TNQ Writer
Taste the flavours of the north in the seaside village of Palm Cove, where restaurants take pride in local produce, fresh flavours and providing a warm tropical welcome served with an icy-cold drink.
There’s no doubt that food is an important part of every travellers’ holiday. As a popular beach getaway locale, Palm Cove offers an abundance of restaurants and cafes from fine dining to casual eateries. Here’s a guide to dining in Palm Cove.
Nu Nu Restaurant
Mud crab
Mud crab
Avocado, olive toast, dried lime, almond & tomatillo mole breakfast
Avocado, olive toast, dried lime, almond & tomatillo mole breakfast
On of Tropical North Queensland's most iconic dining experiences
On of Tropical North Queensland's most iconic dining experiences
For a special occasion book a private dining experience under the palms
For a special occasion book a private dining experience under the palms
For local flavours with a view
You’re almost guaranteed that the first words to leave your mouth will be “wow” when your meal arrives at Nu Nu Restaurant. On the table in front of you is a masterfully prepared Modern Australian plate featuring seasonal flavours of the tropical north. Sitting absolute beachfront looking through Palm Cove’s most iconic strip of coconut trees, dining here is much more than just a place to eat, it’s a quintessential Tropical North Queensland experience.
Top pick: Wok fried North Queensland mudcrab, chilli jam, sweet pork & all the trimmings
Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Temple of Tastes
Black Cobia sashimi with coconut water dressing, chilli, coriander, Vietnamese mint & coconut three ways
Black Cobia sashimi with coconut water dressing, chilli, coriander, Vietnamese mint & coconut three ways
Ambient atmosphere
Ambient atmosphere
Flourless chocolate mud cake
Flourless chocolate mud cake
Impressive cocktail and drinks list
Impressive cocktail and drinks list
For impressing your date
Inspired by the flavours of South-East Asia and local produce of the region, Temple of Tastes’ menu offers precisely what their name suggests – a certain reverence for its exquisite flavours. Set in lush tropical gardens surrounded by flaming bamboo torches, this restaurant emanates romance and ambience ensuring your evening date will leave impressed. When the whole menu looks this good, the seven-course degustation menu affords the opportunity to sample a range of highlights, especially for the indecisive or those overwhelmed by choice.
Top pick: Cape Grim Eye Fillet with Asian mushrooms, sweet potato puree, truffle butter, onion jam, radish and beef jus
Open: Breakfast (a la carte or buffet) and dinner
Reef House Restaurant
Tiger prawn linguine
Tiger prawn linguine
Dine beneath the Melaleuca trees
Dine beneath the Melaleuca trees
Breakfast is available as a la carte or buffet
Breakfast is available as a la carte or buffet
For the longest-serving
Palm Cove is as famous for its paperbark (Melaleuca) trees as it is for its palm trees. At Reef House Restaurant, you’ll dine beneath the iconic eucalypts which spring up between the floorboards of the open-air veranda. Serving food since the ‘60s, this long-standing restaurant’s menu may be small but each item is carefully curated to ensure the highest quality. All dinner meals are also accompanied with an amuse-bouche to start with compliments from the chef.
Top pick: Dinner six-course degustation menu with matched wines.
Open: Breakfast (a la carte or buffet), lunch and dinner
La Mesa
La Mesa
For a dining fiesta
If you are a fan of Mexican food, La Mesa takes your classic fare and gives it a tropical twist with a stunning alfresco setting complete with ocean views. Located at Peppers Beach Club & Spa, La Mesa is a shared dining experience inspired by the cultural richness and uniqueness of Mexican and Latin American culture.
Top pick: Reef fish ceviche
Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Surf Club Palm Cove
For a family-friendly pub meal
Surf Club’s across Australia tend to be a reliable, tasty and affordable place to dine and the Surf Club Palm Cove is no contradiction to this. Here you’ll find a range of Aussie pub meal classics with a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. Dine on the outside deck overlooking the sea or in the air-conditioned comfort inside.
