Ordering a parmigiana is normally the safest option when you go out to a restaurant. What could go wrong? After all, it’s just deep fried filling smothered in cheese and tomato sauce. While many restaurants know how to cover the basics, not all places go above and beyond in giving you a full-blown Parma experience you won’t forget.
La Tabella Trattora & Plaza Deli
La Tabella Trattora restaurant offers the ultimate Italian dining experience for anyone who wants to feast on a tasty parma, as well as other speciality dishes that part of Europe is so famous for. Situated across from the beach, this stylish and sophisticated restaurant is home to a charming atmosphere and makes for the perfect place to take that special someone for a little one-on-one time. If you are silly enough to think a parma won’t fill you up, then perhaps the sea scallops with pickled garlic salsa and veal may just wet your appetite enough. The lovely chefs that work at this fine restaurant present your meal like it’s a piece of art. It almost feels bad eating it, (almost).
Where: 7 Beach Road Cannonvale QLD
Banjo’s Bar & Bistro
Whether you choose to eat indoors or in the garden area, Banjo’s Bar and Bistro will cook you up a good old fashioned parma that you’ll be telling your friends about. This restaurant doesn’t feature quite the same fancy Italian vibes as La Tabella Trattora, but it does have its own unique friendly atmosphere, with staff who will serve you affordable drinks and food with a smile on their face. Located just 3 kilometres out of the heart of Airlie Beach, these guys specialise in big, juicy chicken parmigianas with chips and salad, but they also offer a range of other pub-style favourites for only $10 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Regardless of which day you pop in, make sure you wash your meal down with a freshly poured schooner straight from the tap.
Where: Shute Harbour Rd Cannonvale QLD
Mangrove Jacks Cafe 
Feeling hungry and looking for a nice casual place to enjoy an evening of parmigiana goodness? Located inside the Airlie Beach Hotel, this cosy little restaurant provides delicious, high quality food at extremely affordable prices. If you’re with a few mates who aren’t as enthusiastic about parmas, don’t stress as there are many different pizza, pasta and seafood options; including tempura battered reef fish with chips, salad and tartare sauce and a range of wood-fired gourmet pizzas. If you’ve finished your scrumptious Mangrove Jacks main meal and don’t feel like calling it a night, you can always venture to the sports bar and cheer on your favourite team or just put a couple of bets on the horses and see what happens. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re with your partner or out with your mates, Mangrove Jacks will ensure you have a good night and a world class parma.
Where: 16 The Esplanade Airlie Beach QLD
Galley Restaurant 
Parma lovers listen up! Hidden inside the Whitsunday Sailing Club Ltd, you can get pristine views of the Airlie Point Marina while tucking into a quality piece of crumbed chicken layered with cheese and tomato sauce. How often do you treat your partner out to a quality night of restaurant dining? Take them to this little treasure and you will be sent straight to the good books (for at least a night). Perhaps you’re just wanting a place to have lunch with your mates? The Galley Restaurant offers a range of budget buster lunch specials to satisfy your stomach, while barely making a dent in your back pocket – but you’ll have to ring up and confirm beforehand as specials change regularly. If you’re into your desserts then look no further. Galley’s have a versatile range of homemade specialities including chocolate and strawberry bread and butter pudding as well as peach and Bundy banana filo. So, sink into your chair and enjoy some of the best views in Airlie Beach while you nurse your parma food baby.
Where: Airlie Point Airlie Beach QLD
Have we missed your favourite parmigiana hotspot? Tell us what Airlie Beach restaurant you go to.
Parma-paluza at these Airlie restaurants
Ordering a parmigiana is normally the safest option when you go out to a restaurant. What could go wrong? After all, it’s just deep fried filling smothered in cheese and tomato sauce. While many restaurants know how to cover the basics, not all places go above and beyond in giving you a full-blown Parma experience you won’t forget. […]
