Italian
Bombetta
The former owners of French-accented Gaston have opened a breezy Italian bar-eatery in Noosa Junction. Try a bombetta, their take on the Pugliese meatball stuffed with provolone and Taleggio, wrapped in prosciutto and dusted with lemon zest and parmesan. 1/77 Noosa Dr, Noosa Junction, (07) 5343 1778, bombetta.com.au
Street Food
Sum Yung Guys
Street art and neon signage conjure an uptempo Asian aesthetic at this first-floor venture. The long banquette and semicircular booth are good for groups and there’s a good haul of dairy- and gluten-free options, such as mandarin-cured local swordfish with punchy nahm jim. 8/46 Duke St, Sunshine Beach, (07) 5324 1391, sumyunguys.com.au
Mexican
Noosa and Cali-Mex flavours go together like Margaritas on tap and hip-hop – all found at grungy Paradise Arcade (shop 8b/14 Arcadia St, Noosa Junction, paradisearcade.com.au). In Noosaville, Bordertown delivers Tex-Mex with via burgers, tacos and booze (1/253 Gympie Tce, Noosaville, bordertownnoosa.com.au)
Bordertown’s Harley James Special burger
Cook
The Cooking School Noosa
Wasabi is Queensland’s top-rated regional restaurant and one of Australia’s best Japanese eateries. But the team’s cooking school is less well known. Hands-on classes in the same precinct extend beyond Japanese technique, featuring guest chefs and produce grown at the restaurant’s Honeysuckle Hill farm. The results can be enjoyed in Wasabi’s dining room on the Noosa River. 2 Quamby Pl, Noosa Heads, (07) 5449 2443, thecookingschoolnoosa.com
Shop
Noosa Deli keeps its focus on Italy, with house-made pasta, salumi and coffee by local Clandestino Roasters (9/21 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction, noosadeli.com.au). In Noosa’s backblocks, Belmondos Organic Market casts its net wider and houses Clandestino’s roastery-café, Tanglewood sourdough bakery, Bio Shop‘s organic fruit and veg, and Eumundi Meats. (59 Rene St, Noosaville, belmondos.com)
French
Noosa Hot Bread Shop
There’s Padre coffee on pour, crisp Viennoiserie made with French butter behind the counter, and long-ferment sourdough on the racks. Plans are afoot to open the bakery as a wine bar after dark. Shop 2, 62 Hasting St, Noosa Heads, (07) 5449 2135
Brewery
Copperhead Brewery Restaurant
This rustic-chic microbrewery and diner brings unfiltered beers, lo-fi wines and gastropub-style meals to the hinterland town of Cooroy. 52 Kauri St, Cooroy, (07) 5442 6975, copperheadbrewery.com.au
