Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Tropical North Queensland

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 favourite 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 (156)

$A40 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

Anita

Dined on Jan 11, 2025

This place never disappoints. Consistently outstanding food, and the chilli margarita, delicious! The mushroom entree was so good.

A Touch of Salt

4.8

4.8 (2665)

$A41 to $A100

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

Melissa

Dined 2 days ago

Oh my, goodness! What an absolute little treasure this fine dining restaurant is. We haven't had food this good since we dined in a fine dining restaurant on a cruise ship 11 years ago. We didn't expect the servings to be as large as they were. That was a well recieved surprise. We had three courses, wine and beer during our visit. All was amazing! The service and ambience just added to the goodness of our experience. We will definitely be returning. I just wish we visited sooner than we did. While it was all incredible, it was the dessert for me! My sweet tooth was more than satisfied.

Eastwoods Dining & Bar

4.8

4.8 (304)

$A41 to $A100

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

Lucia

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely delicious food,flavours are amazing and lovely service

Discover more

Experience

SHAW + SMITH WINE DINNER

Cape Gloucester Resort Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (199)

$A41 to $A100

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

Juanita

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

The thunderstorm had just started when we arrived. They had us seated within minutes and were very prompt with the service. Unfortunately our friends were a little under-whelmed with their meals. They both had the fish and it was overcooked and quite dry. My meal was delicious and my husband was happy with his meal. Thank you for your service. It was a lovely way to spend our New Years Day. Ps. So glad I pre booked.

Bridgewater Restaurant + Botaniq Bar

4.7

4.7 (875)

$A41 to $A100

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

Carol

Dined 3 days ago

What a gastronomical experience - from the entrees to the dessert this restaurant does not disappoint. Beautifully presented and cooked food with exceptional customer service. A gorgeous dining experience with views of Townsville city, this is a venue you need to put on your fine dining bucket list

Discover more

Experience

5 Course Degustation Menu

Experience

VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER, Friday 14th February

Zinc Port Douglas

4.4

4.4 (1748)

$A41 to $A100

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

Jordan

Dined on Jan 9, 2025

Some of the best food I have ever had. Easily the one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at.

Discover more

Popular dish

Lamb Duo

Popular dish

Tasmanian Salmon Sashimi

Popular dish

Barramundi Fillet

Ban-Na Thai Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (89)

$A41 to $A100

Thai

Mackay City Centre

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

Samantha

Dined 3 days ago

Dinner was exceptional and the service was incredible! No wonder this restaurant is always booked out. Will definitely be back. Thank you all so much for helping make my Mum’s birthday special.

The Andergrove Tavern

4.4

4.4 (13)

$A40 and under

Australian

Mackay Harbour

About the restaurant

Located in Andergrove, Mackay. The Grove offers a complete package of great entertainment, restaurant quality food and service in a relaxed welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a long-time local, a first-timer or visitor to Mackay we look forward to meeting you here, at Mackay’s number one choice for ‘best local’.

Top review

Sherrie

Dined on Jan 11, 2025

Birthday lunch for 4 - service was great barramundi was cooked to perfection.

THE DISPENSARY Coffee Kitchen Bar

4.5

4.5 (220)

$A41 to $A100

Modern Australian

Mackay City Centre

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

Jason

Dined on Jan 12, 2025

I had eggs Benedict. Hollandaise was the best I had had in a long time. Unfortunately ambience was at times a little loud - had to really concentrate on what my table was saying.

Jam Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (981)

$A41 to $A100

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

Graeme

Dined 3 days ago

Jam Corner lived up to it's reputation for fine dining and excellent service for our special occasion

Discover more

Experience

VALENTINE'S DAY at JAM, Friday 14th February

Explore Diners' Choice best of Tropical North Queensland

Explore more Diners' Choice lists