A food lover’s guide to the best cheap eats on the Sunshine Coast

Sun-drenched beaches and rolling green hinterland aren’t the only reasons to visit the Sunshine Coast—the region is also home to a food and dining scene that’ll have foodies salivating.

From award-winning fine dining to the humble fish and chip shop, there’s something for all palates—and budgets.

Make your money go that extra mile and take advantage of the region’s best cheap eats and meal deals—dive into 50-cent wings by Mooloolaba Beach, pair $3 oysters with seasonal spritzers in the heart of Noosa or enjoy 2-for-1 peanut butter and jelly hamburgers.

Don’t know where to begin? We’re here to help. Read on for our Sunshine Coast cheap food guide. Bon appétit!

Miss Moneypenny’s, Noosa Heads

Cheap eats at a chef-hat-awarded restaurant? You’d better believe it! On weekdays between 3 and 5 pm you’ll find freshly shucked oysters for $3 at Noosa’s Miss Moneypenny’s (minimum order 12), a fashionable Hastings Street lounge and restaurant has been mixing good vibes with Mediterranean-inspired gastronomic creations and world-class cocktails for over a decade.

Taps, Mooloolaba

The absolute legends at this bar and kitchen have poured 1,600 different beers over the years, from experimental small-batch brews to tap takeovers and brewery launches. But it’s not just about the beer at this bar and kitchen right near the Mooloolaba surf, with Mario Kart and deals like 50-cent wings making this one a must for bargain lovers.

La Canteena Alleyway Bar, Maroochydore

Festoon lights and pandanus palms set the vibes at Maroochydore’s popular La Canteena Alleyway Bar & Garden. Come for the live music, slushies or margaritas and choose from a menu loaded with street eats, tacos, and nachos. Or save your pennies and get the most bang for your buck on Sunday with deals starting from just five bucks.

King’s Beach Bar, Caloundra

As if the iconic beachfront location isn’t enough, King’s Beach Bar gives you extra reasons to visit every day of the week, with live music on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights, and specials most nights of the week (pick of the bunch for us is the $20 parmy and chips with salad on Tuesday). With the money you’ve saved, treat yourself to a Sunshine Parfait Martini or a Glass House Brewery draught beer.

Wurtulla Seafoods, Wurtulla

For value, it’s hard to beat an old-fashioned-style fish and chip shop like Wurtulla Seafoods. Here you’ll find cod or barramundi served up with golden chips dusted with chicken salt as well as old-school classics like chicko rolls or potato scallops—with old-fashioned prices to match, like works burgers for $13 or kids’ meals from $6.50

El Camino Cantina, Maroochydore

Put on a bright pink sombrero and enjoy a slice of Austin-style Tex-Mex at El Camino Cantina Sunshine Plaza. Here you’ll find all your favourites like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos served alongside brightly coloured margaritas (we like the frozen ones!). Take advantage of the killer specials, with $2 tacos on Taco Tuesday or 10-cent wings on Wednesday when you order a drink.

Umami Ramen, Maroochydore

Grab yourself a hearty bowl of tonkatsu ramen with char-siu pork shoulder swimming in creamy pork bone broth for just $18 at Maroochydore’s Umami Ramen. While you’re there, snack on edamame beans, karaage chicken, or kimchi, or try their unique lunchtime Shake Shake Ramen—think of it as ramen noodles without the soup.

Dirty Moe’s, Mooloolaba

For a taste of America’s Deep South, make your way to Dirty Moe’s, a bar and grill located right on the Mooloolaba Esplanade. Here you’ll find slow-cooked soul food like smoked wagyu beef brisket and loaded fries alongside a range of whiskeys, beers and cocktails. Get yourself a schnitzel with fries and salad for $22 on Schnitty Night Monday, or $17 burgers on Thursdays, served with a side of shoestring fries.

Your Mates Brewing Co., Warana

Come for the brews—stay for a feed. Your Mates Brewing Co. began life when two Sunshine Coast locals began a search for the perfect craft beer for social beer drinkers. Unable to find one, they decided to brew their own instead. The rest is history, with their award-winning craft brews now available nationwide. Or head into their Warana BrewPub and pair a beer with a burger and chips for $20. Oh, and bring the little on Monday—they eat free.

A Taste of Spice, Noosa

Go where the locals go and dine in or take away at Noosa’s A Taste of Spice. Here you’ll find a mostly Malaysian-inspired menu alongside Thai, Chinese, and Indonesian dishes. From pad Thai to chicken wonton soup and from Singapore Laksa to salt and pepper calamari, nearly everything here is under twenty bucks. Even better it’s BYO making it the perfect spot for dinner and drinks on the cheap.

Eumundi Markets, Eumundi

The famous Eumundi Markets are home to over 500 stalls, offering everything from artisan homewares to locally designed fashion. The biggest art and craft market in Australia, the Eumundi markets are also ripe for gastronomic discovery. Taste your way around the world—without breaking the bank—and sample international flavours like German bratwurst, Turkish gozleme, or Japanese ramen, washed down with locally brewed ginger beer or a fresh-roasted coffee.

Goodslice Pizza Napoletana, Maroochydore

Tucked away in a quirky industrial space at the end of laneway, this pizzeria specialising in authentic Napoli-style pizza has the tick of approval from celebrity chef and Sunshine Coast local Adriano Zumbo, who has described it as the region’s best pizza. Head in before 5pm from Wednesday through to Sunday and take advantage of happy hour when you can get yourself a margherita pizza with a Peroni or a glass of prosecco for $20.

Searching for more? Taste your way around the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast.