10 best Bundaberg restaurants and cafes

Grab a fork and discover what’s being served up in the ‘food bowl’ of Australia.

Although it’s famous for its sugarcane, Bundaberg has an abundance of fresh produce which earns it a spot on the list of Australia’s best foodie towns. Fertile volcanic soils give rise to abundant tropical fruits, the coast teems with sumptuous seafood, and the plains deliver plenty of grass-fed organic meat.

Dubbed the ‘food bowl’ of Australia, the region is responsible for serving-up high-quality ingredients to tables across Queensland, Australia and beyond. The way to the heart of this township is through your stomach, so spend some time cafe-hopping and exploring Bundaberg’s unique restaurant offerings. Here, we’ve rounded up the best restaurants and cafes in Bundaberg that you absolutely can’t miss.

Restaurants

Like the town itself, Bundaberg’s food scene is best described as chilled-out. Although the vibes may be casual, the food quality is deadly serious. You don’t need to indulge in fine dining to discover decadence – you’ll find exquisite plates served up at pub taverns and casual eateries, too. Check out some of our favourite Bundaberg restaurants below.

1. Spotted Dog Tavern at Railway Hotel

In true Bundaberg fashion, one of the town’s best restaurants is also one of the most laid back. Nestled inside the Railway Hotel, The Spotted Dog serves up elevated pub classics made with high-quality ingredients.

There are hearty melt-in-your-mouth steaks and eight-hour slow-cooked beef short ribs. Not to mention expansive menu options drawing worldwide influences from Asia to Italy.

Seafood lovers will find lots to rave about – the ocean meets the tropics with menu highlights that include local Hervey Bay scallops served with mango and Midori salsa. You’ll also find some of the best fish and chips in Bundaberg.

True to its name, dogs are allowed, so if you’re travelling with a four-legged family member, they’re welcome to join you here.

Pub food from Spotted Dog At Railway Hotel in Bundaberg, Queensland — Chill out and enjoy elevated pub classics. (Image: Spotted Dog At Railway Hotel)

2. Bert’s

Located in the heart of Bundaberg town, Bert’s offers a quality dining experience reminiscent of a big city restauranteur, but with the bonus of fresh ingredients grown locally. When you enter, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time with gorgeous vintage-inspired decor and luxe leather lounges.

This stylish Bundaberg restaurant serves up a divine medley of flavours from around the world, all plated up artfully. It’s the same with the drinks too, which are some of the best in Bundy.

Here, you can sample some of Bundaberg’s finest cocktails that incorporate locally brewed spirits served with a highly Instagrammable presentation. Finish off your meal with some to-die-for desserts — such as toffee pudding topped with Bundaberg Rum Caramel. Delicious.

Stylish interior at Bert's restaurant in Bundaberg — Enjoy the beautiful surroundings while you eat. (Image: Bert’s)

3. Water St Kitchen

Water St Kitchen is an acclaimed restaurant for fine dining in Bundaberg. The menu balances unique and delicate flavours – bringing together fresh local produce with cuisines from around the world. Here, you can truly tour the globe with your tastebuds.

Some menu highlights include the kangaroo and myrtle prosciutto, and the sand crab lasagne. You’ll also have a great selection of International and Australian wines to accompany your meal, as well as some delicious cocktails to choose from. If you’re looking for a premier dining experience, Water St Kitchen certainly delivers.

meal at Water St Kitchen — Enjoy fresh local produce and global flavours. (Image: Water St Kitchen)

4. H20 restaurant

At H20 , you can enjoy upscale dining right on the banks of the Burnett River in the company of a sensational view. Kick back with a cocktail to start your meal, and enjoy some sumptuous classics, such as Asian-spiced pork belly, crab pasta and crispy barramundi.

There are great Aussie wines to pair and lots of locally brewed drinks to complement your meal. There’s also a decadent range of desserts that you’ll want to leave room for (the Bailey’s cheesecake with raspberry sorbet is a true winner). Located inside the Burnett Hotel, this is one of Bundaberg’s more formal restaurant offerings.

