Benny 101
So, What is a Benny?
Soft, pillowy eggs, golden hollandaise, crispy hash brown on the side… that first cut into a Benny at The Nines is pure big brekkie energy.
What is a Benny? Around Maroochydore, when people say "grab a Benny at The Nines", they are talking about one thing only: our Eggs Benedict, done the Nines way. But the word does have a couple of other meanings floating around too.
Quick Answer:
- Slang for tourists: A cheeky, sometimes pejorative term for out-of-town visitors.
- Old-school drug slang: Short for Benzedrine, an amphetamine pill you might hear about in vintage books or movies.
- At The Nines Emporium: The casual nickname for our Eggs Benedict range, including our famous Benny Trilogy .
On our menu, a Benny is that epic brekkie plate that never goes out of style. Perfectly poached eggs with runny yolks, house-made hollandaise, fresh spinach and avo, all stacked on toasted sourdough with a golden hash brown. Classic, comforting, but still dressed to the nines.
I’m Janice Kuz , and I’ve been slinging Bennies and pouring damn good coffee on the Sunshine Coast for over 20 years. When people ask me "What is a Benny?", I tell them it’s the one dish that has followed me through pretty much every kitchen I’ve worked in. At The Nines, I wanted to take that classic and give it some proper personality, so we built our Benny Trilogy . Three Bennies, three moods, zero boring.
For us, Bennies sum up what The Nines is about: familiar comfort, layered flavours, and a bit of fun on the plate. If you’re a regular, you probably already have a go-to. If you’re new, this is where you start.
Related content about What is a Benny? :
The Benny Breakdown: Your Questions Answered
What are the different meanings of the word 'benny'?
Alright, let's clear up the chaos around " what is a Benny?" . This little word has more personalities than a brunch table on a Sunday.
But when you are at The Nines Emporium in Maroochydore , ordering a Benny is very simple. You are talking about Eggs Benedict , dressed to the nines, Nines-style. Perfectly poached eggs, rich hollandaise, and quality toppings on toasted sourdough, with a hash brown riding shotgun.
I opened The Nines back in 2015 because I was over boring food and beige plates. Our Bennies are one of the clearest examples of our "We Don't Do Boring" philosophy. We took a classic and built a whole little universe around it.
What is The Nines' famous 'Benny Trilogy'?
Our Benny Trilogy is where the fun really kicks in. Same solid base, three different personalities. It is become a bit of a local rite of passage to work your way through all three.
Here is how the trilogy looks in our kitchen:
- Eggs Benedict Bacon This is the OG comfort option, the one I grab when I am running on an oat latte and vibes. Think crispy, golden bacon layered under two perfectly poached eggs and a generous pour of our house hollandaise . You get fresh spinach and creamy avocado on toasted sourdough, with a golden hash brown to catch all that yolk. It is comfort food done right, with a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Eggs Benedict Smoked Salmon When you want something a bit more fresh and fancy, the Smoked Salmon Benny is your move. Delicate smoked salmon, silky poached eggs, and velvety hollandaise on toasted sourdough , with spinach, avo, and that same crispy hash brown on the side. It tastes light but still feels like an indulgent treat, which is exactly the balance we aim for.
- Eggs Benedict Mushroom (V) This one is our vegetarian hero and low-key a staff favourite. We load the plate with roasted garlic thyme mushrooms , two poached eggs, and our pesto hollandaise on toasted sourdough, with a hash brown for that crunch factor. It is earthy, rich and full of umami, the kind of veg option even meat lovers keep "tasting" off their mate's plate.
The trilogy sits right at the heart of our menu because it sums up how we like to cook. Take something people already love, then dial it up with layered flavours, house-made sauces, and a bit of personality. That is the Nines way.
You can read more about how we play with our Bennies and other brekkie legends on our blog: The Benny Trilogy: The Nines' take on Eggs Benedict !
Why does our Benny breakfast hit different?
A Benny lives or dies by the details, and we are a bit obsessive about those.
In our kitchen, poached eggs are a non-negotiable skill. The whites need to hold together, the yolk needs to pour like liquid gold, every single time. We have spent years training our team so you never have to gamble on whether your yolk is going to be sad and solid.
Then there is the hollandaise . We keep it house-made and silky, with that perfect tangy, buttery balance. For the Mushroom Benny , we spin it into a pesto hollandaise , so you get that fresh, herb-loaded punch on top of the richness. It is a small twist, but it is exactly the kind of thing we mean when we say "We Don't Do Boring" .
Every Benny goes out on toasted sourdough that is crunchy at the edge and chewy in the centre, with a golden, crispy hash brown parked on the side. Add in fresh spinach, creamy avo and a hot coffee made with our local Vintage Black blend by Tim Adams , and you have got that full-send brekkie energy sorted.
