What Makes the Sunny Coast Cafe Scene Epic?

Top rated cafe culture on the Sunshine Coast is more than just coffee and toast. It’s a lifestyle where locals and visitors gather for creative food, killer drinks, and a vibe that's both laid-back and buzzing.

Here's what defines a top-rated cafe on the Sunny Coast:

• Coffee that slaps – Specialty blends and baristas who know their stuff.
• Food with personality – Classic dishes with creative twists.
• A welcoming atmosphere – Family-friendly, dog-friendly, and perfect for chats or solo hangs.
• Dietary flexibility – Veggie, GFO, and fresh options full of flavour.
• Community vibes – A place that feels like your local.

Maroochydore is a hub for this experience. The best cafes here create moments, whether you're fuelling up after a surf or catching up with mates. Historically, cafes have always been community cornerstones, a tradition we accept with fresh local ingredients and innovative menus. The history of cafes shows they've long been places for connection, and that's alive and well on the Sunshine Coast.

I'm Janice Kuz , and I've been in the Maroochydore cafe scene for over 20 years. I opened The Nines Emporium nearly a decade ago because I wanted to create a top rated cafe that was bolder, bigger, and more fun than what was around. We've been pushing the local scene ever since.

The Anatomy of a Top-Rated Cafe

What makes a top rated cafe ? It's the whole package: coffee that makes your morning, food worth waiting for, and a space that feels like a second home. When we opened The Nines nearly a decade ago, our goal was to create something bigger, bolder, and more fun. We wanted to shake things up in Maroochydore with a cafe that wasn't afraid to try new things.

Tapping into the Sunshine Coast's fresh ingredients and relaxed vibe, our menu is always evolving. We don't just follow trends; we put our own spin on them, driven by customer cravings and our kitchen team's creativity. It's a passion for serving up the good stuff. For more on our philosophy, check out 6 Reasons Why The Nines is the Best Sunshine Coast Cafe in 2025.

It Starts with Damn Good Drinks

You can't be a top rated cafe without seriously good coffee. We proudly serve the local Vintage Black blend by Tim Adams , and our baristas craft everything from a perfect flat white to my personal go-to, an oat latte .

But we don't stop at the classics. We're always experimenting with unique creations like our game-changing cold foams, which add a creamy layer to iced drinks. Our monthly specials, like the past hits Ube Taro cold foam and Iced Matcha Taro, are limited-time creations that create a buzz. These aren't repeated, so when they're gone, they're gone!

Learn more about our coffee in The Nines Cafe Maroochydore: Coffee so good, it's a whole mood.

Beyond coffee, our drink menu is stacked. We've got thick shakes, refreshing smoothies like the "Monster Mash," fresh-squeezed juices, and cool frappes. And for a boozy brunch? Beer after 10am is a thing here, along with a selection of wines. It's all part of our "we don't do boring" philosophy.

More about our special drinks menu here: The Nines Cafe Maroochydore: Great food, coffee, signature cold foams.

Next-Level Feeds: The Secret to a Top-Rated Cafe Menu

A top rated cafe smashes the food, not just the drinks. Our menu is a modern-Aussie dream of classic dishes with a playful, Nines-style twist. We make food that fills your belly and your camera roll. Dive into Our Food to see what we mean.

Our signature dishes are where the magic happens. The Big Boi Brekky is a feast of bacon, eggs, cheese kransky, hashbrown, and all the trimmings. Our Aussie Burg is a modern classic with a beef brisket pattie, beetroot, fried egg, and grilled pineapple. And the Meatball Sub , with housemade meatballs and torched mozzarella, is pure comfort.

Our Eggs Benedict , the legendary "Benny Trilogy," comes in three irresistible forms. The Bacon Benny is the smoky classic, the Salmon Benny is fresh and indulgent, and the Mushroom Benny is a vegetarian dream with roasted garlic thyme mushrooms and pesto hollandaise. All are served with poached eggs, hollandaise, spinach, avocado, and a hash brown on sourdough.

Got a sweet tooth? Our fluffy pancake stack with maple bacon, grilled banana, and candied walnuts is pure joy. Our waffles , like the Blueberry Waffle with poached pears, are equally photo-worthy. We often create monthly specials based on trending pancake flavours, like the past hits Dubai Chocolate and Oreo Pancakes. These limited-time creations are born from online trends and customer cravings.

