Best Sunshine Coast Gluten Free Eats

The Sunshine Coast not only spoils us with its beautiful beaches and year round gorgeous climate, but it is also home to some of Queensland best gluten free eats. Here I have complied a list of my favourites, as well as a few recommended by the local gluten free community that I can’t wait to try out! If you beat me to it, let me know what you thought 🙂 

I have organised the venues according to their general location within the Sunshine Coast so that you can hopefully find some gluten free eats close to where you are. AND, if you LOVE DISCOUNTS, download your FREE Gluten Free Joy Discount Card NOW to receive 10-15% discounts from some of these great venues.

So, whether you are heading to the beautiful Sunshine Coast for a holiday, a weekend away, or you happen to be lucky enough to live there, there are plenty of options to find some amazing gluten free foodie joy!  Jane x

 

SOUTHERN

GLUTEN FREE 4 U  Caloundra

The new kid on the block has caused the gluten free locals to get very excited! The reputation for this bakery preceded its arrival late last year, with stores in varied Melbourne suburbs and one on Brisbane’s southside generating huge buzz and very loyal customers. And it is easy to see why. A 100% gluten free bakery is always going to create a stir.

Not only do they have multiple cabinets of gorgeous sweet pastries and cakes, they also have hot savoury pastries, and 3 double freezers full of frozen options. Additionally they have some packaged bread + baking mixes.

It really is gluten free paradise. You have to visit.

Location: 4/2 Park Pl, Caloundra

Open Tues-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm, Sat 8.30am-3pm

HELLO HARRY THE BURGER JOINT  Caloundra

UPDATE: On a recent visit here (4/4/20) for takeaway (covid-19 world) I was told that they do NOT have a seperate fryer for the sweet potato fries, and that they couldn’t even guarantee that my GF bun would be prepped coeliac safely. The chick however seemed keen to just keep telling me they couldn’t 100% guarantee not a crumb would get to my food (not expecting a guarantee in a non 100% GF venue), rather than answering my specific questions about the CC prep of the bun. So I gave up. Shows you that you have to check EVERY TIME. I actually think it would have been fine and she was just uninformed with a bee in her bonnet, but no way was I going to take the risk. Will remove this posting if they have changed and the venue is no longer prepping the GF options coeliac safely (doing some social media research first)….this update will relate to all Hello Harry’s around the country.

Now this is the type of cafe that you just want to eat at…it oozes a funky beach vibe, perfect for its setting on the Caloundra water front. Not a 100% gluten free venue but happily they have a seperate fryer for some elements…so you can get some sweet potato fries with your burger! All of their creative burger options can come either naked (aka no bun) or with a gluten free bun. Definitely worth letting them know if you are a coeliac though, and cross check they will prep the burger in a seperate cleaned area…you just never know if all of the staff are coeliac safe aware.

Location: 9/30 The Esplanade, Caloundra

Open 7 days 11/11.30am-9pm

COFFEE CAT ON KINGS  Kings Beach

Located in a prime position at the southern end of Kings Beach this café is an absolute favourite for locals. It is also not a 100% GF venue, so exercise your usual cross contamination checks when ordering, but they have a lot of great gluten free options and they have always had nearly all of their cakes gluten free…so no need to put up with a boring friand or orange and almond cake! Last time I was there I was a little disappointed that the chips were removed from the meal, as they don’t have a separate gluten free fryer, with no replacement given and no reduction in price. However, knowing these limitations, it is in such a beautiful spot and it is definitely handy to have as an option when in the Kings Beach/Caloundra area.

Location: 4/8 Levuka Ave, Kings Beach

Open: Mon-Thurs 5.30am-3.30pm , Fri-Sun 5.30am-6/9pm

MOOLOOLABA FISH AND CHIPS

We enjoyed an awesome meal of very fresh fish here not that long ago. I loved the gluten free crumbed version of their fish and I was in food ecstasy over the crumbed pineapple fritter…first one in 16 years! They pride themselves in looking after the gluten sensitive with not just a separate fryer but also careful kitchen practices. Be warned though, while we LOVED the meal, they are at the more exxie end of the fish and chips price point, but I guess they have a pretty steep rent to pay situated conveniently on the Mooloolaba Beach board walk.

