Sunshine Coast’s 13 hidden restaurants, trendy cafes revealed

From a trendy cafe inside a shipping container with a jaw dropping view, to a bistro tucked-away in a furniture store, check out these 13 hidden restaurants and cafes.

HIDDEN GEMS: (L-R) Eumundi Bungalow, Honeysuckle Buderim, Rue Bourbon in Buderim.

The Sunshine Coast is known for many things: beautiful beaches, stunning hinterland, and amazing cafes and restaurants.

But among the classically popular venues dotted around the Coast, some have quietly flown under the radar and built a cult following in their own right.

Check out our list of popular yet relatively unknown restaurants across the Sunshine Coast, and the people who make it all possible.

The cafes:

Eumundi: Eumundi Coffee Roasters/Brew Bar

What started as a common interest and love for coffee between three experienced baristas has now become Eumundi Coffee Roasters. Photo: @eumundicoffeeroasters on Instagram

What started as a common interest and love for coffee between three experienced baristas has now become Eumundi Coffee Roasters.

Coffee director Thomas Rumble said the story behind Eumundi Coffee Roasters began with a small Eumundi fruit and veg shop, which eventually began serving coffees.

But during Covid the produce store folded, and Mr Rumble occupied a recently-bought roaster throughout the pandemic and slowly gathered the money to start Eumundi Coffee Roasters.

Eventually, Mr Rumble began leasing the shop in front of the roastery, which became the Eumundi Coffee Roaster’s Brew Bar at 97C Memorial Drive, Eumundi.

He said the brew bar, which offers coffee tastings, was a “really peaceful place” and described it as a “showcase” for the roastery.

They also hosts live music on a Sunday morning.

“There’s a culture here ... we love music and we love coffee,” he said.

Buderim: Rue Bourbon Cafe

Rue Bourbon in Buderim. Photo: supplied.

With customers being able to sip coffee while gazing over the Sunshine Coast coastline , one of Rue Bourbon’s biggest draw cards is its jaw-dropping view.

Rue Bourbon opened in March, 2018 as a cafe housed in a black, renovated shipping container on the top of Buderim, where customers can drink coffee at its wooden balcony overlooking the region.

Owner Jadyn Langdon, 28, said his venue has been a hit since opening, with people enjoying his view, shipping container-cafe, and ample parking – all while doing zero advertising on social media since 2019.

“(It’s) purely word of mouth,” he said.

Rue Bourbon in Buderim. Photo: supplied.

The former tradie said his cafe was also special because his team made customers feel as if they were “part of a family”.

Alongside his tasty coffee, Mr Langdon said he planned to add “comfort food” to his menu, but had some boxes to tick before he can start, including hiring enough construction workers.

Woombye: Frankie’s Woombye

Frankie’s Woombye owner Rebecca Galler. Photo: supplied.

When she was 15 and working at a cafe, Rebecca Galler’s old boss warned her not to open a cafe when she got older – advice she outright ignored in mid-2019.

“What have I got to lose?” she recalled thinking.

Today, Ms Galler, 32, is the owner of Frankie‘s Woombye along Blackall St, Woombye, famous for its coffee, karaage chicken burger, and avocado on toast but with a couple of twists: goat cheese and pomegranate molasses.

Ms Galler, who named the cafe after her daughter, said customers travel from as far as Caloundra and Noosa to visit her cafe, known for its handmade, gourmet food and personable customer service.

Looking at the new year, Ms Galler said she wanted to open on Friday evenings, serving cocktails, local beer, and a tapas menu.

Mooloolaba: Bomba Coffee House

BOMBA Coffee House owner Beck Payne being sung happy birthday by her most-regular customers. Picture: Ian Torode

Bomba Coffee House is white wooden building nestled down from the Mooloolaba Esplanade along Burnett St, featuring a piano, tables you can draw on, and staff who are always keen for a chat and laugh.

Mother-of-two Beck Payne opened the business in late 2021.

She said she toyed with the idea for some time because she enjoyed pouring cups of coffee for friends at home.

She said Bomba was an “extension of my lounge room”.

“Whenever my friends would come around, they loved having my coffee,” Ms Payne said.

She said her cafe was special because of the care she put into her product and customers.

