If you find yourself travelling between Eumundi and Noosa along the aptly named Eumundi-Noosa Road, you won't regret dropping in to Alfresco Café which you'll find just about halfway between the two at no. 777 in Doonan.
Watch out for the signs advertising the fruit shop and turn in there. Alfresco is just next door and the two establishments share a car park. (By the way, the fruit shop is not bad either and is open all weekend.)
View from the garden
What I really love about this place is first and foremost their coffee – in a word, yum! It's smooth and caramelly, just the way I love it, with no hint of that burnt or bitter taste that often seems to pass for espresso coffee these days and always (forgive the pun) bitterly disappoints me. No disappointments here! I'm not the only one. Every time I'm there I observe a steady stream of customers dropping in for their takeaway coffee and they banter with the staff like locals. This is another clue I'm on to something
Front counter
With family in the area, when I'm up from Brisbane I make a point of stopping in to grab a coffee and when I can, I drag others here to share my discovery, sit down and have a snack with our coffee or sample one of the wickedly delicious cakes or pastries.
Menu board
With all-day breakfast and other treats like wraps and salads (I recommend the breakfast wrap), the fare is fresh and tasty. What also makes this place a delight is the setting and the fit-out.
Retro interior style
A seemingly random collection of funky retro furniture works really well in this building, with its high ceilings and walls that open up on two sides to give it a very Sunshine Coast feel combined with overtones of the slightly alternative hinterland style. A collection of comfy sofas around a central coffee table are draped with homey patchwork fabric and remind of share houses I once knew, back when people had time to sit down and share a pot of tea.
Chat corner
There's a deck with a large farmhouse-style table for groups, and from there you step out to the lush garden dotted with artwork and 60s and 70s vintage furniture.
Garden table setting
I'm told this place is popular with local parents because they have a good collection of toys for the offspring to amuse themselves with while parents enjoy a well-earned beverage and snack.
I like the other little touches, like the help-yourself filtered water, the wall of 70s mirrors, the good taste in music, the reasonable prices and the friendly service.
Wall of mirrors
No pretensions here, just excellent coffee, a lush Sunshine Coast-style setting, someone's slightly off-beat retro interior décor, and tasty and fresh food.
