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.

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, along with 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.

1. Nu Nu Restaurant

Best for: Modern Australian cuisine and beachside views

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, focussing on locally procured ingredients from the rainforest, the reef, and outback cattle stations. Our tip? Enjoy breakfast or lunch here so you can look out at the spectacular views across the Coral Sea.

Nu Nu is one of the best beachfront establishments. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Price: Main courses range from $30–$150

Address: 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove

2. La Mesa

Best for: Mexican cuisine

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

Dine Mexican meals with locally sourced ingredients at La Mesa.

Price: $15–$35

Address: 123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

3. El Greko Greek Taverna

Best for: Greek cuisine

How does a night filled with traditional Greek food and the sound of a bouzouki sound? Make sure to stop in at El Greko Greek Taverna – a place that’ll make you feel like you’re somewhere in Santorini. From Greek village-style bruschetta and chargrilled lamb cutlets served with roasted vegetables, to local Australian prawns served with Mediterranean salad, it’s as delicious as it sounds.

Price: Main courses from $28–$42

Address: 115-117 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

4. Choc Dee

Best for: Thai cuisine

In front of Peppers Beach Club and Spa is Choc Dee Thai Restaurant offering a relaxed dining experience as Thai nationals serve up their culinary delights. 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”. BYO wine is available.

Price: Main courses from $15–$40

Address: 123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove 

5. Neptunes Restaurant

Best for: Mediterranean cuisine

Located at the heart of the village, Neptunes Restaurant is the home of Mediterranean food in Palm Cove. With a simple yet sophisticated setting, the extensive menu showcases locally caught fresh seafood, homemade pizzas, and a delicious pasta selection.

Price: Main courses range from $22–$39

Address: 123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

6. Beach Almond

Best for: Modern Asian seafood

Showcasing an array of Southeast Asian delicacies, Beach Almond is a delightfully fresh modern seafood restaurant. From chargrilled fish and Singaporean chilli crab to black pepper butter prawns and delicious curries, it’s worth stopping in to see what all the buzz is about.

Price: Main courses from $30–$60

Address: 145 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

7. O’Donnells Palm Cove

Best for: Home-cooked Irish fare

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.

Pull up a chair at O’Donnells Palm Cove.

The atmosphere here is traditionally Irish with home-cooked fare to taste alongside an excellent live music line-up. From a cheeky beef pie and bangers and mash, enjoy a wee bit of Irish paradise in Palm Cove.

Dine home-cooked Irish meals at O’Donnells Palm Cove.

Price: Main courses from $20–$40

Address: 5/139 Williams Esplanade

8. Il Forno Pizzeria 

Best for: Authentic Italian pizzas

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

Price: Pizzas range from $20–$30

Address: 7/111-117 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

9. Temple of Tastes Restaurant

Best for: Southeast Asian flavours

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.

Savour Southeast Asian flavours at Temple of Tastes Restaurant.

Price: Main courses range from $30–$70. Or enjoy the degustation menu at $150pp

Address: 5 Triton Street, Palm Cove

10. Vivo Palm Cove

Best for: Alfresco dining on the esplanade and something for everyone

Set in a white colonial building along the esplanade is Vivo Palm Cove where you can dine alfresco on the deck and watch passers go by.

Dine alfresco on the deck at Vivo Palm Cove where you can.

From crab tagliatelle and old-school fish ‘n’ chips to a wagyu cheeseburger or tender valley pork cutlet, the menu here is diverse enough for everyone to enjoy.

Order classic burgers and fries at Vivo Palm Cove.

Price: Main courses range from $22–$54

Address: 49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

11. Chill at Portofino

Best for: Live music and top-notch service

Chill at Portofino is the ultimate all-rounder. Whether you’re after traditional bacon and eggs, Bourbon beef ribs, duck shank salad, or a sweet chilli chicken burger, it’ll pair perfectly with its beachfront position and down-to-earth atmosphere. Check out the live music every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Enjoy live music and beachfront views when you dine at Chill at Portofino.

Price: Main courses range from $20–$50.

Address: 3/41 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

12. The Surf Club Palm Cove

Best for: Family-friendly vibe

For a spot ‘where the locals eat’, stop in for lunch or dinner at The Surf Club Palm Cove. Relax on the deck overlooking Palm Cove Beach and Double Island while tucking into the hearty bistro menu. From the Moreton Bay bug burger to herb-crusted lamb rack and twice-cooked pork belly, to kid meal favourites, it’s the perfect family-friendly restaurant.

Price: $12–$46

Address: 135 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove

13. The Reef House Restaurant

Best for: Candlelit romance

Want to dine under the stars? Savour the tastes of North Queensland’s fresh produce by candlelight at The Reef House Restaurant. Choose from the a la carte or degustation menu or indulge in the ultimate seafood platter.

Settle in at The Reef House Restaurant. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

As part of The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa, this intimate dining spot is only available for in-house guests at breakfast, but everyone is welcome for lunch or dinner. Bookings are required and should be made two to three days in advance to avoid missing out.

Wine and dine at The Reef House Restaurant. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Price: Lunch main courses range from $26–$29. The a la carte menu is $99pp for two courses or $114pp for three courses.

Address: 99 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove