The Beach To The Bush To The City Streets Best Eats In Townsville

Whether you’re making your way up the East Coast or putting your feet up in Townsville for a wonderful weekend escape, there are plenty of delicious delights to explore in and around the bustling and up-and-coming seaside city that your tastebuds deserve to experience! Rather than pencil you in for a single reservation, here’s a guide to neighbourhoods, and hot spots where eating is as much about the place as it is the plate…

The Strand

Right on the city’s doorstep lies the sandy shore of The Strand where eating, sunbathing and strolling all exist in perfect harmony. Picture starting out your day with a beachside acai bowl topped with fresh fruit and raw honey whilst sipping your way through an ice-cold latte as joggers and morning walkers pass you by. As the temperatures begin to climb, the shade of the trees lining the 2.2-kilometre-long pathway will provide the perfect cover for a blissful picnic by the waves, complete with a smorgasbord of classic fish and chips, fresh prawns, and tropical fruits from local vendors around the area.

The location’s abundance of free barbeque spaces allows for late afternoons to become a hive of grilling activity, and the selection of high-quality butchers neighbouring the strip will leave you overwhelmed with delicious options. As the sun begins to set, the esplanade transforms into a grazing trail overflowing with hot chips and quick bites, gelato strolls along the foreshore, and vibrant sunset platters topped with mango, pineapple, and lime – perfection!

The Laneway

Take a wander a block back from the waterfront and you’ll discover Townsville’s laneway culture, featuring aesthetic courtyards and mural-splashed alleyways tucked neatly away from the busy city streets. A shire first, the Laneway precinct offers a sophisticated, New York City experience where patrons can indulge in share plates, pop-up menus, and craft sips – ideal for causal grazing with friends.

No two occasions will be the same as the area runs off rotating specials built around the picks of the local trawlers and growers – think coral trout sliders one day, grilled vegetable flatbread the next, complete with native herbs like lemon myrtle. The Laneway exists as the type of place where you simply follow your nose, or the fairy lights, to guide you to your next unforgettable plate.

Markets

Sunday strolls through Townsville’s iconic Cotters Market will have you indulging in homegrown favourites and handcrafted delights from 8:30am right through until 1pm each and every week at Flinders Square. A treasured weekly event, Cotters Market have been treating locals and travellers alike to a buffet of spectacular stalls since 1983 and will leave you with a deep love and appreciation for Townsville’s rich sense of community. Suitable for all ages, all abilities, and all breeds (pet friendly), the market prides itself on serving up delicious delights to suit all dietary needs including gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian – what more could you ask for!

Farm to Table
‍
Immerse yourself in the rich, rural, rainforest-rimmed high country of Townsville’s surrounding areas as you journey inland to experience a true, authentic farm to table dining experience like no other. On your journey to the surrounds of Paluma, or the rolling cane fields towards the Burdekin, stop and enjoy the roadside stalls retailing fresh mangoes, halved watermelons, or leafy greens, freshly picked and ready to eat.

In Townsville, the abundance of culinary destinations will leave your mouth watering with anticipation, and your heart longing for your next journey to the North-Eastern costal city. With so many irresistible options to choose from, you may just need to set aside some holiday time to experience them all… twice!

‍