Location: 4/121 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba

Open 7 days 11.30am-8pm

98FISH Buderim

These guys have built a great rep amongst the local gluten free community. Their gluten free options (95% of the menu!) are amazing and their coeliac safe kitchen practices are very thorough. They have a whole page on their website explaining how they reduce cross contamination for coeliacs. Admittedly they have undergone an ownership change recently and some of the reviews are now coming back a little mixed, but when my husband and I visited for a fish & chip fix not that long ago I loved it! Be warned also, they are not in your typical seaside position, being situated in the hinterland, so if you are after a beach side fish & chips experience then you would need to pick up and head to the beach about a 15 minute drive back down the hill.

Location: 347 Mons Rd, Forest Glen

Open Sun-Wed 11am-7pm and Thurs-Sat 11am-7.30pm

CENTRAL 

THE SILVA SPOON Cotton Tree

This little oasis of monumentally sized gluten free cake creations is a little further north, sitting opposite the waterfront at Cotton Tree. Oh. My. Word. The cakes are HUGE and beautiful works of art, lovingly created by their pastry chefs, who have a passion to indulge the gluten free community with ‘pinch me’ cake experiences. You do not have to choose from the usual boring unadorned mudcake or the cold friand here while your gluten-consuming companions get to sample the glamorous looking sweet treats…nearly all of the gorgeous cakes on display are gluten free. It feels like gluten free cake nirvana. They also have gluten free cupcakes, muffins and savoury items on their menu. The café is not 100% gluten free, so there is an extra element of caution required if you are highly sensitive, but they do take great care to minimize cross contamination. The café also doubles as a fine tea and coffee emporium and has a cute collection of homewares for sale. They have been voted Best Tea House in QLD for the second year running…and I can see why.

Location: Shop 1, 27 Cotton Tree Pde, Cotton Tree

Open Mon-Fri 7am-5pm and Sat/Sun 8am-5pm

 

ELIXIBA  Maroochydore

Elixibar is a vegan and 100% gluten free restaurant bar in the gorgeous Maroochydore area offering organic creations made from scratch with wholefoods ingredients. It is one of the rare gluten free venues on the coast to open for dinner, and they take their evening status seriously with a huge range of stunning mains and gorgeous cocktails and beers on offer. The kitchen is run by a coeliac who understands the difficulty of eating out with food intolerances. As such she has created a menu that is entirely gluten, dairy, egg, peanut, palm oil, meat and fish free.

Location: 3/11-13 Ocean St, Maroochydore

Open daily 10am-9pm  and Fri/Sat 10am-11pm

 

BETTY’s BURGERS and CONCRETE  Maroochydore

Ok so these guys are NOT a gluten free eatery, but they have great coeliac safe food practices in all of their kitchens (starting with asking if you are coeliac when you order gluten free so they make sure they handle your food safely). I have included them because they hands down provide THE BEST gluten free burger & fries experience you can hope for. Some say Grill’d is great, but I always find their gluten free buns too dense and stodgy which takes away from the burger flavour and you just fill up too quickly with the carb load. The Betty’s Burgers version has a ridiculously yum char grilled flavour to the burger pattie that takes me to burger heaven every time, and their fries are just classic, fresh oil flavour with an optional aioli that will have you rolling your eyes in ecstasy with each mouthful. It really does create one of those moments. LOVE them.

Apart from this Maroochydore venue, they also have their original Noosa location as well numerous outlets across the city of Brisbane, including Newstead, Chermside & Robina.

Location: Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore

Open 7 days 9am-9.30pm

 

SOUL KITCHEN BAKERY  Buderim

UPDATE 9.9.20 Sadly new management means this cafe is no longer 100% Vegan nor a beautiful safe haven for coeliacs. Eat there with new caution.

Soul Kitchen Bakery is a plant based catering business offering a range of gluten free, vegan baked goods, savouries and raw desserts. With a focus on sustainable, cruelty-free, locally sourced ingredients they have crafted a huge range of incredible yum and gorgeous looking gluten free sweet treats, as well as some savoury options.

Location: 4/29 Main St

 

NORTHERN 

NEW EARTH CAFÉ  Coolum

Heading a little north to Coolum you can find this oasis of gluten free & plant based feeds, tucked within a little courtyard. The entire menu, including the nut milks, breads, wraps, crackers and sweet treats, are also dairy & sugar free, and are all made fresh on site. They cater for the brekkie & lunch crowd with light meals ranging from pancakes to nachos, wraps, superfood bowls & salads, as well as a whole range of sweet treats.