This is the kind of plate that has helped us build a loyal crew of regulars since 2015. People come back for the Bennies, then stay to explore the rest of the menu, from pancake stacks and waffles to the Aussie Burg and corn fritters. It is all built on the same idea, quality ingredients, layered flavours, and food that feels as good as it looks.
If you want to see how our Bennies stack up against the rest of our brekkie lineup, jump over to our menu or have a scroll through our food page.
What's the best way to enjoy a Benny?
You have got your Benny in front of you, hollandaise glistening, hash brown ready for duty. How do you make the most of it?
Start with the vibe. Our cosy, buzzing space at The Nines Emporium has plenty of spots to settle in, from inside tables near the coffee machine to alfresco seating where you can soak up that Sunshine Coast light. We are open from 7am to 3pm every day (kitchen closes 30 minutes before), so you can roll in for an early power brekkie or a lazy late-morning feast. Walk-ins only on weekends, so just rock up when you are ready.
Then there is the drink situation. We do not just do coffee, we do your new favourite coffee. Our baristas work with the Vintage Black blend by Tim Adams , pulling smooth flat whites, strong long blacks, creamy lattes and everything in between. If coffee is not your thing, you can grab a fresh juice, smoothie, frappe or even a cold beer after 10 am to cut through the richness.
The perfect pairing: A delicious Benny and a freshly brewed coffee, enjoyed in the Sunshine Coast sunshine.
The real magic, though, is the people you share it with. The Nines is built for families, mates, solo dates and even your furry friends . There is a kids' menu for the little legends, treats for the pups, and plenty of room for prams and catch-ups that run longer than you planned.
When that plate lands, take a second. Check the colours, the glossy hollandaise, the crispy edges on the bacon or mushrooms. Then cut into that egg, let the yolk run, and drag a bit of everything through it, sourdough, avo, spinach, bacon or salmon or mushroom, and a corner of hash brown for good measure. That is the full Benny experience, Nines-style.
If you are keen to keep up with our monthly specials and limited-run creations, give us a follow on socials and keep an eye on our blog. There is always something new coming out of the kitchen.
Your Perfect Benny is Waiting
How do I choose my Benny?
So you have decided you need a Benny at The Nines. Good call. Now the only problem is picking which one is going to be your new obsession.
Our Benny Trilogy is built so there is a match for every mood, whether you are chasing smoky comfort, fresh seafood vibes or a meat-free feed that still hits hard.
Here is a quick rundown to help you choose your perfect match:
| Benny Type | Main Ingredient | Flavour Profile | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon Benny | Crispy Bacon | Smoky, salty, rich, classic comfort | The traditionalist, the meat lover, anyone craving a hearty, familiar and utterly satisfying breakfast. |
| Smoked Salmon Benny | Delicate Smoked Salmon | Fresh, delicate, slightly briny, indulgent | The seafood fan, anyone wanting something a bit lighter that still feels special. |
| Mushroom Benny (V) | Roasted Garlic Thyme Mushrooms | Earthy, umami-rich, herbaceous with pesto hollandaise, deeply flavourful | The vegetarian, the adventurous eater, or anyone chasing rich, savoury, plant-based goodness. |
Whichever way you go, you are getting the full Nines treatment: two perfectly poached eggs , house-made hollandaise, fresh spinach, creamy avocado, a golden hash brown, and toasted sourdough. It is food that fills your belly and your camera roll.
If you are bringing a crew, it is always fun to mix it up. One person grabs Bacon, one goes for Salmon, one takes Mushroom, and you all "have a taste" of each other’s plates. That is how new regular orders are born.
Want to see how the Bennies sit alongside our other brunch heavy-hitters like the pancake stack, waffles, Big Boi Brekky or Aussie Burg? Check out our full menu or deep dive into our food.
Our vibrant Maroochydore cafe interior, where good food, good company, and great vibes come together.
Ready to find your favourite Benny on the Sunshine Coast?
Whether you are a long-time Benny tragic or finally ready to see what the fuss is about, your perfect plate is waiting at The Nines Emporium .
Since 2015 , we have been serving flavour-packed, feel-good food from our spot at Shop 17A, Sunshine Homemaker Centre, 100 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore . We are open 7am to 3pm every day , dog-friendly, and all about that relaxed, buzzing Sunshine Coast energy. Walk-ins only on weekends, because we like to keep it easy.
Our Bennies sit alongside stacks of pancakes, waffles, corn fritters, pumpkin salad, the loaded Aussie Burg and more, so there is always a reason to come back and try something new. Regulars love the monthly specials, next-level giveaways and our coffee loyalty card, and we are always tweaking and experimenting behind the scenes to keep things fresh.
Ready to dive in? Have a squiz at The Definitive Guide to Benny Trilogy at The Nines , then come say hey in person and let us serve you a Benny that truly hits different.
Want to explore more of our menu?
