23 SEQ restaurants worth the drive
Whether you’re after cracking Thai food, a gourmet degustation in bucolic surrounds or sensational beachside bites, here’s our list of SEQ’s top restaurants worth a drive.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queensland’s food scene is expanding daily, with some of the best restaurants in the state now outside of Brisbane.
Whether you’re after cracking Thai food, a gourmet degustation in bucolic surrounds or sensational beachside bites, here’s our list of SEQ’s top restaurants worth a drive.
Myrtille
1 Thallon St, Crows Nest
In the quiet rural town of Crows Nest, near Toowoomba, this produce-driven restaurant and sister bakery next door (My Little Blueberry) have become the star attractions.
The family run operation, fronted by talented chef and advocate of all things local Amanda Hinds, serves a European bistro-inspired menu inside a lovingly restored 1906 historical building with soaring ceilings, an extensive bar, and striking floral artwork.
Diners can sip on gin made just down the road or a carefully curated wine list, paired with everything from ham and three cheese arancini or chicken liver pate to prawn souffle, steak frites or local pork belly cooked in master stock.
Restaurant Labart
8 West St, Burleigh Heads
The eponymous restaurant of husband and wife Alex and Karla Munoz Labart has become a cult attraction on the Gold Coast, attracting serious foodies from far and wide with its relaxed yet high end bistro experience. Acclaimed chef Alex is in the kitchen rolling out both a la carte and set menus (Saturday nights are set menus only), while you’ll find Karla either on the floor or behind the scenes handling all things marketing and admin. The fare has a European slant, with Asian influences peeking through, such as with buffalo mozzarella with shio koji peach and green plum or line-caught snapper with cucumber kimchi and oyster emulsion. Top-quality local seafood is always a star of the menu, such as barbecued king prawns or spanner crab risotto, all paired with an intriguing global wine list. Also not to be missed is their more casual wine bar, Paloma, just a fork toss down the street, which is known for its cracking cocktails and even better burgers and steak frites.
The Paddock
422 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont
Inside country retreat Beechmont Estate sits this casual fine diner where local, sustainable produce is the focus. The menu changes with the seasons and availability of ingredients, but cooking over wood is always a constant to drive deep flavour into every dish. Expect everything from local hogget marinated in yoghurt and served with naan bread to a luxe trifle of lemon and mandarin jelly, Victoria sponge, citrus custard, finger lime, lemon myrtle and green ants.
Homage
Spicers Retreat Hidden Vale, 617 Grandchester Mount Mort Rd, Grandchester
Set inside an almost 5000 hectare cattle farm with sweeping bucolic views, this glamorous, farm house restaurant is the hero of luxury retreat Spicers Hidden Vale. A hit with both resort guests and public in the know, the European-inspired eatery is admired for its use of local ingredients and those grown directly outside in the property’s garden. While a multi-course a la carte lunch staring out across the hillside is perhaps the most popular choice for visitors, serious foodies will want to invest in the dinner degustation, which may include the likes of emu tartare, rooster and prosciutto terrine or even kangaroo tonnato.
The Peak
1 Wilkinson Rd, Maryvale
It may be just two hours outside of Brisbane, but this stunning restaurant inside the luxury Spicers Peak Lodge retreat feels like it could be a million miles away. Rolling green hills encircle the tranquil, timber-heavy Scenic Rim restaurant, contrasting against the bluest of skies, with the fresh country air seemingly awakening diners’ tastebuds. Executive chef Karl Reyes isn’t afraid to push the boundaries on the menu, serving a four-course tasting option at lunch, and a degustation for dinner that may include the likes of apple wood smoked duck with beetroot and berry puree, or school mackerel with prawns and celeriac mash. Wine pairings are available, or diners can call on the highly knowledgeable staff to recommend a match from the diverse vino list.
The Roadvale Hotel
320 Roadvale Rd, Roadvale
The Scenic Rim’s first gastro pub opened earlier this year after a serious renovation that saw the place completely transformed with a beer garden, classic front bar and old-school hospitality. The menu contains all the pub classics, but elevated with the best of the region’s ingredients, such as chicken thigh schnitzel, bangers and mash with tomatillo and roasted pepper jam, or Neunedorf Farming pork belly with roasted Fassifern Valley vegetables
Blume
5 Church St, Boonah
An hour out of Brisbane in the sleepy, mountain-hugged town of Boonah, lies one of the state’s most adventurous and creative restaurants. Blume is the work of chef/owner Jack Stuart, who takes the best of locally grown produce – literally a zucchini toss away in some cases – and transforms it into whimsy and theatre on a plate for his set six-course menus. Take for instance the humble potato, ambitiously morphing into a knock-it-out-of-the-park hashbrown, salty from savoury yeast and crispy chicken skin and tart from dried vinegar. Or perhaps the modest Mexican dish of street corn, reimagined by serving the vegetable in multiple forms under a doona of cheese curls. Even a simple piece of beef is coddled and nurtured into something new, cooked for two days before a hit with fermented chilli sauce applying zip rather than extreme heat. For just a 20-seat restaurant, let alone one in the country, the drinks list punches well above its weight, with local Scenic Rim wines served alongside a global line-up of interesting, mostly small producers; plus cocktails worthy of any great bar.
As the chefs serve each plate, rather than waitstaff, Blume stands as a restaurant built on passion and pride.
The Bowl
42 Coronation Drive, Boonah
Not content with running Boonah’s highly acclaimed fine diner Blume, chef-owner Jack Stuart thought he’d try his luck with the local bowls club too. Teaming up with business partner and Boonah resident Emily Lochran, the pair transformed the old town icon into a fresh and fun place for a game of barefoot bowls, followed by a gourmet club lunch or dinner. Expect the likes of szechuan five-spice calamari fritti, prawn salad, chicken parmi, steaks and vegetable pies, all using as much local produce as possible.
Scenic Rim Farm Shop Cafe
541 Kents Lagoon Rd, Kents Lagoon
Local farmer Gen Windley operates this charming venture set on sprawling, verdant grounds shaded by jacaranda trees. Guests can come for breakfast or lunch with chef Kate Raymont rolling out a produce-driven menu running from Mediterranean baked eggs with brilliant local bacon to coffee-rubbed brisket, all made with fruit and veg from nearby farmers. And after your meal, there’s also a flower farm next door to explore.
Mapleton Public House
2 Flaxton Drive, Mapleton
Coveted chef Cameron Matthews is at the helm of this gastro pub owned by the team behind award-winning Falls Farm. With farmers backing the venture, it means only the best locally grown produce hits the menu in either classic or contemporary renditions. Think perhaps Falls Farm crudités with pate or Byron Bay burrata with carrot top and macadamia pesto and Farm beetroots; as well as citrus-marinated half spatchcock with greens. With a classic pub drinks list to match, plus a few more modern options, this is destination for weekend drives.
Spirit House
20 Ninderry Rd, Yandina
Set in lush tropical grounds overlooking a lily-topped pond, this Thai institution continues to draw crowds with its tranquil setting and fiery fare. Chef Tom Hitchcock serves up a $105 prix fixe menu with your choice of entree, main and dessert, with about five options per category, or a series of banquet menus starting at $105pp. Guests can expect Thai classics as well as contemporary twists on authentic favourites, with the likes of tom kha with cold-smoked salmon, green curry of beef short rib, mushroom pad see ew, and mango sticky rice Eton mess. And while you may be driving, there’s also a global wine list and fun Asian-inspired cocktails that beg exploring.
