Top Restaurants in Cape Tribulation
Top Things to do in Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Cape Tribulation
The dramatic headland and lush, unspoiled rainforest of Cape Tribulation makes for some exquisite surroundings, stretching all the way down to Cape Tribulation Beach and boardwalk. Four resorts and some backpacker hostels cater to the few (and happy!) visitors who make it this far north. Take charters to the nearby Great Barrier Reef, stroll on guided night walks, go kayaking, jungle surfing or swimming—or cruise with the crocodiles.
Things to do in Cape Tribulation
1. Cafe On Sea
Overall Ratings
3 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By RonWamberal - Sydney, Australia
An early start searching for cassowaries in the Daintree meant a long time between coffees. The surprise of the Daintree Is how many places dot the road, now mostly tarred through the jungle. Ions ago, roadside blocks were sold off and now houses and cafes and the occasional place to stay obscure your true experience.
For the rain forest, you have to get out and walk some of the well worn and maintained forest paths.
After several hours what better place to pull up than Cafe on Sea , aptly named with views across the Coral Sea. Tempting as it may be to go for a dip, the thought of being eaten by a croc stops that. Instead it was coffee on the verandah overlooking the ocean. Food was unadventurous so we settled for cake. It filled a hole but the coffee was good.
2. Whet Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 921 reviews
Reviewed By Neil_and_Vicki_2013 - Sydney, Australia
This awesome restaurant and bar is nestled within the scenic Daintree rainforest. The staff gave us a wonderful friendly welcome on arrival, and the service was fantastic throughout the meal. Their lunch menu has a nice range of options, the portion sizes are ample and the food is excellent. We had the sourdough with garlic butter for starters, followed by tempura battered Spanish Mackerel with chips, salad and their lovely homemade tartare sauce. Being a warm day, their lemon, lime and bitters was very refreshing – as was the breeze from their fans!
3. The Cassowary Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 56 reviews
The Cassowary Restaurant / Cafe is next to our lush lagoon pool. The restaurant is built in a tropical Balinese style with wooden boardwalk areas and an outdoor hut for dining. Submerged into the Cape Tribulation jungle our restaurants ambiance shows off the magic and wonder of Ferntree Rainforest Lodge itself. We’re a casual, fun and relaxed venue, open for breakfast and dinner service. Breakfast (light tropical breakfast) – 07.00 am to 09.30 am Dinner (bistro-style classic dining) – 18.00 pm to 20.00 pm (*Opening times are subject to change*)
Reviewed By Hatfia - Melbourne, Australia
Now called "Off the Grid", we sat outside for dinner in the balmy night air. All our meals were delicious and served piping hot (steak, crispy-skinned barramundi, excellent chips) and the children's serve of fish and chips was generous; probably the best in the area.
Our waitress was very efficient and friendly.
Overall, a very pleasant meal - worth a visit!
4. Daintree Ice Cream Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 703 reviews
Ice cream like you've never had before! We specialise in tropical fruit gelato and sorbet made on site with fruit grown in our own orchard. Try our famous 'sample cup' which features 4 delicious flavours that change daily and is guaranteed to include something you've never tried before. We also offer a free “Self Guided Orchard Walk" so visitors can learn about and see the fruit they are eating. This interpretive activity helps connect people with their food and allows them to follow its journey from field to cup. Disclaimer: We do not sell ordinary flavours (e.g vanilla) - we are all about helping visitors explore the weird and wonderful world of exotic fruit ice cream! Gluten/dairy free and vegan options available.
Reviewed By lovetohike1111 - Prescott, Arizona
I was seeing the signs for ice cream as we explored Daintree and I was estactic when our guide said we could stop for our treat if we hurried as we were on a schedule. We pulled in and walked up to the counter for...MoreThank you for taking the time to write us this amazing review of your tasty stop! Our Gelatician (master gelato maker), will be very pleased to hear you think it could be the best you’ve had. Kind Regards Narelle
5. Mason's Cafe
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 318 reviews
Mason's Cafe offers fresh food,featuring local produce where possible. Open for lunch and dinner (may be closed in the low season)we sell burgers, steak sandwiches, fish and chips and a range of reasonably priced meals and drinks. Cakes and desserts are made onsite.We specialize in Crocodile, Emu and Kangaroo Burgers, and also offer offer a tasting plate that includes all three.We serve Tichum Creek Coffee and Daintree Tea, both sourced locally.Mason's Cafe is not 'full service' we ask that you order at the counter and you are called when meals are ready.
Reviewed By Andrew H - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Having stopped here I can describe it as both an experience and entertaining.
I ordered the chicken burger which was great. My wife is a vegetarian and wanted a fried egg but got cajoled jack fruit burger which turned out to be one of the best veggie meals so far.
The comments about the staff are correct in that you could be offended or go with the flow and just laugh as it’s all surreal dynamics that happen.
We found it entertaining lol.
Would stop probably yes
6. On the Turps
Overall Ratings
4 based on 159 reviews
Our international chef will tantalise your tastebuds with Mediterranean style quality food using the finest of local ingredients. Dine with the bandicoots for dinner and enjoy breakfast and lunch overlooking the magical Cooper Creek.
Reviewed By uri_fi - Tel Aviv
The Cape Tribulation area doesn't have too many options to choose from when it comes to dinner and also be aware that everything closes super early (20:00-20:30 nothing more is open is you come in late).
