and treat yourself to one for dinner and another for dessert.

Aromas is like the friendly neighbour everyone knows and loves. This long-time favourite has been a fixture on Hastings Street for almost three decades, dishing up delicious fare from sunrise to sunset. Aromas is best known for its Parisian-style, street-facing tables, which are ideal for people-watching while sipping your morning cuppa or afternoon cocktail. With a menu rooted in seasonality, Aromas sources fresh produce from its own Maravista Farm in the Noosa Hinterland. Expect all your favourite brunch classics, plus a gorgeous selection of seafood mains and salads after midday.

A menu that utilises locally sourced ingredients can be a beautiful thing. Combine this ethos with head chef Enrique Mancilla’s artistic flair for flavour and presentation, and you’ve got something very special indeed. How about this for a tempting start: fried three-cheese-stuffed olives, juicy Moreton Bay bug rolls, and roasted Mooloolaba prawns cooked in harissa butter? Rickys' dining room is a palette of white with louvred windows channelling wisps of breeze from the picturesque Noosa River. Arrive for sunset and dine into the night to experience Rickys at its beautiful best. 

When a few young fellas opened this bold modern Asian eatery in 2017, they likely had no clue it would become one of the hottest spots in town. Run by former MasterChef Australia finalist Matt Sinclair and his two pals Jeremiah Jones and Michael Rickard, Sum Yung Guys does a buzzing trade any night of the week. The chefs put a local twist on pan-Asian classics, like the Mooloolaba prawn toast with gochujang mayo; fried rice with juicy Moreton Bay bugs; and the signature SYG red curry with lamb shank, apple eggplant and snake beans. Mop it all up with a flaky, hand-stretched roti that’s worth the trip on its own. 

After conquering the Coastal Walk from Hastings Street to Sunshine Beach, reward yourself with a refreshing Aperol Spritz or Passionfruit Nojito at the newly refurbished Sunshine Beach Surf Club. Try to grab a shaded table on the expansive balcony where you can enjoy panoramic views of the shimmering seas and perhaps even spot a pod of whales passing by. The SBSC menu features all the classics: parmys, pizzas and pot pies, along with coastal classics, including spiced snapper tacos, chilli garlic king prawns and a Darling Downs rump steak with peppercorn mushroom sauce. Top tip: save yourself the sweat and ride the free courtesy bus straight back to Noosa. 

Calling all pizza flingers and cocktail slingers. Noosa’s OG pizzeria has been firing up slightly chewy, slightly crunchy slabs of goodness on Hastings Street since 2020. El Capitano’s sourdough bases are a 72-hour labour of love, topped with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the Noosa Farmers Market. There are 12 flavour toppings to play with, ranging from classic Margherita and pepperoni to slow-roasted lamb shoulder, vegan butternut, and a prawn and calamari combo. Pair your pizza with a Spritz, skin contact wine or craft beer, and get around the vinyl DJs spinny tunes every Friday night until late.

Sitting pretty on a corner in Noosa Junction, the modern Asian eatery has become a fast favourite for its playful approach to hospitality. Think shamelessly indulgent share plates served under sexy low lighting with a disco-heavy soundtrack. You could start with bao buns, loaded with spicy Korean fried chicken, caramelised pork belly, panko crumbed fish or eggplant katsu. For something more refreshing, the delicately poached kingfish ceviche is an absolute hit, doused in smooth coconut and kefir lime sauce. If you’re struggling to decide between the crispy pork belly, miso eggplant and Wagyu beef rendang, consider surrendering control to the chefs: they’ll ply you with a series of excellently balanced dishes for a reasonable $69 per person ($89 per person if you want to upgrade to the 'primo selection'). 

We don’t know what’s better here: the food or the views. Let’s set the scene: if it weren't for the timber floor beneath your feet, you might think you were dining right on the beach, with the open-plan dining room framed by breathtaking 180-degree views of Laguna Bay. The food here is equally spectacular, offering a quintessential seafood-heavy dining experience that’s perfect for special occasions. With three working cellars, Sails proudly houses one of Australia’s largest wine collections, featuring the finest bottles from Australia and beyond.

‘The Boaty’ represents the best of Noosa in all its forms. Located right on the Noosa River and just a quick ferry ride from Hastings Street, this waterfront hub offers something for everyone across its three levels. You can keep it casual with freshly battered fish and chips from the front kiosk, grab an artisanal coffee or kombucha from the adjacent coffee bar, enjoy a coastal-inspired three-course meal in the chic dining room, or ascend to the top floor for sunset cocktails with a view.

Hiding in a corner, far from the hustle and bustle of Hastings Street, this low-lit eatery brings a taste of Italy to Queensland’s east coast. Dark timber and dim lighting sets the scene for an intimate dinner, featuring handmade pasta, traditional antipasti and rich desserts. While the menu leans towards the pricier side, it’s the perfect opportunity to go all out with a glass of French Champagne, Italian wine or vintage rosé. Given the wine list is 48 pages, you’ll have no problems finding the perfect tipple to complement your meal. Oh, and that’s not to mention the 12-page cocktail menu, which features a special series showcasing handpicked botanicals from Maravista Farm. 

As the sun sets, queues start to form outside Miss Moneypenny’s, a super-popular Mediterranean-inspired bar on Hastings Street. Those eager to shake their money maker are in luck, as the venue pumps with live DJs and musicians every weekend. Walk-ins are welcome for $3 oysters and seasonal Spritzers daily from 3-5pm, but you’ll want to reserve a table for a sit-down dinner from their à la carte offering. Here, premium seafood and meats are elevated with caviar bumps, black truffle, fresh pesto and yuzu gel, while an all-day pizza menu caters to a more casual affair. Miss Moneypenny’s cocktail list is as lengthy as its food, featuring signature drinks like the Rose Petal Martini, Citron Meringue and Istanbul Old Iced Tea.

Easily identified as “that funky café in Hastings Street that turns into a cocktail bar," Moonstruck spotlights boutique roasters and artisanal distilleries from the region. Mornings make way for loaded bagels and Breakfast Coffee Negronis, while nights celebrate small-batch Australian gins. Moonstruck takes your classic G&T to another galaxy, infusing it with native botanicals that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Set yourself up on the footpath tables with a gin flight and a charcuterie board, and you’re in for a ripper night.

Noosa Heads’ Coya is far from your typical beach town eatery. The bright and vibrant restaurant fuses coastal ingredients with Peruvian techniques, creating dishes that cater to your whole party's palate. Start your feast with a selection of appetisers, including fresh crab rolls, roast suckling pig and marinated skewers grilled over charcoal. Refresh your palate with Coya’s gluten-free ceviches, then fill up on tacos and hearty iron-pot mains. And remember, a Pisco Punch or Sour is a non-negotiable (if you’re drinking). 

This list wouldn’t be complete without shouting out Betty’s Burgers. This beloved burger chain started out right here in Noosa and has rapidly expanded, now boasting 60 stores and counting across the country. We’d recommend grabbing your favourite burger and heading down to Noosa Main Beach for a picnic in the sun. You can pick from 15 fillings, ranging from the classic to a grilled chicken supreme, mushroom with melted gouda and gruyere vegetarian option and a pork belly number. Not into carbs? Betty’s also does a bare burger wrapped in lettuce. Add a side of their legendary onion rings, and be sure to come back for one of Betty’s famous Concretes (rich frozen custard ice cream), with flavours like M&M’s, Maltesers and meringue.