The Sunshine Coast is a haven for craft beer enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs alike, with an array of bars that offer stunning views of the coastline.
From rooftop terraces to beachside decks, there really is something for everyone. Whether you're after a sundowner with mates or a romantic evening out, we've got you covered.
Guaranteed to lift your spirits, read on for the best bars with a view on the Sunshine Coast!
Bistro C
Bistro C, Noosa
Nothing beats downing cocktails or a platter of malt vinegar fries and cider battered fish alongside the stunning backdrop of Noosa’s iconic main beach. Bistro C Beachside Restaurant & Bar is the kind of place where dinners are served under candlelight with a side of pastel hues and gentle rolling waves. Absolutely dreamy!
The Boatshed Cotton Tree
The Boatshed
Tuck into a tapas feast along the crystal waterway of the Maroochy River at The Boat Shed. While the alfresco seating and cotton candy skies at dusk are no doubt the big winning features here, there are more than a few plates worthy of your time. Locals know the creamy baked brie with rainforest honey is always a must-order as well as the Tasmanian salmon served on handmade pasta—carb diem!
Kings Beach Bar
Kings Beach Bar, Caloundra
Kings Beach Bar is where the beers are cold, the burgers are juicy (and not to mention, go for $12 a pop on Friday evenings) and the beachfront views are completely unrivalled. On Sundays, you’ll want to take up a seat under one of their outdoor umbrellas, order up the likes of a Midori Splice to cool your senses and kick back to a slew of local performances.
The Bunker Coffee & Bar, Bulcock Beach
There’s no better place than The Bunker Coffee & Bar to pull up before (or after) you conquer the scenic Bulcock Beach Boardwalk. The breakfast and brunch game here is something to boast about with the crew whipping up everything from syrupy pancakes to granola bowls to start your day. You can roll up with sand in your toes and your furry four-legged friends too!
Pavilion Mooloolaba
The Pavillion, Mooloolaba
Pavilion Mooloolaba is a bonafide foodie haven where you dress to impress. Here, it’s all about those Euro vibes and tropical concoctions ranging from breakfast mimosas (kicking off from 10am daily) to a slew of fruity margaritas and spritzes. On weekends, you’re in for a rotation of DJs so pull up a chair, take in the sweeping views of Mooloolaba Beach and brace yourself for the best seats in the house—sip sip hooray!
Pier 33
Wine at Pier 33 (at The Wharf), Mooloolaba
For a lazy long lunch and sunset snacking on the edge of the Mooloolaba Marina, Pier 33 is serving up all the trimmings. This pavilion-style eatery channels the best of the Hamptons with its perfectly manicured lawns, white and blue-striped parasols and an official mantra to “keep palm, and carry on” while you’re passing through. Trawl through fresh oysters served on ice, Hiramasa Kingfish tartare or a whole grilled fish—line caught and served fresh with salmoriglio dressing.
Coolum Beach Surf Club
Soaking up the salty scenery at the local surf club is a rite of passage in Australia, and Coolum Beach Surf Club is the quintessential experience. This award-winning establishment sits directly on the shoreline and its beachfront restaurant is the only surf club in Australia to feature an actual wood-fired chargrill.
Flame Hill Vineyard
FlameHill Vineyard
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Sunshine Coast is all salt and sand… Flame Hill Vineyard takes up prime real estate in the region's famed hinterland, some 420 metres above sea level on the highest point of Montville. This vineyard produces 100 per cent estate-grown wines and is the one place where stellar cuisine, wine and breathtaking vistas all come together.
Mapleton Public House
Mapleton Public House
Tucked into the town of Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland is the picturesque 112-year-old pub known as Mapleton Public House. The family-friendly tavern with stained glass windows and a menu to boot should be on any keen bar-goers bucket list—dig into a black angus striploin or a confit suckling pig covered with cheese broth as you look over the lush valleys and misty mountains of Mapleton.
Rooftop Bar & Garden Maroochydore
Take your dining to new heights at The Rooftop Bar & Garden (because the bubbles just taste better when you’re seven floors up). Next to the enclosed rooftop’s winning bottomless brunch and Sunday spritzer sessions, lap up one of the best vantage points of Maroochydore’s cityscapes interspersed with glimpses of the sparkling Maroochy River.
Circa Rooftop Lounge & Bar
You’ll be absolutely tickled pink at Circa Rooftop Lounge & Bar—quite literally. The art deco bar offers up pure rose opulence and ice-cold fishbowl cocktails at sunset—the perfect combination for a decadent evening of indulgence.
The Noosa Boathouse
Noosa Boathouse
The Noosa Boathouse will ‘reely’ catch you hook, line and sinker when it comes to dining with a view. The three-level bistro and bar oozes all things nautical, dripping in wooden fixtures, festoon lights and ocean-inspired hues – while practically floating above the Noosa River. Table-tops overlook the channel so you can set up shop with Barra fish cakes and a Heads of Noosa pilsner to watch the sunset—brewtiful!
Quay Carlo Rainbow Beach
Dining at Quay Carlo is a feast for the senses, with delicious cuisine and breathtaking views of the sparkling blue waters of the Great Sandy Strait. As you savour the flavours of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, you'll be treated to stunning vistas of the coastline and harbour—a certified feed that’s equal parts laid back and unforgettable. With its prime location right on the water's edge, the restaurant offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner or a casual lunch with friends.
