Smack bang in the emerging Noosa Junction foodie scene and providing plenty of people watching, grabbing an al fresco table feels like the place to be.

Positioned at the end of a high-end residential cul-de-sac, home to Parkridge Noosa’s premium apartments and townhouses, this Noosa restaurant is surrounded by lush lawns, swaying palms and manicured gardens. It’s secluded and extra special.

Given all ingredients are sourced fresh and direct from Australian shores, Rickys offers a unique culinary adventure on every plate. If you’re seafood obsessed, you can’t go past the Mooloolaba king prawns with roasted cabbage and black garlic yuzu or the local white fish fillet with a prawn bisque.Otherwise, the roasted duck breast with salt baked baby beetroot is melt-in-your-mouth magnificent and the seasonal desserts are all too irresistible to overlook.

Most of it is plant-based but don’t go thinking grumbling bellies won’t be silenced at Herbert. Ringing in a new generation of slick vegetarian and vegan food, so creative and lovingly prepared they look the part of a several-hatted restaurant, this Noosa restaurant has been generating serious buzz since opening its doors in early 2021.

Don’t miss the heavenly Herbert dip of smoked sweetcorn, almond, chives and chilli before diving into the likes of crumbed baked eggplant, crispy oyster mushrooms, a Chinese-inspired mapo tofu with black sesame ice cream (genius) and the menu’s sole carnivore offering, the smoked beef brisket with corn polenta.

Dominated by delicious Thai influences, the menu at Sum Yung Guys is crammed with rich spices and the freshest of herbs. Utilising local produce where possible, the team bring a distinct coastal energy to traditional dishes including prawn toast done with Mooloolaba bad boys and fried rice with Hervey Bay scallops.

The ‘Crying Tiger’ short rib is another stand out, as is the beef rendang with coconut, cucumber and shallots. Don’t miss their very own Sum Yung Guys Lager poured on tap and plenty of other crafty winners on their extensive booze menu.

Visitors will relish in delectable dishes at this Noosa restaurant while surrounded by soothing beachy interiors. Make sure to order the crowd-favourite kingfish ceviche seasoned with coconut, chilli and kaffir lime, or if you want something with an extra kick, try the mee goreng spiced fire cracker chicken, slathered with a signature sauce and topped with crushed peanuts and Thai basil.

There are few places on Australia’s coast where you can enjoy a well-put-together meal and a glass of good wine metres from the beach. If the exclamation-inducing location isn’t enough, the chic interiors will win you over. And yes, they serve Veuve Clicquot – and Cristal, if you don’t mind.

Whipping up authentic Italian fare using the region’s finest produce and ingredients, Locale is a standout Noosa restaurant surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens. Handmade pasta, in-house focaccia, classic antipasto and a traditional raw selection can all be found on the menu, with favourites including venison tenderloin carpaccio, veal and anchovy croquettes sourced from the Northern Rivers, squid ink tagliatelle and a slow roasted White Pyrenees lamb shoulder.

Chef Peter Kuruvita’s original Noosa success story may not have him helming the ship these days but new executive chef Bret Cameron has brought in a sensational new menu at Noosa Beach House. Sophisticated and spilling over with locally sourced seafood, the dishes include beef tartare done with burnt butter sauce, crisped porchetta with apple sauce and snapper with burnt eggplant puree.

Jimmy Fox claims burgers are its thing, but this is a street food hot spot that changes up the menu daily, bringing with it an outstanding celebration of flavours. One thing always remains, however, and that’s those gourmet burgers loaded up on soft, house-made buns. Our advice is to head straight for the pulled pork tacos, if they make it to the menu the day you’re visiting this Noosa restaurant because they’re nothing short of legendary. The salads are also packed with local ingredients and just excellent.

Obsessed with margaritas and guac? Us too. Which is why no trip to Noosa can skip a fun-filled meal at the Cali-Mexican inspired restaurant and cocktail bar Paradise Arcade. Not only do the margs come on tap at this Noosa restaurant, but you’ll find an extensive cocktail list to boot. Spend a long lunch or evening eating your way through the generous servings of tacos, burritos and tostadas and don’t forget to order up a plate of cinnamon sugar-dusted churros for dessert. In no world will you regret it.

Catering to families, large groups and travellers on their way into Noosa proper, The Doonan is a multi-faceted dining space just outside of town. Drawing comparisons to The Grounds in Sydney due to the sheer extent of the space, the bar is set high right across the two-acre property.

Its restaurant is The Doonan’s beating heart, serving up delicious share plates, pub classics prepared with care and flair, several grilled meat options and a generous scattering of seafood right throughout the menu.

The incredible menu at Bang Bang is bursting with fresh and vibrant flavours while guests are immersed in a moody space dotted with chandeliers, candles and distressed plaster walls. Dig into a Thai-style curry, ‘Big Bang’ meat and fish dishes or ‘Little Bang’ light plates or opt for the ‘Bang-quet’ and have the kitchen bring out five or seven delectable courses accompanied by rice and a Som Tum green papaya salad.

Consistently superb, maintaining Sails Restaurant Noosa as one of the best restaurants in Noosa year after year. Highlighting the country’s finest seafood, executive Chef Paul Leete works with the seasons to draw in the best produce available. Expect caviar on blinis with crème fraiche, just-shucked oysters, Mooloolaba tuna tostaditos, Fraser Coast prawn linguine, Moreton Bay calamari and too many additional superstars to list. The short ribs are from Cape Grim in Tassie, while the slow-cooked Sovereign lamb shoulder hails from Victoria. It’s all utter perfection every visit.