Taste the flavours of Rockhampton at its best restaurants

Hovering on top of the famed Fitzroy River is the refined Boathouse. Sitting in the midst of the riverfront precinct, neighbouring Customs House and a handful of restored Victorian buildings, the Rockhampton restaurant boasts a menu heavily inspired by its surroundings.

Sample dishes laden with fresh seafood and seasonal produce for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, joined by a cocktail inspired by the local district - we suggest the Fitzroy Martini.

Headricks Lane

Crave edible innovation? The clandestine Headricks Lane is a restaurant, cafe and micro-brewery that resides in an architecturally designed space. The progressive interiors match an equally intriguing menu, centred around seasonal ingredients and quality produce.

Local beef permeates the menu alongside Queensland-focused desserts, caramelised pineapple and lemon myrtle panna cotta included. That’s not mentioning the ample bar, including the microbrewery showcasing some of Queensland’s best beer talent.

Steak specialists

Great Western Hotel

Drop by the iconic Great Western Hotel at the southern end of town for a true taste of Rockhampton. Born back in 1862, this heritage pub has become one of the town’s most famous residents and remains a must-visit for visitors craving a quality steak. It’s here you can sample local beef, with an array of different cuts on offer.

But it’s not just the food which attracts the masses in their droves - the Great Western Hotel is a restaurant and entertainment venue in one, with professional bull riding regularly held at its restaurant-adjoining indoor rodeo.

Criterion Hotel

Or enjoy a pint at fellow local establishment the Criterion Hotel or ‘The Cri’ as it’s known. The historic watering hole landed back in 1867 at the corner of Quay and Fitzroy streets, with the rather splendid building remaining a firm favourite for its beer and beef both. Eatery The Bush Inn Bar & Grill Steak House is the star of this family-owned hotel and serves up an array of different steak cuts for every budget, from the rissoles to the 1 kilogram rump dubbed ‘the challenge’.

Bag a bargain

Those on a budget - or just a fan of a bargain - will be delighted to find that steak specials are a dime-a-dozen here. Many of Rockhampton’s restaurants and cafes offer weekly steak nights, with stand-outs including The Giddy Goat, serving up the $5 steak on Thursday nights.

Cafe culture

You’ll find breakfast is taken seriously in these parts with a blossoming cafe culture. Rockhampton’s restaurants and cafes include an array of brunch specialists, many of which reside in the city centre. Headricks Lane is well worth a visit for a breakfast of the same standard of any city.

Then there’s JOLT cafe bakery nestled by the historic Post Office building, the flourishing Coffee Society, and The Two Professors. A delightfully refined breakfast or lunch can also be had at Riverston Tea Rooms along Rockhampton's historic Quay St.

Global cuisine

Take your tastebuds on a trip around the globe at one of Rockhampton’s many international restaurants. Sample some of the region’s best Indian cuisine at the aptly named Miss India, a space boasting an impressive collection of naan variations and spicy curries. Then there’s Thai Tanee on Denham Street, where chilli sits front and centre on the menu.

Seafood specialists

Fishermen will be all too familiar with Rockhampton - the beef town is also well regarded as a hub for catching barramundi. Not only is Rockhampton itself a great spot for sampling local seafood, but so too is neighbouring Yeppoon.

On its cusp sits the bustling Keppel Bay Marina, where fruits of the sea are served up straight from the trawlers. The Waterline Restaurant is a family favourite thanks to its affordable all-day menu. Or, splurge on a meal at Vue Wine Bar & Restaurant on Anzac Parade, where a tapas-style menu and creative cocktails accompany sleek interiors.