15 of the best Hamilton Island restaurants

Kristie Lau-AdamsBy Kristie Lau-Adams
hero media
From Asian fusion and contemporary Italian to beachside fine dining and classic fish and chips, Hamilton Island restaurants whip up feasts for any occasion.

Hamilton Island restaurants dish up a raft of memorable meals, where world-class culinary creations roll out amid dreamy Whitsunday views and that inimitable island atmosphere. Alternatively, after a day filled with exploring some of Hamilton Island’s action-packed activities, or perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime day trip, you might be more in the mood for an easy, breezy takeaway dinner to be enjoyed in the comfort of your superb accommodation. Whatever you’re craving, there’s a sensational eatery to suit.

Here are 15 of the best Hamilton Island restaurants.

The shortlist

Hottest new opening: Catseye Pool Club
Best date spot: Coca Chu
Family-friendly: Manta Ray
Casual eats: Sails
Great for special occasions: Bommie Restaurant

1. Catseye Pool Club

Eastern Rock Lobster at Catseye Pool Club
The mouth-watering Eastern Rock Lobster is a signature dish at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Christopher Pearce)

Anticipated far beyond the powder-white shores of Hamilton Island, Catseye Pool Club serves as one of the country’s most anticipated restaurant openings of 2025. Found inside The Sundays, set to swing its doors open at the end of April 2025, the Hamilton Island restaurant is the latest brainchild from Josh and Julie Niland, the culinary all-stars behind Sydney’s globally acclaimed Saint Peter. While the menu awaits to be sampled, the team is promising “island-style" dining intended to be passed around and shared as the turquoise swirls of the Coral Sea provide a jaw-dropping backdrop. Dotted with locally sourced produce, a sample menu teases the likes of Eastern rock lobster rolls with tarragon mayo to start before diving into your pick of three feasts spanning roasted Sommerlad chicken from NSW, grass-fed beef rib eye and coral trout in salt pastry, all with an array of mouth-watering accompaniments. To wash it all down? A Neapolitan Sundae finished with your choice of three flavours, or a soft cream with waffle.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Location: The Sundays, 8 Palm Terrace Way, Whitsundays

2. The Palms

a tropical alfresco setting at The Palms, Whitsundays
Nab a picnic table at The Palms.

If you can resist the allure of the neighbouring Marina Tavern (more on that further below) you’ll stumble right into The Palms , which opened in December 2024. A chilled-out haven dotted with picnic tables, green-and-white Pagoda umbrellas and a shiny, beer-slinging Airstream, the Hamilton Island restaurant also offers hearty snacks and barbecued meats. Nibble on brisket sliders, bug rolls or pots of prawns before things get serious on the grill where pork ribs and ginger beer chicken roast off. Our tip? Go for one of the two share platters drowning in all the meat you can handle because, well, holidays. Live music and a big screen to watch the footy keep crowds around for hours.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Breezy

Location: 22 Front St, Whitsundays

3. Coca Chu

a spread of food at Coca Chu, Hamilton Island
The menu at Coca Chu is a celebration of Southeast Asian flavours. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Dine on the freshest of fare, blending big Asian flavours with achingly fresh local produce at Coca Chu , one of the most beloved Hamilton Island restaurants. Overlooking serene Catseye Beach, the eatery is inspired by the hawker-style street food of Southeast Asia, so everything is designed to be shared. Step inside an all-too-delicious-smelling dining room, overlooking the sand just out front, to sample the ever-popular tiger prawn betel leaf with macadamia, coriander and coconut, a crispy pork belly with shaved cabbage and plum sauce, and wok-fried greens with chilli, garlic and vegan oyster sauce. To top it off, the vibe is lively and loud, so bringing the entire family will prove just as memorable as securing a waterfront table for two.

Cuisine: Southeast Asian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Electric

Location: Hamilton Island Resort Centre, Resort Drive, Whitsundays

4. Romano’s Italian Restaurant

contemporary Italian fare at Romano's, Hamilton Island
Dine on contemporary Italian fare at Romano’s Italian Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

With its contemporary Italian menu coupled with an elegant atmosphere, Romano’s Italian Restaurant is one of the most romantic Hamilton Island restaurants on offer. Start your evening with a pre-dinner cocktail at the bar before taking your seat, which will ideally be at one of the tables on the deck overlooking bobbing vessels docked at the marina. Inventive standouts include bucatini granchio with Queensland spanner crab, garlic and white wine, guanciale, and capers, and Pesce Spada Allo Griglia with swordfish, salad and caramelised celeriac puree. Book well before you travel, as this place is endlessly adored and it’s tough to get in last-minute.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Intimate

Location: Front St, Hamilton Island

5. Bommie Restaurant

oysters and champagne at Bommie Restaurant, Hamilton Island
Enjoy oysters and champagne at the award-winning Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Jason Loucas)

