Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tropical North Queensland

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Tropical North Queensland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bam Pow QLD

4.9

4.9 (154)

$40 and under

Contemporary Asian

Port Douglas

About the restaurant

Modern southeast Asian dishes, handcrafted cocktails, beers on tap and good tunes. Daily Happy Hour 4pm-6pm.

Top review

Krammie

Dined 2 days ago

Great creative vegan food. Even I am not vegan, totally enjoyed it. Highly recommend

A Touch of Salt

4.8

4.8 (2652)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Townsville CBD

About the restaurant

Enjoy the breathtaking waterfront views, sparkling starry night skies, and refreshing breezes of our outdoor balcony, or opt for indoor air-conditioned seating to beat the heat (which can be a must in North Queensland!).

Our restaurant's name, A Touch of Salt, is a play on our family name, Brine. In 2005, we started as a family business, and our family-style approach of offering genuine hospitality and meals designed for conversation has always been the heart of A Touch of Salt. Over the years, we have perfected our restaurant to become one of the best casual fine-dining restaurants in the North.

We take pride in being appreciated by the locals of Townsville as well as travellers from all over Australia.

Top review

Rick

Dined 2 days ago

Our waiter was attentive and courteous. Food was delicious.

Eastwoods Dining & Bar

4.8

4.8 (296)

$41 to $100

Southeast Asian

Airlie Beach

About the restaurant

inspired by the traditional tastes & textures of south east asia.
our menu brings you a unique blend of aromats & fresh flavours with the intention to share.
sample a collection of dishes that will excite your senses & arrive at your table as prepared.

Top review

Joy

Dined 3 days ago

We had an amazing meal, food was excellent and our requests for some dishes to be less spicy were acknowledged and food was delicious. Despite being busy, service was attentive and friendly.

Bridgewater Restaurant + Botaniq Bar

4.7

4.7 (870)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Townsville CBD

About the restaurant

Bridgewater Restaurant's 1st floor dining room offers a river and city view unsurpassed in Townsville

The modern Australian open plan coastal design creates a stylish, relaxed atmosphere inviting you to linger over a lazy lunch or an intimate dinner with family and friends.

Our carefully crafted menu highlights local, seasonal produce with premium quality, authentic ingredients. Combined they form a diverse, modern and flavour focused dining experience.

Botaniq Wine, Gin and Cocktail Bar evolved to share our love of wines and spirits from Australia and around the world.
Wines by the glass are a feature with a wide selection between Bridgewater and Botaniq Bar. Drop in for a Gin before dinner or make a night of it with grazing bar food to share.

Top review

Natalie

Dined 1 day ago

We had a quite dinner to celebrate our 3 years old daughter birthday, our experience was wonderful, the staff even provided us with a cake. It was a memorable experience, thank you to all the friendly staff who were above and beyond. 10/10 recommend. Thank you

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Experience

5 Course Degustation Menu

Experience

VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER, Friday 14th February

Zinc Port Douglas

4.5

4.5 (1746)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Port Douglas

About the restaurant

Zinc is the perfect combination of restaurant & cocktail lounge…relaxed lunch and lounge by day, restaurant and cocktail hotspot by night.

Alfresco or indoor dining offers a sophisticated tropical dining experience, an elegant venue for a romantic dinner or casual catch up with friends. The menu presents fine, contemporary Australian cuisine with a hint of French & Italian flare, utilizing the abundance of fresh local seafood, through to locally grown tropical fruit & vegetables.

With an excellent wine list of over 100 wines, combined with a cocktail & beverage menu which includes 8 beers on tap and some outstanding new age cocktails, there’s something for everyone.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Four Mile Beach.

Join us from 12pm daily for lunch, dinner & late night lounge.

Top review

Barry

Dined 4 days ago

We had the set Seafood Menu with matching standard wines.It was superb,not to long between courses but not to quick either.The food was of a high standard and the service was excellent. Would definitely recommend.

