Lanai Noosa crowned Noosa’s best restaurant | 2023

A new, casual arrival on Noosa’s dining scene has beaten celebrity chef-owned restaurants and eateries that have stood the test of time in the search for Noosa’s best.

The results are in and the reader voted top 10 restaurants in Noosa can be revealed. ​

The top 10 dining destinations in Noosa have been crowned after readers voted for which restaurant tantalised their tastebuds the most.

The Sunshine Coast Daily put out the call to find the region’s top establishments with 100 nominations flooding in.

From intimate dining offerings to international cuisines and seafood establishments, here are the top 20 restaurants in Noosa as voted by readers.

1. Lanai Noosa 

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s restaurant Lanai Noosa was voted as Noosa’s best restaurant.

Lanai Noosa is a sustainability-focused dining experience serving dishes with “underused” seafood and cuts of meat and native, locally-sourced ingredients.

Chefs Ryan Fitzpatrick opened the Noosaville venue in May, 2023, at the site that was formerly the iconic Thomas Corner Eatery.

Mr Fitzpatrick said his team felt shocked when they heard the news of the win, and thanked those who took the time to vote.

“It is super refreshing to know we do have a good little following,” he said.

Lanai Noosa took over an iconic Noosa dining spot formerly known as Thomas Corner Eatery.

Gaining traction had been a challenge with the restaurant opening close to the start of winter, but Mr Fitzpatrick said he was happy with what they had achieved in a short space of time.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the former Thomas Corner Eatery was one of his favourites, so he loved reactivating the iconic spot into something new.

Mr Fitzpatrick said he is planning collaborations in the new year with the lead up to the Noosa Eat and Drink Festival.

2. Gusto Riverfront Restaurant

Gusto Noosa is a staple of Noosa’s dining scene, known for serving Australian dishes with a French influence and its extensive wine list.

The venue has a frontage to the Noosa River and offers a private dining room and caters for group events.

3. Sum Yung Guys Restaurant

Jeremiah Jones, Matthew Sinclair and Michael Rickard are the owners and chefs of Sum Yung Guys. Picture: Contributed

If you need proof of Sum Yung Guys’ popularity – all you need to do is try to book.

The modern Asian fusion restaurant opened six years ago in Noosaville by owners MasterChef 2016 runner-up Matthew Sinclair, Michael Rickard and Jeremiah Jones.

The popular restaurant is usually booked out weeks in advance.

Sum Yung Guys serves a modern Asian fusion menu with a cocktail list. Photo: contributed

A Sum Yung Guys spokesman said the space and food was designed to highlight their passion for Asian cuisine and culture.

“We would like to thank everyone who voted for us,” he said.

4. Lucio‘s Marina

Interior at Lucio's on Noosa Marina. Picture Lachie Millard

The seafood trattoria Lucio’s Marina was launched in December 2021 by Matteo Galletto, whose grandparents own a successful seafood restaurant in northern Italy.

The menu showcases many traditional Italian dishes incorporating local seafood catches.

The restaurant is located at the Noosa Marina.

5. Bistro C

Interior at Bistro C on Hastings street in Noosa. Picture Lachie Millard

Bistro C offers a beachside casual dining experience at Noosa Heads on Hastings St, first established in 1992.

The restaurant and bar menu features a variety of dishes for lunch, dinner and dessert.

Tied in sixth place:

Sails Restaurant Noosa

Sails Modern Australian restaurant in Noosa.

The Hastings St restaurant has a modern Australian cuisine menu and wine list.

With views of Laguna Bay, the venue also hosts corporate events and functions.

Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

True to its name, the restaurant on Gympie Terrace has a view of the Noosa River, where diners can enjoy an Italian seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients.

Rickys River Bar & Restaurant

Dining with a view at Rickys River Bar and Restaurant on the Noosa River. Photo Lachie Millard

If you are looking for some European fine dining, Rickys is the place for you.

With a private jetty for ferry arrivals, the restaurant also caters for functions and events with indoor and outdoor seating available.

Locale Noosa

The Hastings St restaurant has an Italian inspired and seasonally changing dinner menu with a wine and cocktail list as well as lunch and dessert.

