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12 of the best Mooloolaba cafes for beachside bliss

By Kristie Lau-Adams
Savour farm-to-fork brunching and creamy coffee at our favourite Mooloolaba cafes.

Slow mornings and brilliantly brewed coffee – they’re my ultimate couple goals. Like most Sunshine Coast beach towns, Mooloolaba delivers the good life in spades. Salty air reliably dials down my stress levels while deep creativity, locally sourced ingredients and magical views make for some of the best cafe culture in the region.

Here, I round up my favourite Mooloolaba cafes, one lazy meal at a time.

In short

If you only dine at one of the best Mooloolaba cafes, make it The Booley for its proximity to the surf, hearty meals and vibrant atmosphere that rolls into afternoon wines.

The shortlist

Hottest new opening: Luca Cafe
Best pastries: Van Wegen’s Pies & Sourdough
Best views: De Ja Vu Cafe & Bar
Hidden gem: The Booley

1. The Velo Project

a plate of strawberry crepe at The Velo Project, Mooloolaba

Skip the everyday breakfast classics and go straight to the crepe menu. (Image: Supplied)

A local’s secret, situated in a quiet street behind the well-trodden Mooloolaba Esplanade, The Velo Project is a converted garage that’s always busy. They roll out such consistently good coffee – I’ve never had one that’s too hot, or too milky or too bitter. Focused on showcasing the region’s freshest produce, the Mooloolaba cafe dishes up brekkie classics dressed in delights, like the avocado smash with roasted garlic and red onion, plus left-of-centre creations including the K. Pop Bagel with beef brisket. If it’s your first time, I highly recommend something off the crepe menu, though. Cooked with buckwheat flour, the bad boys swing sweet or savoury, each lashed in whatever ingredients are thriving at the time (and Nutella, because every season is Nutella season).

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Busy

Location: 19 Careela St, Mooloolaba

2. Luca Cafe

breakfast and coffee at Luca Cafe, Mooloolaba

Tuck into egg and bacon muffins.

I wander away from Mooloolaba Beach to its chilled little sibling, the Mooloolaba Spit, for Luca Cafe, one of the newest Mooloolaba cafes making waves. It’s a good thing because their Banana Bread Iced Matcha is wonderful, as are the friendly staff who welcome me. I’m here early enough to grab a patio table overlooking the street, which fills up quickly, before my Coffee Supreme-bean fix (a killer coffee operation out of New Zealand) hits the spot. The menu covers AM basics like eggs benedict, a big (real big) breakfast and avocado on toast but I go for the seasonal Karaage Stack’s honey-glazed fried chicken on a waffle because you only live once. It’s worth noting that if you don’t make breakfast, lunch offers toasted sandwiches, fish and chips and more.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Location: 25 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba

3. The Booley

a close-up shot of a brunch plate at The Booley, Mooloolaba

Hit up The Booley for a drool-worthy all-day brunch menu.

While The Booley is located right across the road from beautiful Alexandra Headland, it remains a local’s secret, away from Mooloolaba proper. I love it for that reason, and so many others. Open until 1.30pm daily on the ground level of the Grand Palais Boolarong Beachside, the cafe is a laidback hipster haven perfectly suited to your Instagram feed. A drool-worthy all-day brunch menu includes the standout ‘Booley Bangers’ with free-range pork snags and crispy potatoes, plus there are crispy waffles with lemon curd and berries which I spy on multiple tables around me. If you’re around of an afternoon, they also do wine, beer and cocktails, best enjoyed al fresco with a side of salty sea breeze.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Sceney

Location: 188 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland

4. De Ja Vu Cafe & Bar

the croissant special at De Ja Vu Cafe & Bar, Mooloolaba

Make your breakfast the highlight of your day with De Ja Vu’s croissant special.

