The Velo Project — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

THE VELO PROJECT - RECOMMENDED

The Velo Project is a popular café and eatery located in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and unique bicycle-themed decor. Here's some information about The Velo Project:

Location: The Velo Project is situated in the heart of Mooloolaba, close to Mooloolaba Beach. It can be found on 19 Careela Street, making it easily accessible to both locals and tourists.

Café and Eatery: The Velo Project is a café that serves breakfast and lunch, specializing in fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The menu offers a range of delicious dishes, including breakfast favorites like avocado toast, eggs benedict, and pancakes, as well as tasty lunch options such as gourmet burgers, salads, and sandwiches. They also cater to dietary preferences with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Bicycle-Themed Decor: The café's interior is adorned with a unique bicycle-themed decor, showcasing a collection of vintage bicycles and cycling accessories. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with a rustic and eclectic feel that adds to the café's charm.

Specialty Coffee: The Velo Project takes pride in their coffee offerings. They serve a variety of specialty coffee options, including espresso-based drinks, pour-overs, and cold brews. Coffee enthusiasts can expect a high-quality brew prepared by skilled baristas.

Outdoor Seating: The Velo Project provides both indoor and outdoor seating options. The outdoor seating area is particularly popular, allowing visitors to enjoy their meal or coffee in the fresh air while taking in the surrounding ambiance.

Community Engagement: The Velo Project actively engages with the local community, supporting local artists and musicians by hosting regular events and live performances. This creates a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, making it a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.

Sustainability Efforts: The café is committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. They strive to minimize waste by using eco-friendly packaging and implementing recycling and composting initiatives.

Opening Hours: The Velo Project is typically open for breakfast and lunch, with specific opening hours varying throughout the year. It's recommended to check their website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on their operating hours.

The Velo Project offers a delightful dining experience in Mooloolaba, combining delicious food, specialty coffee, and a unique bicycle-themed atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, The Velo Project is a popular choice among locals and...

My partner and I came here for breakfast as a weekend treat, and while there were some positives, I feel there are a few areas that could really improve the overall experience.

As first-time customers, we weren’t familiar with how the café operates and accidentally went to the wrong side to order (we wanted dine-in). The response we received — being told simply to “take a seat” — made us feel more like an inconvenience than welcomed guests. Having worked in hospitality for over 10 years and trained others in customer service, I completely understand how busy periods can be challenging. However, customers should never feel like they’re a burden, especially when it’s not intentional.

Part of the issue was that we weren’t sure of the system — do staff come to the table, do we order at the counter, do we grab our own menus or water? That uncertainty is what often makes a café feel disorganised. What makes the difference is guidance. A simple, friendly response like: “Oh no worries, we have dine-in and takeaway here — feel free to grab a seat anywhere and we’ll come take your order” would have completely changed the tone. In a busy café, containment is key — when customers are guided clearly, the whole place runs more smoothly.

On the positive side, the food was great and the café itself has a cool vibe. Unfortunately, the coffee was underwhelming. I asked for extra hot (as many cafés tend to serve it lukewarm), but it still came out barely warm. The cup wasn’t full either, and when I asked for a little extra milk to top it up, I was charged for it — which felt unfair given it should have been filled properly from the start.

It’s a shame, because one of the other staff members we interacted with was absolutely lovely, and that contrast highlighted how much customer service training around making guests feel welcomed and part of the local community could benefit the team. Small details like these are what turn a good café into a great one.

I really hope this feedback is useful and that management considers implementing a consistent customer service training system for staff — it would benefit the café so much more in the future.

We would come back for the food, but next time we’d likely stick...

School and I were rarely friends but this is one Project I'm happy to continue!

The cafe, nestled in the middle of suburbia, appears to do a roaring trade without a beach in sight. It has a funky, eclectic vibe and instantly makes you feel comfortable and at home. The current COVID registration process is simple, as is the QR code scanning to access the menu. We opted for an outside table, a wise choice as the ocean breezes were lovely.

The meal choices were diverse, ranging from the more traditional smashed avo/eggs Benny to crepes (savoury or sweet) and, our own selection on the day, the Rainbow Wonder Bowl. This bowl is a vego delight, laden with an assortment of fresh and flavourful goodness. Mind you, I cheated and added smoked salmon which, although always great, wasn't at all necessary to make the meal memorable.

Rather than partake in another coffee or tea, we decided to each have a smoothie. My wife chose the Sunrise, a fruit based smoothie, while I went for the Anzac. My wife's smoothie reminded us of a Weis Bar (never a bad thing!), while my Anzac honestly deserves a review of its own. I literally took a sip and fell in love. The combination of toasted oats, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, dates, coconut and oat milk was magical. I would return again and again for this smoothie alone. Awesome!

The service provided by the various staff members was also on point. They were helpful, friendly, offered seating options and showed interest in our dining experience. The drinks and meals arrived promptly so no issues there either.

Overall, The Velo Project is a wonderful establishment with a great energy, great food and drinks, and great staff. Thank you very much, we'll see...