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15 of the best Mooloolaba restaurants 

Kristie Lau-AdamsBy Kristie Lau-Adams
Slurp up the Sunshine Coast’s freshest seafood and seasonally charged dishes at our favourite Mooloolaba restaurants.

For me, there’s only one non-negotiable in Mooloolaba — washing a famed Mooloolaba prawn down with its heavenly saltwater comrades. Given the impressive collective of Mooloolaba restaurants making magic out of these hero ingredients, I’m faced with the freshest of hauls no matter what time of the day I’m dining. From rich Italian and Mediterranean flavours to the king-hit spices of Asia, teaming fresh seafood with masterful flair is a local prerequisite.

Here, I round up the Sunshine Coast beach town’s culinary stars for your (often waterfront) dining pleasure.

In short

If you only eat at one of the best Mooloolaba restaurants, make it Prawn Star. Sitting on an old fishing trawler while peeling fresh local prawns never gets old.

The shortlist

Hottest new opening: Fish House Steak & Grill
Fine dining gem: Bella Venezia
Best for seafood: Prawn Star Mooloolaba
Best date spot: Rice Boi

1. Dune by Pavilion

inside Dune by Pavilion with wide windows overlooking the beach
Soak up beach views with a drink in hand. (Image: Dune by Pavilion)

I toast my beach holiday with cocktails and Instagram-friendly plates at Dune by Pavilion . Climbing the stairs to level one where ocean views abound, I’m smacked with the venue’s calming coastal fit-out, all timbers, marble and 50 shades of white, while a Mediterranean-inspired menu features a raw selection, small and large plates and shareable temptations. Unsurprisingly, this Mooloolaba restaurant draws a glamorous crowd especially when the party kicks into gear come nightfall. I devour tropical tipples (yes, plural) over the Mooloolaba prawn and scallop spaghettini with ample chilli and garlic before hitting the dessert menu for a creamy, totally authentic tiramisu. It’s a delicious meal I’ll have to replicate upon my next visit, which I schedule after the final months of 2025 when the team’s expansive Pavilion Rooftop will open.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Party times

Location: 26/121 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

2. Bella Venezia

al fresco dining at Bella Venezia, Mooloolaba
The award-winning Italian restaurant Bella Venezia is situated on the vibrant Mooloolaba Esplanade.

It’s smack bang in the middle of the Esplande i.e. tourist central but I’ve heard incredible things about Bella Venezia ’s handmade pasta, so I don’t let a tourist-trap outset deter me. Thank goodness. This Mooloolaba restaurant is a must-dine for the Moreton Bay Bug Tail spaghetti in prawn and crayfish bisque alone. I melt into the table with every bite — it is seriously that good. My husband smashes his slow-cooked beef cheek ragout tagliatelle (noting the pasta has switched out from 2024’s pappardelle, but it’s no less delicious), offering praise through total silence. Meanwhile, the vibe must also be commended – wine-fuelled and fun – so long lunching and languishing dinners are encouraged. I am also a huge fan of the wine list, which collates more than 500 drops by the bottle and offers me spiritual transportation to the world’s finest regions with every sip.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Cosy

Location: 95 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

3. Fish House Steak & Grill

a table-top view of food at Fish House Steak & Grill, Mooloolaba
The seafood-obsessed will be well looked after at Fish House Steak & Grill.

One of the newer kids on the block, located about five minutes from the main strip, is Fish House Steak & Grill which opened in August 2025. It’s a gorgeous location, inside the once-beloved Fish on Parkyn site which sold to new residents two months prior, but what’s super exciting about this Mooloolaba restaurant is the crew behind it: the Bella Venezia team. Embracing its seaside digs, right opposite Mooloolaba Spit Beach, one of the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches, they load up line-caught seafood with the most delicate of flavours while throwing Japanese influences into the mix. The tasting menu splits into two options, ‘Land’ or ‘Sea’ — think Miso-glazed toothfish on one and braised and glazed grass-fed Angus short rib on the other.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Japanese influence

Average price: $$$-$$$$

Atmosphere: Elegant

Location: 25 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba

4. TokyoTaco

Teriyaki Corn Ribs at TokyoTaco, Mooloolaba
The must-try Teriyaki Corn Ribs at TokyoTaco.

