More Than Just a Salad

Pumpkin salad might sound simple, but at The Nines, it's anything but ordinary. This vibrant dish has become a local legend on the Sunshine Coast, combining roast pumpkin, roast beetroots, pearl cous cous, fetta, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and our signature dill dressing into something that'll make even the most dedicated carnivores reconsider their lunch choices.

Quick Look: The Nines' Pumpkin Salad

• Base: Pearl cous cous (gluten-free option available)
• Star Ingredients: Roast pumpkin, roast beetroots, cherry tomatoes, avocado, fetta
• Dressing: Housemade zesty dill dressing
• Vibe: Sweet meets savoury with serious textural game
• Perfect for: Vegetarians, health-conscious diners, anyone wanting a damn good feed

This isn't your average rabbit food. We're talking about a dish that balances sweet caramelised pumpkin with earthy beetroot, creamy avocado with tangy fetta, all brought together by our zesty dill dressing that just goes off. It's nourishing without being boring, light but still fills your belly, and colourful enough to make your Instagram followers properly jealous.

Why locals can't get enough: It's that perfect mix of fresh, filling, and flavour-packed that embodies everything we do at The Nines. Whether you're after a healthy lunch option or just want something that tastes as good as it looks, this salad delivers every single time.

I'm Janice Kuz, and I've spent over 20 years perfecting dishes that people actually crave – including this pumpkin salad that's become our signature healthy option. After nearly a decade of running The Nines, I can tell you this dish perfectly captures our philosophy of making feel-good food that doesn't compromise on flavour or fun.

A Symphony of Flavours: The Star Ingredients

Look, anyone can chuck some vegetables in a bowl and call it a salad. But our pumpkin salad ? That's a whole different story. The magic starts with our roast pumpkin —we choose sugar pumpkins or the Kent variety because they're naturally sweeter and have a dense, creamy flesh that caramelises beautifully. This is paired with roast beetroots , which add an incredible earthy depth that plays perfectly against the pumpkin's sweetness.

Next, we build texture and freshness. A base of pearl cous cous adds a satisfying chewiness that soaks up all the surrounding flavours, making the salad a proper meal (a gluten-free option is always available). We then add creamy, slightly salty fetta to cut through the sweetness, bursts of acidic cherry tomatoes , and luxurious avocado for richness in every bite.

Our secret weapon? The housemade dill dressing . Made fresh daily, this zesty, herbaceous dressing ties everything together without overpowering the stars of the show. It’s this simple, fresh approach that makes our pumpkin salad truly sing.

The Chef's Touch: Our Roasting and Plating Secrets

Here's where nearly a decade of experience comes in. We cube our pumpkin and beetroot with precision because evenly sized pieces ensure consistent cooking—no one wants a mix of raw and mushy in their lunch. This attention to detail is core to our food philosophy at The Nines.

Our roasting technique is dialled in. We toss the vegetables with just the right amount of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them at the perfect temperature to achieve that deep caramelisation and concentrated flavour. Timing is everything, though. While the roasted components are prepared fresh throughout the day, we only assemble and dress each pumpkin salad to order. This guarantees that every bite is at its peak of flavour and texture, preventing any sogginess.

Why It's a Healthy and Hearty Lunch Favourite

We believe in food that tastes amazing and makes you feel good, and our pumpkin salad delivers on both fronts. It’s what we call "full belly energy"—a meal that’s nourishing enough to power you through the afternoon without the dreaded post-lunch crash.

Pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with dietary fibre for digestive health, plus Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E. Combined with the other fresh ingredients, you're getting a meal that's as nourishing as it is delicious. The best part? It's naturally vegetarian-friendly , and we can easily make it GFO without compromising on satisfaction. Whether you're looking for healthy lunch options on the Sunshine Coast or just want something that leaves you feeling energised, this salad hits every mark.

More Than Just Salad: Other Local Faves

While our pumpkin salad steals the show, we've got a whole lineup of modern classics that keep our real ones coming back for more. Our Eggs Benny is legendary around these parts – what's better than a Benny? A Benny with bacon that slaps! It's got that big brekkie energy that powers you through the day, served up exactly how you want it.

For those with a sweet tooth, our pancake stacks are fluffy, piled high, and always a crowd-pleaser. We pair our food with the best coffee from local legend Tim Adams, pouring his Vintage Black coffee blend. We don't just do coffee; we do your new favourite coffee. Every dish we serve has that classic-with-a-twist vibe that defines us, and you can dive deeper into our healthy options by checking out our 5 Healthy Brunch Favourites to Try at The Nines Cafe Maroochydore.

Ready to Try the Best Pumpkin Salad on the Sunshine Coast?

So there you have it – our pumpkin salad isn't just a dish, it's an experience. Fresh, vibrant, and packed with the flavour and quality that makes The Nines special, it’s the perfect example of how we turn simple ingredients into something memorable.

We're open from 7am to 3pm every day (kitchen closes 30 minutes prior), and you'll find us at Shop 17A, Sunshine Homemaker Centre, 100 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore. Walk-ins are always welcome, especially on weekends when the place gets properly buzzing with that energy we love.

Your table is waiting. We're pumped to show you why our pumpkin salad has become a local favourite and serve you up some epic feeds and damn good coffee. Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Check out our full menu and plan your visit – we can't wait to make your day!