17 Of Townsville’s Best Restaurants Right Now
Kayla Wratten
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List Townsville
Townsville/Gurambilbarra has its perks—sun, sand, and a surprisingly serious food scene. Sure, you might spend your mornings dodging crocs on the Strand (kidding… mostly), but when it comes to dinner, scoring a table at a standout restaurant is blissfully easy.
From laidback beachfront spots to vibrant Mexican joints and modern Aussie favourites, this city punches way above its weight for flavours. Here are the best restaurants Townsville has to offer, where the locals head for good food, good scenes, and zero fuss.
Rockpool Pavilion
54 Howitt St, Townsville City
Image credit: Rockpool Pavillion | Instagram
If beachfront dining had a poster child, it’d be Rockpool Pavillion. The only thing that might steal your gaze from the postcard-perfect views of Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay? The food. Okay, maybe the cocktails, too. Modern Aussie dishes showcase the best of Far North Queensland produce (fresh reef fish, seafood pappardelle and grass-fed steaks are menu standouts) while handcrafted Tan Lines spirits and tropical cocktails keep the vibe breezy. Not sure what to sip? You can't go wrong with an Aperol Spritz by the sea.
Restaurant 1889
252 Flinders St, South Townsville
Surprise your SO to a date night at Restaurant 1889 and you'll be in the good books for months to come. This bistro-meets-fine dining establishment is fancy without being stuffy. The seasonal menu is full of showstoppers: think crumbed chicken loaded with jamon and mozzarella, seared barramundi, or pillowy pan-fried gnocchi that’s basically a hug on a plate. Pair your meal with craft beers from Townsville Brewing Co., house-distilled spirits, or a slick wine from their curated list. Bonus: it’s tucked within the Brewery, so post-dinner drinks are practically mandatory.
Shaw & Co
383 Flinders Street, Townsville City
Coming in hot as Townsville's best steak restaurant, Shaw & Co is all about refined dining, bold reds and (obviously) killer steaks. Not a meathead? You'll find a line-up of fresh seafood and seasonal pasta dishes on the menu to keep everyone happy. Set within the buzzing City Lane precinct, this spot delivers serious steakhouse energy with rustic interiors, classic tunes and sport on the big screens. Got a special event coming up? Book out the upstairs Mezzanine for an intimate feast with your closest mates.
Polola
383 Flinders Street, Townsville City
Image credit: Polola | Instagram
At Townsville’s newest boutique Mexican spot, Polola, the motto is mi casa, tu casa (just leave the UGGs at home). This City Lane beauty is as easy on the eyes as it is on your camera, with colourful tiles, woven chairs, and white umbrellas—the perfect pick for a girls’ night out. Charcoal-cooked Mexican eats look as good as they taste, from handcrafted tacos and fresh ceviche to guacamole so good it’s basically Townsville-famous. Dress up, dig in, and remember that the camera eats first.
Miss Songs Asian Kitchen
67 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville CBD
Located in the gorgeous surrounds of The Ville, ultra-fresh meets ultra-zesty on the menu at Miss Songs—think Asian fine dining with a tropical Queensland twist. If you know what's good for you you’ll round up the squad and luck out on one of the banquets, which you can cop for as little as 75 bucks. Yeah, we were pretty keen when we heard about it too.
The Watermark Townsville
72-74 The Strand, Townsville
The Watermark Townsville has the ultimate trifecta: ocean views, local produce and a drinks list that’ll have you saying “just one more.” You'd better make room on your table (phones away people!) because it will fill up fast with seafood towers and plates piled high with the likes of fresh reef fish, Blackmore Wagyu brisket and juicy pork belly. The vibe is polished but never pretentious, with live sport in the bar and serious people-watching potential on The Strand. Come for the views, stay for the cocktails (and the oysters).
Marmor
67 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville CBD
Image credit: Marmor | Supplied
Marmor is where ocean meets pasture in a seriously delicious collision of land and sea. This intimate, high-end spot serves prime cuts from Australia’s top beef producers alongside fresh, North Queensland catch-of-the-day seafood. Get the best of both worlds with the bass strait beef with crayfish tail—a sophisticated version of the classic reef and beef. The wine list here is equally impressive, so make sure you peruse the menu for the perfect bottle to match.
A Touch of Salt
86-124 Ogden Street, Townsville CBD
A balmy night, a drink in hand and a meal to die for—this is the experience you’ll have at A Touch Of Salt. Family-owned and operated, this award-winning venue is Townsville's answer to up-scale dining (sans the snooty vibes). An eclectic menu offers bangers from flash fried cuttlefish accompanied by davidson plum, chilli salt, lime aioli to generous mains like braised lamb with roasted beets, satsivi, soused carrots and parsley.