Lean into the most tourist-trodden part of Mooloolaba with a table at De Ja Vu Cafe & Bar. Endlessly bustling with holidaymakers as it’s located on the ground floor of Mantra Zanzibar Mooloolaba, one of the best Mooloolaba accommodation options, the hot spot invites ample people watching over generously sized meals. Expect early bird classics including Bircher muesli, omelettes, pancakes, bacon and eggs and corn fritters plus inventive extras like ‘The Mexican’ with chorizo, eggs, peri peri sauce and Manchego cheese. Lunch is just as nourishing as burgers, fish and chips, wraps, pasta and nachos roll out of the kitchen.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Hectic

Location: 4/47-51 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

5. Van Wegen’s Pies & Sourdough

frappe and burger at Van Wegen’s Pies & Sourdough, Mooloolaba

Fuel your day with a frappe at Van Wegen’s Pies & Sourdough.

My favourite pit-stop for a fluffy sourdough loaf and sneaky treats. Tucked away in a set of local shops, Van Wegen’s Pies & Sourdough is understated but locals are obsessed. Think homemade savoury pies filled with excellent (not fatty) meat cuts and blistered to golden buttery perfection, plus a revolving collective of glazed buns, giant slices and tarts. No matter when you drop in, the sweets are prepared with love and fly out the door fast. Love your cold brew? The talented crew dabble in their own creations, giving you another reason to check this spot out.

Cuisine: Bakery

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Takeaway

Location: 15/130 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba

6. Local Social Mooloolaba

ham cheese tomato toasties and coffees at Local Social Mooloolaba

Make a beeline for ham, cheese and tomato toasties at Local Social Mooloolaba.

Indulge in a little retail therapy at The Wharf Mooloolaba before dropping into Local Social Mooloolaba for a light bite and quality caffeine hit. Located in the thick of the entertainment precinct, right around the corner from Mooloolaba Esplanade, the slick spot does great coffee, smoothies and shakes plus grab-and-go meals including wraps, acai bowls, bagels and sandwiches. If you’d prefer to tuck in while seated, pull up a bar stool at the breakfast bar.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: Within The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba

7. 4 Pines Brewing Co. Mooloolaba

a pint of beer at 4 Pines Brewing Co. Mooloolaba

Enjoy a pint at 4 Pines Brewing Co. Mooloolaba.

Of course, it’s a brewery but after a big night, I can’t resist 4 Pines Brewing Co. Mooloolaba’s giant $13 ‘Brekky Special’. Available until 11am on Saturday and Sunday, it’s a heavenly grease feast of bacon, eggs, hashbrown and sourdough toast. Additionally, this Mooloolaba cafe is located on the Esplanade so I’m always grateful for the salty sea breeze that alleviates my morning brain fog. There’s also a long list of morning classics for not-too-many dollars more and several juices and smoothies on the menu.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Pub-style

Location: 105 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

8. The Colombian Coffee Co.

Barista at work in Colombian Coffee Co. in Mooloolaba

The popularity of the cafe has seen it expand to a second location.

Sample local roasting at The Colombian Coffee Co., where beans are crafted in-house much to the delight of early risers across the region. Inspired by the rich flavours of Colombian coffee production, and the owners’ roots, this Mooloolaba cafe is adored locally for its coffee but also for its warm hospitality. It’s been such a hit in recent years that the team opened three other stores around the state. Inside, vintage furniture and scattered greenery create a home-away-from-home while a limited menu offers sandwiches, salads, slices and other grab-and-go treats.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Friendly

Location: 4/20 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba

9. Francis Bean

Francis Bean, a local spot in Alexandra Headland and not the famed American nepo baby, dishes up delicious breakfast and lunch favourites including pancakes with ice cream, chilli scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, and bagels. A good option is diving into the $16 breakfast deal which includes a large coffee and one dish. Their coffee hits the spot, too, as Campos beans fill the machine. Even better, you’re right across the road from the beach so there’s always a seat with a view.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Local

Location: 3 Mari St, Alexandra Headland

10. Half Court Coffee

Another of Mooloolaba’s newer offerings, unveiled in April 2025, Half Court Coffee is a slick ode to caffeine and one helluva sport. Before I enter, I catch a very cute tiny hoop hung above a rubbish bin, and once I’m ordering, I spy stools mirroring basketball shades via vibrant orange legs. Also, the counter was made from old basketball flooring, astonishingly. It makes sense that the operation is the brainchild of Semi-Pro coffee, a hyper-creative team roasting beans out of Brisbane. Pair your silky-smooth caffeine fix with a fresh pastry, as I did, and kick your feet up at one of the outdoors tables where locals converge daily.

Cuisine: Pastries

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Chilled

Location: 1-3 Kyamba Ct, Mooloolaba

11. Bleu Bean Cafe

breakfast at Bleu Bean Cafe, Mooloolaba

Savour refined breakfast favourites at Bleu Bean Cafe.

Adored by locals for its seasonal homemade meals and quality caffeine hits, Bleu Bean Cafe is worth venturing just a little further back from the beach for. Take a seat indoors or outdoors and choose from flavour-packed, internationally inspired dishes including a much-loved sweet potato rosti, the Bleu Bean Savoury Mince on toasted sourdough, and a bunch of breakfast regulars. The team also play around with authentic Asian flavours, with a delicious slow-cooked pulled beef pho on the menu during my last visit in June 2025. Visitors can also expect cold-pressed juices blended with healthy spices and herbs.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Location: 3/104-106 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba

12. The Good Eats Mooloolaba

Just a few steps down from the Surf Club Mooloolaba, I find The Good Eats Mooloolaba nailing organic plates prepared with love. A coastal fit out sets a serene scene as my chilli eggs with multiple mushroom varieties and pickled chilli slices light up my morning. Consider the ‘Fan Favourite’, too, compiling fresh avocado, tomato, goat’s feta, pistachio dukkah and salsa verde for a total flavour bomb. I’m not a Chai drinker myself, but the table next door is treated to an organic sticky chai with colourful edible petals and I almost order one. A lovely start to any day, just moments from the sand.

Cuisine: Modern Australian and organic

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Calm

Location: 3 River Esplanade, Mooloolaba

Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Soak up the sun at our favourite Sunshine Coast beaches

    By Kristie Lau-Adams
    Continue
    Lean into the Sunshine Coast’s year-round good weather with the most breathtaking Sunshine Coast beaches.

    Spanning roughly 100 kilometres, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast dazzles from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north. While there’s magical hinterland to uncover in between, my favourite sunny weather escape is beach hopping along its pristine coastline. More than 30 stellar stretches of sand offer top-notch swimming and surfing – but it’s the laidback atmosphere that wins my heart repeatedly. Here, my pick of the best Sunshine Coast beaches to help fill your cup.

    In short

    If you only visit one of the best Sunshine Coast beaches, make it Noosa Main Beach. It’s a tourist star, I know, but the waves are gentle, surf lessons abound, and the region’s most famed cafe culture is mere steps away.

    Noosa

    Looking to get in on the region’s most buzzing locale? Noosa, the Sunshine Coast’s headline act, is the place to be. Famed for its glitz and glamour, it’s a world-famous holiday magnet, mostly thanks to Hastings Street’s all-day bar and cafe scene which runs parallel to Main Beach. There’s also restorative coastal calm to be found in Noosa National Park (within walking distance from the centre of town), which offers its own beaches plus stunning bushwalks away from maddening crowds.

    1. Little Cove Beach

    surfers at Little Cove Beach, Sunshine Coast

    Watch local surfers ride the waves at Little Cove Beach. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    A local’s secret within the National Park, Little Cove Beach is a quiet corner of calm with ridiculously clear water and giant rocks to laze upon. I love how gentle the waves crash in, as do my children who run back and forth over them countless times. This Sunshine Coast beach also offers a scenic vantage point over Main Beach (we’ll get to that beauty shortly) which is totally transfixing during golden hour before the sun sinks. Peel yourself off powder-white sand to look for crabs and schools of fish between the rocks or whip out your bodyboard to catch an easy cruise. I highly recommend kicking back and indulging in idyllic nothingness, too.

