The Best Palm Cove Restaurants You Need to Know About

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.

In short

If you only dine at one Palm Cove restaurant, make it Nu Nu. Overlooking the Coral Sea and showcasing the best produce from the reef, rainforest and outback, it’s the quintessential Palm Cove dining experience and one of Australia’s most celebrated beachfront restaurants.

Best Esplanade dining: Vivo Palm Cove
Best fine dining: The Reef House Restaurant
Best family restaurant: Rattle n Hum
Hidden gem: Beach Almond
Best international flavours: Kushi Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant

Good to know: Most restaurants are clustered along Williams Esplanade, making it easy to stroll between dinner, dessert and post-meal drinks.

Best beachfront restaurants in Palm Cove

Palm Cove was made for long lunches, sunset cocktails and dinners by the sea. These waterfront restaurants pair spectacular Coral Sea views with some of the region’s best food.

Nu Nu Restaurant

Cuisine: Modern Australian

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 tip: Order the catch of the day to sample the freshest local line-caught seafood available. The dish changes regularly depending on what’s been brought in that day.
Good to know: Reservations are highly recommended, particularly for breakfast, long lunches and weekends.
Average price: $$$$ – $$$$$
Address: 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove

Vivo Palm Cove

Cuisine: Modern Australian

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

Insider tip: Order the Seafood Mezze to share and settle in for a leisurely afternoon overlooking the Coral Sea.
Good to know: Sunset tables on the deck are popular, so booking ahead is recommended.
Average price: $$$$
Address: 49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Beach Almond

Cuisine: Modern Asian seafood

Blending Southeast Asian flavours with fresh local seafood, Beach Almond is a delightfully fresh modern seafood restaurant. From Chilli Live Mud Crabs and Tropical Lobster to Caramelised Slow Cooked Sticky Pork Ribs, it’s easy to see why this long-running restaurant remains a favourite among locals and returning visitors alike.

Insider tip: Visit with a group so you can share several dishes across the menu.
Average price: $$$$$
Address: 145 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Casual restaurants and family favourites

Travelling with kids, catching up with friends or simply after a relaxed meal? These laid-back Palm Cove restaurants serve generous portions, welcoming atmospheres and crowd-pleasing menus that everyone can agree on.

Palm Cove Tavern

Cuisine: Australian

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.

Insider tip: Visit during a major sporting event if you’re after a lively atmosphere and a seat in front of the big screen.
Average price: $$- $$$
Address: 24 Veivers Road, Palm Cove

Rattle n Hum

Cuisine: Australian

A Palm Cove institution, Rattle n Hum is the sort of place that caters to everyone. The menu covers stone-baked pizzas, burgers, steaks and fresh salads, while the relaxed atmosphere makes it a favourite with families and groups. Grab a table outside, order a cold drink and settle in for an easy-going meal after a day at the beach.

Average price: $$-$$$
Address: 119 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

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O’Donnells Palm Cove

Cuisine: Irish

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.

Insider tip: Check the live music schedule before you visit and settle in with a Guinness on the deck.
Average price: $$$
Address: 5/139 Williams Esplanade

Cairns Surf Club Palm Cove

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Popular with both locals and visitors, Cairns Surf Club Palm Cove pairs a prime beachfront location with a crowd-pleasing bistro menu. From Pulled Pork Loaded Fries to Fettuccini Marinara and kid meal favourites, it’s the perfect family-friendly restaurant.

Insider tip: Grab a table on the deck for uninterrupted views across Palm Cove Beach and Double Island.
Average price: $$-$$$
Address: 135 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

International flavours

Palm Cove’s dining scene punches well above its weight when it comes to global cuisine. From authentic Thai and Greek dishes to Spanish tapas and Japanese small plates, you’ll find flavours from around the world just steps from the beach.

Choc Dee

Cuisine: Thai

Opposite Palm Cove Beach, Choc Dee has built a loyal following for its authentic Thai flavours, generous portions and relaxed open-air setting. The menu spans all the classics, from fragrant curries and pad Thai to spicy stir-fries packed with fresh ingredients. If you’re craving something comforting after a day in the sun, this long-running local favourite rarely disappoints.

