Tropical North Queensland is known for a lot of things – gorgeous landscapes, idyllic beaches, and eternal sunshine, to name a few. And while all of these are more than enough of a reason to visit this stunning part of the world, there is another drawcard that doesn’t get anywhere near enough airtime – the cuisine.
Home to some of the most unique and exotic flavours that can’t be found anywhere else, Tropical North Queensland offers you the opportunity to explore new depths with your tastebuds. Fresh seafood, exotic fruits, and flavours inspired by traditional bush tucker are only some of the many succulent kinds of food you will have the chance to experience here.
If indulging in the culinary delights of the Tropical North sounds ideal to you, then we certainly recommend visiting Palm Cove. In Palm Cove, not only are you in a seaside village that closely resembles paradise, but you’re also in a place that harnesses the flavours and unique qualities of the local produce to create culinary masterpieces that you won’t be able to experience anywhere else.
So, whether you’re a diehard foodie looking to sink your teeth into something new or you’re wanting to expand your palate, keep reading to learn about some of the incredible restaurants and cafes you can dine at in Palm Cove.
Palm Cove Restaurant Guide
Food has a way of inspiring people. Memories of incredible meals can stay with you for a lifetime. And for many, the local produce of an area can be the entire reason they choose to travel to a particular destination.
Tucked away along the Tropical East Coast of Australia in North Queensland, Palm Cove is nestled between the Coral Sea and Wet Tropics Rainforest. Its location offers an array of diverse local produce that will provide you with many new tasting experiences.
Many of the local restaurants and cafes take advantage of Palm Cove’s location and the local produce to create tantalisingly mouth-watering dishes that can’t be found anywhere else. From casual eateries to fine dining restaurants, and everything in between, there is something to suit every taste.
To help you plan your culinary journey, we’ve put together a list of our favourite Palm Cove restaurants and cafes. Keep reading to learn more.
Lucky Fish
You can’t possibly venture to a seaside village without trying the local Fish N Chips, and Lucky Fish offers some of the most delectable and flavourful you will ever taste.
Sourcing their fish locally, you can enjoy Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel and Barramundi, along with fish or prawn tacos, burgers, salads and of course chips.
Located on Williams Esplanade, Lucky Fish is the perfect place to enjoy a late lunch or early dinner. You can either eat in at the casual dining space, or you can order your Fish N Chips to go and watch the sunset at the beach or on the Palm Cove Jetty.
Vivo
Capturing the effervescent essence of the tropics, Vivo is a favourite beachfront restaurant in Palm Cove. With all day dining, including breakfast available, Vivo offers diners the opportunity to try a wide range of the delectable local seafood at any time of day. You can even order a Seafood Sample Platter so you can try a little bit of everything.
If you’re not a seafood eater, that’s ok, because Vivo offers lots of delicious options for a wide variety of tastes with the menu inspired by modern Australian cuisine with hints of Mediterranean and Asian influences.
While the food is flavourful and delicious, the dining setting is enviable, with a spacious timber wraparound verandahs and views of the beach creating a truly Queensland atmosphere.
Nunu
Beachfront dining is delightful at Nunu. While you can sit inside for your meal, when you’re in a place as beautiful as Palm Cove, outside beachfront meals are a must.
Open from early until late, you can enjoy the serene waves rolling of the Coral Sea while you dine on the local seasonal modern Australian menu. As you would expect in this part of the world, there are many seafood options available to you. And though the menu changes regularly, the rich local flavours produced in each dish are to die for.
Nunu’s setting goes hand in hand with a gorgeous beverage or two. You can indulge in wine, beer, spirits, or whiskey, but we personally recommend trying a signature tropical cocktail because you’re in the perfect setting with Palm Cove’s iconic Palm Trees lining the coastline in front of you.
Chill Café
For a chilled out casual dining experience, you cannot go past Chill Café. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, people of all ages and tastes will enjoy the wide range of meals available at Chill. From pizza to pasta, burgers to salads and of course, lots of seafood options available, even the fussiest of eaters will find many delicious options here.
Chill Café also offers an extensive drinks list including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You can enjoy new flavours of the world while you feast on the local cuisine.
The views of the beach combined with delightful meals and a friendly atmosphere makes Chill Café a favourite destination for both the locals and visitors to Palm Cove.
The Reef House
Open for breakfast (currently for inhouse guests), lunch and dinner, the Reef House Restaurant makes the most of the local fare, creating a wide variety of meals that bring the flavours of Tropical North Queensland truly alive.
While dining at any time of day at the Reef House Restaurant is spectacular, the ambiance of dining under the stars cannot be beaten. As the waves of the Coral Sea provide a soundtrack to your dining experience, you can indulge in a degustation menu that showcases the best of the local produce. The Reef House’s sommelier can help you expertly pair the intricate flavours of your meals with one of the many wines available at any time. And for us, there is no better way to enjoy a meal in Palm Cove.
Discover the exotic and tantalising cuisine of Palm Cove today.
