Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Queensland

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in 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!

Restaurant Elsie

4.9

4.9 (19)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Tannum Sands

About the restaurant

Your local meeting place!

Home of good food, good drinks & good times, Restaurant Elsie is a casual neighborhood dining space offering a modern Australian menu with something for everyone.

Our focus is on quality cooking and feel good food with a seasonal menu, mostly Aussie wine list & blackboard of ever changing plates.

Reservations highly encouraged.

Bake sale happens every 2nd & 4th Saturday from 8am until sold out.

Top review

Leanne

Dined 6 days ago

We dined at Elsie’s for the first time on a Monday evening — and it was truly outstanding. Open from Thursday to Monday, this gem is well worth planning your visit around. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm, friendly service and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. The story behind the name — a tribute to one of the chef’s great aunts — adds a lovely personal touch that’s reflected in every detail. We enjoyed the bugs special, which was absolutely delicious, and the wine list was full of great options to match. Elsie’s has a beautiful ambience and a real sense of care in everything they do. We’ll definitely be back next time we visit Magnetic Island. Highly recommend — a memorable dining experience.

Water St Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (518)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Bundaberg

About the restaurant

Embracing a paddock to plate philosophy, Water St Kitchen restaurant delivers big, bold flavours to Walkervale diners. This popular Bundaberg catering company is now based in light, airy surrounds on Water Street, where floral wallpaper and fresh flowers await dine-in guests, while perusing a casual Mod Oz menu. Dark wood furniture and whitewashed walls create a relaxed vibe to enjoy breakfast or lunch. A cosy restaurant opened in 2017 which quickly became one of the city's most acclaimed fine-dining destinations

Top review

Emma

Dined 3 days ago

The food was incredible as per usual. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening. Thank you!

Banksia Seafood and Grill

4.8

4.8 (1162)

$41 to $100

Seafood

Hervey Bay

About the restaurant

Situated on the Charlton Esplanade of Hervey bay, Banksia Seafood and Grill enjoys gentle sea breezes in a modern seaside venue.

While crisp wines, icy beers and fresh cocktails are served by a professional team, our award-winning Head Chef, Saul Collins has created a menu filled with perfectly cooked local Seafood and Steaks which are the stars of the show.

Banksia believes in creating tasty dishes with fresh local ingredients, food that you just want to continue eating. Zesty and crisp flavors mixed with classic favorite cuisine, quality tastes without being pretentious.

Top review

Tracey

Dined 3 days ago

I took friends from Germany who enjoy fine dining and they were very impressed. As always, the food was delicious, the service was excellent and the live singer was really good. Thanks for another great experience.

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Popular dish

Seafood Chowder in a Cob

Popular dish

Flagship Seafood Platter for Two

Popular dish

Flagship Seafood Platter For Two

Scenic Rim Farm Shop Cafe

4.8

4.8 (371)

$40 and under

Farm-to-table

Kalbar

About the restaurant

You can't help but relax in the picturesque grounds of the Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Cafe.
Nestled within the productive farming fields near Kalbar, in the Scenic Rim and steeped in country charm and warm hospitality.
Sit under the shade of the towering Jacarandas. Enjoy barista-made local coffee and house-made food bursting with local ingredients created by Chef Kate Raymont.
Shop an array of local produce, cheeses, and gourmet pantry items.
Named in Courier Mail's 50 Must-Try Food Experiences.

Top review

WendyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

A hidden gem. Wonderful friendly staff. Dining out doors under the jacaranda trees is tranquil and beautiful. The food selection is excellent with quality ingredients. Highly recommend.

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Portside Cafe & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (29)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Maryborough

About the restaurant

Welcome to Portside Café & Restaurant. We offer a unique dining experience that combines modern Australian cuisine with Californian flair. Our award - winning restaurant is proud to be the recipient of best restaurant Fraser Coast for 2021, 2022, 2023 and last year entering the hall of fame in the Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards.
Enjoy stunning views of the Mary River and the charming ambiance of our 1899 building.
Our menu features the freshest local ingredients, crafted into dishes that delight your taste buds.
We are well - renowned for having the best tacos and seafood share plate ( Taste of QLD) on the Fraser Coast. Our award- winning Devonshire Teas are a culinary delight, the perfect morning or afternoon tea. Our scones are baked fresh daily.
Whether you're catching up with friends or celebrating a special occasion, Portside Café & Restaurant promises an unforgettable experience.

