Kondalilla’s tempting menu

By Victoria McGuin

Set in the grounds of the Kondalilla Eco Resort, the Kondalilla Restaurant will tempt the taste buds of the casual diner as well as the serious gourmand.

Boasting a large dining area, private dining space, bar and alfresco area, with the view towards the Kondalilla National Park, this popular restaurant is already a favourite with many locals, and sure to become one for any new visitors to the Sunshine Coast.

On a visit last week, we gently cornered a lunchtime guest, Jessica Watson, for her opinion.

“I love that it offers incredible vegetarian cuisine, not just the usual mushroom-based dishes that many places offer. I’ve been a veggie for years, and we don’t all like mushrooms!” shared Jessica who is visiting with her husband, Michael, from New South Wales.

“We have been to a few restaurants along the Range during our stay, and they have all been lovely, but this is my favourite,” she admitted.

“I’m not a vegetarian,” added Michael, “but the food here is so good and filling that I don’t miss having meat in my meal.”

It’s not hard to see why guests like Jessica and Michael are impressed, Kondalilla Restaurant offers a vegetarian cuisine with a seafood and vegan influence, without sacrificing style and attention to detail.

“We strive to always deliver excellence on a plate, the hallmark of Kondalilla Eco Resort,” said Executive Chef Alex Schwarz, under whose guidance the venue was awarded ‘Best Restaurant’ by Restaurant Guru 2023.

“We use produce sourced from local suppliers and utilise our own kitchen garden for herbs and garnishes, and I draw much of my inspiration from native bush tucker,” said Alex.

The menu includes dishes such as Mooloolaba Prawn Croustillants with roast coconut, watermelon and cucumber salad, with spicy mango aioli; Herb-Crumbed Barra Bites with seasonal salad and crispy fries, and Thai Yellow Tofu Curry with roast cauliflower, pumpkin, sweet potato, tofu, broccolini, beans, Bok Choy, roast cashews, lemongrass-scented Jasmine rice. Is your stomach rumbling yet?!

The restaurant has a newly renovated covered deck area, with wheelchair access, and is cheerfully adorned with festoon lights, plus heaters for these chilly winter evenings. There is also live music every Sunday from 1pm - 4pm (the musicians are all Sunshine Coast locals).

If you’re in the mood for something different and delicious, where you feel you are nestled deep in the hinterland, Kondalilla Restaurant is an excellent choice.

Kondalilla Restaurant is at 61-101 Kondalilla Falls Rd, Flaxton, 4560 / Phone: 5445 7650 ext. 2 / Menu: restaurant.kondalilla.com/menus / Open Thursday-Sunday, 12pm – 8pm.