Season Restaurant Noosa

Season Restaurant at Noosa Main Beach. Picture: supplied

A casual dining experience with an Australian menu awaits you at Seasons Restaurant Noosa, with a frontage to Noosa Main Beach as well as Hastings St.

7. Humble on Duke

Humble on Duke at Sunshine Beach.

Sunshine Beach restaurant Humble on Duke showcases produce from Australia and New Zealand at an intimate 14-seat venue.

Tied in eighth place

GT‘s Bar & Restaurant Noosa

In addition to lunch and dinner, GT’s Bar & Restaurant also offers a breakfast menu and takeaway.

Whisky Boy Noosa

Whisky Boy Noosa offers modern Australian cuisine as well as more than 75 whiskies.

The venue is run by Geoffroy Marcq and Jimmy Talve.

9. Bang Bang Noosa

Bang Bang Noosa located under The Sebel on Hastings St is an Asian fusion restaurant which offers an a la carte menu as well as banquet options.

Bang Bang also has a popular restaurant at Byron Bay.

10. Little Humid

First opened in 2004 in Noosaville and then relocating in 2013 to Gympie Terrace, the restaurant offers a modern Australian menu.

Dennis Family Corporation releases plans for Yaroomba beachside land

See who was previously nominated:

Noosa Beach House

Sails Restaurant Noosa

Bombetta

Cooroy RSL

Noosa Reef Hotel

Spirit House

Aromas Noosa

Apollonian Hotel QLD

Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

Tewantin Noosa RSL

Noosa Golf Club

Frenchies Brasserie Noosa

Bistro C

Noosa Surf Club Restaurant

Noosa Boathouse

Locale Noosa

Cootharabar & Bistro

Bandita

Somedays Pizza

Dingo Creek Vineyard

Noosa Social Espresso & Wine

Cafe Le Monde

Humble on Duke

Miss Moneypenny's Noosa

Boardwalk Bistro on Hastings

Village Bicycle Noosa

Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort

El Capitano

Park & Cove

Mr Drifter – Asian street food & cocktail bar

Alba by Kuruvita

20 20 Distillery

Kaali Gourmet Indian Restaurant

Imperial hotel and Eumundi brewery

Peppers Noosa resort & villas

Rickys River Bar & Restaurant

Betty’s Burgers

Peregian Beach Hotel

Embassy xo

Mr Jones & Me Restaurant

Sushi Wave

Noosa North Shore Retreat

Pucca Restaurant & Gin Bar

The Village at Peregian Beach

Noosa Heads Surf Club

Villa Noosa

Zachary’s gourmet pizza bar

Pitchfork Restaurant

Knock Knock

Boiling pot brewing co

Laguna Jacks Noosa

Sunshine Beach surf club

4 Pines Brewing co. Noosa

Lucio‘s Marina

Rococo Bistro & Bar Noosa

Season restaurant + bar

Sumi Open Kitchen

Light Years – Noosa

The Noosa Nosherie

Rock Salt Restaurant

Bang Bang Noosa

Noosa Cruiser Restaurant & Bar

Sum Yung Guys Restaurant

Little Humid

Grenny's Restaurant

Eclipse Noosa

Paradise Arcade

Grill‘d Noosa

Piccolino

HARU Korean Kitchen

250 Grammi Food & Wine Bar

Flo‘s Crêperie Noosa

Monkey Punch Thai Cuisine

Maisie‘s Seafood & Steakhouse

Sushi Yah-man

Little Sparrow Noosa

GT‘s Bar & Restaurant Noosa

Herbert

Arcuri Restaurant at RACV Noosa Resort

IZAKAYA ATE

Trattoria Benati

Jimmy Fox

YoYo Bar and Restaurant

Gin-Ja

Rasa Modern Asian Cuisine

Noosa Italian Restaurant & Pizza

Olakino Noosa Heads

Nisa Thai

Zibros

The Mexican Joint

Copper kitchen

IzzyChai Modern Asian Cuisine

Magic of India

Lanai Noosa

Popina Eumundi

Barefoot Bar & Grill

Cafe Doonan

Whisky Boy Noosa

Gusto Riverfront Restaurant

and Ari’s Italian Deli

VOTE NOW: Sunshine Coast’s best cake decorator for 2023

The poll will stay open until midnight on Friday, November 3.

Cast your vote in the poll below: