Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Tropical North Queensland

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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

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

Dave

Dined 3 days ago

We had some good friends in town so was looking for a nice place to go for dinner and had nearly booked elsewhere but we were all so happy with the decision to book at Eastwood’s. The food was great!

Ban-Na Thai Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (87)

$41 to $100

Thai

Mackay City Center

About the restaurant

Ban Na Thai is a small family owned business since 1996. Located in corner of Victoria & MaCalister Streets.
Our Chefs have over 30 years of experiences in Thai cuisine. We are fully licensed, and have varieties of Thai dishes for you to try such as Massaman Curry, Tom Yum Soup, Thai Basil and much more.

Top review

Gwen

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

The best of every thing I will you will be going again

Cape Gloucester Resort Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (198)

$41 to $100

Australian

Hideaway Bay

About the restaurant

Located in the Gloucester Passage overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Whitsundays, Cape Gloucester Resort is a 40-minute drive from Airlie Beach and one of the very few beachfront dining restaurant and accommodation venues on the mainland. Our Restaurant & Bar is Open from 10 am 7 days a week. Every meal is served up with panoramic views of the ocean and the dishes are created using only the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy a cocktail poolside after your meal while you relax in the tropical Whitsunday Lifestyle, or sit back Beachfront watching the Sun Set over the Coral Sea. Reservations are preferred for Lunch and Dinner Bookings. Live Music every Sunday from 1pm

Top review

Clive

Dined 3 days ago

We frequently visit the Oar bar, great service and and meals

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

Discover more

Experience

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

Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill - Airlie Beach

4.3

4.3 (1896)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Airlie Beach

About the restaurant

Set right on the water, Northerlies is Airlie’s favourite beach bar offering a unique experience filled with island vibes, casual brasserie-style dining, spacious event areas, creative cocktails, and plenty of beach for the kids to explore. Their free courtesy bus runs 7 days a week offering private pick-ups from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale & Jubilee Pocket. Book your next event and celebrate beach-side.

The Brasserie kitchen is open 7 days. Lunch is served from 12:00pm- 2:30pm and dinner from 5:00pm-8:30pm, with our 'smalll bites' options available all day. The weekend Beach Kitchen is open on for dinner on Fridays, lunch & dinner on Saturdays, plus lunch on Sundays. Unfortunately, no dogs allowed as we are located on a wildlife reserve.

Top review

Gok

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

Great atmosphere and presentation. Keep it goinggg

Coral Sea Pavilion

4.2

4.2 (259)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Airlie Beach

About the restaurant

Coral Sea Pavilion - Coastal Cuisine - Boutique Wine and Cocktail Bar – is located poolside at Coral Sea Resort.

Come and soak in the extraordinary views and enjoy the best seafood in town! Coral Sea Pavilion is open every day, all day to everyone for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Boutique Wine and Cocktail Bar is open daily from 10am

Social Club (Happy Hour) daily from 3pm to 5pm

Bottomless Mimosas daily from 11:30am to 2pm

Live music every Saturday from 1pm to 5pm

New chef, new menu, new vibe. See you at The Pav!

Top review

Wendy

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Excellent food , very tasty and excellent service, very polite well maintained clean beautiful restaurant. Lovely resort with stunning views and pool area was immaculate as was the restaurant, very nice place to enjoy our Christmas dinner.

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

Explore Diners' Choice best of Tropical North Queensland

Explore more Diners' Choice lists