“There’s a little bit of love in every cup,” she said.

Palmview: Cafe Harmony

Cafe Harmony owners Kass Marshall and her husband Darren breathed new life into the Harmony Estate cafe in Palmview after they took it over in 2022. Photo: @Cafeharmonyqld on Instagram

Cafe Harmony owners Kass Marshall and her husband Darren breathed new life into the Harmony Estate cafe in Palmview after they took it over in 2022.

Mrs Marshall said they always felt the cafe, prior to owning it, was undervalued and a “missed opportunity” for something bigger.

After buying the business, the couple installed a commercial grade kitchen and took it from selling only cabinet goods and coffee to a boutique burger bar and cafe.

Mrs Marshall said her husband had won “best burger” competitions while working as a chef for 30 years at venues around the world.

“(The cafe) is his baby,” she said.

The cafe, located at 22 Twilight Ave, Palmview, “appeals to everyone” and is bordered by a park and putt putt course.

Mrs Marshall said the cafe was popular with mother’s groups and was family and dog friendly.

Mapleton: La Botiga

The team at La Botiga. Photo: Supplied.

La Botiga owner and mum Belinda Dawson describes her hinterland cafe as a “meeting point” for locals.

“It’s like a second home,” she said.

The Kureelpa resident said she and her daughter were regulars at the Obi OBi Rd, Mapleton, cafe before they took it over.

The former property manager said her cafe was special because she was particular with her coffee, it had a strong, local following, and its food was handmade, including her well-known mini and flavoursome quiches.

Looking ahead, Ms Dawson said she wanted to add a freshly cooked breakfast menu early next year, and expand her outdooring dining area.

“We’d love more room outside,” she said.

Caloundra: White Picket Fence

Co-owners Adam Gaudion and Caity Dewar of new Caloundra Cafe on Bulcock Street, White Picket Fence.

When Bulcock St cafe White Picket Fence opened in 2018, it quickly gained notoriety as one of the most insta-worthy cafes on the Sunshine Coast.

Run by Mooloolah Valley couple Adam Gaudion, a former chef at Beau’s Kings Beach prior to its closure, and his wife Caity, White Picket Fence is the place to be for aesthetically pleasing photos.

The couple moved from Caloundra to the Mooloolah Valley in 2020, where they opened their second venture, Jones St Kitchen, in August 2022.

Aura: Mummy’s Cafe

Mummy's Cafe, when it first opened, was a 14-foot shipping container at 1 Central Ave, Nirimba (pictured). Now, it has expanded and moved 400m up the street.

Father of three Cody Miller did the unthinkable during the early stages of the the Covid-19 pandemic – he opened a brand new cafe.

He said he and his partner, Alysha Hyde, jumped at the chance to open their own family-focussed venue to enjoy with their three young children.

The original cafe started with a 14-foot shipping container at 1 Central Ave, Nirimba, but as of November 23, had expanded and moved 400m up the street.

Mr Miller said the cafe started as a “grab and go” set up during the Covid lockdowns.

In its new location it offers a playground, an enclosure for mothers and their young babies, a 4oo-square-metre grassed area and a bike and scooter track.

The cafe, which lines up with Aura’s new Vision Centre, was described as “pet friendly” and a place where “everyone was welcome”.

“It’s a lovely little shop,” Mr Miller said.

Secret restaurants:

The Shed Palmwoods

Geoff and Dianna Ryan are best known for their successful new and secondhand quality designer furniture and interiors business, The Shed Palmwoods. But, hidden inside the popular business is their restaurant Chew Chew Licensed Bistro. Picture: @chewchewbistro on Instagram

Geoff and Dianna Ryan are best known for their successful new and secondhand quality designer furniture and interiors business, The Shed Palmwoods. But, hidden inside the popular business is their restaurant Chew Chew Licensed Bistro.

This was not their first hospitality venture, however, and the bistro came as an expansion to their already-popular Forest Glen cafe, Eat At The Shed.

Mr Ryan said while the cafe was a roaring success, there was a demand for bookings bigger than they could offer – and the Chew Chew Licensed Bistro was born and opened in August 2021.

The business is attached to the Shed Palmwoods, located in a 123-year-old building at 3 – 5 Main Street.