Insider tip: Bring friends and order a few dishes to share, as the generous portions are part of the appeal.
Average price: $$$
Address: 12/123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

El Grekos Taverna

Cuisine: Greek

For a taste of the Greek Islands without leaving Tropical North Queensland, head to El Grekos Taverna. This long-running Palm Cove favourite serves generous Mediterranean dishes in a lively setting, with everything from chilli feta and saganaki to grilled meats and fresh seafood. On nights with live music, it’s easy to forget you’re dining just steps from the Coral Sea rather than somewhere on the Aegean coast.

Average price: $$$
Address: 115-117 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Il Forno Pizzeria

Cuisine: Italian

For more than two decades, Il Forno Pizzeria has been serving wood-fired pizzas in the heart of Palm Cove. Family recipes, quality ingredients and a welcoming setting keep diners coming back, whether they’re sharing a classic Margherita or tucking into a seafood pizza. It’s easy to see why this Palm Cove favourite has stood the test of time.

Insider tip: Save room for the homemade tiramisu as it’s a long-time favourite among regulars.
Average price: $$$
Address: 7/111-117 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Miguel’s

Cuisine: Spanish

Bringing a taste of Spain to Palm Cove, Miguel’s specialises in share-style tapas and relaxed evenings over sangria. The menu is packed with traditional favourites, from jamón and empanadas to garlicky mushrooms and seafood dishes designed for sharing.

Average price: $$$ – $$$$
Address: 41 – 47 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

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IGNIS Palm Cove

Cuisine: Italian

Named after the Latin word for fire, IGNIS brings a contemporary take on Italian dining to Palm Cove. The menu pairs European influences with premium local ingredients, resulting in dishes that feel both familiar and distinctly Tropical North Queensland. From handmade pasta and fresh seafood to indulgent desserts, it’s a polished option for a relaxed yet elevated dinner along the Esplanade.

Average price: $$$$
Address: 41 – 47 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

La Mesa

Cuisine: Mexican

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.

Insider tip: The menu is designed for sharing, so order a mix of small plates and larger dishes for the full experience.
Average price: $$$$
Address: 123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Kushi Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant

Cuisine: Japanese

Bringing a taste of Japan to the tropics, Kushi Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant is one of Palm Cove’s newest dining additions. Specialising in charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers, fresh sashimi and Japanese small plates, it’s a great choice when you’re looking for something a little different from the Esplanade’s seafood-heavy menus.

The relaxed, intimate setting makes it ideal for sharing a selection of dishes with friends, while the menu showcases both traditional Japanese flavours and premium local ingredients.

Insider tip: Pair your yakitori with a sake flight or Japanese whisky for a more authentic experience.
Average price: $$$ – $$$$
Address: 41–47 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Resort dining and special occasions

Celebrating something special? These elegant restaurants pair exceptional food with tropical surroundings, making them ideal for romantic dinners, milestone celebrations and memorable holiday meals.

Temple of Tastes Restaurant

Cuisine: Southeast Asian

Nestled among the tropical gardens of Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa is Temple of Tastes Restaurant, showcasing Southeast Asian-inspired dishes crafted with 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.

Insider tip: Reserve a table overlooking the resort’s tropical gardens for the full experience.
Average price: $$$$
Address: 5 Triton Street, Palm Cove

The Reef House Restaurant

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Want to dine under the stars? Surrounded by candlelight, savour the tastes of North Queensland’s fresh produce at The Reef House Restaurant, where you can choose from the à la carte or degustation menu, or indulge in the restaurant’s signature seafood platter showcasing the best local catch and tropical produce. Guests are also welcomed with a complimentary amuse-bouche before their meal, adding an extra touch of luxury to the experience.

Good to know: Reservations are recommended, especially if you’re hoping to secure an outdoor table.
Average price: $$$$$
Address: 99 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

Ready for a post-lunch activity? Take a look at these things to do in Palm Cove.

Exploring Palm Cove? Check out more of our recommendations here:

Things to do in Palm Cove |Best Palm Cove accommodation | The Hilton Palm Cove Cairns Resort & Spa

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.

Every Palm Cove restaurant you need to know about

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

In short