Seafood lovers are about to rejoice as an iconic Sunshine Coast waterfront restaurant reopens after a stunning transformation.
The owner, a former tuna fisherman with salt water in his veins, has revealed he opted to renovate and revive the property instead of developing it into units as “it was an icon where locals loved to go to have fresh seafood”.
The Bridge Mooloolaba, at 209 Brisbane Road, will throw open its doors on November 5 and owner and fishing veteran, Rolf Mueller, can’t wait.
Mr Mueller said he hoped the attraction, which had a 30-year history, would once again become a go-to for residents and visitors.
“I’m determined to make it something special on the water here, it is a very special spot,” he told Sunshine Coast News.
“It has been a bit of an icon in the past and that’s what the aim is, to bring it back for the locals to enjoy.”
Formerly The Bridge Seafoods, the business was owned for three decades by Des Stewards and was most recognisable by its green and yellow façade.
With 23 years’ experience as a tuna fisherman, Mr Mueller purchased the restaurant at auction in 2017 as an investment.
“I leased it but the lessee struggled to keep going when COVID hit so I got it back six months ago – I decided to renovate it again,” he said.
Six months ago the passionate renovator began to breathe new life into the 1960s building.
Scroll down to see the restaurant’s cool new look
“I used to come here a lot,” Mr Mueller said.
“It’s like a hub. People come here and it’s a good atmosphere. We are like a harbour. You see the water, you see the boats, and of course there is the seafood.”
Mr Mueller moved to Mooloolaba in 1996 as part of the first tuna long-lining fleet.
With his two skipper sons, Ben and Joe, they successfully ran Alltuna Fisheries at a time when Mooloolaba was the biggest tuna port in Australia.
Mr Mueller is no stranger to renovating iconic buildings.
In 2019, the former schoolteacher and professional builder, purchased and transformed Gympie’s 133-year-old pub The Australian Hotel.
“I’m a real renovator, I love renovating places,” he said.
Mr Mueller wants The Bridge Mooloolaba to celebrate the best in local produce, with his son Ben to provide most of the prawns to the kitchen straight from his trawler.
“We’re going local, local, local. Three quarters of beers on tap are from Eumundi.
“Even with the oysters, everyone is local. We are big on local supporting local.
“I’m very passionate about getting the right people together too – the chefs, the bar staff – and get a good team together to make it a lovely place for people to come here.”
The Bridge Mooloolaba will include a tapas and full menu highlighting seafood and steak across four dining areas offering waterfront views – the main dining room, river bar, river deck and wharf deck.
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With more than 25 years’ experience, award-winning chef Mahinda Wickramasekera will head the kitchen and dinners can expect dishes such as deep-fried crispy whitebait and chef specialty mains including premium eye fillet and seafood chowder.
Mr Mueller also said he planned to include happy hour specials and guests could enjoy all-day coffee and cake from 10.30am to 9.30pm. It will also be available for functions including weddings and birthdays.
The Bridge Mooloolaba is at 209 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, and will open on November 5. To stay up to date visit The Bridge Mooloolaba Facebook page or bridgemooloolaba.com.au.
