A Bli Bli restaurant has earned a place among Australia’s top 100 dining destinations, putting the Sunshine Coast hinterland suburb alongside some of the country’s best-known culinary hotspots.
Sopra Cucina & Bar has been named in OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in Australia for 2026, an annual list recognising venues that have impressed diners throughout the year.
The recognition is based on more than 211,000 reviews from verified OpenTable diners, together with dining performance metrics, making it an endorsement driven by customers rather than a panel of judges.
Sopra was one of 20 Queensland restaurants to make the list, joining acclaimed venues in Brisbane, Noosa, the Gold Coast and elsewhere across the state.
Owner Luca Ruiu said he was “incredibly proud” to receive the recognition, particularly because it was driven by the experiences and reviews of guests.
"From the beginning, our vision has been to create a restaurant that brings together the Italian food culture we grew up with, quality local Australian produce and genuine hospitality. To be recognised alongside some of Australia’s leading restaurants is a wonderful achievement for our entire team. It also means a great deal to see Bli Bli and the Sunshine Coast hinterland receiving national recognition as a destination for exceptional dining. Most importantly, we’d like to thank our guests and our team. This recognition belongs to everyone who has supported Sopra and helped make it what it is today.”
Other Sunshine Coast restaurants recognised included Amici Restaurant in Caloundra, Goodslice Pizza Napoletana in Maroochydore and several Noosa establishments.
The announcement comes as new research suggests Australians remain enthusiastic about dining out, despite continuing pressure on household budgets.
According to OpenTable, 61 per cent of Australians expect to dine out as often or more frequently in 2027, while 70 per cent anticipate spending the same amount or more.
OpenTable Australia General Manager Drew Bowering said diners were increasingly looking for restaurants they could trust. “Diners are being more intentional about where they book - heading back to favourites they trust, skipping the queue to lock in a table and turning an ordinary night out into a micro-occasion.”
The research also found that 79 per cent of Australians consider price and value for money extremely or very important when choosing where to eat.
Group dining is growing, with bookings for parties of six or more increasing 10 per cent year on year.
For Sopra Cucina & Bar, the national recognition places Bli Bli firmly on the Australian dining map, demonstrating that highly regarded restaurant experiences are not confined to capital cities or established tourist destinations.
The restaurant was founded by friends Luca Ruiu, originally from Sardinia, and Marco Liti, from Umbria, who share a passion for Italian food and hospitality.
Luca is managing director, while Marco is executive chef. Their menu combines Italian traditions with locally sourced Australian ingredients, including handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and contemporary dishes inspired by their respective regions.
The restaurant overlooks the river at 311 David Low Way, Bli Bli.
• For more information visit www.sopracucina.com.
Owner Luca Ruiu: “From the beginning, our vision has been to create a restaurant that brings together the Italian food culture we grew up with, quality local Australian produce and genuine hospitality.”
Co-Owner / Executive Chef Marco Liti. The menu combines Italian traditions with locally sourced Australian ingredients, including handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and contemporary dishes inspired by their respective regions.