10 Best Foodie Spots: Regional Australia’s Gastronomic Journeys

Discover culinary delights in regional Australia

Get to know regional Australia’s foodie spots

Beyond the big cities, regional Australia is brimming with local produce, passionate chefs, and authentic flavours that reflect the land and community. Whether you’re road tripping through Queensland, exploring the tablelands of NSW, or discovering the heart of the NT, there are standout dining experiences waiting to be savoured.

This guide showcases top culinary stops where you can eat exceptionally well — and sleep comfortably with Southern Cross Motel Group.

Hanuman – Alice Springs, NT

South-East Asian Fusion in the Outback

Hanuman is a celebrated name in the Northern Territory’s food scene, and its Alice Springs outpost lives up to the hype. Chef Jimmy Shu blends Thai, Indian, and Nonya cuisines to create standout dishes like oysters with lemongrass and chilli, red curry duck, and prawn masala. The polished yet approachable setting, complete with native flora gardens and mood lighting, offers a surprising contrast to the rugged desert beyond.

Buddy Boy Kitchen – Cloncurry, QLD

Where outback meets urban comfort food

Nestled in Cloncurry, Buddy Boy Kitchen is a revelation for travellers expecting humble eats and finding instead a modern restaurant with flair. Their menu is loaded with indulgent bites like crispy chicken bao, garlic prawn linguine, and beef massaman curry — unapologetically bold and immensely satisfying. Start the day with a mediterranean big breakfast or swing by in the evening for a scotch fillet steak that channels big-city taste in outback surrounds.

Delicious dinner at Buddy Boy Kitchen - Hidden Foodie Spot

Bird’s Fish Bar – Bowen, QLD

Award-winning coastal comfort

A staple of Queensland’s coastal dining, Bird’s Fish Bar is all about simplicity done right. Overlooking the marina, the no-fuss ambience is part of its charm — just like the battered coral trout, crispy potato scallops, and generous seafood platters it serves. With fresh catches landed daily and generous portions, this is where you go for a sunset meal with your hands wrapped around salty chips and a cold drink.

Surveyor’s Restaurant – Lithgow, NSW

Classic elegance in the Blue Mountains foothills

Tucked inside the Bowen Inn Motel, Surveyor’s Restaurant serves up refined Australian fare with a regional twist. Dishes like peppercorn-crusted beef fillet, roast duck with cherry jus, and garden-fresh sides give a nod to the hearty flavours of the Blue Mountains. With timber accents, low lighting, and warm country charm, it offers an elegant dining experience that’s a welcome surprise for road-weary travellers and special-occasion diners alike.

Ember Pizza – Hunter Valley, NSW

Wood-fired wonders in wine country

Casual yet artisan, Ember Pizza in Pokolbin is all about bold, fire-kissed flavours. Their sourdough bases are naturally fermented, their toppings sourced locally, and their vibe welcoming. Try the pork and fennel sausage pizza with smoked mozzarella, or the roasted mushroom with truffle oil. Set within Roche Estate, it’s a laid-back gem that speaks to both foodies and wine lovers.

The Palms Restaurant – Chinchilla, QLD

Modern dining with a country twist

At The Palms Motel, the in-house restaurant delivers unexpectedly elevated fare in the heart of the Western Downs. Think crispy pork belly paired with apple slaw, grilled barramundi over lemon risotto, and rich chocolate mousse with local berries. The ambience is equal parts relaxed and refined, with a modern fit-out and attentive staff that treat every meal like an occasion.

The Old Salt Bush – Broken Hill, NSW

Fine dining in the red dust

The Old Salt Bush in Broken Hill showcases native Australian ingredients in a menu designed to surprise and satisfy. Under Chef Lee Cecchin’s guidance, the kitchen delivers imaginative dishes like wattleseed-crusted kangaroo, lemon aspen-glazed quail, and saltbush lamb slow-braised to perfection. The intimate setting, housed in a heritage cottage, adds to the sense of occasion — it’s a place where storytelling meets plate presentation.

Coffee House Cafe – Rockhampton, QLD

Brunch vibes and boutique flair

Hidden within the stylish surrounds of the Coffee House Apartment Motel, this café is a mecca for brunch lovers. Their menu champions locally roasted coffee and house-made sweets, alongside nourishing plates like eggs benny with smoked salmon, banana and walnut hotcakes, and Turkish-style baked eggs. The courtyard setting with leafy surrounds makes it easy to lose track of time here — the kind of place where flat whites and long conversations rule the morning.

Marmor – Townsville, QLD

Refined coastal dining at Ardo Hotel

Housed in Townsville’s luxury Ardo Hotel, Marmor is a new culinary star of North Queensland. With a 2025 Chef Hat to its name, the restaurant is helmed by Head Chef Aerie Prabowo, whose French and Japanese training underpins every dish. Diners can expect artfully plated seafood, slow-cooked meats, and inventive use of local ingredients — all in a chic dining room that overlooks the city skyline. The focus on regional produce and flawless technique make this a must-visit for serious food lovers.

The Gunyah – Kakadu National Park, NT

Bush tucker reimagined in the wilderness

Inside the eco-luxe Cooinda Lodge, The Gunyah serves up a unique interpretation of Indigenous bush foods with a contemporary twist. Think grilled barramundi with wild lime, crocodile spring rolls, and wattleseed pavlova. With views of the surrounding wetlands and native bushland, this is experiential dining that feels deeply connected to country.

Taste your way through the regions

A journey through regional Australia isn’t just about landscapes and road signs — it’s about the flavours, the stories, and the people behind every dish. These culinary gems are proof that some of the country’s best dining experiences happen off the beaten path.

Whether you’re dining under outback skies in Cloncurry, enjoying boutique coffee in Rockhampton, or sampling fine fare in Lithgow, Southern Cross Motel Group gives you the perfect place to rest, refuel and relish the journey.