Sunshine Coast’s best cafes for breakfast reveal secrets to success

Whether you’re an avocado toast advocate or a lover of waffles, the region is spoiled for choice when it comes to a delicious cafe breakfast. Discover the faces behind the region’s five hottest spots and what makes them the best.

Sunshine Coast’s top five cafes reveal their secrets to success.

A weekend morning on the Sunshine Coast wouldn’t be complete without stopping in at one of the many buzzing cafes for a brekky treat.

While the region is spoiled for choice when it comes to options for innovative, indulgent or healthy dishes, we spoke to five of the most popular spots.

Boasting loyal customers, sea views and gushing reviews, the owners of these award-winning venues have revealed their secrets to running a successful business and their most-loved menu items.

THE VELO PROJECT, MOOLOOLABA

About: One of Mooloolaba’s most-loved cafes is The Velo Project, located on Careela St.

Sarah and David Nash took over the business eight years ago when their background in the hospitality industry naturally progressed into operating their own cafe.

Mrs Nash told the Sunshine Coast Daily their space welcomes locals and travellers to enjoy simple, honest real food “made with love”.

Staff members, Cailin McGee and Kathleen Vick of The Velo Project, Mooloolaba. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“We are very privileged to know that we are still enjoyed by our local customers and we have made it through a tough couple of years,” Mrs Nash said.

Rating: 4.7 stars (1051 Google reviews)

Secrets to success: Employing 16 staff, Mrs Nash said they ensure their workers are highly trained and looked after.

The Velo Project, Mooloolaba. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“We have worked for some amazing employers in our past and we just wanted to treat our staff the same way,” she said.

“I think consistency is also key and providing customers with real hospitable service.”

Most popular breakfast order: Smashed avocado and eggs Benedict.

ONE BLOCK BACK, MOFFAT BEACH

About: One Block Back was founded by Jasmin Smith, who also owned raw dessert company Rawr Foods and opened the Caloundra cafe in 2016.

Ms Smith’s goal was to have a cafe front of her own to sell her raw cakes and also serve quality cafe meals.

She now employs up to 20 staff members.

“It feels like such a community at One Block Back, and I believe our beautiful staff family and customers are such a huge part of what makes us open our doors everyday,” Ms Smith said.

Bailey Mackie, supervisor of One Block Back, Caloundra. Picture: Patrick Woods.

One Block Back is a relaxing venue with seasonally inspired menus, top-notch coffee and quality service.

The cafe is also fully licensed so customers can enjoy a cheeky cocktail or beer from 10am any day of the week.

Rating: 4.5 stars (506 Google reviews)

Secrets to success: “I think One Block Back is successful because we let our passion and quality speak for itself,” Ms Smith said.

“We strive to go the extra mile with everything we do.

“We avoid buying in already-made products so our talented chefs make all our own sauces, relishes, jams, sausage rolls, hollandaise, pancakes, waffles and ice-creams.

One Block Back, Caloundra. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“I believe for any business the key to success is consistency, dedication and to have a true passion for what you do.

“If you are passionate about something you naturally nurture it and the bonus is that it never feels like work.”

Most popular breakfast order: “Our most popular meal is our eggs benny. We’ve put our own spin on it with creativity and quality. Crispy bacon and poached eggs on sourdough, topped with our house-made hollandaise, tomato bacon jam and delicious bacon salt.”

CAFE VIE, BUDERIM

About: Cafe Vie was opened in 2018 and taken over by Chris Heilig in 2022.

The Buderim cafe, located on King St, offers menu options for everyone, with a focus on removing refined sugars without affecting the taste.

Cafe Vie has an equal balance of old-fashioned customer service mixed with innovative plant-based dishes.

The venue is relaxing and inviting and the staff are always ready for a chat.

Mr Heilig told the Sunshine Coast Daily the entire team of 16 was extremely proud to be one of the top-rated spots in the region.

Cafe Vie new owner Chris Heilig. Picture: Supplied.

“We love the Sunshine Coast and all that it offers and are grateful for the love and support we receive,” he said.

“When we take a day off for whatever reason, we genuinely miss our customers.”

Rating: 4.8 stars (588 Google reviews)

Secrets to success: “The reviews really speak for themselves,” Mr Heilig said.

“Our entire team, both front of house and back of house, thrive on delivering high-quality customer service and quality consistent meals.

Cafe Vie in Buderim.

“Our team love coming to work and interacting with customers each day. Sure, we make mistakes occasionally but we do our best to fix them promptly.”

Most popular breakfast order: “Our famous Rosti Stack with a side of specially prepared mushrooms is always popular however you really can’t go past the Full Vie – poached vegg, facon, rosti, slow roast tomato, mushrooms, smashed avo, spinach and sourdough.”

BACKSTREET CAFE, MOOLOOLABA

About: Paul Godfrey and Jae Stephens opened Backstreet Cafe in the backstreets of Headland Park in 2016, before making the move to the Mooloolaba esplanade two years ago.

Mr Godfrey said the cafe that employs 12 staff members was a natural progression from his work as a chef and Ms Stephens’ work as a barista.

Backstreet Cafe has incredible views, fun staff and vibrant food and coffee.

Staff at Backstreet Cafe in Mooloolaba.

“We continuously get feedback from our customers that our food and coffee is the best in Mooloolaba,” Mr Godfrey said.

“Our regular customers are a major part in bringing us joy.

“To know that all our hard work has been recognised in some way is fantastic and humbling.”

Rating: 4.7 stars (217 Google reviews)

Backstreet Cafe in Mooloolaba.

Secrets to success: “To us, one of the secrets to running a successful business is building relationships,” Mr Godfrey said.

“Being able to provide quality ingredients is so important to us and we couldn’t do that without our suppliers.

“Like other cafe owners know, it’s not easy, it’s a lot of hard work and yes there have been tears.”

Most popular breakfast order: Breadless Benny with corn fritters, free range poached eggs, smashed avocado, crispy bacon and house-made hollandaise sauce.

HARVEST BREADS AND CAFE, MAROOCHYDORE

About: Harvest Breads and Cafe was originally opened in 2008 by John and Sharon Somerville in Cotton Tree, before it was purchased by Sharon Cook and Mike Somerville in 2019.

John Somerville was a hatted chef in Victoria, but with a young family they decided to open a cafe on the Sunshine Coast for a better lifestyle.

Mike Somerville and Sharon Cook of Harvest Breads and Cafe.

Mike Somerville said Harvest, now located in Maroochydore at the Kontiki Building, employed 14 staff members and was unique in its commitment to baking almost everything they sell.

Some of the baked goods include specialty sourdough breads, croissants, danishes and range of gluten-free cakes, alongside the extensive Harvest dine-in menu.

Rating: 4.4 stars(214 Google reviews)

Harvest Breads and Cafe.

Secrets to success: “Our attention to quality is paramount and we strive to meet all our customers tastes so we the best ingredients and make all our provisions and sauces in-house.”

Most popular breakfast order: “Our savoury waffle has the wow factor, but our eggs Benedict with our house made hollandaise is our bestseller.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast’s best cafes for breakfast reveal secrets to success