I’ve always avoided setting up an office for my team and I. We’re all creatives and often our best work comes flowing outside the standard ‘9-5’… and mostly in the comfort of our own homes.
That said, some days I just NEED to get out for creative juju to flow. I tote my laptop to a cafe, get comfy and dive in. It works, every time (I type as I sit in a cafe sipping a chai latte).
My team and I also have our weekly catch ups and I hold all my client meetings at cafes. It’s way more casual, comfortable and reflective of our personalities than an office.
In my laptop toting days I’ve come to know the best Café “offices” on the Sunshine Coast, here’s a collection of my favs…
1. The Velo Project, Mooloolaba
The Velo Project is tucked in the back streets of Mooloolaba, but sitting amongst the eclectic assortment of trinkets, board games and manikins you feel more as if you’re in some European town… or, at least, Melbourne.
It’s not just the rich bohemian vibe that does it for The Velo Project, it’s the sheer volume of space. It’s huge! There are 2 outdoor sections (front and back) and a nice large indoor space for those wet & windy days (even if they’re seldom on the Coast).
With space comes all kinds of seating options. Like working from a bench? Covered. Need to bring some team members in and spread out on a nice big table? Yup. Prefer a little nook for 1? Got it.
You can also scout around for the perfect seat so you can set up and get nice and comfy for a long work day.
Importantly, the coffee is also consistently good and there’s a solid tea and juice selection for when you’ve exhausted your caffeine limit. Food, while slightly pricey, is worth what you pay for it. Ingredients are mindfully sourced and their big breakfasts will last you most of the day.
19 Careela Street, Mooloolaba
2. New Earth Café, Coolum Beach
If good vibes are what you’re after, New Earth Café is the place to go. The combination of upbeat tunes, uber-friendly husband/wife team and earthy smells oozing from their organic, vegan kitchen just get creative juju flowing every time.
It’s also the perfect “outside of meal time” place because their assortment of vegan, raw treats and organic smoothies and juices are incredible – and super healthy.
The coffee and tea is also splendid – however dairy lovers be warned – ain’t no cows on this vegan menu, plenty of milk alternatives though.
It’s spacious, with both indoor, outdoor and a few different seating options (including a comfy couch or a low ‘cross-your-legs’ table if that’s more your style.
Birtwill Street, Coolum Beach
3. Corbins, Maroochydore
Corbins used to be “Mikky’s Food & Wine Bar”. It now has new owners, a new menu and a great new vibe that so far seems to be a little undiscovered by Sunshine Coast locals.
Just off the hustle and bustle of Ocean Street, Corbins is a great solace for laptop-doting folk – you can hang out at the back or take one of their front tables and people watch on a sunny day.
Unlike the other cafes I’ve listed, Corbins boast a dinner menu as well as breakfast and lunch. Yep, it’s open all day long! So, if you’re more of an afternoon or night worker you can still get a coffee (or a delicious array of tapas) into the evening.
Coffee (or even a cup of tea) after 3pm can be virtually impossible to find on the Coast… now we’ve got a spot.
34 Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore
4. Get Fresh, Cotton Tree
Get Fresh offers ultimate serenity. The simple, white interior with splashes of vintage furniture, the pineapples decorating the tables and palm tree cushions have an undoubted calming effect.
Coffee is fantastic, smoothies are basically a meal in themselves and there’s a range of both large and small breakfast options (including delish mini homemade frittatas).
They’ve got everything you need – loads of seating, big tables for team get-togethers and power points near most spots. But what really floats my boat is that next door is Get Fresh Grocery, so you can also do you grocery shopping. Total double win.
10/1 King St, Cotton Tree
Leonie Prendeville is a beach-loving foodie and owner of Lion In The Village Marketing who spends her time between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast; eating and working as she goes. For daily café updates from Leonie follow @village.kitchen on instagram.
