Hervey Bay’s Banksia Seafood Bar and Grill : a review
Visited March 1, 2025
We arrived at the restaurant, were greeted warmly, and were given a beautiful table by the window. I could see the Hampton-style cane furniture outside, lit by lanterns, which transported me to a tropical holiday. My love had organised our date night late in the afternoon, and upon making the booking, they asked him for a late 7pm arrival because they were booked out. I have to admit, I was worried I’d be crammed into a tiny seat somewhere in the way on a makeshift table, so I was pleasantly surprised by the space and the romantic crystal-encrusted candelabra awaiting us.
Promptly, our drinks were brought over from the extensive cocktail bar. The beer was icy cold and poured perfectly at our table by the waitperson into the chilled beer glass. My Pinot Grigio came in a deep glass that made the wine feel and taste fancy. Considerately, we were asked to place our order before a large table celebrating a birthday could slow the kitchen.
The Chorizo and Smoked Cheddar Croquette ($24) was spicy and hearty. Generous in size, golden brown, and came with a complementary medley of cold tomato salsa, lightly pickled capsicum, and a blend of warm herb butter, which cooled the palate. I swapped entrée plates with my love, leaving him to savour the second delicious croquette as I finished his Collins Calamari ($26), which was cooked to perfection and crumbled in my mouth. (It was nothing at all like the battered rubber bands average places serve.) The slaw that came with his calamari was shredded extremely fine, seasoned with lemon and coriander, which gave it a clean, refreshing mouthfeel.
Despite the background noise – which would be softened if they used tablecloths – we connected and talked of our dreams for the future and what we hoped the next 18 months would look like for us, how we could best help our grown-up children and grandkids, what we’d do tomorrow before leaving the bay, and what needs to be secured as Cyclone Alfred was predicted to approach.
Our mains arrived in what felt like no time at all. As a premier seafood restaurant at the very drop-off point in a fishing mecca, I was disappointed that the fish of the day was salmon or barramundi, the standard fish found on most club menus. My menu choice, the cob loaf ($48), warm and brimming with prawns, fish, and creamy chowder, was mild and gentle in flavour for a fish dish. For my love, the Spiced Lamb Rump ($45) was rare in the middle, and the edges were beautifully charcoaled and presented next to a tower of couscous, lashings of tzatziki, crisp and thin sweet potato crunch, and an almond salad – all a Middle Eastern delight.
Next time, I’ll preorder the Flagship Seafood Platter for Two ($170), which requires 24 hours' notice, and I’m dreaming of the ‘Watermelon and Basil Granita Oysters’ ($36). We finished the night with a final drink. I ordered the signature cocktail – The French Orchard – reminiscent of a lychee-flavoured French Martini. It came in a long-stem coupe glass, which topped the decadent evening off beautifully. Full-bellied, romanced, and satisfied, I floated out of the restaurant, adorned in a dress, and walked home along the windy bay’s esplanade with my love’s arm around me.
Banksia is located at 382 Esplanade Scarness, Hervey Bay Queensland, 4655 and is open Wednesday to Sunday. https://www.banksiaseafoodgrill.com.au/about-us