The ultimate guide to the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival
Guide
By Katie Stow
Festival information | Where to stay | Where to eat & drink | Things to do
Over four delicious days, Noosa swaps out its usual laid-back surf town vibe for a full-throttle flavour fiesta. Picture sun-drenched long lunches, champagne flowing by the beachfront, and the smoky aroma of open-fire cooking wafting through the air. This is the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival – where top chefs, winemakers, and producers come together to serve up a feast of epic proportions.
If your idea of a perfect weekend involves clinking glasses, devouring fresh seafood straight from the ocean, and sinking into the good life, keep reading.
What is the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival?
Noosa Eat & Drink Festival
From 29 May to 2 June 2025, Noosa becomes the ultimate foodie playground. At the heart of it all is the Festival Village at Noosa Lions Park – think bustling food stalls, world-class wine, and a soundtrack of live music and laughter. Sip, snack, and chat with Australia’s best chefs as they take the stage for cooking demos and masterclasses, all while you soak in the views of Noosa’s iconic waterways.
Beyond the village, Noosa’s restaurants throw open their doors for exclusive chef collaborations, boozy brunches, and long lunches that stretch into golden afternoons. From sand-between-your-toes dining to waterfront degustations, this festival is all about flavour in full colour.
Where to stay in Noosa
Noosa Blue Resort
Noosa does accommodation like it does food: effortlessly stylish, naturally stunning, and always inviting. Whether you’re waking up to the sound of waves or sipping your morning coffee from a hinterland hideaway, you’re in for a treat.
- Noosa Blue Resort - Where rooftop spas, lagoon pools, and breezy balconies set the scene for pure relaxation. Perched above Hastings Street, it’s the perfect mix of serenity and seaside vibes.
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort – Smack bang in the middle of Hastings Street, this is where luxury meets a front-row seat to the action. Sunloungers, swim-up bars, and an on-site spa? Yes, please.
Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas – Perched above Noosa’s Main Beach, this spot is all about breezy balconies, lush national park surrounds, and a quiet escape just minutes from the buzz.
- RACV Noosa Resort – Poolside cocktails, self-contained apartments, and room to spread out—it’s the perfect choice for families and groups who like their luxury with a side of convenience.
- Halse Lodge – Noosa’s answer to budget-friendly meets beachside charm. If your plan is to surf, snack, and repeat, this is your go-to.
Where to eat and drink in Noosa
Rickys River Bar & Restaurant, Noosa
Noosa’s food scene doesn’t just serve up meals – it dishes out experiences. Whether you’re elbow-deep in a bowl of handmade pasta or raising a glass riverside as the sun dips below the horizon, this is where flavour meets atmosphere.
Locale – A moody, candlelit escape where rich Italian flavours take centre stage. House-made pasta, fresh seafood, and a wine list that deserves your full attention.
Noosa Beach House – Peter Kuruvita’s vibrant, Sri Lankan-inspired coastal dishes meet a backdrop of Hastings Street hustle and beachy breezes.
Rickys River Bar & Restaurant – The kind of place where a single lunch could easily turn into sunset drinks. Expect impeccably plated seafood, flawless service, and dreamy water views.
- Sum Yung Guys – This is where flavour takes a detour through Southeast Asia, with bold, punchy dishes that demand to be shared (or not – we won’t judge).
- VanillaFood – Bright, wholesome, and packed with colour, this spot is where you go when you want your brunch to feel as good as it tastes.
Things to do in Noosa beyond the Festival
Noosa Main Beach
Noosa isn’t just a destination – it’s a lifestyle. Between meals, make time for adventure, relaxation, and a little bit of everything in between.
Lose yourself in Noosa National Park
Step off the pavement and straight into paradise. Winding trails, cliff-top lookouts, and secret beaches make this coastal walk one of Noosa’s greatest treasures. Keep your eyes peeled for koalas lounging in the treetops.
Beach, brunch, repeat
Main Beach is the definition of postcard perfection – gentle waves, golden sand, and endless sunshine. Whether you’re catching your first wave, floating in crystal-clear water, or simply stretching out under the sun, this is the place to be.
Sunset by the river
Noosa River Boathouse
Hop aboard a Noosa River cruise or hire a boat and drift along the glassy water, drink in hand. If you want to go full explorer mode, paddle through the Noosa Everglades – a wilderness so pristine it’s one of only two everglade systems in the world.
Hastings Street strolling
Boutiques, coffee spots, and beachy charm make this strip impossible to resist. Grab an ice cream, wander through local art galleries, or settle in for some prime people-watching.
Hinterland havens
Beyond the beach, Noosa’s hinterland is dotted with charming villages and rolling green hills. Head to Eumundi for its legendary markets, sip your way through local wineries, or settle in for a paddock-to-plate feast at one of the region’s farm-to-table restaurants.
Plan your trip
Noosa is as easy to get to as it is hard to leave. The Sunshine Coast Airport is just a breezy 30-minute drive away, with flights arriving daily. Brisbane Airport is a two-hour road trip down the highway – just enough time to start mapping out your ultimate festival itinerary.
With food, wine, and sunshine in full supply, the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is your golden ticket to indulgence. Come hungry, leave happy – and stay a little longer to let Noosa work its magic.
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