    2. Tea Tree Bay

    surfers at Tea Tree Bay, Sunshine Coast

    The north-facing Tea Tree Bay is famed for its surf breaks. (Image: Dave Wilcock/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    Delving deeper into Noosa National Park, I’m struck by Tea Tree Bay, a beach I find 20-minutes’ walk from Little Cove as the coastline wraps to the right. It’s awash with tropical treasures, pristine water and killer surf conditions, so, unsurprisingly, I’m mixing with serious longboarders. Their skills are so good, I drop a towel and force the family to linger a little longer than they’d like, taken by the slicing and dicing before me. The other great thing about this Sunshine Coast beach is that there’s good shading (unlike Little Cove, unfortunately), thanks to overhanging pandanus trees, plus there are small rock pools at low tide. Another serene slice of heaven that feels a million miles away from Noosa’s central pulse.

    3. Main Beach

    the crystal blue waters of Noosa Heads Main Beach, Sunshine Coast

    The crystal-clear waters provide a welcome respite. (Image: Dave Wilcock/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    Sure, it’s tourist central but Noosa’s Main Beach is iconic. It’s an incredible stretch of sand that runs about 1.2 kilometres and rather evenly depth-wise, so getting to the surf is a short walk from wherever you enter. It ticks all the boxes: proximity to good coffee and feeds along Hastings St, surf lessons, SUP boarding, soft sand toe-squishing and mellow waves. It’s also plain gorgeous at sunset as eateries switch on fairy lights along The Parade, which runs almost half of the entire beach, to create dreamy boardwalk-strolling conditions. My little ones prefer to spend sunset running around the sand dripping ice-cream all over themselves, but each to their own.

    4. Sunshine Beach

    the Sunshine Beach in Noosa National Park

    The 15-kilometre Sunshine Beach is situated on the southern side of Noosa National Park. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    I spend a whole weekend in an Airbnb on Sunshine Beach because it’s an entirely separate holiday to the hustle and bustle of Main Beach. Tucked away on the opposite side of the National Park (you can walk over from Hastings St if you’re up for a hike), this Sunshine Coast beach is wilder than Main Beach, instantly shifting the vibes into sleepy territory. The ocean roars, luring surfers daily, and I get there early enough to set up at the northern end right beside a gorgeous cliff which provides good shade. Visitors should note that if you don’t score prime spots, there’s no coverage on this beach – so bring your cabana. Once cocktail o’clock strikes, the Sunshine Beach Surf Club has my name all over it as sweeping views over the entire beach instil bliss.

    Mooloolaba

    Rapidly rising as one of the Sunshine Coast’s most populated tourism stars, Mooloolaba is filled with fascinating things to do that highlight its diverse cultural roots. Meanwhile, there are slick high-rises everywhere, plus an entire stretch of cafes and bars, all while sparkling blue waters (filled with marine life) and white sand paint the perfect backdrop.

    5. Mooloolaba Beach

    an aerial view of Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast

    Take advantage of tranquil dips along the breathtaking coast of Mooloolaba. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    I can see Mooloolaba Beach everywhere I look when I’m driving along its retail-heavy Esplanade in search of my beach-fronting accommodation. The curving Sunshine Coast beach stretches for more than one kilometre and the sand lies right across the road from the town’s famed breakfast, lunch and dinner action. Patrolled daily, it’s a great spot for families (armed with cabanas) to set up for the day as the water is clean and dotted with dolphins, plus whales come whale watching season (June to October).

    6. Mooloolaba Spit Beach

    two surfers at the Mooloolaba Spit Beach

    Hit the waves at Mooloolaba Spit Beach. (Image: Liam Brennan/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    I discover a quieter alternative to Mooloolaba’s headliner less than five minutes’ drive away. Mooloolaba Spit Beach is utterly serene, offering gentle waves and thinner crowds while still being patrolled year-round. Tap Urunga Esplanade into Maps and don’t leave without tucking into crispy-battered goodness from the nearby Fisheries on the Spit, one of the best restaurants in Mooloolaba.

    Caloundra

    Scooping up the title of Australia’s tidiest town in 2012, Caloundra is a super family holiday, offering countless water sports, beautiful walking trails, farmers’ markets and more. There’s a popular 25-kilometre pathway, the Caloundra Coastal Walk, that wraps the coast from Diamond Head at Golden Beach all the way to Point Cartwright. Brought your two-wheeler? Excellent, as cyclists are welcome to ride it.

