Great Barrier Reef Restaurants

Typically, restaurants on Barrier Reef islands are part of each island's main resort, so many resorts' rates include some or all meals. Some larger resorts have a range of restaurants, with formal dining rooms, outdoor barbecues, and seafood buffets; some have premium dining options for which you pay extra. Dress is generally "island casual." Some upscale restaurants—such as those on Hayman Island—require men to wear jackets for dinner and frown on flip-flop sandals. On the mainland you'll find plenty of casual, open-air restaurants, serving mainly Modern Australian–style meals that showcase seafood and regional produce. With a few notable exceptions, Cairns, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas are your best bets for upscale dining.

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  • 1. Harrisons

    $$

    A classic "Queenslander" with a lovely outdoor cocktails area shaded by century-old mango trees and fine dining inside, Harrisons impresses with deftly executed dishes that showcase fresh seafood and small-batch ingredients, sourced locally. There's a six-course tasting menu at A$95 per person, A$145 with matched wines, and on the wine list, you'll find plenty of good mid-priced antipodean drops and a smattering of French ones.

    22 Wharf St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099--0802

    Known For

    • Has won multiple awards for its dining experience
    • North Queensland crayfish with truffled hollandaise
    • Modern Australian menu with a British twist

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 2. NuNu Restaurant

    $$$

    Sexy suede lounges, intimate banquettes, and unbroken views of the Coral Sea make lingering easy at this Palm Cove eatery with the region's best and freshest produce. Select from small plates or larger share portions, which include the likes of kimchi butter-poached reef fish, sugarcane-smoked duck, and Sichuan eggplant.

    1 Veivers Rd., Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    07-4059–1880

    Known For

    • Butter-poached reef fish
    • Asian fusion cuisine
    • Duck rice

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 3. On The Inlet Seafood Restaurant

    $

    At this much-lauded seafood restaurant, modern Australian dishes put the focus on fresh North Queensland produce and seafood, which is delivered direct from local fishing boats. You can choose your own live mud crab from holding tanks, or down the sunset special---a generous bucket of prawns and a choice of Aussie beer or wine.

    18–20 Wharf St, Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099–5255

    Known For

    • <PRO>dining on the deck</PRO>
    • <PRO>terrific wine and cocktail list</PRO>
    • <PRO>family-friendly atmosphere and kids menu</PRO>

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 4. Salsa Bar & Grill

    $$

    Rub shoulders with local foodies and enjoy intimate dining after sunset on the large wooden deck of this lively waterside institution that serves tropical Modern Australian fare. The dinner menu offers something for everyone, from kingfish ceviche to herb-crusted wild barramundi, to a seafood laksa that utilizes plenty of the local produce.

    26 Wharf St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099–4922

    Known For

    • Great waterfront location
    • Creative cocktail menu
    • Linguine pepperincino with local red claw crayfish

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed., Reservations essential
  • 5. Whet Cafe, Bar and Restaurant

    $

    Stylish and hip yet comfortable, Whet Cafe, Bar and Restaurant draws visitors and locals with its outdoor deck, perfect for long lunches, sunset cocktails, and romantic dinners. It has Modern Australian food using regional and seasonal ingredients and friendly service, and is a fully self-sustained, off-grid operation.

    Cape Tribulation Rd., Cape Tribulation, Queensland, 4873, Australia
    07-4098–0007

    Known For

    • Jungle dining
    • Local seafood with Mediterranean influences
    • Melt-in-your-mouth steaks and local-caught barramundi
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. 27 Degrees

    $

    Ah, 27 degrees. It's pretty much the perfect temperature, isn't it? (When we're talking Celsius.) And it's also pretty much the perfect café when you're in Palm Cove and need a coffee and a decent breakfast. 27 Degrees is a classic, with friendly service, city-quality coffee, and a menu of health-conscious Aussie brunch favorites such as acai bowls, granola, smoothies, and more.

    1 French St., Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    0401-391--698

    Known For

    • Brunch favorites
    • High-quality coffee
    • Health-conscious snacks

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 7. Beach Almond

    $$

    This low-key eatery's simple beach-shack setting on Palm Cove's seafront underplays the freshness and flavor of its modern Asian food. The small but satisfying menu is full of fresh spins on favorite dishes from around Southeast Asia, and seafood is the specialty here.

    145 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    07-4059–1908

    Known For

    • Two-person seafood platter
    • Butter prawns
    • Asian-fusion menu
  • 8. On The Turps Bar & Restaurant

    $

    At this open-air restaurant in the Daintree rain forest, wallabies, bandicoots, and musky rat kangaroos might join you at the table as you tuck into a Mod Oz meal that highlights local, seasonal ingredients including fresh seafood, and wines from the well-stocked bar. On The Turps also does "tropical continental" breakfasts and varied, good-value lunches, as well as leisurely morning and afternoon Devonshire teas.  Arrive early for a dip in the creek, a rain forest stroll, or a spa treatment.

    Turpentine Rd., Cape Tribulation, Queensland, 4873, Australia
    07-4098–9321

    Known For

    • Delicious local barramundi
    • Home-style cooking
    • Good range of vegetarian and vegan meals
  • 9. Sassi La Cucina + Bar

    $$

    Those craving traditional Italian cuisine utilizing fresh North Queensland ingredients should make themselves a booking at Sassi, a lively, friendly eatery with plenty of outdoor dining space on the main drag. The menu here has all of the hits---spaghetti con le vongole, seafood linguine, and the like---along with a solid wine list featuring plenty of Italian varietals.

    4 Macrossan St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099--6744

    Known For

    • Italian favorites done well
    • Spaghetti with clams
    • Excellent wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations recommended
  • 10. Sparrow Coffee

    $

    Sparrow is all about good coffee. There's very little else on sale here except Port Douglas's best flat white or espresso, with an excellent range of alternative milks for those who can't do dairy. Couple that with friendly service and you have the perfect morning pit-stop.

    39 Macrossan St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099--5388

    Known For

    • Excellent coffee
    • Speedy service
    • Laid-back charm
  • 11. Temple of Tastes

    $$

    Knowledgeable staff, an impressive wine and cocktail list, and a torchlit waterfront terrace are among the many reasons to dine at this excellent resort restaurant that is paddock-to-plate dining. You can expect generous servings of fresh Modern Australian food infused with Asian and South Pacific flavors.

    5 Triton St., Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    07-4059–9628

    Known For

    • Thai red duck curry
    • Cheese platters
    • Gluten-free and vegetarian options

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 12. Vivo

    $

    Enjoy Coral Sea views framed by palms and melaleucas along with Mod Oz dishes at this classy beachside eatery. Diners come for the mix of Southeast Asian and Australian breakfast favorites; the duck salad and battered coral trout at lunch; and seafood with seasonal produce at dinner.

    49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Queensland, 4879, Australia
    07-4059–0944

    Known For

    • A popular spot for city-strong coffee, and cocktails
    • Open kitchen
    • Relaxed beachside destination
  • 13. Watergate Restaurant & Lounge Bar

    $$

    Atmospheric indoor-outdoor dining, attentive service, and a well-stocked bar are nice, but the primary draw at this relaxed restaurant is the food, which highlights the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy reef fish and prawns straight off Port Douglas's fishing boats, and seasonal fruit, vegetables, and herbs from the Atherton Tableland.

    5/31 Macrossan St., Port Douglas, Queensland, 4877, Australia
    07-4099–5544

    Known For

    • Friendly, warm service
    • Kangaroo loin
    • To-die-for dessert menu

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