Top review

karon

Dined 2 days ago

I have been going to this restaurant for 5 years. Everything is always exceptional, this visit was no different staff and management are attentive to their customers, food and service. I highly recommend them.

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Experience

TRADITIONAL HIGH TEA $50pp

Brothers Sports Club Bundaberg

4.5

4.5 (165)

$40 and under

Bistro

Bundaberg

About the restaurant

Relax with family or friends for a meal in our Bistro. With a wide selection of meals and a seasonal refreshed new menu, there is always something new to try. Our daily specials are also available for something different. Have a beer or a glass of wine with your meal and kids are also looked after with a free soft drink along with their meals.

Top review

Tim

Dined 3 days ago

Meal was nice although the vegetables were cold , the menu has a good mix although they took a favorite of the menu

Woodgate Beach Club

4.5

4.5 (31)

$40 and under

Bistro

Bundaberg

About the restaurant

Welcome to Woodgate Club
C'Breeze Restaurant, Functions Venue, Gaming & Bowls Club
Approximately 30 minutes south of Bundaberg, the Woodgate Club offers lawn bowls, great dining, purpose built function venue, bar, pokies and modern facilities, all overlooking the Club greens and the beautiful Woodgate beach.

Top review

Lesley

Dined 4 days ago

As a first timer to this club the experience was amazing the food was top restaurant quality great service and a lovely atmosphere well done everyone

The Plate Restaurant Bar & Brewery

4.3

4.3 (75)

$41 to $100

Steakhouse

Toowoomba

About the restaurant

We're shaking up Toowoomba's dining scene with our one-of-a-kind venue featuring a restaurant, bar, and our in-house craft brewery, Bone Idol Brewery.

Indulge in a modern Australian menu for lunch and dinner, crafted with locally sourced produce and premium meats from The Paddock Butchery.

Relax on the front terrace with a cold beer, or unwind in the bar or lounge with an eclectic selection of European and Australian wines, spirits, and cocktails.
Bone Idol Brewery offers some of Toowoomba's finest brews, perfect for enjoying our welcoming and vibrant space with friends.

Top review

Loarna

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

The staff were lovely I was there for my 20th birthday, and the food was great!!!! :)

Enzo's on the Beach

4.2

4.2 (1060)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Hervey Bay

About the restaurant

At Enzo’s, where the sand meets your soul, every moment is a celebration of good food, great company, and stunning ocean views.

Enzo’s on the Beach is a seaside haven where culinary artistry meets the serene beauty of Hervey Bay. With its newly refurbished space, the restaurant captures the essence of beachside dining, offering an array of modern Australian dishes crafted from the freshest local produce. Start your day with breakfast delights like perfectly poached eggs or indulgent pancake stacks, complemented by the rich aroma of Allpress Espresso. As the sun rises higher, our lunch menu shines with highlights like fresh seafood, vibrant salads, and contemporary coastal classics.

As the evening sets in, Enzo’s transforms into a romantic escape with breath taking sunset views and a menu that tantalizes the taste buds. Pair your meal with a selection from our premium wine list or creative cocktails from the bar. Live music events add vibrant energy, making every visit unforgettable.

Top review

Shaun

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Easy ordering, excellent service, great food. Thank you Enzo's

Granite Belt Brewery

3.9

3.9 (412)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Stanthorpe

About the restaurant

Set on 30 acres of natural bushland just 5 minutes from Stanthorpe, our country estate features 20 cedar cabins complete with log fire, a 1000 litre micro brewery plus a bar, restaurant and function centre.

Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend getaway, a ceremony wedding venue for your special day or simply need a refreshing ale, Granite Belt Brewery has it all.

We look forward to sharing our hidden piece of paradise with you when you are next in the region.

Top review

Jenny

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Service was delightful and orders for drinks Anna food taken swiftly on arrival. Meals arrived in perfect timing even though the restaurant was fully booked. The entire’ and mains surpassed our expectations with the rump and Barra cooked to perfection. The delicacy of the scallops and quail also a sensory explosion. There meals were a great portion size and after seeing the desserts going to other patrons, I could have squeezed it in. Amazing value!!!!

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