The Mooloolaba Yacht Club is a distant memory and Pier 33 is firmly entrenched as a good weather go-to for afternoon cocktails and shared morsels. Grab a coveted picnic bench overlooking the Mooloolaba Marina and let the kids stretch their legs on the grass while you sink a few cold ones, before retreating into the light-filled dining room for more substantial nosh. The menu is tweaked with the seasons but the Mediterranean bent is a mainstay, as is the fresh local seafood.

Sharing is recommended, so gather an assortment of plates like the more-ish baba ghanoush and warm pita bread with green Spanish and kalamata olives, a stash of fresh oysters or the perfect drinking companion of fried chicken bao oozing with aioli, katsu sauce and apple.

PFor larger groups or heartier appetites, a mighty slow-roasted Milly Hill lamb shoulder is cooked to tender perfection and treated to a flavour-packed pesto crust and ratatouille side, while the seafood paella boasts Mooloolaba king prawns, calamari, mussels, red capsicum and smoked paprika. Nippers have several options to choose from (think Cornflake crumbs meet fish) but you’ll want to get them home before the drinks kick in and noise levels surge. The island bar is kitted out with a well-rounded collection of tipples, ranging from local beer and French rosé to signature cocktails.

Exceptional dish: slow-roasted Milly Hill lamb shoulder with pesto crust and ratatouille