MEXICAN KITCHEN BY THE SEASIDE
Playa Mexican is a modern coastal Mexican restaurant located in Bokarina on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Inspired by the sun-drenched shores of Mexico, the backstreets of LA, and the freshness of coastal Queensland produce, Playa delivers a relaxed seaside dining experience built around bold share-style dishes, top-quality ingredients, and signature margaritas. Open seven days for lunch and dinner, Playa features an all-day kitchen, a dedicated bar, and spacious indoor-outdoor dining.
Tony Kelly
Co-Owner / Director
Tony lives and breathes the hospitality industry. A chef by trade, Tony was the Executive Chef who opened the iconic Stokehouse Restaurant in Brisbane which went on to achieve 2 chefs hats under his leadership.
Tony has a foraged a pathway for the restaurant industry on the Sunshine Coast, masterminding & developing brands which are now cemented into the Coast food scene.
Tony has created a plethora of powerful successful brands including The Wine Bar, Riceboi, Spero, Giddy Geisha, Piggyback, Market Bistro, Market Wine Store, Bocca Italian and Playa Mexican.
Luke Stringer
Co-owner / General Manager
Luke began his career in Noosa Heads working for Luc Turschwell and assisted in the opening of Café L’Univers and La Sabbia. This is where his love for hospitality began and his 30 year career has led him to run award winning restaurants in Melbourne, Brisbane and Indonesia.
Luke's passion for the hospitality industry, his team and guests is evident from his vibrant personality. In 2006 Stringer received the Age Good Food Guide Service Excellence Award.
He now calls the Sunshine Coast home and is General Manager of Market Bistro, Market Wine Store, Bocca Italian and Playa Mexican.
Isaac Saunders
Co-Owner / Restaurant Manager
Isaac Saunders began his hospitality journey on the Sunshine Coast before refining his skills in Brisbane and Melbourne. Managing a busy Mexican restaurant in Brisbane ignited his passion for the cuisine’s bold flavours, vibrant culture, and lively energy.
With 15 years of experience, he has led high-performing teams, worked as an operations manager, and helped launch successful venues, including his role on the opening management team at Bocca Italian in the Tony Kelly Restaurant Group. Known for his upbeat energy and genuine care for guests, Isaac now brings his expertise and passion for Mexican cuisine to Playa as Restaurant Manager and business partner, creating a welcoming experience for the Bokarina and wider community.
Harry Lilai
Co-Owner / Executive Chef
Melbourne born Chef Harry Lilai has been cooking professionally for over 30 years, starting with his apprenticeship at the eponymous Melbourne institution of the 1980’s, Menzies at Rialto.
A career heading up kitchens from a young age, including the hugely successful Barretti in Brunswick Street Fitzroy, Byblos in Greville Street Prahran, a 10-year stint running Cecconi’s, then at Crown Casino and achieving a 2 Chefs Hats status. Lilai further achieved consultancy positions with Orange, Pandora, Cecconi’s Hong Kong, Gradi group, Lucas Group and owning and running the much awarded Town Hall Hotel Fitzroy for 5 years, where old-fashioned hospitality married perfectly with Harry’s generous, Italian inspired cooking style.
With an Italian background Harry’s food is all about giving. His experience as a boy growing up with six siblings an Italian mother, Albanian father and an enormous extended family have influenced the professional side of his cookery and shows through with generosity and depth of flavours.