Location: Coolum Beach, Birtwill St,

Open Mon-Sat 7am-4pm

 

BETTY’s BURGERS and CONCRETE  Noosa

Now this is where it all started for Betty’s Burgers, and it has been one of the most popular dining places in Noosa ever since, usually with lines stretching out onto the street…so prepare for a wait if you are there over a weekend or in holiday season. That said, it is definitely worth it for the ultimate burger experience…you won’t believe it’s gluten free! They have another store in Maroochydore…Check that listing for more info.

Location: Noosa Heads, 2/50 Hastings St

Open 7 days 10am-8.30/9pm

 

HINTERLAND

THE ORANGERY  Maleny

This place is a gluten free wonderland, run by a coeliac….& don’t we just always love that 🙂 High in the hinterland hills, about a 30-40 minute drive from Caloundra/Mooloolaba (60-90 min from Brisbane) this expansive café with its broad deck overlooking the landscape is just a beautiful space to relax and enjoy some amazing gluten free feeds. Nearly the entire menu is gluten free, including ALL of the cakes and desserts, as well as their fried options (separate fryer). They are soon to install a separate bread oven as well, to be used solely for gluten free baking. The setting is very cute, with 2 entire cabinets full of gorgeous tea cups & tea pots. We enjoyed a goats cheese & caramelised onion tart as well as a seafood platter…all gluten free, before settling back in the comfy armchairs on the deck to slip into a food coma as we indulged in a couple of cakes with tea & coffee. They also offer stunning High Teas for 2 or for large groups. Definitely worth a visit.

Location: Landsborough Rd &, Mountain View Rd, Maleny

Open 7 days 9am-3pm (8am start Sat/Sun)

 

GOODNESS GRACIOUS ORGANIC & GF CAFE  Yandina

UPDATE 9.9.20 Sadly new management means this cafe no longer a beautiful safe haven for coeliacs. Eat there with caution.

Situated in Yandina, not far off the Bruce Highway and close to the Ginger Factory, this one is perfect for anyone on a road trip up or down the coast! It is a quaint 100% gluten free café with vintage décor and lovely indoor and outdoor garden seating areas, serving homely healthy food. It is open for breakfast & lunch.

Location: 3 Conn St, Yandina

Open 7 days 7/8am-1/4pm

 

HUSK & HONEY GLUTEN FREE & GRAIN FREE CAFÉ  Nambour

Tucked away in Nambour this understated little gem is rated as one of the best dining experiences on the Coast. They offer breakfast and lunch options with wonderful sweet treats to indulge in. Known for its relaxed & quirky atmosphere, quality home cooked style meals, and a great understanding of dietary requirements, it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Location: 18 Queen St Nambour

Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm and Sat 8am-1pm

 

Have you been to a great café or restaurant that you think should be on this list? Let me know in the COMMENTS below and I’ll make sure I check them out for inclusion in future updates. And I would also love to hear of any of your experiences dining out gluten free in Brisbane, good and bad…sharing the intel spreads more gluten free joy around 🙂 

 

If you would like to READ MORE about the Brisbane gluten free scene, then check out my other blogs Brisbane’s Bucketlist Gluten Free Eats, Gluten Free High Teas Brisbane for some great places to experience a little bit of foodie girlie glamour in Brissie… and this one for the Best Gluten Free Eats at EAT STREET!

  

INTERESTED in TOURS to some of these places with all of the details sorted? Feel as though you can never find the time to visit or manage the logistics to make it happen?

Why not join me for one of my Gluten Free Joy Tours or Experiences, designed to take ALL of the stress out of enjoying Brisbane & its surrounds gluten free & coeliac safe! Special discounts apply when you SIGN UP to Gluten Free Joy.

Some Brisbane based events* to get excited about include:

EAT STREET VIP Gluten Free Feast 

Gluten Free HIGH TEA Fundraiser at the Stamford Plaza (2021 date soon to be released)

Gluten Free HEALTHY COOKING WORKSHOP 

*Dates for all events are all on hold due to the Covid-19 crisis. SIGN UP to receive notification once new dates are confirmed  & be ahead of the queue to grab some limited tickets for your favourite event!

 

Keen to access some gourmet gluten free foodie joy but can’t make it to these lovely venues? We have the solution 🙂

Our Gourmet Gluten Free Hampers (with DF + Vegan options) can be delivered to your door! HEAD HERE to see our gorgeous range of Australian made gourmet gluten free goodies.