Every Palm Cove restaurant you need to know about

Jemma Fletcher Jemma Fletcher
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For a taste of the tropics, add these Palm Cove restaurants to your must-eat list.

If you’re looking to enjoy a meal on the waterfront, head to Williams Esplanade in relaxing Palm Cove. This popular dining strip hosts a wide variety of restaurants with a mix of cuisines to choose from, alongside beautiful views overlooking the beach.

From high-end, award-winning restaurants to humble establishments using the very best of Tropical North Queensland’s produce, incredible dining adventures await.

The shortlist

1. Palm Cove Tavern

Embracing the region’s laid-back style in its large outdoor space, Palm Cove Tavern offers both a dining area and a beer garden. Enjoy all of your favourite Aussie classics with a nod to the tropics, such as Pulled Pork Sliders, Classic Parma and Beer Battered Market Fish. Dogs are welcome, and sports lovers will be happy with the big screen.

Cuisine: Australian
Average price: $$- $$$
Atmosphere: Welcoming
Location: 24 Veivers Road, Palm Cove

2. Il Forno Pizzeria

pizza at Il Forno Pizzeria, Palm Cove
Il Forno Pizzeria nails authentic Italian pizzas.

Sometimes all you want is a delicious pizza, and Il Forno Pizzeria knows how to deliver. Dine in at the casual atmosphere here for a taste of long-held family recipes with genuine Italian flavours, along with salads, beer, wine and homemade Tiramisu.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Bustling
Location: 7/111-117 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

3. Tiger Prawn Toby’s

a sandwich loaded with shrimps at Tiger Prawn Tony’s
Tiger Prawn Tony’s is a comfort food hub serving loaded seafood sandwiches.

Serving the freshest catch straight from the Coral Sea, Tiger Prawn Tony’s takes pride in preparing and serving the area’s best seafood with passion. For the ultimate indulgence, go for the Tiger Prawn Tony’s Bonanza filled with bugs, prawns, oysters, sashimi and crayfish.

Cuisine: Australian
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Communal
Location: 95-97 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

4.  Choc Dee

a spread of food at Choc Dee Thai Restaurant, Palm Cove
Choc Dee serves mouth-watering soups that pair well with Jasmine Rice.

Opposite the main beach on the esplanade is Choc Dee Thai Restaurant, offering the tastes of Thailand. Simply put in their own words, it’s “just good quality food that tastes great at a reasonable price with meals large enough to share. You won’t go home hungry."

Cuisine: Thai
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Alfresco
Location: 12/123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

5. The Reef House Restaurant

pouring wine into a glass at The Reef House Restaurant
Indulge in the ultimate seafood platter paired with wine at The Reef House Restaurant. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Want to dine under the stars? Surrounded by the candlelight, savour the tastes of North Queensland’s fresh produce at The Reef House Restaurant, where you can choose from the a la carte or degustation menu, or indulge in the ultimate seafood platter. From confit duck and house-made squid ink tagliatelle, the dishes here are as deluxe as you would imagine. All meals are accompanied by an amuse-bouche with the chef’s compliments.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: Romantic
Location: 99 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

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6. Rattle n Hum Palm Cove

Enjoy a hot stone oven pizza, burger, hearty steak or salad at the cosy Rattle n Hum Palm Cove. This bustling bar and grill offers big, delicious and great value for money meals, perfect for lunch or dinner. Finish with the Warm Chocolate Walnut Brownie for dessert. $14 kid meals are available.

Cuisine: Australian
Average price: $$$ – $$$$
Atmosphere: Family friendly
Location: 119 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

7. Miguel’s

a Spanish seafood dish at Miguel's Palm Cove
Head to Miguel’s for a true taste of Spanish cuisine.

A new addition to the Palm Cove dining scene, Miguel’s is the go-to place for exceptional tapas. You’re spoilt for choice with the likes of Jamón Serrano (sliced peppers), Champinones al Ajillo (garlic mushrooms) and empanadas – a Spanish gem to add to your culinary must-eat list.

Cuisine: Spanish
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Passionate
Location: 41 – 47 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

8. El Grekos Taverna

freshly shucked oysters at El Grekos Taverna, Palm Cove
Freshly shucked oysters straight from ocean to plate at El Grekos Taverna.

How does a night filled with traditional Greek food and the sound of a bouzouki sound? Make sure to stop in at El Grekos Taverna – a place that’ll make you feel like you’re somewhere in Santorini. From a chilli feta pot and Greek village-style bruschetta to mixed grill and Mediterranean salad, it’s authentically simple and delicious.