Anekawa
54 Railway St, Mudgeeraba
It might be tiny in size, but this hidden Japanese fine diner is big on spirit and ambition. Deeply intimate, the dimly lit, rustic dining room with only a few tables is home to hyper-seasonal local produce from sustainably farmed fish to those caught just offshore. Each is treated with the utmost care and respect, as only the Japanese can, with dishes such as steamed blue-eye cod with pea puree and smoked bone dashi, or chargrilled black angus with smoked kombu butter. While a la carte offers flexibility, for a true taste of the kitchen’s prowess, the terrific value $95 omakase menu is the way to go. Opt for a drinks pairing, or let the highly personable service team find you a match from the biodynamic Australian wine list, complemented by an array of sake and shochu.
Market Bistro
8 Market Ln, Maroochydore
From prolific Sunshine Coast restaurateur Tony Kelly comes this classy European-inspired bistro that has become a go-to for locals and tourists in Maroochydore.
Guests cosy into curved booths and green banquettes and peruse the extensive menu that rings true to its name with classics like oysters, duck parfait, chilled Mooloolaba prawns, house-made pastas, and steak all cooked with precision and ease. Diners can call on the knowledgeable staff or trained sommelier to help with drink pairings from the elaborate wine list, or perhaps venture into the bottle shop next door where they can buy a drop and have it served at the table ready to take any leftovers home.
Rick Shores
3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Hovering above the sand at Burleigh Beach, this contemporary, Thai-leaning venue will relax even the most stressed of diners with its uninterrupted ocean vista.
Also washing away any anxieties are the staff, their professional yet laid-back approach to service like a deep-tissue massage for the soul. Let them kick things off with a drink – the citrusy Rick’s Martini is a must; or a glass of wine from the well-composed list making heroes of popular styles from smaller, lesser-known vineyards.
Then dive straight into the famous bug rolls, the crustacean battered and fried inside a just-sweet brioche bun with a fiery sriracha mayo; alongside lobster and prawn har gow bursting with the pure flavour of the ocean. There are curries too, or dishes designed to share, including a chargrilled wagyu flank or whole baby barramundi with pickled local prawns and an aromatic salad. Finish with a chilled dessert of rhubarb shaved ice and ginger cheesecake and take in that view.
Ricky’s Riverbar
2 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads
There are few more beautiful spots for lunch on the Sunshine Coast than this Noosa gem. The aqua river lapping at its windows, sail boats bobbing almost within arm’s reach and gentle sea breezes keeping the heat at bay, it’s a favourite for a reason. But it’s not just the ambience that has diners returning, but the always reliable and approachable menu, which moves from spanner crab spaghettini or scallop crudo to roasted duck breast and Darling Downs eye fillet all using the best possible local ingredients. A perfectly matched wine list will see you staying a little longer, as will the highly quaffable cocktails.
Palette
135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
If a visit to the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts is on your itinerary, then a stopover at HOTA’s signature restaurant should be too. Enjoy an exhibition before booking in for lunch where chef Dayan Hartill-Law creates dishes as beautiful as those lining the gallery walls. There is an a la carte menu, two or three-course prix fixe menu or a chef’s tasting menu, all boasting some of the best locally grown or produced ingredients. Think cuttlefish with shiitake chawanmushi, 9+ wagyu from Chinchilla Station, or chocolate brownie with wattle seed mirin and Davidson plum. For true sweet tooths, the chef also does a standout high tea available every Sunday with desserts based on the current exhibition.
T’ang Court
Level 3, The Langham, Gold Coast, 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
If money is no object than this authentic Cantonese offering is a must-visit. A sister venue to Hong Kong’s three Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name, T’ang Court is known for its top-notch produce prepared with the finest of skill and technique. While favourites like the baked stuffed crab shell and stir-fried wagyu with wasabi should be part of any order, the real drawcard here is the Peking duck, which is said to be among the best in the world.
Kirra Beach House
2 Marine Pde, Kirra
If you don’t even eat anything at this newly opened Gold Coast bar-cum-restaurant, you’ll be happy you came simply for the view. Perched opposite the magnificent Kirra Beach, the second-storey venue boasts uninterrupted ocean views whether you’re booked into one of the three 20-seat cabanas, lining up at the bar, or sat at a table on the deck with the sea breezes tempering the summer heat. Cocktails are a must, with their creative take on a pina colada winning over fans, while on the food front, the kingfish ceviche and Moreton Bay bug roll are both standouts.
