12 excellent Alice Springs restaurants to try now

Leah McLennan Leah McLennan
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Quirky cafes, bars and high-end restaurants boasting jaw-dropping vistas of the surrounding ranges are just some of the attractions in Alice Springs.

Choose from wild ingredients, such as barramundi and kangaroo flavoured with Indigenous spices and berries, or feast on diverse international fare. For those looking to dine and drink, here’s our comprehensive guide to Alice Springs restaurants.

1. Saltbush

On the flash side of town inside the DoubleTree by Hilton, a charming night out can be had at Saltbush, an upmarket restaurant renowned for its innovative approach to contemporary Australian cuisine.

pouring sauce over fish at Saltbush, Alice Springs
The whole-baked barramundi is a real showstopper. (Image: Tourism NT)

The duck confit and whole-baked Northern Territory barramundi are the stars of the menu. It’s even better when enjoyed in one of the private dining alcoves with low, soft-lit lighting and super comfy upholstered chairs.

pouring sauce over a dish at Saltbush, Alice Springs
Dig into contemporary Australian cuisine at Saltbush. (Image: Tourism NT)

2. Hanuman

Chef Jimmy Shu’s Hanuman at DoubleTree by Hilton is celebrated for its exceptional Indian and Thai dishes, offering an enticing dining experience that combines bold flavours with a refined presentation.

a spread of food on the table at Hanuman
Expect bold flavours and an innovative dining experience. (Image: Tourism NT)

Warm up with its fabulous tom yum soup and tuck into the soft shell crab in a red curry paste and mouth-wateringly good butter chicken. Make sure you leave space for dessert – think black rice brulee or kulfi ice cream.

a close-up of food at Hanuman, Alice Springs
Find a fusion of Indian and Thai cuisine on the menu. (Image: Tourism NT)

3. Bella Alice

For a satisfying Italian feed, look no further than Bella in the Todd Mall, a charming café that transitions into a sophisticated restaurant by night. All the pasta and pizzas are made from scratch and topped with fresh ingredients. For fancy customers, there are some fancy ingredients to add to your pizza such as chilli honey, basil pesto drops and truffle oil. Italian coffee aficionados will adore the custom-made Segafredo Zanetti coffee blend.

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4. Tali

If you love a mix of contemporary Australian and Asian cuisine, then head to the elegant Tali restaurant at the Crown Plaza property next to the casino.

a hand holding a spoon while pouring sauce over a dish at Tali, Alice Springs
Book the premium fine dining experience at Tali. (Image: Tourism NT)

Appealing dishes such as local barramundi fillets and eye fillets celebrate Territory produce. This dining haven features an open-concept kitchen, inviting you to watch the chefs at work and the dramatic play of flames as they prepare the sizzling dishes.

a table-top view of food on the table at Tali, Alice Springs
Feast on quality Northern Territory produce. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. The Locals

Tapas and gin? Yes please. Hidden away in the Todd Mall, The Locals serves up breakfast and lunch, and tapas and creative cocktails in the afternoon in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

a dish and cocktail drink on the table at The Locals
Dine from morning to afternoon at The Locals.

If you’re feeling like catching a flick, make a beeline for the adjacent Alice Springs Cinema.

6. Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar

On the main street, Epilogue is an all-day eatery with live music each week in the rooftop bar and excellent pub food, pizzas, craft beers and cocktails.

It’s a haven for night owls and foodies alike, with live music adding to the ambience. You can also visit the café for breakfast and lunch or just for a great quality coffee, smoothie or fresh juice.

two plates of food on the table at Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar
The all-day eatery is a great spot to dine or stay for a drink on the rooftop bar. (Image: Tourism NT/Christopher Nayna)

7. Page 27 Café

Page 27 in the Todd Mall wouldn’t be out of place in a Melbourne laneway. Sticky chai tea or iced honey matcha anyone? Their brekky and lunch menus are full of showstoppers such as crumbed salmon hash with edamame beans, chia seed pudding with poached pears, pan-fried barramundi on mushroom risotto, and lamb empanadas with citrus salsa.

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8. Casa Nostra

On the edge of the town just over the causeway of the Todd River, Casa Nostra offers a slice of Italy in the heart of the outback, with a menu that features classic dishes made with love and authentic Italian flair.

Casa Nostra Italian fare
Dine authentic Italian pasta at Casa Nostra. (Image: Tourism NT/Christopher Nayna)

For its delicious lasagna, moreish panna cotta and relaxed atmosphere, many Alice Springs locals will rightfully recommend Casa Nostra.

Inside Casa Nostra offers in Alice Springs.
The restaurant offers a slice of Italy in Alice Springs.

9. Roberto’s Pizza

If you feel like a takeaway of delicious meaty pizza and garlic bread then head to Roberto’s Pizza. You’ll find this no-frill joint on Todd Street near the mall and no need to rush – it’s open until 3am on weekends.

10. Gillen Club

For a family-friendly night out, Gillen Club offers a wide range of dining options, from casual pub meals to buffet dinners. Kids will love the shaded outdoor playground and sandpit.

11. Rocky’s Pizza & Pasta

A five-minute drive from town in the suburb of Larapinta, Rocky’s Pizza & Pasta is a beloved institution in Alice Springs, serving up pizzas with a crispy, thin crust and a generous topping of flavourful ingredients.

12. Tinh & Lan Vietnamese Restaurant

If you’re a fan of Vietnamese food, then jump in the car and make a beeline 15 minutes out of town to Alice Springs’ only Vietnamese restaurant – Tinh & Lan. Sizzling pork, fried prawns and fresh bok choy are among the tastiest dishes. This restaurant is a short walk from the gorgeous Sturt Desert Pea House, a rural property that sleeps eight on the outskirts of Alice Springs.

For more incredible ways to explore, read our travel guide to Alice Springs.

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Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.