The Best Restaurants in Palm Cove
Most of the best restaurants in Palm Cove are strung along Williams Esplanade. Despite being one of the smaller tropical oases in the Cairns region, Palm Cove has its fair share of dining options. You may be in Far North Queensland but don’t let that stop you from taking a little gastronomic trip down Japan or Italy way, or spending an evening being transported to the Greek islands by to-die-for saganaki.
Check out our list of the six best restaurants in Palm Cove so you can start planning how you’re going to eat your way through this tropical paradise. Hot tip: always book ahead, visitors and locals love these venues, and sometimes it can be difficult to snag a spot at late notice.
Nu Nu -1 Veivers Road
Image source: Nu Nu
Nu Nu is a must-visit for your stay in Palm Cove, especially if you’re considering cashing in on their unique beach dining experience. That’s right, beach dining, not just beachfront dining. Slip your sandals off and feel the sand between your toes while the palm trees sway above you and the waiters fill you up on some of the best Aussie tucker in the area.
Nu Nu’s specialty is Australian cuisine made with native ingredients, so if you’re visiting from overseas this is a great way to get a taste of homegrown Aussie flavours. For starters, I recommend the reef bug schnitzel with macadamia, hibiscus and apple, or (if you have no qualms digesting one of our furry mascots) the beetroot juice poached kangaroo with buffalo feta, lilly pilly and beets. For mains, you can’t go past the pineapple and turmeric curry of wild ginger pork belly, with caramel, coconut, Thai basil and crackle or the cinnamon roasted lamb with caramelised mungalli yoghurt, pumpkin, branch and leaf. And since you’re on holiday you might as well stay for dessert! Honestly, all of their sweet treats are to die for but the rhubarb, bunya nut and spelt tart with basil, rose and yoghurt sorbet screams ‘holiday mode’.
El Greko – Shop 14 & 15, 117 Williams Esplanade
Image source: El Greko
One of the last foodie gems tucked away at the end of the coastal village strip is El Greko. I don’t know about anyone else, but when the marriage of authentic Greek food with ample oceanfront dining immediately transports me to scenes from Mamma Mia. And who wouldn’t want to dine on the fictional island of Kalokairi while visions of Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Scott sexily serenading each other dance in your head?
Now let’s talk about the menu… When dining Greek its simply sinful to go past the saganaki, and El Greko have theirs down pat — some say the best in Australia! Greeks are also the masters of lamb, with Australia following closely behind, so it should come as no surprise that these Aussie Greeks have cracked the code on their paithakia — high-quality lamb cutlets charred to perfection. And don’t forget to toast with ouzo, because when in Greece …
Kushi Yakitori – 73 Williams Esplanade
Image source: Kushi Yakitori
Kushi Yakitori occupies an elevated position on Williams Esplanade, rising above street level with balconies that look out over the Coral Sea. This is the one-stop shop for lovers of Japanese cuisine and is an affordable option for families.
There’s plenty here to keep any herbivore travelers happy, from the vege tempura to the mushroom karage, or even a seaweed salad! Seafood lovers should try the fresh salmon sashimi, nigiri and aburi, and those with extra adoration for all things fishy might try the grilled eel served with special soy sauce, pumpkin mayo and steamed rice. For the big kids, there’s an extensive selection of saki and Japanese beers available too! Peep the menu here. Meshiagare, happy travellers!
Beach Almond – 145 Williams Esplanade
Image source: Beach Almond
The architecture and menu of Beach Almond are somewhat at odds with each other, but that only makes for a more unique dining experience! Quite literally a beach shack on the sand, Beach Almond boasts an impressive Asian-inspired seafood menu, using only ingredients of elite calibre. However, because of this, it's a little on the pricier side. We recommend Beach Almond for lovers (très romantique) and big kids, but we probably wouldn’t come here with the little ones.
Once you’ve snagged a seat (a seat facing the magnificent waters of the Coral Sea, no less), start with a plate of the crispy softshell crab with Thai lemongrass and chili sauce and the chargrilled flatbread (because carb counting doesn’t exist on vacations, and bread goes with everything). Fill up on a smorgasbord of more luxury seafood for mains. Try the live chili mud crabs with Beach Almond’s signature Singaporean-style spicy sauce, the eggnet salad (an Asian-style salad with fresh prawns, squid and scallops, drizzled in a port-infused sauce), or try a little bit of the best of everything with the seafood platter! And for the seafood averse (there’s always one), there are sticky pork ribs and a ceremonial Sumatarian rendang curry.
Vivo – 49 Williams Esplanade
Image source: Vivo
The menu at Vivo defies categorisation. They’ve got a variety of flavours and cuisines on offer, from Italian and Australian, to pub food and even some Singaporean dishes! The chameleon nature of Vivo’s menu makes it a great option for families and large groups with mixed palates. Vivo’s vibes are immaculate, housed within a large, white and rather chic beach bungalow that you could imagine Diane Keaton dining at in a Nancy Meyers movie.
Kick off with some steamed clams and a nice chilled glass of white to fully embrace your coastal-chic-Diane-Keaton fantasy before tucking into a plate of confit duck with wild mushroom croquette, honey roasted parsnip puree, roasted asparagus and orange jus. Or play it safe with good old fish and chips (tempura battered coral trout). Vivo are extremely accommodating to all dietary requirements and preferences, so please chat with your waiter about any necessary adjustments.
Il Forno Pizzeria – 7/111-117 Williams Esplanade
Image source: Il Forno
Il Forno is probably the safest bet for families with children — what kids don’t like pizza and pasta? Plus, it’s reasonably affordable for those with many mouths to feed. And not only affordable, but delectable. Il Forno prides itself on being an authentic slice of Italy in Palm Cove, sharing long-held family recipes with contemporary improvements.
The Il Forno menu speaks for itself, with all the classics like Margherita and capricciosa pizzas and gnocchi and lasagna. So grab a seat, pick your poison and sip on a nice cold spritz while the chefs fire up the pizza oven. Vegan and vegetarian options are available too.
