Vivo

Another Palm Cove institution, Vivo dishes up Australian classics with a hint of Italy tossed in to keep things interesting. You’ll be seated along a wide veranda, with walls covered in white wood panelling and adorned with works by local artists. From buttermilk hotcakes for breakfast to freshly prepared salads and pastas at lunch, Vivo’s menu never disappoints – even long after the last morsels of crispy skin barramundi have been devoured and regrets over extra helpings of dessert have been kiboshed.

L'Unico Trattoria Italiano

In the neighbouring suburb of Trinity Beach, you’ll find L’Unico Trattoria Italiano, an elegant yet intimate spot on the beachfront. By day, this restaurant is favoured by the coffee, breakfast and long-lunch crowd, before morphing at night into an idyllic spot for a romantic candlelit dinner. Book a table on the veranda and bask in the gentle breeze, sway of coconut trees and golden glow of the setting sun. The wood-fired pizzas are divine and come in both gluten-free and vegan variations.

Dundee’s

Pair succulent seafood with prime mountain and sea views at Dundee’s, situated on the boardwalk of Cairns’ waterfront. If you can’t sate your seafood cravings here, you’re probably not trying hard enough. There are plenty of other dishes to try, too: kangaroo comes either in satay form (try the crocodile alternative if you dare) or as a chargrilled loin fillet. Meanwhile, diners with dietary requirements are well looked after with a dedicated menu section offering vegan and gluten-free options. For a different ambience, visit the Dundee’s Cairns Aquarium outpost.