The best coffee spots on the Sunshine Coast

Before you hit the beach, drop into Compound in Coolum for one of the best coffees on the Sunshine Coast. Tucked in behind Coolumn’s main street, this unique café not only has fresh cold-press juices and home-baked muffins on offer, but is also a store selling second-hand surf gear at bargain prices. Take a seat at the espresso bar and you’ll likely get all the tips on where to find the best surf breaks. Best of all, the proceeds from this popular local surfer hangout go to Christian Surfers Australia.

Once you’ve had your fill, head to one of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast - or go for another cuppa at nearby Slide Coffee Roasters, which serves up single origin and specialty blends alongside coffee tastings and home brew workshops.

Where: Shop 23b/15 Heathfield Rd, Coolum Beach
Open: Monday to Friday 6am-1pm, Saturday 6am-12:30pm.

Husk And Honey, Nambour

This hidden gem in Nambour prides itself on pouring exceptional coffee and they specialise in gluten- and grain-free food for the allergy-prone coffee lover. Everything on their all-day breakfast and lunch menus, plus cakes and other treats, is baked daily on-site.

Where: 18 Queen Street, Nambour
Open: Monday to Friday 7am–3pm, Saturday 8am-1pm.

Clandestino, Noosaville

Once you enter this temple to coffee and you may never want to leave. The team at Clandestino, located within Belmondo's Organic Market in Noosaville’s industrial estate, not only roast their own beans but also provide their roast to cafes around the region – they’re that good. The friendly team go to great lengths to find the perfect cup, experimenting with pour-overs, plungers, syphons and cold drip, all made with great pride to highlight the beans’ origin.

Where: 59 Rene St, Noosaville
Open: Monday to Friday 7am–4pm, Saturday 7am–3pm, Sunday 8am-2pm

One Block Back, Moffat Beach

Once a tin shed hidden away in sleepy Moffat Beach, One Block Back has become one of the best coffee spots on the Sunshine Coast. Locally run and fully licensed, stop in to refuel post-beach and take your pick from the all day menu favourites like breakfast bagels, bennys, nasi goreng and karaage chicken burgers. 

Where: 106 Nothling St, Moffat Beach
Open: Monday to Sunday 7am-2:30pm

Entity Coffee, Sunshine Beach

Follow your nose to local favourite, Entity Coffee (formerly Costa Noosa) in Sunshine Beach for one of the best coffees on the Sunshine Coast. This small roasting house and espresso bar is famed for its single origin beans and blends, and sources ethically sourced speciality beans. Stop by on a hot summer’s day for an iced coffee on the deck - and bring your dog.

Where: 26 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach
Open: 7 days 6am–1pm

The Birds & The Beans Espresso Bar, Buderim

Situated in an old service station from 1918, The Birds & The Beans is a morning ritual for Buderim locals. Sit amongst the motoring memorabilia in the old workshop or alongside the vintage petrol pumps as you sip your own morning fuel and recharge with pastries and sweet treats. This Sunshine Coast cafe is a must for vintage car lovers.

Where: 114 Burnett St, Buderim
Open: Monday to Friday 6:00am–11:30am

The Pallet Espresso Bar, Mooloolaba

Escape the hustle of the Mooloolaba Esplanade with a trip to Pallet Espresso Bar, a quirky spot ideal for a takeaway coffee before a day on the beach. The space was designed out of wooden pallets by barista Johnie Stark, and serves an array of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free treats, as well as an exceptional cup of coffee.

Where: Shop 2/161 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba
Open: Monday to Friday 6:30am–3pm, Saturday 6:30am-1pm

Homegrown Cafe, Palmwoods

Tucked away in the quaint little town of Palmwoods, Homegrown takes a sustainable approach with their beans roasted on-site and all of their produce purchased from local farmers. This is reflected in the food menu where you’ll find seasonal (and organic, where possible) breakfast dishes to sit down to in the garden.

Where: 4/6 Main street, Palmwoods
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 6:30am–2pm

Guru Life, Rosemount

Take a break from the surf and wind your way down the Maroochy River to Rosemount’s Guru Life – a roastery, cafe, and garden – where the dedication to coffee is nothing short of spiritual. Promising enlightenment in every cup, the coffee at Guru Life is some of the best on the Sunshine Coast. The menu offers vegan-friendly twists on breakfast favourites, and kids are more than welcome here – there’s a pond complete with ducks to keep them occupied. Guru Life is a 15-minute drive from Maroochydore.

Looking for more kid friendly spots? This guide to the best kid friendly cafes and restaurants on the Sunshine Coast will help you out.

Where: 522 Petrie Creek Rd, Rosemount
Open: Sunday to Thursday 7am-2pm, Friday and Saturday 7am-7pm.

Not so keen on coffee?

The Sunshine Coast is home to plenty of cafes serving coffee alternatives, including chai, chicory lattes, teas and hot chocolates. Try these when you’re in town: The Velo Project, Mooloolaba; Izba Espresso, Birtinya; The Silva Spoon, Cotton Tree; and New Earth Café, Coolum Beach.