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Australia

Mediterranean restaurants in Australia

  1. A

    Elaia

    This Mediterranean eatery does inventive pizzas, delicious pastas and risottos, steaks and good salads. Occupy the soft leather wall benches for all-day breakfast or coffee and cake.

    reviewed

  2. Cantina 663

    It's a Spain versus Italy showdown, from the dishes to the wine list, at this cool but casual cantina, with tables spilling into the arcade.

    reviewed

  3. Fernanda's Café & Restaurant

    Tucked inside the Tennant Creek squash courts (yes squash courts) is this surprising Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. A definite Tennant Creek highlight, it is run by the ebullient Fernanda, who serves up tantalising dishes such as Portuguese seafood hotpots. For lighter lunches there are salads, dips, pasta and wraps.

    reviewed

  4. B

    Merrijig Inn

    This is superb dining and the menu changes according to what's seasonal. You might get duck breast, leg brik, baby beetroot, pickled rose, rhubarb and chard one day, and yabbies with asparagus, almonds and nasturtiums the next.

    reviewed

  5. C

    One One One

    HQ for slow-food devotees locally, the ingredients here celebrate regional produce. The menu is mostly vegetarian save for some superb spiced prawns and other seafood. Plates are good for sharing.

    reviewed

  6. Terrace

    Overlooking the pool of the dated All Seasons Hotel, the Terrace is a fine spot for dining on pan-roasted duck or oven-baked spring lamb on kumara mash.

    reviewed

  7. Tuileries Cafe

    The bright cafe at Tuileries serves excellent-value lunches of panini, fish and chips or pasta. In the evening, Tony's Italian Café offers pizza, pasta and risotto.

    reviewed

  8. D
  9. E

    Wicked

    Huge menu to suit all tastes.

    reviewed

  10. F

    Credo

    For a Mediterranean feast in a groovy establishment, this gets a good rap. It's a five-minute walk from the village centre.

    reviewed

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  12. Deebs Kitchen

    A lovely couple run this gorgeous, hidden-away restaurant where Mediterranean cuisine (with a Lebanese skew) and plenty of wine are served in the garden. BYO. Book ahead.

    reviewed

  13. G

    White Gums

    Hotel guests enjoy a big buffet breakfast and return at night for an à la carte dinner featuring fusion cuisine with Asian, Mediterranean and Australian themes. In season, Desert Gardens also opens the Arngulli Flame Grill with meat and seafood dinners.

    reviewed

  14. H

    Walter’s Wine Bar

    Wine is Walter’s passion and there’s over 20 pages of it on the menu. You can complement that glass of Grange Hermitage with moreish Italian fare and a delicious bar menu.

    reviewed

  15. I

    Geckos Cafe

    For great value, warm atmosphere and tasty food head to this buzzing licensed cafe, who say they 'cater for everyone'. The wood-fired pizzas, salads and pasta go well with a carafe of their sangria, and the courtyard tables are a great place to enjoy a dish from the all-day breakfast. There are several veggie and gluten-free options plus meals can be made to takeaway.

    reviewed

  16. J

    Dino’s Deli

    At the time of writing, the deli half of Dino’s was yet to open, but the clubby café-bistro is in full swing. The Pan-Med menu is especially strong on Spanish flavours and the space beguilingly eclectic. And it’s busy, busy, busy.

    reviewed

  17. K

    Pacino’s on the Waterfront

    This relaxed riverside restaurant is tucked between a string of warehouses, giving it an ‘in-the-know’ kind of feel. Seafood is the main fare, served in abundant and tasty quantities, sometimes tossed around in heaps of pasta or plonked on crispy pizzas.

    reviewed

  18. L

    GPO

    The food and atmosphere here is superb and rated highly by locals. Confit pork belly and roasted kingfish grace the Mediterranean menu, or go for the innovative pizzas and pasta or tapas plates.

    reviewed

  19. M

    Perrotta's at the Gallery

    This chic spot adjoining the Cairns Regional Gallery tempts you onto its covered deck's wrought-iron furniture for tasty breakfasts, superb coffees, and an inventive Med-inspired menu at lunch and dinner.

    reviewed

  20. N

    Balzari

    A nice respite right in the heart of the Lygon St mayhem. This place reaches out to embrace Greek cooking as well as Italian and a few other Mediterranean influences. The space is simple but elegant, and dishes – either entrees or soupy mains – are great to share.

    reviewed

  21. O

    Donovans

    Donovans has a big reputation and a marquee location to match. Overlooking the beach, the interior conjures up a comforting Long Island bolthole. The food is far from fussy; rather it’s solid on flavour and technique, and broad enough to please all comers. Book well ahead.

    reviewed

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  23. P

    Mesa Lunga

    In a fishbowl corner room with an amazing dark-wood wine wall, sassy Mesa Lunga serves tapas and quality pizzas. Order some queso manchego (aged sheep cheese with quince paste) and anchovies stuffed with Manzanillo olives, washed down with some sparkling sangria. Magic.

    reviewed

  24. Q

    Syracuse

    White-shirted workers steal a few luxurious lunchtime hours in here. Hardwood floors, round marble tables and columns holding high ceilings provide a soft landing from a busy morning. Fabulous deal-sealing mains plus a fine-looking wine list act as a springboard into the afternoon. Those not here on business can linger long after the others have left, or come later for the evening menu of tapas.

    reviewed

  25. R

    Magpies Nest

    A delightfully informal restaurant set in a restored 1860s stone stable overlooking the Murrumbidgee River flats and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The fare is regional with a hint of Tuscany, and my, it's good.

    reviewed

  26. S

    Balcony

    The eponymous architectural feature here wraps around the building and gives you tremendous views of the passing Byron parade and the always-clogged traffic circle. The food is Mediterranean fusion, with global influences. The drink list is long.

    reviewed

  27. T

    Cicciolina

    This warm room of dark wood, subdued lighting and pencil sketches is a St Kilda institution. The inspired Mod-Med menu is smart and generous, and the service warm. They don't take bookings; eat early or while away your wait in the moody little back bar. Check out their new restaurant, Ilona Staller, in nearby Balaclava.

    reviewed