Heartfelt Hospitality at The Kin Kin Hotel
Deb Caruso discovers a reinvented relic that delivers big on old-fashioned hospitality, hinterland flavours and heartfelt experiences.
The Kin Kin Hotel’s next chapter is unfolding with a vibrant energy as the classic country pub is reimagined, reinvigorated and reinstated as a must-do destination for old-fashioned hospitality with homegrown goodness.
The whisper of potential for one of the region’s oldest treasures now hums with activity and the aroma of honest, heartfelt food made with passion and enjoyed in stunning surrounds. The vision from owners David and Ellie Ezrine has been to establish a world-class destination built on the key values of community, sustainability and heart.
It’s not just the thought and care that has gone into every aspect of the renovation of the heritage pub of more than 111 years of age; but it’s also the people that have joined the movement.
Head Chef Oscar Holgado; experienced hospitality professional PJ Choroomi and bakers Kirsten and Richard Mundt lead a passionate and very capable crew.
From Thursday to Sunday, starting at 8am the energy starts to rise: the bar fills with baskets and cabinets of sourdough sensations including bread, cakes, pastries and sweet or savoury croissants, including a gluten-free range; the coffee machine sings, and the steady rhythm of regulars sets the tone for the day.
By midday, the landscape shifts again. Tables in the shady beergarden – the Pub Pavilion – fill for lunch, with guests making the most of country hospitality and a menu that features produce from the Hotel’s own market garden and local farms. There’s a solid wine list, artful cocktails with local spirits, and of course, cold beer – 12 on tap.
Dog-friendly and family-friendly, it’s the perfect spot to unwind with a drink in hand, indulging in long lunches and lazy or lively afternoons, often peppered with live music.
The latest expansion sees the garden area beyond the Pub Pavilion deliver another dimension with an inviting firepit and an impressive Hexodome providing shelter from the elements.
That’s the thing that makes The Kin Kin Hotel so comfortable, there is ample room for whatever pace you are seeking – from intimate nooks and couch-laden corners to bar stools, fire pits, private dining rooms and long tables for lively conversation.
Menus reflect this same ethos: everything is changing with the seasons, nothing is rushed, and every plate tells a story. From marinated olives to local macadamias; Fioretto cauliflower with creamed corn, brittle and chimichurri; or affogato with espresso, liqueur and homemade gelato.
Casual as it feels, The Kin Kin Hotel’s kitchen is anything but ordinary. Oscar’s roots in London’s best kitchens have led to a menu where dishes like potato cakes with blue cheese sauce; hand-crumbed lamb scrumpets; and Miso marinated skirt steak served with house-made kimchi, turn simple moments into something memorable.
The focus is firmly on fresh, seasonal and local with pork rillettes with pickles and sourdough competing with Eastwell Farms mushrooms with cashew, verjus and sunflower seeds for flavour.
Housemade cheeseburgers with pickles and mustard on a sesame bun redefine expectations; smoked Käsekrainer sausage (also made inhouse) with mustard is a surefire winner; 300g wagyu steaks are grilled to perfection; free range Yanjala Farm pork with apple ketchup is a sensation; and salads and sides let the hinterland’s bounty shine.
Some nights there’s a pub quiz, live music or simply the gentle hum of conversation and connection over books and board games.
The Sunday lunch, in particular, has developed a loyal following and Ellie says there’s a real buzz in the Pub Pavilion with people reconnecting, sharing plates, and eyeing the gelato stand for dessert.
“We’re proud of how The Kin Kin Hotel is evolving and really appreciate the support from the community,” she says.
“It’s a place that’s genuinely for everyone. There’s room for the regulars and warm welcomes for newcomers discovering us for the first time.”
On Friday and Saturday nights, The Woodshed offers a degustation service befitting any Michelin-starred restaurant (turn the page for more). If you don’t want to leave, there’s the option to stay in one of ten expertly-refurbished rooms.
“There’s real joy for us in seeing locals in their favourite corners, along with newcomers making special memories with birthdays and a recent wedding proposal in The Woodshed,” Ellie said. “Everything we do is about creating an environment that’s conducive to having a great meal, a good time and hopefully, leave feeling inspired.”
If there’s a thread that runs through Kin Kin’s story, it’s the commitment to creativity in all forms.
Across the road at The Bakehouse and next to the Market Garden, space is being made for creative workshops ranging from butchery, charcuterie and baking classes, and sessions with artists and makers who bring their skills to the hinterland.
The first artist exhibition with Lauren Jones saw her art sell-out, as did seats to the Christmas wreath making workshop. More are planned, particularly to provide space to support and showcase local artists and artisans.
“It’s all about engaging people at every level. Someone might come for a workshop and end up staying for a shared dinner, it really opens the space to different experiences,” Ellie says.
Central to The Kin Kin Hotel’s approach is the philosophy of slowing down, of making time for pleasure without pretence.
Whether it’s starting the day with a coffee and freshly-baked sourdough treat, joining a creative workshop, booking a table for a long lunch, decadent degustation dinner at The Woodshed or winding down beside the firepit, the invitation is open.
Menus may change with the seasons, but the next chapter of this historic building is clear: The Kin Kin Hotel is a canvas for creativity and a destination worth exploring. If you’re seeking a shift in pace, The Kin Kin Hotel is just over 30 minutes from Noosaville yet a world away from hectic holiday crowds.
Schedule a summer adventure (or two) and come for the casual connections, dig in for a degustation dinner and overnight staycation; or pop in for coffee and cake served with heartfelt hospitality and the finest hinterland flavours.
