Is this Queensland's hottest new holiday spot for foodies?

While Noosa has long held sway as the epicurean epicentre of the region, the sprawling southern end of the Sunshine Coast is positioning itself as a worthy challenger.

It's a situation that might have seemed inconceivable a decade ago, but Noosa now has good reason to be nervous, as neighbourhoods from Maroochydore to Caloundra see a whirlwind of development and new restaurants, cafes and bars open at a cracking pace. And they're good. "Noosa good" or better. If it's been a while, consider scheduling a culinary catch-up on "the other" part of the Sunshine Coast.

Start where the culinary renaissance kicked off, at the once down-at-heel, Mooloolaba Wharf. You'll find everything from contemporary Greek to Latin-American street food, but for the quintessential Sunny Coast experience, climb aboard the Prawn Star, a restored trawler with a succinct seafood menu of fresh-off-the-boat prawns, oysters and bugs. facebook.com/prawnstarmooloolaba

Also try: Buy fresh cooked prawns from Parkyn Parade's Fisheries on the Spit and cross the road to a picnic table overlooking the sea. fisheriesonthespit.com.au

The neon, Asian-pop decor no doubt brightens the day of the office workers across the road in this as-still-developing zone that's busily gearing up to become the new "city centre" of Maroochydore. Settle in for cocktails and contemporary Pan-Asian iterations of street food, from duck buns and dumplings to a seriously good 10-hour-braised lamb rendang. giddygeisha.com.au

Also try: There are no bookings at the boisterous Rice Boi, but the inevitable queue moves quickly and the casual Asian cuisine is worth the wait. riceboi.com.au

Add a tobacco-stained ceiling and you might well be in Paris. The Euro vibe of this chic bistro - all glass, brass and padded banquette seating - is reflected in a menu of refined classics; from duck parfait with blood plum and mustard relish to caramelised onion tart, as well as homemade pasta and meat cooked over wood. Hit up the sommeliers for advice - either in the restaurant or in the on-premise bottle shop where you can buy to BYO. marketbistro.com.au

Also try: Stuart Bell - owner and chef of Harry's on Buderim - has an impressive pedigree, having worked with Paul Bocuse and Jacques Reymond, among others. The contemporary Euro-leaning menu is served in a historic former homestead. harrysonbuderim.com.au

There's an eclectic crowd and a celebratory vibe at Bocca. The beach is mere a stone's skip away - just beyond the knobbly casuarina trees and low dunes draped with flowering pigface. Bocca's Italian menu journeys from salumi and antipasti to traditional desserts like panna cotta and tiramisu, by way of pasta, risotto, wood-fired pizza and mains, supplemented by daily specials. Don't ignore the waiters' recommendation of bread, which includes a huge warm pillow of flat bread with caramel-ly roasted garlic cloves. boccaitalian.com.au

Also try: Bright and casual SPERO Greek Street draws influence from the Greek islands, with refined versions of big-flavoured favourites. sperogreek.com.au

In a breezy renovated Buderim Queenslander just 10 minutes uphill from the beach Dee Den's name loosely translates to "stand out" in Thai. And it does, with the kitchen sending out precision-balanced dishes - from zingy little bites of betel leaf wrapped around spanner crab with lime leaf, peanuts and grapefruit to share mains like a roasted half duck with mandarin caramel and shredded ginger. deeden.com.au

Also try: The yum-cha style menu at Honeysuckle traverses South-East Asia and Japan and includes substantial vegetarian options. honeysucklerestaurant.com

Tucked into the most old-school part of the Sunshine Coast, Cotton Tree Beach Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the breakfast banh mi highly recommended. If you do visit in the daytime, pack your swimmers for a pre- or post-meal swim across the park at Cotton Tree where the river widens and empties over golden sandbars into the sea. cottontreebeachbar.com.au

Also try: La Petite Souris for excellent croissants and pain au chocolat, flans, tarts and a myriad of other sweet and savoury treats. facebook.com/lapetitesouris.au

It's not just about the shiny and new - there's a certain joy in discovering locals' old favourites that have stood the test of time.

The popularity of The Velo Project, in a homey cafe in a suburban street has never dimmed. And for good reason, as they serve up serious coffee and imaginative breakfasts. For lunch or drinks and snacks under the cotton trees overlooking the tranquil water, head to long-stayer, The Boat Shed, while Spice Bar - just across the beach at Alex Headlands - has an Asian menu with a slight Japanese bias. theveloproject.com.au, theboatshed.com.au, spicebar.com.au

Take a slow travel cruise with ecotourism company Saltwater Eco Tours on a beautifully restored 113-year-old timber sail boat. Owner Simon Thornalley, who is of Torres Strait Island descent, has a wealth of knowledge on local Indigenous history and delicious bush tucker is served en route. saltwaterecotours.com.au

The sustainably run Caloundra-based Beach Tree Distilling Co produces premium-quality handcrafted gins and vodka, infused with Australian native botanicals. beachtree.com.au

Sacrifice some beach time for a hinterland adventure and visit the restored Mapleton Public House, now owned by local farmers The Falls Farm, with highly awarded chef Cameron Matthews at the helm in the kitchen. mapleton.pub

The Sunshine Coast is often called Australia's Craft Beer Capital, with more breweries per capita than any state or territory in Australia. Try a tropical pale ale or a limited-release beer at hidden alleyway taphouse, Blackflag Brewing. blackflagbrewing.com.au