    7. Moffat Beach

    surfing in Moffat Beach, Sunshine Coast

    Moffat Beach is friendly, vibrant and quieter than its neighbours. (Image: Reuben Nutt/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    Caloundra’s Moffat Beach is quieter than its neighbouring beaches, but the surfing is absolutely awesome. Renowned for its surf break, the Sunshine Coast hot spot is littered with locals when I arrive; however, I also spot jet skiing and skydiving so adrenaline junkies can claim their fix any which way. It’s unpatrolled, but there’s a kids’ playground and plenty of cute cafes within walking distance.

    8. Kings Beach

    the Kings Beach Fountain saltwater pool, Sunshine Coast

    The 25-metre saltwater pool on Kings Beach foreshore. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    Perfect for a family chill session, Caloundra’s Kings Beach is pretty while offering kid-friendly activities spanning playgrounds, an oceanfront saltwater pool, the Kings Beach Fountain (a very cool splash zone) and several barbecues. Plus, a grassy foreshore is home to clean toilets. When rumbling tummies call, there’s an abundance of eateries you can walk to.

    9. Peregian Beach

    Peregian Beach pictured from above

    Walk the long stretch of golden sand. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    Driving 15 minutes south of Noosa, I fall in love with the chilled-out vibes of Peregian Beach. It’s one of a string of golden-sand beauties between Noosa and Coolum, and an instant hit with my family who soak up the sun with plenty of space to play. We need the cabana as there’s no coverage on this Sunshine Coast beach, but access is easy from the main car park filled with ample spots. Amenities-wise, toilets and barbecue facilities are on hand, as is a skate park and children’s playground situated right off the sand.

    10. Coolum Beach

    the Coolum Beach as seen from a helicopter

    Coolum Beach has long been recognised as one of the best in the state. (Image: Kyle Hunter and Hayley Andersen/Tourism and Events Queensland)

    I’ve always considered Coolum Beach as something of a secret but the cat’s officially out of the bag. The Sunshine Coast beach was crowded Queensland’s best beach in June 2025, as voted by Sunshine State locals and announced by Premier David Crisafulli. It’s located just south of Peregian, and oozes slow vibes from the moment you hit the sand. On my most recent visit, I spy all the usual locals chasing waves, off-leash dogs living their best lives at the northern end, sunbakers, young families and memorising frothy waves, creating one incredibly charming scene. The icing on the cake is Coolum’s handy amenities, which include several beachside barbecues and a skatepark. Cafes also line David Low Way, Coolum’s main retail stretch, which is a short walk up from the sand.

    11. Point Cartwright Beach

    the Point Cartwright Beach, Sunshine Coast

    Point Cartwright Reserve is known for its surfing point break. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

    Another surf break lashed with board riders, the waves at Point Cartwright Reserve are stunning. Located at the base of the headland, this Sunshine Coast beach isn’t patrolled, which (delightfully) keeps crowds away. I love this place for kicking back and gazing out yonder, particularly when it’s whale watching season as the Humpback Highway runs right in front of me. To find this gem, journey to the end of Kawana Beach, and bring your four-legged bestie along for the ride, too – there’s an off-leash zone that opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

    12. Wurtulla Beach

    A true local secret, Wurtulla Beach is relatively unknown to tourists, but its untamed beauty should be celebrated (sorry, residents). The fun is firmly focused on Vitamin D absorption and surfing because there’s nothing much in the way of amenities, but the vibes are pure tranquil, making it as alluring as any other beach standout on this list. Get there before crowds cotton on.

    13. Currimundi Beach

    Speaking of sensational, simple things, Currimundi Beach can’t be neglected. A Sunshine Coast beach just south of Currimundi Lake, it’s gorgeous at low tide when wide-reaching sand bars emerge. Also, its proximity to the lake offers ample activity (SUP boarding on its stillness is highly recommended) while a barbecue area will help keep you there longer.