Cuisine: Greek
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Authentic
Location: 115-117 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

9. O’Donnells Palm Cove

al fresco dining at O’Donnells Palm Cove
Dine al fresco at O’Donnells Palm Cove.

One of life’s greatest pleasures is sipping a cold Guinness on the deck of O’Donnells Palm Cove, watching the bustle of Williams Esplanade. The atmosphere here is traditionally Irish with home-cooked fare to taste alongside an excellent live music line-up. From a cheeky beef pie to bangers and mash, enjoy a wee bit of Irish paradise in Palm Cove.

Cuisine: Irish
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Lively
Location: 5/139 Williams Esplanade

10. Temple of Tastes Restaurant

lunch by the pool at Temple of Tastes Restaurant
Savour Southeast Asian flavours in a tropical garden setting. (Image: Temple of Tastes Restaurant)

Nestled among the tropical gardens of Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa is Temple of Tastes Restaurant, where you’re invited to experience the tantalising flavours and textures inspired by Southeast Asia using seasonal produce from North Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands. If you need help deciding, the chicken supreme with honey miso butter or the crispy skin barramundi are standouts.

Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Warm welcome
Location: 5 Triton Street, Palm Cove

11. Vivo Palm Cove

scallops at Vivo Palm Cove
Tender scallops at Vivo Palm Cove. (Image: Mitch Fong)

Set in a white colonial building along the esplanade is Vivo Palm Cove, where you can dine alfresco on the deck and watch passersby go by. From Crab Tagliatelle and old-school Fish ‘n’ Chips to an impressive Seafood Mezze, the menu here is diverse enough for everyone to enjoy.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Beachfront dining
Location: 49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

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12. IGNIS Palm Cove

sample food at IGNIS Palm Cove
Dine on contemporary flavours at IGNIS Palm Cove.

A small, modern Italian diner on the esplanade, IGNIS (meaning passion and fire), offers contemporary flavours and exceptional ingredients. Transport yourself from the idyllic centre of Palm Cove to the heart of Europe through the taste of Vongole (classic Napoli clams), Reef Fish soubise and pistachio gelato Baklava.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Location: 41 – 47 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

13. Cairns Surf Club Palm Cove

For a spot ‘where the locals eat’, stop in for lunch or dinner at Cairns Surf Club Palm Cove. Relax on the deck overlooking Palm Cove Beach and Double Island while tucking into the hearty bistro menu. From pulled pork loaded fries to fettuccine marinara and kid meal favourites, it’s the perfect family-friendly restaurant.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Local favourite
Location: 135 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

14. Nu Nu Restaurant

a couple dining at Nu Nu Restaurant, Palm Cove
Dine under palm trees at Nu Nu Restaurant. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

It doesn’t get any better than dining at one of the country’s best beachfront establishments – the award-winning Nu Nu. This much-loved Palm Cove restaurant offers modern Australian cuisine with a seasonal menu, focusing on locally procured ingredients from the rainforest, the reef, and outback cattle stations.  Enjoy breakfast or lunch here so you can look out at the spectacular views across the Coral Sea.

Insider’s tip: Order the catch of the day — they only ever have local line-caught fish on the menu in order to celebrate the best catch of the day, so it’s a great way to try something new.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$$ – $$$$$
Atmosphere: Tropical luxury
Location: 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove

15. La Mesa

pork belly at La Mesa, Palm Cove
Order savoury pork belly at La Mesa.

Located on-site at Peppers Beach Club and Spa, La Mesa offers a shared dining experience inspired by Mexican and Latin American culture. Mix and match small traditional dishes that can be combined (the pork belly and octopus tiradito are especially good), using locally sourced ingredients fresh from the reef and the surrounding tropics.

Cuisine: Mexican
Average price: $$$$ – $$$$$
Atmosphere: Laid-back
Location: 123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

16. Beach Almond

fried fish at Beach Almond, Palm Cove
Delight in Southeast Asian delicacies at Beach Almond.

Showcasing an array of Southeast Asian delicacies, Beach Almond is a delightfully fresh modern seafood restaurant. From chilli live mud crabs and tropical lobster to caramelised slow low-cooked sticky pork ribs, it’s worth stopping in to see what all the buzz is about.

Cuisine: Modern Asia seafood
Average price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: Relaxed hidden gem
Location: 145 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Staying the night? Take a look at these wonderful accommodations.

Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
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Exploding supernovas & gold fever: discover the past at this outback Qld town

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    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.