Who said you can't get fine cuisine in the desert?!

Uluru and Kata Tjuta, two of the world's greatest attractions, are probably the first things that spring to mind when someone mentions Ayers Rock Resort. What guests may not know is that, as well as feasting your eyes, you can also tantalise your tastebuds! Regardless of which hotel you are staying in, guests can dine at any of the Resort's ten food and beverage outlets. Cook your own BBQ one night and indulge in a five-course chefs tasting menu the next. Read on!

Kuniya restaurant (Sails in the Desert Hotel)

Kuniya Restaurant, Ayers Rock Resort's premiere dining venue, offers an elegant, fine dining experience in a beautiful setting. The restaurant's décor is based on the Aboriginal story of the mythical snake, Kuniya, and is reflected in the menus and the artwork in the dining room. Situated at the five-star Sails in the Desert Hotel, Kuniya incorporates a blend of traditional and contemporary ingredients, letting the guest experience the tastes of indigenous foods within a sophisticated and varied menu. The restaurant's wine list reflects its Australian heritage and the service is both discerning and personalised. Kuniya is open each evening from 6.30pm.

Now, who said you can't have an à la carte restaurant in the desert!

Winkiku restaurant (Sails in the Desert Hotel)

Located at Sails in the Desert Hotel, Winkiku is a lively, brasserie-style restaurant. With its stunning views of the prized garden and pool surrounds, Winkiku offers diners a fresh, stylish atmosphere.

Winkiku opens for breakfast daily between 6.00am and 10.30am, offering both buffet and à la carte menu options. Each evening, dinner is served from 6.30pm featuring a tantalising buffet of fresh, export-quality seafood alongside an impressive selection of salads, hot buffet dishes, and delicious desserts.

Through the summer months the restaurant opens for lunch at 12.00pm and an à la carte menu is available. Diners can decide on such mouthwatering choices as the Triple-Decker Club Sandwich and Chicken Salad tossed with semi-dried tomatoes, avocado and caramelised pecans.

Rockpool (Sails in the Desert Hotel)

Dining alfresco at Rockpool Restaurant at Sails in the Desert Hotel should be placed near the top of the list for visitors to Ayers Rock Resort - especially travelers with a taste for authentic East Asian cuisine. Rockpool offers a wide selection of Thai-inspired dishes coupled with an impressive selection of Australian wine. Just some of the restaurant's tantalising delights include favourites such as Pad Thai, Nasi Goreng and Hokkien Noodles. The menu extends to include a large selection of exotic dishes.

Rockpool makes a relaxing end to a busy day. The restaurant is open for dinner between 7.00pm and 10.30pm during summer months and is open for lunch during winter.

Whitegums restaurant (Desert Gardens Hotel)

Desert Gardens Hotel is home to the popular Whitegums Restaurant which offers both a sumptuous buffet-style option and a delicious á la carte flamegrill menu. The restaurant's open and relaxed setting offers great vegetarian and Northern Territory delicacies.

At the flamegrill, guests can choose from, among other things, seafood, lamb, and chicken and team it up with any of the delicious selection of sauces such as minted honey or sweet chilli and coriander butter.

The à la carte restaurant is open for lunch between 12.00pm to 4.00pm, and dinner from 6.00pm.

The buffet is open for breakfast and dinner from 6.00am to 10.30am and 6.00pm to 10.00pm respectively.

Geckos café (Resort shopping centre)

For relaxed café-style dining, don't miss Geckos - Ayers Rock Resort's trendiest eatery. Gecko's menu is modern and Italian-inspired, specialising in wood-fired pizzas; homemade pastas; delicious salads: generous gourmet sandwiches; plus a great range of desserts. All meals can be complemented from a tempting list of side orders. A recent addition to the Geckos menu is the scrumptious fresh pastry selection, on offer daily, including a selection of muffins, croissants and pastries all served warm.

Open daily from 9.30am until 10.00pm, Geckos brunch is served between 9.30am and 11.00am, lunch between 11.00am and 5.00pm and dinner between 5.00pm and 9.30pm. Choose a table outside in the sunshine or inside in the relaxed airy restaurant. Enjoy!

Take-away (Resort shopping centre)

If you're looking for a quick, hot snack or perhaps a fresh gourmet sandwich, then head to the Take-Away. Located in the Resort Shopping Centre, it offers a range of delicious and inexpensive snacks and simple meals. The daily selection includes burgers (including vegetarian), fish or chicken and chips packs, hot dogs, and gourmet sandwiches plus a wide range of pastries and assorted take-away beverages.

Open daily, between 7.00am and 8.30pm, this is the ideal venue for a meal-on-the-run between stops on a busy itinerary. Choose to eat at an inside or outside table, have a picnic on one of the Resort's beautifully manicured lawns, or dine in your hotel room.

Pioneer Bbq and Bar (Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge)

Our newly refurbished Pioneer BBQ has an unusual claim to fame… it is Australia's biggest barbecue! Open each night from 6.30pm, the Outback Pioneer BBQ offers real Australian Outback hospitality in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Just the place to visit after a day out touring!

Guests can choose from hearty steaks, chicken, emu sausages, kangaroo, barramundi or veggie kebabs, then cook it on the BBQ yourself! Add to this, a wide range of fresh salads and accompaniments, and a true Aussie BBQ is complete! There is even a resident musician who will keep everyone in song for the evening.

Outback Pioneer Kitchen (Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge)

The Outback Pioneer Kitchen is the perfect place to grab that quick, easy meal. Located adjacent to the Outback Pioneer BBQ, this one-stop spot is open daily from 9.00am, serving an all-day menu until 9.00pm.

An extensive variety of meal deals are available and one of the local favourites is the Bush-hopper Combo, reputedly one of the best chicken burger and fries combinations to be found! The Pioneer Kitchen is a great, low-priced alternative to restaurant dining.

Bough House Restaurant (Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge)

In keeping with the Outback Pioneer Hotel's rustic outback charm, this traditional homestead-style restaurant provides true 'Aussie' hospitality with its hearty meals and comfortable, welcoming environment. The Bough House Restaurant's specialty buffet items include a roast meat carvery, fresh seafood, an array of salads and delicious desserts plus the restaurant's famous Kangaroo Pie!

The restaurant is open daily for breakfast between 6.00am and 10.00am, lunch between 12 noon and 2.30pm and dinner between 7.00pm and 10.00pm. The Bough House is a perfect relaxed setting for families and groups.