The Nalu Lounge - Noosaville

We dined at a restaurant by the Noosa River marina on a Friday night, which had recently re-opened. The atmosphere and setting were very pleasant, and it was not crowded or busy. The menu offered a 3-course set menu for $55, with slightly smaller portion sizes compared to the main menu, making it a good option for those who wanted to enjoy dessert. Our dishes, including swimmer crab spaghettini, lamb shanks, and duck, were all excellent. With BYO wine, the total cost for 3 people having 2 courses each and sharing 1 dessert, along with 1 set menu, came to only $60 per person - a great value. The service was also excellent, with friendly and helpful staff.

The chef at the restaurant is well-known in the local area and lived up to his reputation with faultless food. The service was excellent and not intrusive, with the wait staff having perfect timing in clearing plates, etc. One staff member even asked how much time we would like before receiving our dessert, allowing us to let our main meal settle before moving on to dessert. Mike, the maître d', ensured a smooth evening and created a relaxing atmosphere, even providing some entertainment with a few crooning songs for the patrons. Mike is also one of the owners. Overall, we had a wonderful meal in a pleasant atmosphere. The chef's cuisine was exceptional, and the owners deserve praise for creating a pleasant dining experience. I was informed that the restaurant used to have a bad reputation, but I suggest giving it another chance as it is a new restaurant with new staff. You may be pleasantly surprised.

My girlfriend and I ate dinner at this restaurant while staying at the South Pacific Resort and Spa and were very pleasantly surprised at the quality of food.We both chose to eat the Tapas (which, if I remember correctly, changes weekly).At a cost of $29 for four Tapas plus either house beer, wine or soft drink it was great value.On the Tapas menu this evening were house made Hummus with Lavash, Tempura King Prawns, Medium Rare Beef Strips wrapped in Prosciutto with Mushroom Sauce, and Calamari with Chorizo in White Bean Sauce.I'll start with the Hummus and Lavosh. This was served with the Hummus in a little bowl and the Lavash standing inside it, alongside another little bowl of what appeared to be Garlic Aioli. I'm generally not a fan of Hummus, so my plan was to eat the first bite and then use the Aioli with the rest of the Lavash. One bite changed all that. The Hummus was the best I've ever tasted. It was so smooth and creamy, with just a little hint of lemon that I was an instant fan. I didn't touch the Aioli after that.It is very easy to get Calamari wrong and have it turn out tough and rubbery but this was perfectly cooked, very tender and easy to eat. Coupled with the Chorizo it was a deliciously made Tapas.The Beef Strips were exactly as described - cooked medium rare. What wasn't described was how good a cut of beef was used. It was melt in the mouth tender and worth the cost off the meal alone.And the piece de resistance - the Tempura King Prawns.I've eaten Tempura in some fine Japanese restaurants, as well as some run-of-the-mill "Modern Australian" restaurants. What I've found, by and large, with the Australian take on Tempura is that they completely miss the point. Tempura is a light batter, but most places I've eaten it coat their produce in batter an inch thick.Not tonight. The batter was very light and cooked perfectly. Juts enough to give that little hint of a crunch coating the King Prawns. It was the finest example of Tempura I've see outside of a 5 Star Japanese restaurant.All in all, my girlfriend and I were highly impressed with the meal offered at what looked like a very humble little restaurant in our resort.Coupled with the delightful setting amongst the tropical gardens of the resort, and the beautiful lighting of the resort pools this is a restaurant very worthwhile visiting.We had a conversation with the new owner, Ryan, and expressed much of what I've written here and he made comment that "people don't know it yet, but we've got the best chef in Noosa".Quite a bold statement and, given the plethora of restaurants around Noosa and Noosaville (not to mention our lack of time to eat our way around them all) one which we cannot definitively say is accurate.Based on that meal though, I'd say they mount a very strong case.Highly recommended.

The Nalu Lounge is situated at the South Pacific Resort on Weyba Rd. Although they are not located at the beach or by the river, the surrounds of the South Pacific gives you the feel like you are in a tropical hideaway right there in Noosa. Enjoy some beautiful loaded chorizo fries by the pool or enjoy a few drinks lazing by one of the three pools. The food at the Nalu Lounge is fresh and taste good with a affordable prices in for the family. Try the South Pacific Pizza thats made on homemade dough thats made on site. Trying the Cocktails thats made by the bearded Barman Ryan is a must!!! The Pina Coladas and RYtinis are to die for you and keep making you want to come back for more. Just FYI for any newly engaged people out there, THEY DO WEDDINGS!!!!

Its affordable without missing any quality. The Service, food and ambience is second to none. An undiscovered Gem in the Jewel that is Noosa. You will love it and its family friendly..They also do all you can eat Pizza nights for just $20 and Sangria Sundays which was awesome..