Top tip: Take advantage of their daily specials including a free kids meal with every adult meal and $18 steak night
Open: Lunch and dinner
Chill at Portofino
Ocean views
Ocean views
Chill Cafe
Chill Cafe
Fish tacos
Fish tacos
Treehugger breakfast with a side of bacon
Treehugger breakfast with a side of bacon
For something chilled
What more can you expect from Chill at Portofino other than chilled vibes? Well, the answer is great food, tropical cocktails and spectacular views. If you’re an indecisive eater, bad news – their extensive menu makes choosing difficult as it all is tempting. Breakfast is available until 3pm daily – perfect for the late risers – and there are many healthy options across the entire menu to choose if you’re craving something lighter.
Top tip: Breakfast – The Treehugger (V) or The Boss Special (V); Lunch – fish tacos; Dinner – steak or calamari.
Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Vivo Palm Cove
For a local favourite
Vivo Palm Cove embodies Tropical North Queensland vibes with a wrap-around veranda and open-plan dining area reminiscent of classical Queenslander architecture with a modern twist. Seafood shines through the menu, though there are many other non-seafood options as well. Vivo supports the ethos that food is a work of art, both in appearance and in taste, with perfectly complimenting flavours and beautiful presentation.
Top pick: Crab tagliatelline with heirloom cherry tomatoes, white wine and chilli
Open: Lunch and dinner
Portofino
Beachfront location
Beachfront location
Spanish tapas – beef
Spanish tapas – beef
Paella
Paella
Arancino
Arancino
For a taste of Italy
Italian food is one of those trusty favourites that everyone enjoys and Portofino is no exception. Here you’ll find a range of mouthwatering pasta alongside a huge woodfired pizza menu and a selection of Meditteranean-inspired mains. Not only masters in food, but also in drinks, relax on one of their beachfront daybeds with a cold drink in hand from their extensive beer, wine and cocktail list.
Top pick: Pappardelle porcini and truffle
Open: Lunch and Dinner
Il Forno Pizzeria
Margherita pizza
Pizza if you please
There’s pizza and then there’s pizza; Il Forno definitely serves up the latter. Established in 1992, here you can expect authentic Italian woodfired pizzas and a relaxed atmosphere, with a range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Takeaway and delivery are available but if there’s a spare table by the window, it’s best to dine in and enjoy the ambience.
Top pick: Alba – mozzarella, mushrooms, provolone cheese and truffle oil
Open: Thursday – Monday 5pm-9m
El Greko Greek Taverna
Chargrilled prawns
Chargrilled prawns
Herbed olives
Herbed olives
Calamari
Calamari
Nutella Loukoumathes
Nutella Loukoumathes
For a taste of the Mediterranean
Be whisked away to a small seaside village in Greece. Follow the sounds of the bouzouki and the scent of chargrilled meats, seafood and roasted vegetables up the stairs of the Palm Cove Shopping Village to find this small family-run taverna. With its white-washed walls, olive trees and mosaic tables, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported across the world as you devour all your Greek favourites from Saganaki and Spanikopita to Souvlaki and Mousaka. Opa to that!
Top pick: Arni kalamakia, mousaka or saganaki grilled cheese paired with international Greek wines.
Open: Dinner
Lucky Fish
Burgers
Burgers
Takeaway available
Takeaway available
Quaint beach loaction
Quaint beach loaction
Fish and Chips
What’s a guide to dining at the beaches without including a good ol’ fish and chips staple? Lucky Fish source their fish locally, their chips are crunchy and their salads are fresh. What more could you want?
Top tip: Get your order to takeaway and wander down to enjoy a sunset dinner on the Palm Cove jetty
Open: Lunch and dinner
Pete's Place
A range of burgers available
A range of burgers available
Big, cheap and comforting breakfasts
Big, cheap and comforting breakfasts
Fish and salad
Fish and salad
Fish and chips
Fish and chips
For something easy
Sometimes all you want to do is order some takeaway and a milkshake to take down to the beach – no frills, no fuss, just a quick and easy meal. Pete’s Place has been a Palm Cove staple filling the tummies of many locals and visitors with burgers or fish and chips for many moons. You’re guaranteed a large, cheap feed of your favourite comfort food, available all day for dine-in or takeaway.
Top tip: With over 15 burgers available, there’s a burger to suit everyone at Pete’s Place.
Open: Daily 6.30am-7.30pm
