Ellis Beach Bar & Grill

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill is a beachfront restaurant and bar at Ellis Beach, around five minutes north of Palm Cove along the Captain Cook Highway. The venue looks across the Coral Sea, with rainforest and a long stretch of sandy coastline forming the setting for relaxed meals, drinks and live entertainment. Its coastal location gives the venue a holiday atmosphere without requiring a formal dining style.

The menu covers familiar, generously styled options suited to casual dining. Food includes slow-cooked barbecue meats, burgers, nachos and breakfast dishes, alongside vegetarian and vegan choices. Plant-based options are built into the menu, while lighter and more health-focused selections provide alternatives to the heartier dishes. The range is designed for mixed groups, with different preferences catered for at the same table.

The atmosphere is casual, friendly and slightly funky, making the venue suitable for a relaxed catch-up, a family meal or an easy stop during a coastal outing. The bar serves drinks throughout the day, and the beachfront surroundings work well for a long lunch, an afternoon drink or an evening meal when dinner service is operating. The setting also gives the venue a natural connection to the surrounding tropical landscape and the northern beaches outside Cairns.

Live music is a central part of the venue’s character, with local performers scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Ellis Beach Bar & Grill also hosts feature events involving touring artists, so the music program can range from regular weekend sessions to larger ticketed shows. Sunday sessions combine live music with a seafood-focused offer, adding another reason for locals and visitors to make the short trip from Palm Cove.

The venue caters for private functions, events and venue hire as well as regular restaurant and bar visits. Smaller parties can generally arrive without arranging a table in advance, while groups of eight or more are asked to contact the venue. Ellis Beach Bar & Grill suits diners looking for an informal beachfront setting, a broad menu with plant-based choices and live entertainment rather than a quiet or formal restaurant experience.