We also ensure our menu is inclusive. A top rated cafe caters to everyone, so we have plenty of vegetarian options and many dishes can be made gluten-free optional (GFO) . Explore our veggie options here: More about our veggie options.

The Vibe: More Than Just a Meal

A top rated cafe is about the whole experience. At The Nines, we aim for a welcoming, busy, and fun atmosphere where everyone feels at home. It's cozy, lively, and reflects our name, "The Nines," which is a play on "dressed to the nines." It's about presentation and personality in everything we do. We believe in good intentions, great food, and solid value .

We're big on community . We're family-friendly with a kids' menu, and your furry mates are welcome in our outdoor area. We want everyone to feel comfortable. Read more about our vibe in Chill vibes, great coffee: Why The Nines Cafe is a must-visit.

Customer loyalty is huge for us. We show love to our regulars with exciting monthly specials, giveaways, and a coffee loyalty card . It's our way of saying thanks for being part of The Nines family.

Experience the Best of Maroochydore's Cafe Culture

Maroochydore's cafe scene is alive and kicking, and we're right in the heart of it all. At The Nines, we've spent nearly a decade building something that's more than just another brunch spot. This is where quality meets personality, where every dish tells a story, and where your morning coffee is poured with genuine passion. It's the kind of place that makes locals feel at home and visitors wish they lived closer.

We believe a top rated cafe experience isn't just about ticking boxes. It's about creating moments that stick with you, whether that's the way our hollandaise hits your taste buds or the vibe you feel when you walk through the door. And yeah, we reckon we've nailed it.

Perfect Pairings for Your Next Brunch Mission

Here's the thing about pairing food and drinks: when you get it right, the whole experience just lifts. We've spent years figuring out what works, and we're stoked to share some combos that'll make your taste buds seriously happy.

When you're after a hearty start to the day, our Big Boi Brekky is your champion. Two bacon rashers, two fried eggs, a cheese kransky, hash brown, house beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and toasted sourdough. It's a proper feast. Team that up with a smooth flat white, and you've got yourself a power combo. That rich, creamy coffee cuts through all the savoury goodness, setting you up for whatever the day throws at you.

Craving something fresh and light ? Our Corn Fritters are where it's at. House-made corn and zucchini fritters with a poached egg, plus a fresh avocado and tomato salad—it's a flavour explosion that won't weigh you down. Pair it with one of our zesty fresh juices, maybe a green apple or a watermelon-pineapple blend. It's refreshing, healthy, and still feels like a treat.

Sometimes you've just gotta go all out with an indulgent treat , right? Our fluffy Pancakes are pure weekend joy: maple bacon bits, grilled banana, candied walnuts, and vanilla ice cream, all drizzled with maple syrup. What better to pair that sweet masterpiece with than a decadent mocha frappe? The cool, chocolatey creaminess is the perfect counterpoint to those warm, fluffy stacks. Trust us, it's unforgettable.

When lunch vibes hit, our Aussie Burg is ready to answer the call. This beauty features a beef brisket pattie, beetroot, a fried egg, grilled pineapple, lettuce, and our house tomato relish on a toasted milk bun, served with shoestring fries. And for the ultimate lunch pairing? Grab a crisp craft beer. The refreshing notes complement the richness of the burger perfectly, making for a truly satisfying midday meal. Check out More about our burgers to see why they're a crowd favourite.

Why The Nines is a Top-Rated Cafe Worth Visiting

Look, we could talk all day about what makes us special, but it really comes down to this: we give a damn. Every single dish that leaves our kitchen is crafted with care. Every coffee is poured with passion. And every person who walks through our doors matters to us.

The Nines Emporium isn't just a cafe. It's a destination, a daily ritual for locals, and a must-visit for anyone exploring the Sunshine Coast. We're where the region's vibrant cafe culture truly comes alive, and where you'll find a top rated cafe experience that keeps you coming back for more. For more about our story and what drives us, have a squiz at our About Us page.

We're open seven days a week, from 7am to 3pm, with the kitchen closing 30 minutes prior. You'll find us at Shop 17A, Sunshine Homemaker Centre, 100 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore.

So, if you're looking for the best of what Maroochydore has to offer, don't just take our word for it. Stop by The Nines today and find your new favourite drink and dish. We guarantee it'll be an experience that's anything but boring. Check out our full menu and plan your visit!