Queensland

REVIEW Take a seat on the covered outdoor balcony or in the Eastern-inspired dining room and enjoy the cooling sea breeze, perhaps with a chilled glass of sake or a spice-friendly wine from a succinct, well-considered list. You may need a refreshing beverage or two, as Spice Bar lives up to its name. It specialises […]

REVIEW Don’t let the laid-back vibe of this coastal restaurant fool you. It delivers great food, a compelling wine list offering drops from Australia and beyond as well as outstanding service from switched-on, likeable staff. A table on the footpath captures sea breezes, while inside, the open kitchen and bearded bartenders shaking cocktails create buzz […]

REVIEW Few chefs are as committed to Sunshine Coast produce as David Rayner. The word “local” is stamped all over his menu, describing everything from organic kale to barbecued chicken. The region is clearly the hero of the show at this relaxed riverside eatery, with culinary trickery renounced to let the ingredients shine in exceedingly […]

REVIEW Sitting on a high-backed chair at the circular steel and glass teppan, surrounded by shiny curved glass and steel walls, there’s a definite whiff ofIron ChefKitchen Stadium about the Ten dining experience. There’s drama on the plate, too. Juicy organic Bangalow duck breast is surrounded by flecks of tofu cream, drizzles of wasabi oil […]

REVIEW If you could distil the essence of Noosa and turn it into a restaurant, it would probably look a lot like Rickys – all shimmering water views, airy, floor-to-ceiling glass, white walls and polished floorboards. This is a room that’s as handsome by night as by day, and at sunset when flying foxes take […]

REVIEW Watermelon with the texture of rare kangaroo, white chocolate twigs so lifelike they look as if they were gathered from the rainforest walk outside. This is food designed to challenge and excite. Take sweet braised kangaroo tail, beautifully paired with tangy lilly pillies and the watermelon, which has been slow-roasted, frozen and pan-fried to […]

REVIEW Much more than a meal, the Spirit House is like a mini-break in steamy South East Asia. Follow the torch-lit boardwalk through lush rainforest, past the Buddha statues to a series of dining pavilions hidden around a lake. By day, birdsong provides a natural soundtrack, giving way after dark to a chorus of frogs. […]

REVIEW The lunchtime crowd seems oblivious to the rain and thunder causing a commotion just beyond the restaurant’s timber deck. They’re too consumed, it seems, by chef-owner Spencer Patrick’s food. In particular, his 14-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder cooked with Madras spices and topped with crisp curry leaves. The meat, which falls from the bone, is […]

REVIEW Sails is quintessential Noosa beachfront dining, with an exclusive position, killer view, staggering wine listand waitstaff whose service style is almost as sunny as the weather. The menu is aptly seafood-focused, with smart yet simple dishes like crisp bite-sized tostaditas laden with Mooloolaba tuna, avocado, lime and a fresh green tomato relish. If your […]

REVIEW With its warm service, posh kids’ menu and contemporary interior, it’s no wonder this restaurant is a favourite for multigenerational celebrations. Owner-chef Daran Glasgow’s seasonal fare frequently dips into the surrounding coastal waters to propose something new, such as whiting fillets coated with flavoursome parmesan, a novel take on fish and chips. Char-grilled king […]