While its name, taken from the Aboriginal word ‘bombora’, reflects the shallow, colourful patches of reef dotted around the waters of Hamilton Island, Bommie Restaurant ’s innovative Australian menu reflects its more immediate surrounds. Located in the architecturally striking Hamilton Island Yacht Club, this award-winning Hamilton Island restaurant is one of the best places to indulge on the island. Relaxing in its sophisticated candlelit dining room, decorated with floor-to-ceiling sculptures by artist Glenn Murray, you’ll dine on locally sourced, seasonal produce crafted by head chef Alice James. Choose the decadent three-course set meal including the likes of Queensland tiger prawns done with house-made farfalle and gremolata, kangaroo tartare with fennel seed lavosh and a mustard emulsion, plus the market fish, pan-seared with soft shell crab and a spiced coconut emulsion.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Refined

Location: Front St, Hamilton Island

6. Popeyes Takeaway

fish and chips on the table at Popeyes Takeaway, Whitsundays
Tuck into Popeyes’ finest fish and chips. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

No island holiday, particularly one with an epic collection of beaches and dramatic swimming pools, is complete without a post-sun helping of takeaway fish and chips.

Here, the place to be is Popeyes Takeaway . There are classic catches available daily, as well as old-school potato scallops, beer-battered onion rings and seafood sticks. Choose the Seafood Basket packed with prawn cutlets, fried squid, fish your way, a seafood stick and chips to sample Popeyes’ finest. A great family-friendly spot overlooking the water, the Hamilton Island restaurant also cooks up kid-friendly chicken chippies and fish dippers, plus pineapple fritters and four different burgers.

Cuisine: Fish and chips

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Fuss-free

Location: Front St, Whitsundays

7. Pebble Beach

champagne and oysters on qualia's signature Talk and Taste experience
Enjoy champagne and oysters as part of qualia’s signature Talk and Taste experience.

If you’re staying at the exclusive qualia and seeking an elevated lunch experience, a table at Pebble Beach is not to be missed. Set at the water’s edge in the dreamiest location within the luxury property, arguably the most lavish Hamilton Island accommodation pick, the restaurant offers a sweeping panorama of white sand and the neighbouring Whitsunday Islands. Designed by executive chef Joshua Hingston, the menu celebrates fresh local produce in magnificent fashion, shining a light on ingredients grown on the island itself. Prepare for a sublime sitting matched with Australian and international wines while the likes of panko crumbed taleggio with balsamic caramelised onion, baked pumpkin, lemon myrtle seeded crackers start you off spectacularly, while the southern braised wagyu beef cheek stands out as a main.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Glamorous

Location: qualia/20 Whitsunday Blvd, Whitsundays

8. Pizzeria and Gelato Bar

different gelato flavours on display at Pizzeria and Gelato Bar, Whitsundays
Pick from a rotating selections of gelato favourites. (Image: Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited)

A few minutes’ stroll from Popeyes, in the heart of the Marina Village, the Pizzeria and Gelato Bar is another laid-back Hamilton Island restaurant designed for families. Serving up barista-made coffee, 20 pizza flavours and a rotating batch of gelato favourites from 4pm, the hot spot nails laid-back holiday indulgence. You’ll find all the classics on crispy-thin bases including a Margherita, Super Supreme and Hawaiian, as well as gourmet creations stacked with pancetta, bacon, mushrooms and carbonara sauce (the Carbonara), sweet chilli prawns, cherry tomato and bocconcini (the Sweet Chilli Prawn) and pulled lamb, olives and fetta (the Braised Lamb). Also available are vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus vegan cheese. Nab a curb-side table for a chilled-out island must-experience.

Cuisine: Pizza

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Rowdy

Location: Front St, Whitsundays

9. Manta Ray

dining at Manta Ray by the marina, Hamilton Island
Dine on classic Mediterranean fare by the marina. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

Another eatery offering beautiful views across the marina, Manta Ray is the place for a low-key, family-friendly meal with plenty of choice. As a bonus, if you’re a guest staying at the Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows, or any stay booked through Hamilton Island Holiday Homes, you can take advantage of Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay & Eat Free program. Look for fish drifting off the outdoor dining deck and gaze at lolly-pink sunsets while you pick at antipasti classics like burrata and charred zucchini, as well as heartier options, including slow cooked lamb shoulder or seared chicken with caper dressing. There’s also a relaxed bar where you can enjoy aperitivo from 3pm until 5pm every weekend.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Easy going

Location: Front St, Whitsundays

10. Bob’s Bakery

Bob's Bakery in marina village, Hamilton Island
Find Bob’s Bakery in the heart of the marina village. (Image: Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited)

Sometimes, all you need is something simple on holidays. Enter the Hamilton Island bakery go-to, located in the heart of the marina village. Bob’s Bakery dishes up chunky meat pies, flaky sausage rolls, buttery croissants, humongous sandwiches and fresh sushi rolls daily. Prefer something sweet? Load up on Danish pastries and classic treats, baked to perfection right on-site. Additionally, if you’re celebrating a special occasion on the Island, Bob’s creates made-to-order cakes, so there’s no need to stress about trying to drag something over from the mainland. Doors open from 6.30am to 3pm every day.

