Embassy XO

Cnr Duke and, Bryan St,

Sunshine Beach (07) 5455 4460

Executive Chef: James Wu

There is a pleasure in leaving the brightness of Sunshine Beach and stepping into the deeper colours of Embassy XO. Above the village streets, bronze pendant lights, dark timber and red accents create a room with a different mood from the coast outside. The ocean remains close, glimpsed from the balcony, but the lighting and intimate furnishings turn the attention towards the table.

Since opening in 2010, Embassy XO has brought a distinctive modern Asian dining experience to Sunshine Beach. Its menu moves through Chinese and Southeast Asian influences, with small and large dishes designed for sharing. That format gives dinner an easy sociability. Decisions are made together, plates travel between guests, and conversation pauses briefly while someone insists that everyone try another mouthful.

The pleasure of this kind of dining lies in contrast. Something crisp makes way for something tender; a bright, sharp dressing follows a richer sauce. The meal becomes a conversation of its own, shaped as much by the people ordering as by the sequence of dishes. For those who prefer the kitchen to lead, a five-course tasting menu offers a more structured experience, with optional wine pairings.

Menus change with produce availability, and vegetarian and vegan dishes broaden the choices at the table. There is room to explore without turning dinner into an exercise in decision-making.

Wine deserves time here. The list combines established wineries with smaller producers and less familiar grape varieties, with an emphasis on sustainable farming. Its breadth invites a different approach to ordering: perhaps a familiar bottle for the table, perhaps something unexpected to accompany the food. 

The adjoining bar provides another reason to visit. French doors open onto the balcony, while a fireplace brings warmth during the cooler months. With cocktails, wine and a selection of smaller dishes, it offers a gentler introduction to the restaurant or a complete occasion in its own right. 

Embassy XO gives Sunshine Beach a dining experience that reaches beyond the familiar beachside repertoire. Its identity rests in the relationship between food, wine and setting, each contributing something distinct. Outside, the village continues around it. Inside, there is every reason to settle in and let dinner take its time.