Best Restaurants In Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is buzzing with delicious dining options for customers of all ages, budgets, and tastes. After a big day out at Whitehaven or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, you'll certainly be in need of a good, hearty meal, but it can be tough to choose between so many delicious options! We've narrowed down the best restaurants in Airlie Beach to try and make it a little bit easier for you, so all you have to worry about it what meal to order!
Our team of local travel experts have wined and dined their way through the town's eateries and have compiled a list of the best restaurants Airlie has to offer! Check them out below, staff’s favorites are at the top.
Best Restaurants In Airlie Beach
Sandbar Restaurant & Bar
The newest addition to Airlie Beach's restaurant scene is the Mediterranean-inspired Sandbar Restaurant & Bar on Airlie Esplanade. Follow the tempting scents of herbs and spices up the Whitehaven Beach staircase, and you'll quickly be greeted with a menu chock-full of fresh seafood, mouth-watering burgers, flavoursome risottos and fresh salads.
Restaurant highlights: Dreamy beach views, air conditioning, happy hour from 4pm to 6pm (hello, $14 cocktails!)
Our favourite dishes: Marinated baby octopus, vegetarian risotto, victorian grass-fed eye fillet
Eastwoods
Adventurous flavour combos and creative menu items are what makes this South-East Asian eatery is a top contender for the best restaurant in Airlie Beach. Eastwoods is one of the proudest additions to Airlie, offering customers a range of fresh, new asian dishes cooked using traditional practices. Their menu-items are designed for sharing, so bring some friends along and try a little bit of everything!
Restaurant highlights: An ever-changing seasonal menu, inventive new cocktails, al-fresco dining
Our favourite dishes: DIY roasted duck breast spring rolls, yellow curry with roasted cauliflower, chicken cashew stir-fry
Whitsunday Sailing Club
Known to have the best balcony scene in Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Sailing Club is located right on the waterfront. Head to the club's 20 Degrees South Bar for dinner with a panoramic view of the sun setting over Pioneer Bay. With a menu heavy in locally sourced produce, the Sailing Club is a go-to among Airlie residents, and an exciting find for tourists!
Restaurant highlights: Laid-back atmosphere, ocean views, local ingredients
Our favourite dishes: Fish and chips, Vietnamese crispy noodle salad, seafood fettuccini
Image Source: Whitsunday Sailing Club
Paradiso
Paradiso has an impressive tapas menu and an even more impressive upstairs rooftop bar! This is the place to go if you're looking for some great views and atmosphere, right on the Airlie Beach foreshore. Airlie locals will tell you themselves, this restaurant boasts some of the best food in town - whether you're popping in for a cheeky brunch, some post-work cocktails and light-bites, or an exceptional sunset dinner.
Restaurant highlights: Beautiful sunset views, live music, refreshing cocktails
Our favourite dishes: Margherita di buffalo pizza, pasta gamberi, pescatore risotto
Image Source: Paradiso Restaurant
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Sorrento
Overlooking the Abell Point Marina, Sorrento is the perfect place to have a drink and watch the sunset. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining areas that are shaded from the sun and offer an amazing view. Dinner is made all the more delightful with relaxing acoustic performances from local artists who stop by for a few songs as the sun goes down.
Restaurant highlights: Two-for-one pizzas from 3pm to 4pm, soak up the sun on the ocean deck, new seafood special every day
Our favourite dishes: Marinara risotto, chicken supreme, spicy italiano pizza
Image Source: Sorrento Restaurant
La Tabella
An Airlie Beach favourite is Italian restaurant La Tabella. If you're looking for fresh ingredients, look no further. La Tabella's chefs make all of their pasta and gnocchi in-house daily, and update their specials just as often, to make the most of seasonal produce when it's at its best. Stop in for a coffee, a late lunch, or a dinner that's guaranteed to blow your socks off. Be sure to leave room for dessert, too!
Restaurant highlights: Options to dine al-fresco or in the wine cellar, daily specials,
Our favourite dishes: Truffle-infused linguine, seafood spaghetti, carpaccio
Image Source: La Tabella
Little Vegas
Famous for its mega burgers, Little Vegas has an amazing menu featuring American street food. The Vegas-themed menu and decor make for an experience in itself.
Restaurant highlights: Dine-in or takeaway, $1 wings on Tuesdays, kids eat for free on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Our favourite dishes: The big cheese, foghorn's girlfriend, viva las vegan
Image Source: Little Vegas
Lovely India
Hidden away on the main street of Airlie, Lovely India continues to provide exciting Indian cuisine. The menu is full of amazingly delicious and exotic dishes.
Restaurant highlights: Balcony views overlooking main street of Airlie, options for pickup or delivery
Our favourite dishes: Dal Saag, butter prawns, chicken madras
Image Source: Lovely India
The Deck
The Deck is found in the Heart Hotel on the main street of Airlie Beach. Stop in for an early breakfast, delicious cocktails, wine and craft beer, pizzas and daily specials. Right next to Airlie Creek, the open-air eatery is the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy the tropical sea breeze while you dine.
Restaurant highlights: Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 7 days a week, open-air restaurant, exciting cocktail menu
Our favourite dishes: Reuben sandwich, oysters, eggs benedict
Anchor Bar
Anchor Bar has one of the best vantage points in Airlie Beach, overlooking the Coral Sea. It is known as Airlie Beach's "All Day Dining and Chill Out Bar," complete with pool and spa.
Restaurant highlights: Overlooking all of Airlie, lively bar by the pool
Our favourite dishes: Chicken wings, mini fish tacos, grilled jump king prawns
Image Source: Anchor Bar
