Best Restaurants in Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach might be famous as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, but between you and us, the best restaurants in Airlie Beach are reason enough to linger. From marina-side Italian to rooftop cocktails, there’s something for every appetite, and almost all of it comes with a side of aquamarine views.
Our advice? Treat the galley slave on the first night, and maybe the last night too, if they’ve been good.
Here are our crew’s favourites, in no particular order. For the full local food scene, check out Whitsunday Menu.
At a Glance
| Venue | Cuisine | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sorrento Restaurant & Bar | Italian | Sunset drinks at the marina |
| Eastwoods Dining & Bar | South East Asian | Sharing plates with the crew |
| The Pub | Pub classics | A cold one and live music |
| Paradiso Restaurant & Rooftop Bar | Mediterranean | Paella with a view |
| KC’s Chargrill & Bar | Steakhouse and Aussie game | Kangaroo, croc and live music |
| Mika Airlie Kitchen & Bar | Mexican | Margaritas and gluten-free eats |
| Anchor Bar | Modern Australian | Views from above town |
| Airlie Beach Treehouse | Cafe | Breakfast by the Lagoon |
| Fat Frog Beach Cafe | Cafe | Beachfront brekkie in Cannonvale |
Sorrento Restaurant & Bar
Perched above Coral Sea Marina, just a stone’s throw from the Whitsunday Escape base, Sorrento serves award-winning Italian with one of the best views in Airlie Beach. Not hungry? No problem. Pop in for a cold drink or a cocktail, catch some live acoustic music and watch the boats come home as the sun goes down.
FAV DISH: Prawn and spanner crab spaghetti
LOCAL TIP: Grab a Whitsunday Escape discount card from the base to score 10% off your bill!
Eastwoods Dining & Bar
Eastwoods brings the bold, fresh flavours of South East Asia to the Airlie Esplanade, and it’s designed for sharing. It’s quickly become one of the most talked-about tables in town, so it’s the perfect place to start your holiday on the right foot. Even the betel leaves are grown locally.
FAV DISH: Tiger prawn betel leaf, and the Penang curry with coconut-braised beef
LOCAL TIP: Dinner is every night from 5pm, with lunch on weekends. Book ahead, as it fills up fast!
The Pub
Right on the Esplanade in the heart of town, The Pub at the Airlie Beach Hotel is where Airlie goes to kick back with an ice-cold drink and a good, honest feed. It’s relaxed, it’s tropical, and it’s exactly what a post-charter debrief calls for.
FAV DISH: Beef ribs and pork belly pizza
LOCAL TIP: Head down on a weekend for live music, and work your way through the beers on tap.
Paradiso Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
Paradiso has the whole package covered, from breakfast through to dinner, with ocean views over the beach and foreshore. The menu roams the Mediterranean: stone-baked pizzas, pasta, tapas-style plates and a seriously good paella, with a cocktail list to match.
FAV DISH: Seafood paella (feeds two to four)
LOCAL TIP: Grab a cocktail and watch the sunset. The upstairs views are worth the climb.
KC’s Chargrill & Bar
KC’s has been an Airlie Beach institution for 40-odd years, and it’s the area’s original steakhouse and live music venue. Alongside classic steaks, you’ll find Aussie game meats like kangaroo, crocodile and emu, plus burgers, vegetarian dishes and cocktails. Grab a street-side table and soak up the atmosphere in the middle of town.
FAV DISH: The Australian game platter
LOCAL TIP: Small-town local pub vibes and live music nearly every night. You can’t go wrong!
Mika Airlie Kitchen & Bar
Now upstairs at Beach Plaza on the Esplanade, Mika serves Mexican favourites with an Aussie twist and views over the water from almost every table. Think sizzling fajitas, burrito bowls and tacos, with sharing platters for the crew. It’s gluten-free certified, so it’s a great pick if anyone on board has dietary needs.
FAV DISH: Sizzling fajitas and a sharing platter
LOCAL TIP: There are seven flavours of margarita. We’re not saying try them all… but we’re not saying don’t.
Anchor Bar
High above town at the Terraces Resort, Anchor Bar is Airlie’s easily accessed hidden gem, with sweeping sea views, a pool and a chilled tropical vibe. It’s been pouring cold beers and great cocktails for over a decade, with a menu that caters for everyone.
FAV DISH: Mini fish tacos and grilled prawns
LOCAL TIP: Get a taxi from the marina, because the walk up the hill is a killer! It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, from midday.
Airlie Beach Treehouse
Overlooking the Airlie Beach Lagoon, the foreshore and the islands, Treehouse is the ideal spot for breakfast or lunch under the shade of the big fig trees. The menu is fresh, the coffee is good and the setting is hard to beat.
FAV DISH: Corn fritters
LOCAL TIP: Leave the skipper and first mate to handle the briefing, and pop down for breakfast and a swim in the Lagoon before heading back to the boat!
Fat Frog Beach Cafe
A true locals’ favourite, Fat Frog has a quirky beachfront vibe, great coffee and wholesome house-made food. It sits on one of Cannonvale’s prettiest stretches of beach, with island views and a cooling sea breeze. It’s licensed, and dogs are welcome too.
FAV DISH: The Fat Frog breakfast (or the Green Frog for the veggos)
LOCAL TIP: It’s about a 30-minute walk along the foreshore from Airlie Beach, or a five-minute drive. Get there early, as it’s open 7am to 2pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Airlie Beach?
Our crew’s favourites include Sorrento Restaurant & Bar for Italian at the marina, Eastwoods Dining & Bar for South East Asian sharing plates, KC’s Chargrill & Bar for steak and Aussie game meats, and Mika Airlie Kitchen & Bar for Mexican.
What’s the closest restaurant to Coral Sea Marina?
Sorrento Restaurant & Bar sits right above Coral Sea Marina, just a stone’s throw from the Whitsunday Escape base.
Where can I get breakfast in Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach Treehouse overlooks the Lagoon and is great for breakfast before your charter. Fat Frog Beach Cafe in nearby Cannonvale is a locals’ favourite, open from 7am.
Do I need to book restaurants in Airlie Beach?
It’s a good idea, especially in peak season and school holidays. Popular spots such as Eastwoods and Sorrento fill up quickly.
Ready to Plan Your Holiday?
Once you’ve had your fill of Airlie Beach’s best restaurants, it’s time to head for the islands. Let our friendly, knowledgeable Reservations Team help you find the perfect boat for your holiday.