Longboard
80 Gregory Street, Townsville CBD
Waterfront vibe factory Longboard is an institution for a Sunday sesh, but you’re guaranteed a just as good, if not better, setup on any day of the week. Tex-Mex is the name of Longboard's game, and with a menu as extensive as theirs you're sure to find something you froth. You know us, we’re going for the Baja tacos…and then the canitas tacos…and then thick and tangy BBQ chicken wings. And then about a dozen margaritas.
Terasu
45 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville CBD
Image credit: Ardo | Supplied
Located inside Townsville’s luxe new hotel, Ardo, Terasu is a Tokyo-inspired Japanese restaurant that blends traditional Japanese techniques with Australian flavours. The open kitchen concept allows diners to witness the culinary mastery firsthand—wagyu sizzles as chefs craft artfully presented sushi and nigiri. Sit grillside for an immersive experience, in the main restaurant space or on the outside deck, where you can soak up waterfront views. Not sure what to order? The salmon nori tacos and the kingfish ceviche are sublime or go all out with the ‘Feed Me’ banquet.
Bridgewater
2/2 Dibbs Street, Townsville CBD
Bridgewater is all about five-star food in a more than approachable setting. Go for the menu—which features home runs like the mushroom risoni risotto with panko oyster mushrooms, kale and textures—and stay for the cocktail list which is sure to keep you happy for a couple of hours. Catering a crowd? The five-course degustation just so happens to have been masterfully curated with a wine pairing for every dish.
Quarterdeck
67 Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville CBD
Another gem nestled into the dining precinct The Ville, Quarterdeck is truly the best of both worlds. Alfresco, casual dining by day, adult playground by night, good times with uninterrupted views of Magnetic Island, as well as pub classics you know and love (except they're elevated about 10-fold). Also, in an absolute stroke of genius, the gang has devised some seriously enviable share plates like the seafood tower—a feast consisting of Queensland prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, pacific oysters, bug and prawn sliders, huon smoked salmon, chilli and lime mussels and a generous serving of fries for $99. We're sold.
JAM
1 Palmer Street, South Townsville
Image credit: JAM | Facebook
Parked right on the riverfront and a firm crowd-favourite, JAM has well and truly earned its plethora of Australia Good Food Guide awards (the most recent one is the 2023 Reader’s Choice award for Modern Australian). It’s always busy, probably thanks to its seasonal menu that gives the big marns of Australia’s restaurant scene a serious run for their money.
Shorehouse
118 The Strand, North Ward
Townsville personified comes in the form of Shorehouse. Park up and soak up the breeze on the glorious deck in the casual lounge dining section, where a sky full of wooden Chinese lanterns sets the scene for the out-of-line scents coming from the kitchen. Perhaps what you can smell is the
tonkatsu beef glazed short rib with seasame and green cabbage—it’s what we’d be ordering. The creative cocktails slung at the bar here are also a must, so plan to stay a while. Hot tip: Don't sleep on the matcha tiramisu for dessert.
C Bar
80 Gregory Street Headlands, The Strand
While C Bar might be best known for its epic breakfasts (yes, there’s usually a queue), it’s also a stellar spot come dinnertime. Set right on The Strand, this waterfront favourite dishes up fresh local seafood, share plates, and cocktails made for golden-hour sipping—all with unbeatable Coral Sea views.
Table 51
51 Palmer Street, South Townsville
Crumbed crocodile anyone? While this not-so-adventurous writer will pass, Table 51 delivers that kind of splashy-modern Aussie fare with an Italian twist. Don't fret, there's plenty of familiar dishes on the menu to dig into, from prawn and scallops risotto to mushroom-spinach crepes or your classic pork belly. While the interiors are charming—think white-linen tablecloths, tall-back chairs, and maroon accents—alfresco seating is also on offer to soak up Palmer Street’s buzz.
Cactus Jack's
21 Palmer Street, South Townsville
Cactus Jack's is Tex-Mex at its purest. Step inside for wagon-wheel décor, sizzling fajitas, saucy ribs and margaritas that pack a punch. Locals swear by the Mesquite Chicken, loaded nachos and over-the-top chocolate nachos for dessert. The vibe? Loud, fun and unapologetically fiesta-ready. Grab a seat on the patio, order a Godzilla Margarita and let the good times (and guac) roll.
Image credit: The Ville | Website