The Boatshed

Leave Mooloolaba Esplanade to the tourists and follow the locals to this old weatherboard shed, perched on the mouth of the Maroochy River. Sit in lounges under the deep shade of a sprawling cotton tree to eat tapas-style, or hunker down inside to escape the weather while still taking in the water views and choose from the full menu. The meals, although equally robust can be variable in flavour satisfaction. Choose seafood and you won't go wrong. Softshell crab is battered and piled high, well balanced by pickled cucumber and a sweet sour chilli sauce while linguine with a medley of exquisitely fresh seafood is tossed with the failsafe pairings of olive oil, chilli, fresh herbs and loads of garlic. Staff are efficient and casual, as are the wines, which, if lacking in subtlety are poured all the more generously.