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Popular dish

Lamb Duo

Popular dish

Tasmanian Salmon Sashimi

Popular dish

Barramundi Fillet

THE DISPENSARY Coffee Kitchen Bar

4.5

4.5 (219)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Mackay City Center

About the restaurant

THE DISPENSARY Coffee · Kitchen · Bar is open from 6am til late. Whether you’re after a morning coffee, breakfast, long lunch or delicious dinner, we’ve got you covered.
Established in 2013, THE DISPENSARY would not be out of place in downtown Manhattan or inner-city Melbourne. Boasting Mackay’s largest wine and whisky collection, and a great selection of boutique beers and cocktails you are sure to find the perfect beverage to suit.

Top review

Luzaan

Dined on Dec 17, 2024

The food was great, the service was amazing and every one was very helpful had a good understanding of the food and gave good recommendations. We sat close to the kitchen and i could see in on how they prepared some of the food and i found that to be very interesting and beautiful to watch. Loved the experience.

Restaurant Oak & Vine - Cairns

4.5

4.5 (30)

$40 and under

Australian

Cairns CBD

About the restaurant

Welcome to Oak & Vine Cairns, the city's newest addition to the dining scene. Perched atop Oaks Cairns Hotel, our rooftop restaurant invites you to experience modern Australian cuisine. Indulge in small plates or hearty mains prepared with the most seasonal local produce. As the sun sets over the Coral Sea, the terrace transforms into a lively cocktail bar mixing inventive signature cocktails and pouring fine wines, craft beers and a selection of Artisan botanical gins with spicy tonics. Whether you’re local or a visitor - sit back, relax and soak in some of the best ocean views and terrace dining Cairns has to offer.

Top review

Cassie

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful rooftop view of the logon pool & bay. Quick service with excellent cocktails

Monte's Bar & Grill

4.5

4.5 (21)

$40 and under

Australian

Hideaway Bay

About the restaurant

Come and enjoy mouthwatering two and three course sharing menus, or a single meal if you don’t want to share. Vegetarian & gluten free are catered for.
Refreshing drinks are served out on the deck all day, overlooking the stunning turquoise waters of the Whitsundays. Have a glass of wine, cold beer or tasty cocktail.
Open for lunch & dinner. Book your table for a Birthday or anniversary celebration.

Top review

Colin

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing steak and seafood with an incredible view! Cocktails were excellent, especially with a 2-hour Happy Hour

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Experience

*A SEAFOOD FEAST* $190 FEEDS 2/4 PEOPLE

4.4

4.4 (978)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Townsville CBD

About the restaurant

Welcome to JAM ,
Enjoy a warm and relaxed dining experience indulging in the tastes of North Queensland . We like to explore our region's seasonal produce and create contemporary cuisine without compromising the purity of flavour.

The JAM menu offers quick bites for a catch up through to our full a la carte selection. We also have a great special luncheon menu which is always popular.

As the sun sets over the CBD and Castle Hill sit back and relax over dinner at one of the window tables or enjoy the views of the river and CBD lights on the terrace. For a romantic dinner we recommend requesting one of the private booths. Try the Shared Experience a delicious and generous selection, great for 2 or more.

Our wine list offers a generous selection of wines ranging from small Australian producers through to stunning international champagne and wines.

Matt and the team look forward to welcoming you soon.

Top review

Leanne

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Amazing food and exceptional service. Jam never disappoints. We enjoyed the Lunch special and many cocktails. The food was full of flavour and beautifully presented. Our servers, Sophia and Nicole, were polite, professional and very attentive. Highly recommend.

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Experience

VALENTINE'S DAY at JAM, Friday 14th February

Lichi Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (54)

$41 to $100

Fusion / Eclectic

Port Douglas

About the restaurant

Lichi - Restaurant + Cocktail Bar
Lichi Restaurant is a sophisticated dining experience located in the heart of Port Douglas.
Enjoy alfresco dining or air-conditioned comfort in restaurant and cocktail bar spaces with panoramic views of St. Mary's Church, the Sugar Wharf and the Coral Sea.

Top review

Christine

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

Food was delicious, fabulous service and a shout out to head chef Tony for his creative dishes. Highly recommend

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