Love the Newtown outlet in Sydney? TokyoTaco headed north in June 2025, opening its second venture right opposite Mooloolaba Beach. While salty breeze replaces big city fumes, fans of this cult snack attack can expect the same clever sushi-taco hybrid combinations, including pulled pork and miso baked salmon, as well as jam-packed sushi rice bowls with all the trimmings. Got little ones with you? Hit up the kids’ menu, offering mini nachos and a mini rice bowl, to put smiles on their dials.

Cuisine: Japanese but also Mexican

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: 121 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

5. Pier 33

the exterior of Pier 33, Mooloolaba
The nautical-inspired restaurant is set right off Mooloolaba Marina.

I’m living the high life at Pier 33 , located within the former Mooloolaba Yacht Club right off Mooloolaba Marina. The waterfront restaurant is dressed in nautical-inspired flair (think wall-mounted oars and a solid blue-and-white colour scheme), while its menu drips with seafood delights including the team’s signature prawn roll on a soft white bun with cos lettuce, lemon mayo and a giant onion ring, and the seafood chowder with fresh barramundi and scallops. Keen to make a moment of it? Go for the $140 seafood platter, created in part by Rockliff, one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-loved seafood suppliers, which is seasonal and always stacked with line-caught showstoppers.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Breezy

Location: 33-45 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

6. The Dock Mooloolaba

hand holding fried calamari with food and drinks on the table at The Dock, Mooloolaba
Linger over a meal at The Dock and soak up the waterfront views.

Located within The Wharf entertainment complex, The Dock Mooloolaba is a great spot to catch million-dollar views. Yet the vibe here remains delightfully chilled. There are more than a dozen beers on tap, plus stellar cocktail,s but everyone’s here for a quality feed and it’s not hard to see why. Starters span ‘Brisket Burnt Ends.’ which sums up its genius entirely, and vegetarian arancini balls with pesto aioli, while eight unique pizzas, blue swimmer crab ravioli and an entire menu dedicated to seafood (including a bug bun, baked scallops and a bucket of Mooloolaba prawns) further tempt.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Rowdy

Location: Within The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

7. See Restaurant

While you’re exploring The Wharf, treat yourself to one of my favourite spots for seafood, See Restaurant . I’ll get to the food but first, the tables are set right over the water so the whole experience feels as though you’re feasting on a boat. A la carte options are also delivered with consistent finesse but the must-order at this Mooloolaba restaurant is the seafood platter (there’s also a ‘Qld BBQ Seafood Platter’ but you want to choose the Mac Daddy of the two) stacked with hot and cold line-caught fish and crustaceans, hot chips, salads and a fruit selection. They even do oyster shooters at $18 a pop, a dreamy accompaniment to a day on the sea.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Elevated

Location: Within The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

8. Rice Boi

hands clinking cocktail glasses over dinner at Rice Boi Restaurant
Vibrant flavours with a hint of Japanese are on offer at Rice Boi Restaurant. (Image: Supplied)

Asian street food is nailed at Rice Boi , another buzzing Mooloolaba restaurant located within The Wharf. The interior mirrors the energy of a traditional night noodle market, complete with red lanterns and neon lights, while the dishes are famed throughout town: piled with fresh herbs and spices to create serious flavour bombs. Plus, there’s water views if you can grab a table at the rear of the restaurant known as the ‘beer garden’. Standout dishes include their bao buns (the pork belly with shiso red onion is especially yummy), the char sui pork with Chinese pancakes, the katsu curry fries with pickled ginger, and a 10-hour coconut braised beef with rice.

Cuisine: Asian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Electric

Location: Within The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

9. Backlane

dinner at Backlane, Mooloolaba
Indulge in Mexican favourites at Backlane. (Image: Kieran Tunbridge)

Whether you’re drawn to Backlane ’s ‘From the Land’ or ‘From the Sea’ menu, tapas inspired by international street food is delivered with total flair. A vibrant venue filled with loud conversation, Backlane also shakes up fabulous cocktails and great beer and wine so there’s plenty to indulge in. On the ‘Land’ menu, you’ll find Mexican-inspired tacos, Karaage chicken and lamb koftas (no corner of the world is neglected), while there’s seafood saganaki and prawn and ginger dumplings floating around the ‘Sea’ menu.

