10 regional restaurants that are worth the drive

Here you get lunch or dinner with a show thanks to the native wildlife. Brightly coloured parrots alight on branches and splash in a bird bath hidden amongst the foliage. Huge monitor lizards also make regular appearances, crawling up the trunks of the silvery gumtrees as they try to surprise the bathing beauties. Allow time to sit back with a cool drink and watch their antics before you order, it’s one of the things that makes dining here so special. Osprey’s Restaurant at Thala Beach Nature Reserve serves Mod-Oz cuisine with a local twist, such as porcini mushroom rubbed kangaroo loin with macadamia nut puree, parsnip chips, and beetroot jam and lychee cheesecake with a mango glaze for dessert.

Spirit House Restaurant, Yandina

Modern Thai food is complemented by tinkling gamelan music at this Sunshine Coast restaurant comprised of Thai-style pavilions overlooking a lake. Spirit House breaks with the tradition of share plates and offers diners a selection of elegant, single plated meals. It’s a tough choice between the Mooloolaba prawns with tom yum spices, prawn butter, and fresh coconut, and the flavoursome Wagyu brisket green curry for mains. Grilled water buffalo served with rice-field salad and sweet Isaan dressing is a must for those who enjoy trying something new. An impressive selection of wines by the glass allows diners to indulge and still drive home or back to their weekend accommodation.

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Indulge Café, Bundaberg

This cafe is worth getting up early for, with mouth-watering breakfast dishes such as the signature breakfast omelette featuring local prawns with Bundaberg X.O sauce, Kewpie mayo, picked ginger, bean shoots, coriander, and local Bundaberg limes. French toasted brioche with poached peaches, praline cream, macadamia crumble, and vanilla ice cream ensures a sweet start to your day. Lunch at Indulge is equally tempting with dishes such as the truffle burger, served with truffle aioli and truffle fries, which venture far beyond the usual regional cafe fare. Warm, friendly service is the icing on the cake.

Harrisons Restaurant, Port Douglas

Pull up a seat on the terrace overlooking the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort pool where the tropical breeze smells like summer and soothes the mind and the soul. Roasted duck breast served with sweet radicchio and a burnt honey and lavender sauce is the perfect introduction to the delicious world of Tropical North Queensland fine dining. Harrisons Restaurant was named after Spencer Patrick’s first born son and little ones are welcomed with open arms and well catered for with a kids’ menu. Owner-chef Spencer Patrick’s training under Marco Pierre White shines through, elevating this laid-back dining experience from good to truly great.

Nu Nu Restaurant, Palm Cove

Carefully crafted dishes complement the warm tropical surrounds at Nu Nu Restaurant which has earned plenty of accolades since it opened in 2004, including Gourmet Traveller Regional Restaurant of the Year. Spectacular views across the Coral Sea add to what is already an exceptional dining experience, with the likes of chewy pork, pineapple and turmeric curry served with paw paw and jasmine rice offering a nod to the restaurant’s Queensland home. Even better, there is no need to limit yourself to lunch or dinner. It is worth hitting the road early for breakfast which includes dishes such as North Queensland mud crab omelette or coconut and banana hotcakes with coconut sugar caramel and a scoop of coconut sorbet on the side.

Ocean View Estate, Ocean View

Overlooking bucolic rolling hills with the ocean sparkling in the distance, this casual yet classy winery restaurant near Dayboro is pretty as a picture. An outdoor deck makes the most of the fresh, country air and friendly staff make everyone welcome. Couples will enjoy the whole duck roasted with honey and hoisin and served with duck fat potatoes, Davidson plum, and seasonal greens for two. Diners with dietary requirements are especially well catered for with dishes such as vegetarian goat’s curd agnolotti served with green pea veloutè, and pickled beetroot, or gluten free pork collar, cavolo nero, and juicy heirloom tomatoes.

Sails Restaurant, Noosa

Whether you’re seeking classic fish and chips or something more sophisticated, the regionally inspired food, sparkling beach view, and equally sparkling service at Sails Restaurant will have you smiling. Crispy three cheese arancini dunked in Noosa Reds tomato sauce and freshly shucked oysters are ideal to share. Mains range from seaside classics such as barramundi or mud crab to a roasted rack of lamb. Soft centred Callebaut chocolate pudding served with sweet honeycomb provides the perfect excuse to linger over coffee or a glass of dessert wine.

Whet Cafe, Bar & Restaurant, Cape Tribulation

Dine surrounded by the Daintree at this casual restaurant with a strong commitment to the environment. Whet is entirely self-sustaining with a private water supply and grey water irrigation for the lush tropical fruit orchard out the back. At night, Whet Café, Bar & Restaurant has an intimate, almost other-worldly ambience. Dishes are more conventional than cutting edge, with the tempura battered local wild caught barramundi, served with chips and house-made tartare, and house-made chicken curry earning rave reviews. However, they go to show that sometimes the simple things really are the best.

The Long Apron, Montville

Spicers Clovelly Estate is home to The Long Apron, a hatted restaurant that is the jewel in this luxury retreat’s crown. Choose from the la carte menu or a French-influenced degustation dinner offering five courses. Dishes include Maleny milk curd served with fresh pistachio, pomegranate, and witlof and, for dessert, a dark chocolate honey parfait accompanied by sourdough ice cream. Come for the exceptional food and wine and stay the night so you can enjoy it to the full.  And, yes, you should definitely do the wine matching.