Cuisine: Baked goods

Average price: $

Atmosphere: No frills

Location: 137 Front St, Hamilton Island

11. Beach Club Restaurant

Qualia isn’t the only Hamilton Island accommodation offering ultra-deluxe dining. The stunning Beach Club, an adults-only hotel located right behind Catseye Beach, plays home to the excellent Beach Club Restaurant , a poolside feast fit for royalty. Shaking up fruity cocktails and cooking up a menu filled with the freshest of seafood, the exclusive restaurant (guests of the hotel receive preferential treatment when it comes to locking in a table) embraces quality ingredients with finesse. You can order small snacks, but we recommend settling in for the tasting menu, which covers the likes of kingfish sashimi, beef tartare and duck breast à l’orange with braised witlof, orange caramel, roasted hazelnuts, orange zest, and carrot purée.

Cuisine: International

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: High-flying

Location: Beach Club, 9 Resort Dr, Whitsundays

12. Pool Terrace

the dining area at Pool Terrace, Hamilton Island
Feast on share plates next to the sparkling pool. (Image: Rhiannon Taylor)

It’s one street away from Catseye Beach, however, the airy Pool Terrace restaurant offers its own waterfront indulgence via hearty snacks and impeccable service. Located within the Reef View Hotel, right beside the property’s trademark Reef View Hotel Pool, this Hamilton Island restaurant is a great spot to fuel up ahead of a big afternoon, or help you wind down after a morning of swimming. Keep your sunnies on as you feast overlooking the glorious lap pool as share plates including salt and pepper squid, popcorn chicken and mushroom and mozzarella arancini put smiles on dials. If tummies are really rumbling, there’s also a chicken burger with chips, the seared tuna salad and a battered barramundi with chips.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Chilled out

Location: Reef View Hotel, 12 Resort Dr, Whitsundays

13. Clubhouse Restaurant

the outdoor seating area at Clubhouse Restaurant, Hamilton Island
The Clubhouse Restaurant on Dent Island offers sensational views of Passage Peak and the Coral Sea. (Image: Thomas Lisson)

One of the most scenic Hamilton Island restaurants is undoubtedly the Clubhouse Restaurant , part of the Hamilton Island Golf Club and located atop Dent Island. Before you settle in, immerse yourself in dazzling views, including a glimpse of Passage Peak, one of Hamilton Island’s most picturesque walking trails.

From inside this refined eatery, which can only be reached if you set sail from Hamilton Island itself to Dent Island, humpback whales have been spotted as large glass windows let in utterly enchanting sights. But the best is yet to come. A brilliant seasonal menu that works magic with local produce includes torched salmon with sushi rice, seared scallops with pea puree, chicken breast with truffle potatoes and greens, and a lamb rump with carrot puree and minted salsa verde. The dress code is smart casual so leave singlets, denim, boardies and rubber thongs back at your accommodation.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Exclusive

Location: Dent Island, Whitsundays

14. Sails

dining by the pool at Sails restaurant, Whitsundays
Have a romantic dinner poolside at Sails. (Image: Riley Williams)

A great spot to grab a casual meal between your day’s activities, Sails restaurant is located at the centre of Hamilton Island’s most happening hub, right next to Main Pool. Offering easy meals and views over Catseye Beach plus the Instagram-friendly Dolphin Pool, the Hamilton Island restaurant offers an a la carte menu spanning karaage chicken, salt and pepper squid, a bug bun with pickled cucumber, a boneless chicken thigh curry and crisp pork belly with slaw. Wash it all down with something from the bar, the perfect coupling for dreamy poolside R&R.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Holiday mode

Location: Resort Dr, Whitsundays

15. Marina Tavern

classic pub fare at Marina Tavern, Hamilton Island
Chill out on the deck while enjoying classic pub fare at Marina Tavern.

Missing your favourite grub from back home? Make a beeline to the local Hamilton Island pub, Marina Tavern , where the vibe is low-key and drinks just keep coming. Seats are sprawled out across a large outdoor deck, offering the perfect meeting spot for large groups. In the way of food, generous pub classics are the order of every day, with four terrific Parmi options taking centre stage, plus a range of burgers and salads, a 300g grain-fed scotch steak and a dedicated kids’ menu. The selection of snacks is worth a squiz, too, as you’ll find cheesy garlic bread, onion rings, lemon pepper squid and more.

Cuisine: Pub fare

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Local

Location: 172 Front St, Whitsundays

Planning a holiday to Hamilton Island? Read more travel tips on our guide to Hamilton Island.

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
See all articles
A modern hotel room overlooking a tropical beach
Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island’s new resort has Coral Sea views and free ice-cream

Evergreen editor Rachael Thompson checked into the first new hotel to open on Hamilton Island since 2007.

Read more
view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island
Hamilton Island

Embrace that Sunday feeling at Hamilton Island‘s newest resort

This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

Read more
view of Catseye Beach from The Sundays, Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island

Top 10 things to know about Hamilton Island before leaving home

Slide seamlessly into your holiday happy place by ticking off the things to know about Hamilton Island before you go.

Read more
Things to do on Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island

15 of the best things to do on Hamilton Island

There are plenty more things to do on Hamilton Island than sip on cocktails and catch magnificent sunsets.

Read more
hero media

What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.