Outdoor dining at Burnett Riverside Hotel in Bundaberg, Queensland. — Soak in the river views as you enjoy your meal. (Image: Burnett Riverside Hotel)

Cafes

Discover your perfect brew by cafe-hopping your way into the heart of this iconic Aussie township. Soak up the sunshine and Bundaberg’s buzzing vibes while you enjoy some of the town’s best offerings. Here are the best cafes in Bundaberg that you won’t want to miss.

5. Indulge Cafe

It’s a common adage that we eat with the eyes first, and simply peeking into Indulge Cafe is bound to pique the senses. Inside, you’ll be met with a kaleidoscope of colourful sweet treats and mouth-watering savoury plates. Everything is so well-presented that it’s almost a shame to dig in.

There is great coffee, as well as breakfast and lunch menus that offer up a flurry of decadent flavours, all tied together with local flair. From mushroom arancini made with local shiitake mushrooms, to cinnamon-dusted doughnuts with stewed apples: you’ll find something to tantalise your tastebuds at Indulge.

Breakfast board at Indulge cafe in Bundaberg, Queensland — These decadent breakfast boards look (almost) too good to eat. (Image: Indulge)

6. Nana’s Pantry

Stepping into Nana’s pantry feels like all the Bazaars from around the world have been condensed into one cosy shop. This bulk food, no-waste store and cafe is bursting with colourful confectionery, dried fruits, nuts, teas, spices and more.

The health-conscious will find a lot to love, with an abundance of whole foods to nourish your body and mind.

After you’re done scoping out some of your favourite snacks, hit up the on-site cafe to sample some gourmet coffee, or enjoy some refreshing kombucha on tap. Sit outside and soak up the sun, and be sure to complement your drink with some locally-made caramel fudge.

Desserts at Nana's Pantry in Bundaberg — Stock up on whole foods to nourish your body and mind. (Image: Nana’s Pantry)

7. The Windmill Cafe Bargara

This iconic Bundaberg cafe is hard to miss. Housed in a blue windmill by Bargara beach, this kooky cafe serves up a true taste of Bundaberg with food offerings that are almost entirely locally sourced.

The carefully curated menu involves brekkie classics like eggs benedict with locally butchered bacon, and a dragon fruit bowl filled with vibrant local fruits. The Windmill doesn’t just showcase local flavours, but the local Bundy spirit, too.

In addition to championing local initiatives, The Windmill offers free gelato to anyone who fills a collection bucket with rubbish from the beach. All the cups and containers are disposable, so you can enjoy a guilt-free takeaway coffee as you stroll along the sands.

The Blue Windmill Cafe, Bulgara in Bundaberg, Queensland. — Soak in the ambience at this one-of-a-kind cafe. (Image: Windmill Cafe Bargara)

8. Leaf n Bean

The small but sleek Leaf n Bean cafe has carved out a reputation as one of Bundaberg’s best lunch and brunch spots. Their cold-brew coffee is both delicious, and perfect for combatting the sweltering Bundaberg heat.

You’ll find hearty menu options like succulent pulled-beef garden salads and Turkish bread sandwiches loaded up with Mediterranean-style veggies.

For those with a sweet tooth, there’s always a tray of decadent desserts on offer. Our personal favourites include the Biscoff cheesecake and delectable Lemon Drizzle.

Biscoff cheesecakes from the Leaf N Bean cafe in Bundaberg, Queensland — Don’t miss the popular Biscoff cheesecakes. (Image: Leaf N Bean)

9. The Journey Laneway

If the Bundaberg heat has got you parched, head to The Journey Laneway for something refreshing.

There’s a focus on healthy snacks here, so if you’re looking for some clean eats to complement your coffee, then the Journey Laneway is the perfect place to get your fix. Pick from an array of vegan, gluten-free and raw options in the cabinet when you order.

Barista at The Journey cafe in Bundaberg — Enjoy a delicious coffee and healthy treats at The Journey. (Image: The Journey)

Heading to Bundaberg? We’ve also created a guide to Bundaberg accommodation, rounded up the best Bundaberg tours and things to do, and made a list of the best beaches to visit nearby.

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.

9 Bundaberg restaurants and cafes you can’t miss