Mr Ryan said he and Mrs Ryan were inspired to use the unique design and layout after seeing a similar American business do it while they were travelling.

The layout allows for patrons to enjoy a delicious meal while doing their shopping in one place.

“(The businesses) bounce off each other,” he said.

The next closest Quality Designer New and Secondhand furniture and interiors business with a similar design was in Bowral, New South Wales, he said.

Buderim: Fresh & Fried

Fresh and Fried owner Austin Harm. Picture: Asa Andersen.

Buderim eatery Fresh & Fried promises a “fresh take on old school takeaway” with “no room for hidden nasties”.

Owned and operated by Austin Harm, the Burnett St business offers everything from gluten free burgers to gelato and sorbet – and everything is made in-house with locally grown produce.

Manager Winny Baker said the biggest appeal for the restaurant was the wide range of gluten free options.

“I think there’s only two things that aren’t gluten free,” she said.

She said the business stood out against other take-away restaurants on the Sunshine Coast because it was a licensed venue and offered dine in and takeaway options.

Miss Baker said she was “pretty certain” the restaurant was born from a need for more widely available gluten-free restaurants, after Mr Harm and his wife, who cannot have gluten, found it difficult to find places they could both enjoy.

As for what draws patrons in, Miss Baker said the venue boasted a “nice atmosphere” with white interiors, air conditioning and comfortable seating.

Fresh & Fried offers is open from 11am to 7.30pm, Monday to Sunday.

Maroochydore: Ambr Wine Bar

Ambr Wine Bar co owners Heather Rosie, Andrew Moses, and Paul Dignam. Photo: Supplied.

Unable to find a cosy place to sip on natural wine on the Sunshine Coast, Heather Rosie, 31, decided to swing open her own boutique cafe and wine bar in December last year.

Ms Rosie, alongside her partner Andrew Moses and business partner Paul Dignam, opened Ambr Wine Bar along Sixth Ave, Maroochydore, serving natural wines – organically made and with no additives.

Ms Rosie said she and her partner moved to the Sunshine Coast three years ago, and felt there was a gap in the market for a venue offering natural wine in the evenings.

“We thought maybe there was a bit of a niche,” she said.

Ms Rosie said her venue has since popped off with customers enjoying her coffee, wine, “cosy” atmosphere, and intimate customer service.

Honeysuckle restaurant in Buderim

Chef Joo Kim and the Honeysuckle restaurant team at Elevate on Buderim.

Named the Best Yum-Cha restaurant on the Sunshine Coast by Qantas Magazine in 2021, Buderim’s Honeysuckle restaurant is a force to be reckoned with among asian-fusion restaurants.

Located on the hill of Ballinger Rd in Buderim, and looking east to stunning views of the Sunshine Coast, the restaurant offers vegetarian options for as well as a dinner banquet and takeaway options.

The restaurant stated on their website their menu rotates seasonally and were inspired by Sunshine Coast produce, authentic East Asian flavours and ingredients. Lunch and dinner menus are designed to be shared, the same as traditional Yum-Cha.

Honeysuckle is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with lunch from 11am until 2.30pm and dinner from 5pm until 8.30pm. Bookings are essential.

Bungalow Eumundi

Owners Jonathan and Claire Powell of Bungalow restaurant in Eumundi. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Then-Sydney man Jonathan Powell came across what would later become the Eumundi Bungalow by complete accident, after he booked an event at the venue and the owner became uncontactable.

Mr Powell said he was forced to go to the venue itself, and was shocked to find the building had gone up for lease.

But the discovery worked in Mr Powell’s favour, who then took out a lease on the venue just weeks later. The Eumundi Bungalow was born.

Owners Jonathan and Claire Powell of Bungalow restaurant in Eumundi. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Powell and his wife Claire renovated the space but had a difficult first six months in business between Covid restrictions, staff shortages and flood events.

He said the venue was popular for group lunches such as baby showers and hens nights, and attributed the business’ success to the food and ambience.

The Italian/Spanish style restaurant serves homestyle food, Mr Powell said, and offers a large courtyard out the back with fairy lights in the gum trees for a pleasing aesthetic.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast’s 13 hidden restaurants, trendy cafes revealed