As regular readers know, my daughter moved up to Hervey Bay earlier this year. Located about 2.5 hours north of us on the Sunshine Coast (and 3.5 hours north of Brisbane), it’s very quickly become a place I love to visit – and the food scene is great too. Below are a few ideas if you’re ever in this part of Queensland. This is, however, just a start – I aim to try one new place each time I’m in The Bay, so watch this space!
This post comes with a couple of caveats:
- Look away now if you’re hungry – or think you might be hungry
- Not all of this was consumed over my last stay – there is 6 months worth of Hervey Bay visits in these photos…
Morning Coffee
After capturing that fabulous Urangan sunrise and walking the pier, you’ll be in need of caffeine. The best place in Urangan to get it is Hatch Design. It’s also a fun place to check out.
If, however, you’re here on a Saturday morning, you can’t go past YaYa’s coffee truck at the Urangan markets. (They’re also at Nickenbar Markets on Sundays…)
Hervey Bay General Store
I know I’ve told you about this place before, but seriously, you’d have to go a long way to have a better breakfast – or lunch – than you get here. Whether you choose a seat in the sun…
or inside with the plants, you’ll always get a warm welcome here – and some inspiration to up your indoor plant game.
During the week there are daily specials for lunch: ramen on Tuesdays, bao on Wednesdays, philly steak (which I’m yet to sample) on Thursdays and reubens on Friday.
It gets busy, but you can book and furry friends are welcome. For more information, check them out here, on Facebook or the ‘gram.
Cafe Balaena
On the marina at Urangan, this busy cafe gets a vote from me for the views, the food and the proximity to where I stay (I literally have to walk across the carpark). It’s also dog-friendly.
Anyways, if you want to come here for lunch or dinner (or, indeed weekend brekky) it’s best to book.
Tres Salsas
Whether for lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with this cantina style eatery in Torquay. Again it’s best to book and if you have your pooch with you, just ask for a table outside. They’re on all the socials or head to their website.
19XO
Just a few doors down from Tres Salsas is 19XO. A cocktail and wine bar, there are seats both outside and in (inside has a cool speakeasy vibe).
They don’t do food, but you can place an order with Tres Salsas or Kathmandu and eat your takeaway in the bar. BYO food…I love it.
The Dock
Just how much do I love this place?
Great for lunch, dinner, or in betweens, The Dock, at Urangan marina (so a walk across the carpark for me) is my fave place for an after work drink and some writing. (I’m not, however, sure that it’s a good think when the server knows your pinot noir order…)
The views are great, the staff are friendly, the food is yum and the wine is good. What more can I say? Except if you want to come for lunch or dinner, you’ll probably need to book – it gets busy.
Where else?
For fabulous views you can’t go past Enzo’s at Scarness. Sadly, it’s not dog friendly though…
Waters Edge at Urangan is a little more upmarket, but a great choice for a special night out…
…and on the water just a few doors up on The Esplanade at Urangan, The Bayswater Bar and Grill is a more casual choice for everything from a beer or a wine to pizza, steaks and fish and chips.
The food is great at Eat at Dan & Steph’s, and they even have a weight loss surgery menu if you need the smaller sizes of some menu items. They aren’t, however, dog friendly so as tempted as we were by their current menu, we won’t be visiting while ever we have el poocho with us.
Santini Pizza E Cucina at Torquay is worth a visit; as is Two Ducks at Urangan – if you’re after some Asian flavours.
Check out also some of the food trucks at the markets. Sarah loves Darryl’s gluten-free donuts, and we love the pastizzi at JnL Maltese Finger Food.
And Anyways... 
Interesting that many of the restaurants are pup friendly. I don’t know that any would be here in El Paso. Maybe out on the patio but probably not even then.
Such pretty food. So many varieties of dishes and drinks. Nice to see a Mexican restaurant. Love the seafood dishes as I never get enough seafood in land-locked west Texas.
Dogs are only allowed in outside seating areas. I love in England how they’re welcome inside too.
You had to open with ice-cream and end with donuts!!! 😀
I honestly didn’t think that I was hungry. Now, I need to go hunting for a sweet and satisfying snack.
I definitely should have heeded your opening advice.
Great post!
I hate to say it, but you were warned…
SO much yummy food! I love dining near the water especially during the summer.
There’s something about it, isn’t there? Of course we’re mid winter here at the moment, but that’s peak season here.
Reading this post at the start of my day was probably a bad idea. Oh well. What a wonderful foodie’s guide to Harvey Bay! Such variety, beautiful views and a good mix of pet friendly options.
Oooops… It’s a great place to visit – although my new challenge is to source some decent dumplings.
Lovely place for foodie courtyard.