5 of the best restaurant experiences in Alice Springs

Planning on visiting Alice Springs in 2016? The city is known for its proximity with some of Australia’s most unique and wonderful natural sites, however it also has a rich cultural side as well with various art galleries, historical sites and more. In addition, there are some fantastic restaurants all over the city with cuisine from all over the world and of course the best local foods and traditional bush tucker.

You might want to visit the following eateries if you do venture to the Alice Springs.

Red Ochre Grill

If you’re keen to try out genuine Aussie bush tucker, the Red Ochre Grill is a great place to do just that. The restaurant has a strong emphasis on fresh local foods, some of which you certainly From game meat to bush fruits, berries and more, the restaurant is decorated with traditional outback colours throughout, creating an unique atmosphere. There’s also a great selection of seafood here to tuck into!


Bluegrass Restaurant

In terms of ambience and atmosphere, Bluegrass Restaurant is sure to impress and remains a favourite for locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is set in a heritage listed building, but we’d highly recommend eating al fresco in the softly lit, leafy and relaxed outdoor area. The menu includes an extensive wine list and a healthy selection of Australian gourmet dishes.


Quandong Homestead Restaurant

Named after the plum (or quandong) trees that surround it, the Homestead Restaurant is located at the center of Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, a reserve that entertains and educates visitors about environmental sustainability and life in the outback. Being somewhat detached from the city, the restaurant provides patrons with the chance to dine on local food in what is essentially the outback. There is something truly special about watching the sunset here while enjoying a red wine and meal from the renowned menu.


Hanuman

If you’re a lover of Asian food, Hanuman in Alice Springs is simply not to be missed. It is consistently well-reviewed and along with its sister restaurant of the same name in Darwin, is regarded by many as one of the best Thai/Indian restaurants in the state. Located in the centre of town in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hanuman is a fine example of Alice Springs’ multicultural cuisine. It might not have the atmosphere of some of the other restaurants on this list but the food and service is of the highest quality.


QC Restaurant
With its contemporary, modern interior and dynamic, award-winning menu, QC Restaurant is relaxed but also feels high-class and sophisticated. The ever-changing menu is made up of quality, fresh local ingredients with a number of tasty vegetarian dishes available that are well worth a try. QC Restaurant won the 2008 Gold Plate award and is consistently well-received by food critics.


While great food isn’t always what comes to mind when you think of Alice Springs, the city certainly holds its own when it comes to great restaurants. Be sure to check out as many of these great eating spots as you can. If you know of any other great Alice Springs restaurants, feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Fine Dining Outback Restaurant in Alice Springs - The Quandong Homestead

At the heart of the Alice Springs Earth Sanctuary, located in an expansive 100% carbon neutral environment is the Quandong Homestead - a beautifully crafted and meticulously designed restaurant that serves some of the finest foods in this part of the world. Inspired by the nature that lives around it, and the traditional culture and cuisine of the land, the restaurant is the true jewel of the Earth Sanctuary experience.

The restaurant features local produce that has been specifically selected to inspire your palettes, and allow you to enjoy the finest ingredients, seasonal produce and a number of locations to enjoy your meal.

The restaurant features the Star Bar which is home to an unparalleled vista of the night’s sky to take in while you enjoy a drink of your choice, as well as featuring a hand-picked and curated wine list to perfectly compliment your meal.

The real taste of the outback

Designed to give you a real taste of the outback, the restaurant has a number of speciality items such as the platter dish that includes a number of cheese selections, bruschetta and dips, olives feta stuffed mini peppers as well as mettwurst to name a few of the starters.

The main meal courses feature a delicious buffet BBQ of scotch fillet steaks, tenderloin chicken topped with mustard sauce, gourmet bratwurst sausages, along with golden baked potatoes and seasonal veggies. A summer menu features traditional garden salad with avocado, coleslaw or pesto pasta salad, whilst the winter menu features steamed peas and carrots as a side.

Feast your senses on the lunch menu

The lunch menu at this stunning Alice Springs restaurant features a number of delights to tickle your taste buds. Featuring traditional Billy Tea, scones, Quandong Jam and cream you will be able to get a real sense of the Earth Sanctuary lifestyle with a true taste of the outback.

You will have a chance to taste some of the more traditional outback foods from the region such as the desert Emu, Kangaroo, Crocodile and native Milet Dips, as well as the home-made Quandong Jam to delight.

The outback restaurant also features a range of breads and dips, as well as a rolled sandwich buffet to treat any hungry explorer with a taste for the wild side.

Delicious desserts to delight

When it comes to desserts, the Quandong Homestead Restaurant features a mouth-watering speciality that is sure to please any outback diner. With the sticky date pudding with cream combined with a strawberry and caramel sauce, you will be able to end your evening tour with a delightful finish.

Special dietary options are available on request for any diner, as the restaurant strives to entertain and delight every guest who walks through the doors.

An evening under the stars

The star bar is where your night’s entertainment will draw to an end with an unforgettable vista of the stars and the Milky Way as a setting for your entertainment. With soft drinks starting at $3 and a range of light beers at $5 and premium beers at $8, you will be able to unwind and relax from your day in style.

A glass of wine starts at just $8 and with standard wine bottles at $27 and a premium bottle for just $35, spirits are $8 per basic measure.

The Quandong Homestead Restaurant has all of the ideal qualities to make a fantastic day trip exploring the outback, with the sustainable living educational exhibitions and the tastes of the local region in a single, carbon free environment. The delicious menu for any time of the day that uses seasonal ingredients and local produce where possible means you can treat yourself to an authentic taste of the outback, and spend an evening under the stars with a tasty drink to match!