Cuisine: International

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Vibrant

Location: Shop 7, 19 First Avenue, Mooloolaba

10. Ton Khao Bistro

pouring wine into a glass at Ton Khao Bistro, Mooloolaba
Pair authentic Thai classics with wine at Ton Khao Bistro.

Feed your takeaway craving at Ton Khao Bistro , Mooloolaba’s go-to for authentic Thai classics. The vibe is casual and understated, allowing hearty plates to take centre stage. You’ll find usual players including cashew nut and basil and chilli stir-fries, plus scene stealers like a pineapple duck curry, a ‘Beach to Bush’ deep-fried whole barramundi and a spicy roasted duck with beans.

Cuisine: Thai

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Fuss-free

Location: 19 First Avenue, Mooloolaba

11. Il Vento

A group dines at Il Vento, Mooloolaba
Il Vento is located within The Wharf Precinct.

Il Vento ’s woodfired oven, cranking out pillowy-soft red and white-based pizzas, is one of The Wharf’s long-loved MVPs. It’s a total dream weaver as killer cocktails roll out of the bar to help wash down the good stuff. Standout flavour combinations include the Fiamme Verde with pancetta and buffalo ricotta, and Calzone which folds ham off the bone, salami, ricotta and more into a sandwich-style carb load. Aching for pasta? The team will sort you out with traditional favourites including Linguine Al Frutti De Mare, a seafood medley, Gnocchi Al Tartufo Nero with truffled cream and mushrooms, and Spaghetti Ai Gamberi with Mooloolaba prawns.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Location: Within The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

12. Prawn Star Mooloolaba

Friends dine at Prawn Star in Mooloolaba
Head to Prawn Star and taste the region’s best prawns. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

You can’t leave Mooloolaba without visiting Prawn Star , even if it’s just for a selfie with the sign. But do decide to stay as dining in one of this restaurant’s two restored fishing trawlers is, hands down, one of the most iconic things to do in Mooloolaba. I’m always treated to the region’s best prawns while I’m there, but I make belly room for the menu’s crayfish, oysters and Moreton Bay bugs. It’s an absolutely smashing, get-your-hands-dirty meal out that’s unlike anything else in the region (you can do it elsewhere in the state, however, as Prawn Star’s original operations are found in Cairns).

Cuisine: Seafood

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Upbeat

Location: Within The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

13. The Beach Bar & Grill

the view of Mooloolaba Esplanade from The Beach Bar & Grill
Take in iconic views of the Mooloolaba Esplanade at The Beach Bar & Grill.

Keep things casual with a hearty feed at The Beach Bar & Grill on the Esplanade. Nailing casual pub food and American-inspired classics, the busy Mooloolaba eatery offers chicken parmys with about eight variations – it’s my favourite place for a laden schnitzel on the coast. Elsewhere on the menu, there’s Jamaican Jerk chicken wings, barbecue pork ribs and a kids’ menu with junior indulgences.

Cuisine: Pub grub

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Chilled out

Location: Shop 11, Landmark Resort & Spa, 11 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

14. Fisheries on the Spit

the restaurant exterior of Fisheries on the Spit, Mooloolaba
Make a pitstop at Fisheries on the Spit when you’re in the beach town.

Winning my vote for the best fish and chips in town, Fisheries on the Spit is an institution, frying up happy holiday memories since 1982. Flake, crumbed whiting, snapper and Atlantic salmon are all on the menu as is a crowd-pleasing Fisherman’s Basket filled with whiting, a seafood stick, a prawn cutlet, a seafood bite, pineapple fritter, calamari and chips. Burgers, Chiko rolls, battered savs, dim sims – the gang’s all here. Grab your favourites to go and plonk yourself by the beach for the ultimate holiday bucket list achievement.

Cuisine: Takeaway

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: 21 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba

15. Casa Restaurant

A sibling venue to its elegant next-door neighbour Casita Wine Bar, Casa Restaurant is awash with sophisticated interiors and an equally dazzling crowd. Refined meals with beach views make this Mooloolaba restaurant, which opened in December 2024, a hit with Instagram-loving locals as every angle in this space is photo-perfect. Mediterranean plates keep everyone smiling, all seasonally charged and filled with local ingredients, with popular picks spanning slow-cooked lamb shoulder, a juicy Pappardelle al Ragu, and a porcini mushroom risotto.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Chic

Location: 1/26 River Esplanade, Mooloolaba

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.