Of the many highlights to discover during your visit to the Capricorn Coast, tasting the best food in this region should certainly be on your list. We had no idea that there were so many fantastic cafes, restaurants, and culinary gems to be found. If you’re craving food that has been cooked with love and prepared using the freshest local produce, seafood, and premium beef in the country, don’t miss these foodie hot-spots. Here are the best places to eat in the Capricorn Coast!
Vue Wine Bar and Restaurant
We spent an evening at Vue Restaurant indulging in the best food in Yeppoon. Set in the heart of downtown, and directly across from the beach, Vue is an ideal choice for lunch or dinner. The menu is classy and bold and offers creative options for every taste. The wine list complements the menu perfectly. I love the soaring ceilings and modern design of the restaurant, which creates a relaxed dining atmosphere. An eye-catching mural at the back wall adds to the atmosphere. The service is on point here and the food we enjoyed in the evening we visited was sublime.
A highlight for me was a starter of seared scallops, roasted pork belly, and truffle cauliflower puree. Then my chosen main dish of the evening, a glazed rack of lamb, roasted fennel, fresh asparagus, and rosemary potatoes. Bliss! And of course, there is always some space for dessert – Spanish Churros served with dark chocolate was a nice finish to truly an exceptional meal.
The Waterline Restaurant
Want to taste the best seafood, local beef, and produce in the area? It’s all found right here at the Waterline Restaurant. Located at the Keppel Bay Marina, this place offers a relaxed atmosphere with some of the friendliest service in the area.
We stopped by for breakfast and the food was exceptional. Better yet, the coffee was excellent too and we are serious about our coffee. I chose the Cowboy’s Benedict. This is a twist on the standard eggs benedict, except it comes with tender sliced Banana Station eye fillet beef underneath. The Waterline’s owners also own a cattle farm, Banana Station. The beef dishes on the restaurant menu here come directly from their farm, making it the only place to enjoy this premium beef. If you prefer something lighter, then the classic Eggs Benedict is highly recommended.
The location of the Waterline makes it ideal to enjoy breakfast before taking a ferry over to nearby Great Keppel Island.
Beaches Restaurant
This restaurant has a ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy, and we absolutely love this concept. Ross, the owner of Beaches Restaurant built a 2-acre market garden producing fresh, organically grown, and chemical-free produce for his restaurant. His permaculture farm is located in a beautiful setting overlooking Yeppoon and is home to many free-ranging animals too. Fresh produce is picked daily and delivered to the restaurant to create some super fresh dishes you can stop by to enjoy.
We spent an evening at Beaches restaurant grazing on a variety of different dishes. For me, the fresh oysters were incredible and the crispy vegetables and handpicked greens were a delicious addition to the main dish. Meals are generous and full of flavour, and service here comes with a smile. There’s a genuine feeling of warmth felt by the staff at Beaches, another reason why I’d highly recommend this restaurant. The alfresco dining section is perfect to sip chilled wine and enjoy warm sea breezes.
The Boathouse
Located on beautiful Quay St in Rockhampton and alongside the banks of Fitzroy River, the Boathouse is the perfect venue. With floor to ceiling glass walls and a huge breezy deck, it’s the obvious choice in Rockhampton to enjoy a great meal and a few drinks in a vibrant atmosphere. The breakfast menu here is popular, but if you arrive after 11.30am, I highly recommend the fresh fish burger for lunch. Oh, the Keppel Ale is fantastic too.
CocoBrew
A vibrant, modern venue to add to the best places to eat in Rockhampton. Cocobrew covers all bases! By day, enjoy breakfast or lunch in the Cellar Restaurant. We recommend both the Avocado Bruschetta or eggs benedict with smoked salmon. We’d love to return to try the beef cheeks on the dinner menu next time we’re in town, it sounds divine.
If you’re just after a small bite to eat, I’d recommend their Tapas menu and then a few drinks afterwards in the adjoining Whiskey lounge.
For a relatively new venue, CocoBrew seems to tick all the boxes!
