North Queensland mud crab omelette for breakfast, barbecued tiger prawns with rainforest honey for lunch and whey-poached local line-caught fish with Innisfail heart of palm and young coconut salad for dinner? Nu Nu, a fixture in the resort town of Palm Cove for the past 15 years, stands out for its innovative menu based around local produce, its beachfront setting and its clever drinks list that kicks off with enticing cocktails such as the watermelon-based Chicky chicky chow chow.

On a moonlit night on the roofless front deck, with only palm trees between the restaurant and the gently lapping Coral Sea, it’s hard to imagine a more enticing location. A corn and pumpkin rice porridge studded with chunks of tiger prawn and a scattering of fried fish skin pieces and pumpkin seeds is a splendid starter although it had a rival in the reef bug schnitzel accessorised with macadamia, hibiscus and apple. Mains are generously sized and pork belly curry of wild ginger, pineapple and turmeric with coconut and a lid of crackling is bursting with rich accents. Service is friendly and prompt.

Lemon semolina cake with rainforest honeycomb, yoghurt marshmallow and milk jam ice cream is a lovely finish from a lineup packed with local flavours such as coconut meringue with black rice, spiced pineapple and passionfruit. Original and a wonderful expression of North Queensland on a plate.

Must-eat dish:  Tiger prawn, corn and pumpkin rice porridge