River Bar + Dining

River Bar + Dining brings modern Australian dining to the edge of Kawana Marina in Kawana Waters, Sunshine Coast. Its setting is central to the experience: the venue is positioned for long lunches that can extend into afternoon drinks, sunset catch-ups and relaxed dinners by the water. The mood described by the restaurant is unhurried and social, making it a natural choice for people who want to settle in rather than rush through a meal.

The menu is designed around sharing, grazing and easy dining with good company. It moves from fresh coastal tapas and shared plates to entrées, mains and desserts, with the kitchen working with the seasons and what is best at market. Daily specials are regularly created, so the offering can change with availability. The website also points to local beers and cocktails suited to golden hour, adding options for a casual drink as well as a full meal.

Several named dishes give a sense of the restaurant’s coastal-meets-modern Australian style. Crowd favourites include lamb pita kebabs, burrata salad, Mooloolaba prawn cocktail sando, Riverbar bouillabaisse, Black Angus sirloin, cauliflower cheese croquettes and hot smoked salmon tostadas. Yellow seafood curry is also listed among the specials. These dishes are presented as part of a menu built for sharing and grazing, although the restaurant notes that individual items may change with the season and ingredient availability.

River Bar + Dining is the next venue from the team behind The Boat Shed in Cotton Tree, a waterfront restaurant story that began in 1997 when Maryanne established a dining spot on the banks of the Maroochy River. After more than 25 years, that experience with waterfront dining, fresh local produce and warm hospitality has moved to a new setting at Kawana Waters Marina. It suits a long lunch with friends, a sunset drink or a dinner where the group is happy to linger. Takeaway is also part of the offering, with orders intended for the boat, beach or home, although the website says the takeaway menu is still coming soon.