Surrounded by the clear waters of the Coral Sea, a lush countryside dotted with farms, and the beautiful Noosa River and lakes, Noosa is a mixing bowl of fresh, delicious ingredients that come together in mouth-watering menus at world-class restaurants across the Noosa region, and at local markets and farm gates.
Lucio's Marina has the breezy feel of a chic Mediterranean destination, and serves seafood-centric, Northern Italian-inspired dishes. Not just a world-class dining destination, Lucio's is also a local champion of sustainable hospitality practices, and supports the regeneration of oyster reefs on the nearby Noosa River piers, which benefits marine biodiversity among many other benefits, by donating the restaurant's empty oyster shells.
In the back blocks of Noosaville, the thriving industrial estate is home to several local craft breweries and distilleries; among them, Heads of Noosa Brewing Co, which crafts award-winning ales. The most well known is perhaps their super popular Japanese Lager, a crisp rice-based brew that is the brand’s signature lager. The craft brewery also operates sustainably, by using solar power and nitrogen for carbonation, as well as donating spent grain to feed livestock.
Organic vegetables, macadamia nuts, herbs and honey are just a few items from Maravista Farm, in the Noosa hinterland, on the menu at local favourite Rickys (as well as Locale Noosa and Aromas). The farm started as an experimental project and is now a shining example of innovation in sustainability.
Go on an extraordinary journey with bespoke tour operator Joel's Journeys, and discover the hidden sustainable foodie destinations of Noosa. The Noosa Hinterland tour includes a gourmet lunch, mead tasting at the hinterland meadery, wine & cheese tastings, and exceptional views at a scenic hinterland lookout, and Lake Cootharaba.
In the tiny, stunning hinterland village of Kin Kin, find a local champion of sustainable farming practices; The Kin Kin General Store, home to Black Ant Gourmet. This thriving restaurant and farm shop showcase local free-range, spray-free produce. The menu features red-claw crays from nearby Wolvi, local organics from Cooloola Eco Farms & locally grown coffee from Noosa Black.
You can meet the growers and farmers and taste their produce on the land at farm gates and roadside stalls throughout the Noosa countryside, and at weekly markets like the Noosa Farmers Market (every Sunday morning at the AFL grounds), at the Original Eumundi Markets every Wednesday and Saturday, and country markets, in towns including Pomona and Kin Kin.
Noosa hosts the largest membership of the Slow Food movement in Australia, and launched Australia’s first Snail of Approval program that inspires producers, chefs, and restaurants to use and promote clean, local, and fair ingredients. Some favourites with the Snail stamp of approval include Humble on Duke, Embassy XO, Vanilla Food, Pomona Village Kitchen.
