Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Tropical North Queensland

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

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 (192)

$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

Marie

Dined on Jul 8, 2025

The food is amazingly tasty and well cooked, a delicious treat and quite affordable for Port Douglas.

A Touch of Salt

4.8

4.8 (2732)

$41 to $100

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

Mathew

Dined 5 days ago

Me and my partner had a wonderful time, we are definitely coming back. Claudia our service was amazing

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Experience

Plant to Plate Lunch

Cape Gloucester Resort Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (220)

$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

CliveVIP

Dined on Jul 9, 2025

We enjoyed another lovely lunch, we will be back again soon

Eastwoods Dining & Bar

4.8

4.8 (362)

$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

Trisha

Dined on Jul 9, 2025

Excellent food with almost everything gluten free. Service was amazing- very attentive The food was delicious

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Experience

EMMALENE EASTWOODS WINE DINNER

Bridgewater Restaurant + Botaniq Bar

4.7

4.7 (932)

$41 to $100

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

Craig

Dined 3 days ago

Really good experience. Beautiful setting for dinner.

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Experience

5 Course Degustation Menu

Experience

Botaniq Sunday Session

Experience

Bridgewater Bottomless Brunch

Ban-Na Thai Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (117)

$41 to $100

Thai

Mackay Harbour

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

Rebecca

Dined on Jul 5, 2025

Divine food! Divine service! Absolutely love this place!

Zinc Port Douglas

4.5

4.5 (1795)

$41 to $100

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

Jonathan

Dined 4 days ago

We ate at Zinc twice during our stay and experienced great service and great food, including vegetarian options. Special shout out to Cherie who served us the second time we visited. She offered great vegetarian advice!

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Popular dish

tasmanian salmon sashimi

Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill - Airlie Beach

4.4

4.4 (1945)

$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 (Fri & Sat) then 5:00pm - 8:00pm (Sun - Thu), 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

Amy

Dined 5 days ago

Food took over an hour on a Monday and the steak was cold when it came out.

Lichi Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (79)

$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

Lisa

Dined 2 days ago

Could not fault the beautiful meal or service. We will be back. Our best meal in Port Douglas which is a huge compliment.

Rare Bar and Grill

4.0

4 (52)

$41 to $100

Steakhouse

Mackay Harbour

About the restaurant

At Rare Bar & Grill, we’re all about creating unforgettable dining experiences in the heart of Mackay.

Focusing on premium Australian beef, seafood, and locally sourced produce, our menu offers an array of succulent steaks cooked to perfection, complemented by fresh seafood and seasonal sides.
Whether you're savouring one of our signature cocktails or indulging in an extravagant glass of bubbles, our bar adds a sophisticated touch to every meal.

Join us for lunch or dinner, and soak in the elegant atmosphere, whether you're seated roadside or in our stylish indoor dining space.
We offer a mix of casual fine-dining options, from hearty steaks to seafood and pasta, making us the perfect spot for any special occasion or a night out with friends.

Book a table for an extraordinary dining experience or inquire about our Upper Deck for private events.

Top review

Jocelyn

Dined on Jul 10, 2025

Great food and restaurant. Nice setting. Pricey, a nice treat.

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Experience

STEAK & WINE $49 | Wednesdays

Experience

Premium Cuts at Butcher Prices

Explore Diners' Choice best of Tropical North Queensland