It’s Time To Get Adventurous
Across Airlie Beach and the surrounding suburbs is a treasure trove of Restaurants with undiscovered, tasty treats, scattered across the Entrée & Starter Menus. We’ve gone exploring, tasted our way through town and built a map for you to take when dining out around town.
Here’s a list in no particular order of our favourite epic entrées to light the way on your food quest…
Click any of the images below to be taken to the venues page showcasing their full menu, image galleries, and any other information you’ll need.
‘Ceviche’ – The Garden Bar Bistro
Seaviews • Cocktail Bar • International Cuisine
A refreshing and texturely balanced dish that is built with locally caught fresh fish, local limes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, coriander and chilli. It’s served on a bed of fresh avocado puree. A traditionally served dish of tropical origin that is the perfect start to a sit down meal at sunset. Although it’s technically a main, it’s a perfect starter shared between two.
In Three Words: Fresh, Delicate, Balanced
‘Pan Seared Scallops’ – Fish D’vine
Cocktails • Rum Bar • Seafood
A miracle dish that they say was prepared for Poseidon himself, the Pan Seared Scallops at Fish D’vine are one of a kind.
Comes with sautéed chorizo, green tea puree and finished with a prosciutto & panko salt crumb.
In Three Words: Refined, Elegant, Mouth-Watering
‘Ora King Salmon Sashimi’ – Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill
Seafood • Beach Dining • Cocktails
A Japanese dish that is light yet complex and showcases all the classic Japanese flavours that we know and love. Comes with tangy ponzu sauce, creamy wasabi mayonnaise, spicy pickled ginger & an umame rich wakame salad.
In Three Words: Complex, Rich, Light
‘Prawn Gamberi’ – Sorrento Restaurant & Bar
Italian • Live Music • Sea View
A view to die for and a dish worth waiting for is what you’ll find at Sorrento’s. Their Prawn Gamberi is a great starter for those that are serious about Italian and like big flavours throughout the whole dining experience. The dish comes with seared scallops and prawns and is dressed with a punchy rosé sauce, rocket salad and crunchy ciabatta.
In Three Words: Bold, Rich, Down-To-Earth
‘Arancini’ – Treehouse Airlie Beach
Sea Views • Contemporary • Brunch
An Italian icon that has become an Australian classic, arancini is a go-to for those that love the finer and tastiest things in life. Treehouse absolutely nail their take on it. This all-day stunner comes with Shitake mushroom, salty speck bacon, rich goats cheese and a crisp rocket salad.
In Three Words: Crunchy, Creamy, Satisfying
‘Pork Belly Tacos’ – Breeze Bar
Tapas • Cocktails • Amazing Service
A fresh spin on a Mexican staple, the Pork Belly Taco special at Breeze is the ultimate starter to enjoy with an ice-cold beer. Perfectly crispy pork belly sits alongside fresh slaw, chilli and a dressing that has to be tasted to be believed.
In Three Words: Rustic, Crunchy, Mouth-Watering
‘Prosciutto’ – La Marina
Pizza • Pasta • Gelato
Another Italian dish that speaks for itself, Prosciutto has its origins dating back to 1063. Served on a light bed of gorgonzola whip and sprinkled with tangy pear and herbed sourdough, its a winner on any day of the week.
In Three Words: Sharp, Salty, Delicate
‘Sriracha Calamari’ – 20 Degrees South
(Whitsunday Sailing Club)
Seaviews • Seafood • Sailing
You’ve never seen calamari done like this. It’s a classic S+P style with an Asian inspired flare that goes down very well. The kewpie mayo is an absolute hero. Dish also comes with pickled carrot and sesame seeds.
In Three Words: Crispy, Clever, Umami
‘Bruschetta’ – The Pub
(Airlie Beach Hotel)
Contemporary • Live Music • Sports Bar
Before you choose a main at The Pub and go for the full buffet, promise us you’ll pour a glass of sauvignon and order a plate of the bruschetta and watch the live music. The perfect trio for any day of the week.
In Three Words: Fresh, Classic, Rich
‘Citrus Cured Kingfish’ – The Rocks
Restaurant • Bar • Pool Club
Another summer stunner that’s made it onto our list is the tasty, light and citrusy dish that is The Rocks – Citrus cured Kingfish. It’s perfect to get the taste buds going and couldn’t go better with the view.
Comes with sweet corn, tomato salsa, an awesome seaweed mayo and a crunchy tapioca cracker to balance out the textures. Smashing with a dry chardonnay.
‘Veggie Cauliflower Wings’ – Mika Airlie
Latino • Funky • Fresh
Although we can not look past Mika’s absolutely killer Oysters Kilpatrick, the hero entree for us is their Veggie Wings. A sweet chilli tossed vegetarian bar snack that is simply awesome. The citrus aioli it comes with does not mess around either. Yuuum.
In Three Words: Moreish, Delicious, Tasty
‘Fried Chicken’ – Anchor Bar
Restaurant/Bar • All Day Dining • Seaviews
Fried Chicken done well is a never-ending search for any passionate foodie and Anchor Bar absolutely crushes it. The perfectly seasoned southern style chicken strips come with an epic honey mustard mayo and tangy pickles to remind of the dishes southern States origin.
In Three Words: Crispy, Tangy, Juicy
‘Roasted Lemon Myrtle Pumpkin’ – Paradiso
Sea Views • Rooftop Bar • Euro Cuisine
Who knew pumpkin could be this delicious. This dish is absolutely fantastic and what we say is one of the best on their menu – overall. Warm spices match perfectly with the hearty pumpkin and the other compliments brighten the dish up to finish. Comes with hummus, chilli caramel, quinoa and pecorino.
In Three Words: Clever, Complex, Suprising
‘Fried Chicken Wings’ – Noodle & Rice
Traditional • Takeaway • Affordable
If great consistent asian cooking is up your alley then head to Noodle and Rice in Airlie Beach and promise us you will order some of their fried chicken wings to start. Although no one knows KFC’s secret blend of herbs and spices the texture of their chicken is even better! It’s very well priced too.
In Three Words: Crispy, Juicy, Tender
‘Salt & Pepper Calamari’ – Banjo’s Bar & Bistro
Classic Pub • Indoor – Outdoor • Relaxed
The party-favourite, family-classic salt & pepper calamari is spot on at Banjos. Done traditionally and done right it’s a starter that keeps the whole team happy 100% of the time, every time.
In Three Words: Tender, Peppery, Tangy
‘Taiwanese Chicken Bites’ – Cool La La
Asian • Fusion • Bubble Tea
Another starter that you just can not look past is this masterpiece here. Seasoned wonderfully with a crusty and herby crumb/batter that is spot on. Amazing shared or even better just for yourself. We still don’t know what makes that dipping sauce so good but it is out of control yummy.
In Three Words: Unique, Crunchy, Delicious
‘Loaded Potato Skins’ – Hog’s Breath
Steakhouse • Families • Cocktails
Last but certainly not least is the Australian staple, Hog’s Breath Cafe. One of the most popular starters on the whole menu, the Loaded Potato Skins at Hog’s Breath Airlie Beach are absolutely gorgeous. A perfectly baked potato skin is covered in the trifecta of flavour heroes; cheese, bacon and sweet chilli. Perfect for sharing, but personally we kept the plate to ourselves! PS. Don’t forget to have them with a cold beer.
In Three Words: Golden, Crunchy, Heaven
