www.rickys.com.au 2 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads Snuggled up alongside the Noosa River (and with impressive views out onto the boat-laden body of water) is local icon Ricky’s. The bar and restaurant has earned a name for itself when it comes to seafood, with a penchant for using local, seasonal produce on the menu. As a fine dining establishment (and a favourite for many an anniversary or special occasion for Queenslanders), there is an extensive wine list on offer. As well as an accompanying bar (complete with cocktails a plenty) to enjoy out the back. But the best way to embrace Ricky’s is to sit right up on the waterfront, tucking into specialties like Mooloolaba prawns from down the road.

www.thefishhouse.com.au 50 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads Long-term Gold Coast resident The Fish House is one of the most beloved dining venues on the strip. Settled next to Burleigh Beach, the eatery serves up an array of European-style dishes that focus on (you guessed it) seafood. But it’s not your average fish and chips, rather The Fish House is one of the most awarded restaurants on the Gold Coast, with consecutive chef hat awards since 2012. The menu changes daily and takes into account daily weather conditions, seasonal selections and sustainability. Head chef Damien Styles is behind the cuisine on offer that includes the world-renowned Patagonian Tooth-fish. As an added bonus, the venue is home to arguably the most extensive wine list in the state. It’s an impressive tome filled with drops sourced from the world over.

www.hellenika.com.au 2235 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach If it’s a Greek feast you are after, then look no further than Hellenika. The Gold Coast eatery is a self-described ‘modern interpretation of a traditional Greek eatery’. What does that mean exactly? Classic hellenic food but in a sleek new space where feasts are delivered in home-style and designed to be shared. Sunday lunch is the restaurant’s specialty, but every other night you’ll find the doors open from 5pm, to welcome you with mountains of edible Greek specialties formed from an array of local produce. The mustn’t miss? Obviously the lamb.

www.spirithouse.com.au 20 Ninderry Road, Yandina The Spirit House is potentially Queensland’s best kept secret when it comes to restaurants. Nestled into the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Yandina, the venue sits within a tropical paradise of lush gardens, waterfalls, traditional Thai buildings and more than a few windchimes. It sets the tone for the venue’s fare of contemporary Asian, which is built around the concept of sharing. For those who wish to dine on Spirit House cuisine at home – the restaurant also has a very popular cooking school sitting next door, and four cookbooks (and counting) available for purchase.

www.rickshores.com.au 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads Sitting on one of the best pieces of real estate in Queensland, let alone Australia, is Rick Shores. The pan-Asian eatery (and sister to Brisbane’s Longtime) accompanies its view of the sandy strip of Burleigh Beach with a lengthy menu of exotic seafood and cocktails. The restaurant’s massaman is well received, but our pick of the restaurant’s menu actually belongs on the bar list. The Ricks’ Fried Bug Roll, Gem Lettuce, Sriracha is best enjoyed at the outside bar, settled into a deck chair, ice cold cocktail en route.

www.wasabisb.com 2 Quamby Place, Noosa Sound Noosa may be known as a resort town but that doesn’t mean that the fare is solely seafood focuses. Wasabi is one of the Sunshine Coast suburb’s biggest drawcards – a Japanese restaurant that celebrates the contemporary and the traditional in equal supply and as a result has won a handful of major awards. Executive chef and co-owner Zeb Gilbert collects seasonal produce from the restaurant’s farm at nearby Honeysuckle Hill (which grows many a Japanese variety), showcasing the flavours of each ingredient with lesser known techniques.

www.noosabeachhousepk.com.au 16 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads Sitting smack bang in the heart of Noosa on main drag Hastings Street is Noosa Beach House by Peter Kuruvita. The prime spot for people watching (coupled with a cocktail or two of course) is also a great option for a main that comes courtesy of celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita. Famed for his sri lankan influence, Peter’s menu is awash with cuisine that favours both the exotic and the spicy, as well as forming a showcase of local seafood offerings. While the venue’s fine dining section is really for what Noosa Beach House is known, there’s a more casual menu option bar-side that allows you to stay in your swimwear.

www.nunu.com.au 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove As its name suggests, Palm Cove is a leafy stretch of pristine coastline in the far north of Queensland. But it’s not just the beach for which the coastal community has become known, but for booming restaurant Nu Nu. It is peak tropics at this venue – from the view (which is beachside) to the cuisine, all of which is inspired by local Australian ingredients concocted in summer-inspired ways. Look no further than the dessert of BBQ monkey banana, jamaica cake, and malt ice cream, served with crumbs and ginger soda for proof.

www.balboaitalian.com.au 1069 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach Tucked into surf haven Palm Beach is a little slice of Italy – Balboa Italian is bringing authentic Mediterranean fare (and good old fashioned Italian hospitality) to the southern Gold Coast. “We truly believe that we can change the world with a little salt, pepper, olive oil and a love for what we do,” summarises the team, who serve up both traditional and modern Italian dishes crafted with the finest of local and imported ingredients. Of course, an Italian feast is hardly complete without a glass of Italian wine (or two) of which the venue has in spades.

www.jimmywahs.com.au 1724 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads The Gold Coast is far from what it used to be, particularly down south in Burleigh where a hip new food movement has cemented itself. A prime example is Jimmy Wah’s – a cool new addition to Burleigh that blends modern Vietnamese and Australian cuisine. The menu itself is designed for groups, or at least couples that are happy to share. For those who suffer from indecisiveness there is also a ‘feed me’ menu to try. As for drinks, there’s a bevy of beers on tap but it would be a shame to miss out on the award-winning wine list available.