Alba by Peter Kuruvita
3 Alba Cl, Noosa Heads
Tucked away in the back of Noosa, Alba is celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita’s pride and joy. While the venue as a whole includes a studio kitchen for filming, a cooking school, cafe, pizzeria, bar and providore, it’s the restaurant that has everyone talking. White tablecloths and linen napkins add a sense of sophistication, while the menu is all about heroing the dishes the Sri Lankan-born chef grew up with. Think black pepper curry leaf prawns, masala potato dumplings and his signature snapper curry.
RB Dining
Level 1, The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba
The grown-up, more sophisticated version to Tony Kelly’s hugely popular Rice Boi, RB Dining is for those who want an up-market and elevated experience.
Here the fast-casual service has been replaced by service professionals who know their stuff, while the drinks list is decidedly more comprehensive, designed to match the depth and breadth of the pan-Asian menu. But like in all Kelly’s venues, the food continues to be the star with dishes running from black truffle and squid ink salami or lobster bao with crab fat mayo to lamb shoulder rendang, local line caught fish in jungle curry and barbecued Mooloolaba prawns.
Humble on Duke
48-54 Duke St, Sunshine Beach
This intimate 14-seater is a restaurant with swagger as confident and bold as the lairy, multi-coloured mural that brightens the walls.
Owned by couple Stacey Conner and Jade Tareha, Conner is in the kitchen turning out a unique share-style set menu influenced by her time working around the world, particularly in Dubai; while Tareha is front of house, persuading guests to indulge in one more cocktail using local spirits, or perhaps another glass of wine from her hand-chosen, small producer-focused list.
The menu is a relaxed degustation-meets-tapas affair with either a $90 share style option or $110 feed me package, with dishes moving from Persian-spice duck breast or chilled fennel soup to line-caught coral trout with curry leaves or aleppo-peppered wagyu.
The Long Apron
38-68 Balmoral Rd, Montville
Bundled within the picturesque Spicers Clovelly Estate, this award-winning restaurant offers a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience for the gourmet or gourmand. Passionate service staff make diners feels at ease, before running them through the three-course set menu with four choices per course, or the tasting menu, with the option of a wine pairing. Chef Geoff Abel’s fare is classically European with his handling of proteins to be envied. The twice-baked goat’s cheese souffle has become somewhat of a signature, but the venison tartare is not to be overlooked; while pescetarians will be delighted by the Murray cod with local Falls Farm asparagus and Mooloolaba prawns. If the weather isn’t too hot, book for lunch on the grass.
Sum Yung Guys
1/205 Weyba Rd, Noosaville
This insanely popular pan-Asian restaurant delivers flavours as bold as its neon-lit, cartoon-panelled decor.
Large groups are allocated prime seating in mulberry curved booths in the commodious main dining room, while an outdoor space does away with the cheeky oriental kitsch of inside in favour of beachside bar vibes.
Cheery, well-drilled staff are eager to help guests settle in with a drink from the Asian-inspired cocktail list, or a wine from the food-friendly cellar. There’s even a locally brewed Sum Yung Guys beer to extinguish any fires that may be sparked by the Thai-leaning menu, perhaps from the crispy rice cakes with spicy peanut relish. There are far milder options, too, like pad Thai with chicken or prawn, or a 600g pork tomahawk with five spice and burn honey glaze. Just be sure to order their signature duck red curry with a side of ultra flaky roti.
More Coverage
82yo woman found dead in flood-ravaged cane paddock
Police have confirmed a second elderly woman has been found dead in floodwaters near Ingham. It comes as the region is warned of further heavy rainfall in coming days.
Mayor’s ultimatum: Pay more or lose services despite $211m surplus
A southside mayor has triggered calls to abolish elected councillors after giving ratepayers a stark choice: pay more or lose services, despite his council forecasting a $211 million surplus.