So we picked On The Turps which is situated in the middle of a beautiful rainforest lodging with a quiet and enjoyable atmosphere.
The menu is limited (not too many options so be warned if you are with kids) with a few appetizing sounding dishes. Unfortunately we were not impressed with the food.
The Kangaroos steak was tough and chewy, the cannelloni was by far the least good and oily. The best dish was the fish of the day. The bread with garlic and parmesan was good.
The sorbet ice-cream in chocolate cup was a disappointment.
Service was not attentive, we had to ask the waitress to order, remind about the wine and ask again about dessert.
We were hoping for a good meal, especially considering the prices (~AU$35 for mains), but would recommend another option in the area.
7. Turtle Rock Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Turtle Rock Cafe is located in the remote rainforest region of Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland, 110km north of Cairns. Situated 400m from the beach, the Turtle Rock Cafe is located within the heart of the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage area, home to some of the oldest rainforest on earth and adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. The Turtle Rock Cafe offers fresh wholesome food, great coffee and outdoor dining, with a casual friendly atmosphere in the heart of Cape Tribulation. With a menu offering healthy sandwiches and wraps, burgers, cakes, muffins and delicious meals made to order, the Turtle Rock Cafe is also known for its great locally grown coffee. The Turtle Rock Cafe showcases the wide variety of delicious produce the Tropical North Queensland region has to offer. Using Malanda milk, farm fresh eggs and cheese from the Southern Tablelands, Mareeba grown coffee, fresh produce from the Atherton Tablelands and locally grown exotic fruits (seasonal) you can experience the best of North Queensland produce in one place. The Turtle Rock Cafe is located Cape Tribulation Road, opposite PK's, and the site is also home to Ocean Safari and Safari Lodge....Why not stay a while longer and enjoy everything the region has to offer? Make sure you check out our daily specials! Open 8am - 5pm, 7 days a week. Phone orders welcome.
8. Cape Tribulation Beach House Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By Sara F
After an afternoon out on the reef it was nice to have a glass of wine and meal in the outdoor bar and restaurant. I had the barramundi which was delicious. The meal was large including a large serve of salad. The staff were friendly
9. Cj's Bar & Cafe
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 262 reviews
Reviewed By Geoff O - Adelaide, Australia
After spending the morning at the Pt Douglas Markets,we decided to drive, and catch the Ferry across the Daintree River and head for Thornton Beach for lunch. Cj's Bar & Cafe is situated right on the beach,if you choose to eat outside, you are provided with beautiful views and a cooling breeze. We have eaten here before and the food is always of a high standard. Today,we had the Barra,Chips & Salad, which was perfectly cooked,the crumb was golden,and the fish wasn't dry,also,the Chips were great,they were spot on - golden and crunchy, and the salad was fresh and crispy - no limp lettuce and soggy tomatoes here,all washed down with a few coldies made for a perfect lunch
10. PK's Jungle Village Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By jpmorris - Bathurst NSW
I start by preempting the comment I expect from management to my review.
There is no grid power here, so accordingly all these properties run off generated power. At no time were we rude, uncourteous, or disrespectful. We were travelling on holidays and having the time of our lives.
The power generation isn't a problem, until you order a meal at 7pm - one hour before they advertise their cut off for meals at 8pm (see photo). We placed our order easily enough with the nice Canadian girl who was working there (part of her visa requirement and paid via meals and accommodation), however it appeared upon arrival of our food that our order was lost in translation. The garlic pizza which we hoped to receive before our main meals didn't arrive until after our mains. Our mains were not right - ordered battered fish and grilled fish was served, as well as our other main - a vegetarian dish instead of what was ordered. Upon speaking with the staff, the manager presented himself (with the original waitress) and was NOT impressed with us not being willing to accept what we had been served. My friend refused to accept his and returned it to the kitchen. I accepted mine to basically appease the situation - I also guessed that grilled fish would be better for me than fried battered fish! By this time it was around 7.20pm and they turned off the ceiling fans, and closed all the external doors ex one. The kitchen was shut down and cleaning started inside. God help us if there was a fire, because they locked the doors and barricaded them with heavy pieces of timber. The next was the closing of the windows - leaving us inside with one open door at the back of the area - leading out to their resort. Blind Freddie could tell that we were NOT wanted there. Lights were turned off at the counter of the restaurant, and 10 minutes later a group of about 4-5 travellers arrived - wanting to order food. Huh. Not happy JAN! Anyway - it was blindingly obvious the manager's tactics were to eradicate us from the property to release his staff and shut the kitchen after us having one of our meals re-prepared. What was unclear to us at that time, was the fact they also wanted to shut down part of the power generation for this section of the resort. If only the manager had the foresight to explain this to us IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, we would have understood the reason for what they were doing around us. After speaking with the manager briefly at the bar and asking if there was a problem, he explained the situation and invited us to stay a little longer, but we would have to purchase alcohol and sit outside on the verandah as he was closing the bar. Strange thing was that his preoccupation enjoying himself with a group of patrons at a table near the bar was evident, and the rest of us got the Fawlty Towers experience. Oh the other main dish when it arrived was a bowl of what was like two minute noodles with some meat dropped in the soup. See the photo of the grilled fish and judge that one for yourself.
There's few alternative choices to dine at Cape Tribulation, but one thing is for certain, I'd starve before going back there again.
