Ready to sink your teeth into the best bites in Townsville North Queensland?

Tantalise your tastebuds with a wide selection of dining and bar options. We’ve got everything from the relaxed quick bites to fine (and boujee!) dining – so whether you’re a solo, couple, friends or family looking for the best food in the North, our growing collection of restaurants, cafes and bars have you covered.

1. Treat yourself

Townsville North Queensland is quickly cementing its place as a premier dining district. With fresh ingredients, top chefs, and an incredible atmosphere, enjoy fine dining, with a tropical twist.

Perfect for couples, A Touch of Salt, Bridgewater and JAM are award-winning for a reason – the food is exquisite. Not only in how it presents, but by sourcing only top-quality ingredients and highly trained chefs. These chef-hatted locations ensures taste is paramount to their dining experience.

For other decadent dining options – make sure to book in for a Shorehouse ‘Just Feed Me’ menu or a Chinese banquet at Miss Songs. Afterwards, finish your evening with a nightcap at the charming Osk Bar for a cocktail hideaway by the sea.

2. For the little ones

Looking for the best family-friendly places to grab a bite when you have little tackers in toe. Let us introduce you to C bar on the Strand. Its large open deck, relaxed atmosphere, and magnificent views across the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island makes this a popular family spot for locals and visitors alike. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, mum and dad can enjoy a range of delicious meals while kids’ meals include a juice/soft drink and ice-cream.

Speaking of ice cream…..Juliettes have three locations in Townsville to satisfy lovers of artisan gelato, espresso coffee and sweets.

The Cowboys Leagues Club not only crank out some fabulous food, there is a dedicated play area for Little Legends , that will keep the kids occupied. This huge play area features an indoor zone with iPads, TVs and games, and an outdoor area with a full “jungle-gym” style playground with climbing sections & slide.

Looking further afield? Frosty Mango in Mutarnee is the ultimate kid-approved road trip treat – with delicious homemade ice-cream, pancakes, wraps and fruit all on offer. Just keep an eye out for the giant mango man as you travel up the Bruce Highway!

3. Cultural cuisine

Home to the oldest culture on Earth, you can’t visit Townsville North Queensland without partaking in Gudjuda Tours’ Bush Tukka Tour, where you’ll be shown various bush tucker plants and learn how the environment was used for medicine, food and more. Afterwards, enjoy a bite to eat at the Gudjuda Café in Ayr’s Plantation Park, with delicious local produce and influences from the Bush Tucker trail.

Want more cultural experiences – click here.

The region also has diverse European cultural influences, and this is reflected beautifully in the cuisine on offer. With thanks to our Italian communities, Ingham and the Burdekin is a hub of Italian culture and there’s no better place to enjoy the finest Italian meats and cheese than Lou’s Food Emporium, JK’s Delicatessen and Dal Santos. Visit during the annual Australian Italian Festival for the ultimate cultural fair.

4. Go casual

Whether you’re meeting up with friends or grabbing a bite to eat solo, you’ll want to make your way to Palmer Street. With a casual and cheerful approach to eating out, Palmer Street is not only suited to a range of budgets, but there is a large range of tasty cuisines on offer as well. Make your way down the street, where your hardest decision will be which spot to stop at – your choices range from the famous Australian Hotel to the, IMC Steakhouse, Cactus Jack’s Bar & Grill and more.

And don’t forget the Strand, home to even more delightful dining options (with a view) including Shop Six Pasta Bar, California Taco, Seaview, Cbar, Kiosk on the Strand, and Anelay Rooftop Bar & Restaurant. An added plus: if you don’t feel like eating in most places offer pick-up take-away options – picnic on the Strand anyone?
We’ll meet you there!

5. Dining on island time

Looking for a flavoursome bite while exploring Magnetic Island? You’ll want to put Café Nourish to the top of your list. Suitable for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets, enjoy excellent coffee, juices and a popular breakfast and lunch menu as you overlook the picturesque Horseshoe Bay beach.

Stop by the iconic Scallywags Café, me hearties! One for the kids (and the kids at heart!) enjoy healthy and scrumptious food served to you by the best pirates in the business. When you are on an island, you are spoiled for choice with seafood options. Barefoot Art Food Wine dish up a delicious platter overlooking Horseshoe Bay or settle in for a leisurely meal on Island Time at Saltwater. For a relaxed atmosphere, Maggie Island Brewery is located in Picnic Bay offering craft beers and smoked BBQ food.

So, no matter your dining style, you’ll find something for every appetite in the Townsville region. If you’re still searching for your favourite restaurant and café, you can find out extensive list of everything our region has to offer here.