Sips & Bites: Winter 2026
The coast is cooking – and we are absolutely here for it…
NEW FLAVOURS
The Mooloolaba Esplanade just got a whole lot livelier with the opening of Foxy Malone’s (former O’Malley’s Irish Pub). Grab a Guinness and enjoy live music and a whole new level of craic!
From the team behind Jericho Moffat Beach, Torque has arrived in Golden Beach – a quirky motorsport-themed café with a fully-licenced bar and New York style sandos.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is the first internationally branded new-build hotel on the Sunshine Coast in over 40 years! The real drawcard? Sully’s Rooftop, perched 12 storeys above the beach with modern Australian dining, sunset cocktails and sweeping ocean views. Chef Marky Godbeer was previously at The Calile Hotel Brisbane and sets the culinary vision for drawing inspiration from local producers and artisans.
Motto Motto has opened at Kawana Shoppingworld – a casual Japanese kitchen, delivering premium wagyu donburi, ramen and poke bowls made to order. Fast, fresh and absolutely worth the detour.
The team behind The Boat Shed at Cotton Tree have opened River Bar & Dining on the Mooloolah River, Kawana. The Mooloolaba Prawn Cocktail Brioche Sando is a standout on the tapas menu and the BBQ Lamb Belly is the staff’s favourite. Dive in! Also out of The Boat Shed kitchen is Ka-Pao which has just added a Tamarind Sauce and Smokin Joes Chipotle Salsa to its original Korean Sauce.
Brisbane’s 3 Black Bears Pizza is opening in Caloundra bringing large pizzas at one great price ($16.90) to the region!
Aura Fresh Twilight Market is on the first Friday of every month from 4-8pm with food trucks and vendors, fresh produce, local artisans and makers, plus a craft beer bar pouring Brouhaha, Moffat Beach Brewing Co and Your Mates Brewing, live local music, kids entertainment and activities.
Local charity The Everyday Foundation will open the doors to a low-cost grocery store, emergency relief program, meal-support kitchen, cafe, and Hope Hampers Christmas initiative in Nambour in September. You can support by purchasing items to help the Fit Out Fund. Visit the facebook page for more.
Panwa Thai has relocated from Ocean Street to Parklakes, Bli Bli with traditional Thai cuisine as well as fish and chips.
WEEKLY WINNERS
Sola Bar & Restaurant at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is serving up weekly specials from 12pm. Start the week with a classic 250g chicken parmi on Mondays; a 36-hour slow-cooked lamb shank with truffle jus on Wednesdays; chargrilled half chook on Fridays or a weekend roast with Yorkshire pudding.
The Pickled Pelican on Ocean Street is drawing in the crowds with a special offer every day they’re open – book in for Treat yourself Tuesday, Wagyu Wednesday, Wellington & Wine Thursday, Fry-yay Friday, Good Vibes Saturday or finish the week with a Sunday Roast! See page 66 for all the delicious details.
Monday night is Wine Night at Stavros, buy two mains and receive a bottle of house wine on the house; on Tuesdays, enjoy two courses and a beverage for $49; enjoy Souvlaki for $29 on Wednesday; and Steak Night on Thursdays with Wagyu Rostbiff, Greek fries and jus, also $29. Sunday lunch is all about sharing with slow-cooked lamb shoulder with all the trimmings (see page 68) and on Sunday night, choose any three Mezze for $39.
TASTE OF ITALY
Cotton Tree wine bar, Breeze of Italy just got better with the arrival of the Breeze of Italy Experience – a four-course sharing menu Italian-style! Choose from some of its greatest hits with a glass of house wine for just $49 per person Monday-Thursday from 4pm until late. Be sure to book! See page 64 for more.
Get your Italian goods direct from Dolce Italia – shop online for free delivery to the Sunshine Coast for orders over $50 or pick up from the Coolum warehouse.
Cicchetti Street Food has opened in Alexandra Headland, bringing an edge to regional Italian street food – no pizza, no pasta, think beef cheek ragu-stuffed olives, whole baby squid braised in red wine, and dishes sourced straight from the regions of Italy.
SLOW FOOD FAST
Winter dinners just got healthier with Greensmith Grocers in Birtinya joining Uber Eats. Grab nourishing bowls, ready-to-heat meals, kombucha and smoothies, delivered. See page 76.
SUNSHINE EATS
Zeus Street Greek has opened its 50th restaurant at Sunshine Plaza – a major milestone for the Greek-Mediterranean chain. Dine on flame-grilled pitas, Spartan Bowls, fresh salads and loukoumades. Also in Sunshine Plaza, Joe’s Deli brings a slice of New York and Grill’d has had a fresh facelift. See page 72 for more.
HOMEGROWN CHANGES HANDS
Homegrown Caf̩ in Palmwoods has new owners from close to home РMatt and Jordan. Both are long-time customers and Jordan started working there when he was 13! Same soul, exciting new energy.
WINE DINNER
Fish House Steak & Grill will host Nicholas Goss of Hentley Farm for an unforgettable 6-course degustation with matching wines, including the Clos Otto Shiraz. Thursday 16 July. 6pm-9pm $249pp. Book now!
WINTER WARMERS
Flo’s Crêperie have two new winter dishes to tickle your Francey. – see page 62!
Peregian Beach Hotel bring the grooves with Vinyl Nights every second Saturday, with guest DJs spinning the tunes plus tapas and bar specials at Il Porto from 5.30pm. Plus the Massaman lamb shank pot pie and Donburi Bowls are back for winter!
DO YOU YUZU?
Sunshine & Sons Premium Spirits have released the small batch, limited-edition Yuzu Gin – bright, bold and bursting with citrus flavour! Also try, Biosphere Gin with elderflower and native black myrtle – divine! Buy 2 bottles and get 50% off your 3rd! Open from 10am daily or buy online.
DINE ON THE DECK
Slow mornings taste better Dining on the Deck at Secrets on the Lake. Whether staying overnight or just stopping by, discover the new menu, and enjoy breakfast with a view of Lake Baroon.
SUSTAINABLE SIPS
Alsahwa Estate’s Ä“thos restaurant at Palmwoods has Happy Hour Wed-Sat from 2.30-5pm – divine cocktails, antipasto platters and golden sunsets. Don’t miss the monthly Test Kitchen for culinary creativity on show.
SUNSHINE BRUNCH
Sunshine Beach Surf Club and Sunshine & Sons will host a Bottomless Gin Brunch on Sunday 2 August with two hours of bottomless gin cocktails paired with a delicious menu. Plus on the last Sunday of every month, enjoy a Singles Long Lunch for singles aged 40-60.
CROWD CLASSICS
All your faves are making a comeback at The Beach Bars. See which dishes made the list on page 50.
DON’T MISS!!
The Curated Plate 10-day food festival returns from 24 July to 2 August.
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