Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Tropical North Queensland

OpenTable

Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Tropical North Queensland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bam Pow QLD

4.9

4.9 (156)

$40 and under

Contemporary Asian

Port Douglas

About the restaurant

Modern southeast Asian dishes, handcrafted cocktails, beers on tap and good tunes. Daily Happy Hour 4pm-6pm.

Top review

Anita

Dined on 11 Jan 2025

This place never disappoints. Consistently outstanding food, and the chilli margarita, delicious! The mushroom entree was so good.

A Touch of Salt

4.8

4.8 (2665)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Townsville CBD

About the restaurant

Enjoy the breathtaking waterfront views, sparkling starry night skies, and refreshing breezes of our outdoor balcony, or opt for indoor air-conditioned seating to beat the heat (which can be a must in North Queensland!).

Our restaurant's name, A Touch of Salt, is a play on our family name, Brine. In 2005, we started as a family business, and our family-style approach of offering genuine hospitality and meals designed for conversation has always been the heart of A Touch of Salt. Over the years, we have perfected our restaurant to become one of the best casual fine-dining restaurants in the North.

We take pride in being appreciated by the locals of Townsville as well as travellers from all over Australia.

Top review

Melissa

Dined 2 days ago

Oh my, goodness! What an absolute little treasure this fine dining restaurant is. We haven't had food this good since we dined in a fine dining restaurant on a cruise ship 11 years ago. We didn't expect the servings to be as large as they were. That was a well recieved surprise. We had three courses, wine and beer during our visit. All was amazing! The service and ambience just added to the goodness of our experience. We will definitely be returning. I just wish we visited sooner than we did. While it was all incredible, it was the dessert for me! My sweet tooth was more than satisfied.

Eastwoods Dining & Bar

4.8

4.8 (304)

$41 to $100

Southeast Asian

Airlie Beach

About the restaurant

inspired by the traditional tastes & textures of south east asia.
our menu brings you a unique blend of aromats & fresh flavours with the intention to share.
sample a collection of dishes that will excite your senses & arrive at your table as prepared.

Top review

Lucia

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely delicious food,flavours are amazing and lovely service

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Experience

SHAW + SMITH WINE DINNER

Cape Gloucester Resort Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (199)

$41 to $100

Australian

Hideaway Bay

About the restaurant

Located in the Gloucester Passage overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Whitsundays, Cape Gloucester Resort is a 40-minute drive from Airlie Beach and one of the very few beachfront dining restaurant and accommodation venues on the mainland. Our Restaurant & Bar is Open from 10 am 7 days a week. Every meal is served up with panoramic views of the ocean and the dishes are created using only the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy a cocktail poolside after your meal while you relax in the tropical Whitsunday Lifestyle, or sit back Beachfront watching the Sun Set over the Coral Sea. Reservations are preferred for Lunch and Dinner Bookings. Live Music every Sunday from 1pm

Top review

Juanita

Dined on 1 Jan 2025

The thunderstorm had just started when we arrived. They had us seated within minutes and were very prompt with the service. Unfortunately our friends were a little under-whelmed with their meals. They both had the fish and it was overcooked and quite dry. My meal was delicious and my husband was happy with his meal. Thank you for your service. It was a lovely way to spend our New Years Day. Ps. So glad I pre booked.

Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill - Airlie Beach

4.4

4.4 (1901)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Airlie Beach

About the restaurant

Set right on the water, Northerlies is Airlie’s favourite beach bar offering a unique experience filled with island vibes, casual brasserie-style dining, spacious event areas, creative cocktails, and plenty of beach for the kids to explore. Their free courtesy bus runs 7 days a week offering private pick-ups from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale & Jubilee Pocket. Book your next event and celebrate beach-side.

The Brasserie kitchen is open 7 days. Lunch is served from 12:00pm- 2:30pm and dinner from 5:00pm-8:30pm, with our 'smalll bites' options available all day. The weekend Beach Kitchen is open on for dinner on Fridays, lunch & dinner on Saturdays, plus lunch on Sundays. Unfortunately, no dogs allowed as we are located on a wildlife reserve.

Top review

Larissa

Dined 2 days ago

Always love going to Northerlies. Great atmosphere & food was delicious. Thanks for a wonderful lunch experience.

Zinc Port Douglas

4.4

4.4 (1748)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Port Douglas

About the restaurant

Zinc is the perfect combination of restaurant & cocktail lounge…relaxed lunch and lounge by day, restaurant and cocktail hotspot by night.

Alfresco or indoor dining offers a sophisticated tropical dining experience, an elegant venue for a romantic dinner or casual catch up with friends. The menu presents fine, contemporary Australian cuisine with a hint of French & Italian flare, utilizing the abundance of fresh local seafood, through to locally grown tropical fruit & vegetables.

With an excellent wine list of over 100 wines, combined with a cocktail & beverage menu which includes 8 beers on tap and some outstanding new age cocktails, there’s something for everyone.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Four Mile Beach.

Join us from 12pm daily for lunch, dinner & late night lounge.

Top review

Jordan

Dined on 9 Jan 2025

Some of the best food I have ever had. Easily the one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at.

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Popular dish

Lamb Duo

Popular dish

Tasmanian Salmon Sashimi

Popular dish

Barramundi Fillet

Jam Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (981)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Townsville CBD

About the restaurant

Welcome to JAM ,
Enjoy a warm and relaxed dining experience indulging in the tastes of North Queensland . We like to explore our region's seasonal produce and create contemporary cuisine without compromising the purity of flavour.

The JAM menu offers quick bites for a catch up through to our full a la carte selection. We also have a great special luncheon menu which is always popular.

As the sun sets over the CBD and Castle Hill sit back and relax over dinner at one of the window tables or enjoy the views of the river and CBD lights on the terrace. For a romantic dinner we recommend requesting one of the private booths. Try the Shared Experience a delicious and generous selection, great for 2 or more.

Our wine list offers a generous selection of wines ranging from small Australian producers through to stunning international champagne and wines.

Matt and the team look forward to welcoming you soon.

Top review

Graeme

Dined 3 days ago

Jam Corner lived up to it's reputation for fine dining and excellent service for our special occasion

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Experience

VALENTINE'S DAY at JAM, Friday 14th February

Brothers Cairns

4.4

4.4 (130)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Manunda

About the restaurant

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Bistro 26 features a selection of club classics including succulent steaks, crispy schnitzels, fresh salads and mouth watering pizzas.

Bistro 26 is the perfect venue for the whole family offering a range of kids meals and desserts.

Top review

Lynette

Dined on 2 Dec 2024

Our food was good at a reasonable price would go again

The Andergrove Tavern

4.4

4.4 (13)

$40 and under

Australian

Mackay Harbour

About the restaurant

Located in Andergrove, Mackay. The Grove offers a complete package of great entertainment, restaurant quality food and service in a relaxed welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a long-time local, a first-timer or visitor to Mackay we look forward to meeting you here, at Mackay’s number one choice for ‘best local’.

Top review

Jan-Maree

Dined on 11 Jan 2025

Always quality service and food for an affordable price.

Pappa Dom’s Townsville

3.5

3.5 (13)

$40 and under

All you can eat/Buffet

Townsville CBD

About the restaurant

Pappa Dom's is Townsville's newest buffet pizza, pasta and dessert bar! Loaded with your favourite pizzas, pastas, soft service ice cream and delicious cocktails, we are a family friendly restaurant that will give you value for money!!
We are located in the CBD under the Clarion Hotel in Townsville City.

Top review

Aaron

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

Unbelievable value for money, great tasting food. Just good to have an all you can eat and drink dine in venue and the desert bar just tops it all off.

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