The Doonan: Noosa's New Plant-Draped Hinterland Pub
The Doonan has launched onto the Noosa food scene in spectacular style, recently opening the doors to their new two-hectare garden-themed venue just fifteen minutes drive from Hastings street and Noosa's main beach. Under new owners, the original red-roofed tavern has undergone extensive renovations since its conception as a German restaurant over thirty years ago, now boasting a sprawling indoor/ outdoor dining venue with beer gardens, a pizzeria, ice creamery, multiple bars, cellar door and an outdoor play area for the kids.
The Doonan has been thoughtfully renovated to maintain the original red roof and brick structure.
The QLD-based, family-owned Comiskey Group has teamed up with longtime friends Josh Jones and Neville Allen; Noosa locals and seasoned hospitality veterans, to launch the new hinterland venue. The Doonan's family-friendly atmosphere is a testament to the owners' commitment to the local community. Owner Josh Jones told us of the team's conscious decision to design an inclusive venue, and offer a family-friendly dining experience unlike anything in the area - somewhere he'd be excited to bring his own family.
Rustic-style pizzas with fresh toppings from local suppliers are cooked in a pizza oven imported from Italy.
Lunch at The Doonan can feel more like a trip to the local plant nursery than an afternoon at the pub. Scattered among the alfresco areas are an eclectic collection of pots bursting with greenery, and a small selection are even available for customers to purchase and take home after their visit. Despite the variety of unique dining spaces, from the beer garden to the moody interiors, walking through the venue it feels cohesive and considered in its design.
The beer garden is the hero attraction, made for long Sunday lunches or a casual midweek catchup, where the open-air atmosphere and garden setting gives the space an uncrowded feel (despite often hosting hundreds of diners over the course of a busy day). Inside the original brick building, the plants make way for a cosier, heritage feel. Dim lighting, worn timber and earthy tones transform the space into an intimate all-weather setting. A few small tables surround a fireplace (a date night dream) while cosy booths wrap around the room just beyond one of the venue's two bars.
A cosy corner by the interior fireplace is a popular spot on cool hinterland evenings.
A paddock-to-plate dining experience is at the conceptual heart of the new venture, with The Doonan proudly sourcing locally-grown ingredients and craft beer from the Sunshine Coast's breweries. This is showcased in the stand-out offerings of a Mooloolaba prawn roll with avocado mousse, cos, watercress, sriracha & marie-rose and the local blue swimmer crab spaghettini with chilli, garlic, lemon, basil & pangrattata... yum. Even the Neopolitan-style pizza menu showcases ingredients from local producers, like the neighbouring tomato farm, Noosa Reds.
Lovingly maintained herb gardens inspire and facilitate The Doonan's paddock-to-plate dining experience.
Amassing a waitlist of over 4000 guests upon launching, the Doonan has been an instant hit with Sunshine Coast locals. Bursting onto the scene as a thriving hinterland dining hub, the team are already looking at ways to expand their capacity and make full-use of the gorgeous two hectare property. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, locals are hoping The Doonan is here to stay.
Visit The Doonan | 6 Beddington Rd, Doonan
