Looking for a bite to eat? From cheap eats to fine dining, make a booking at one of these top Cairns restaurants.
Whether it’s waterfront dining serving locally sourced flavours that pique your interest, fresh seafood straight off the trawler, or shared tapas bites with rooftop panoramic views, Cairns in Tropical North Queensland is home to an array of fabulous places to eat and drink at.
Feast your eyes on our pick of the best restaurants to dine at in Cairns right now.
The shortlist
- Best seafood: Prawn Star Cairns
- Best waterfront dining: Ochre Restaurant
- Best entertainment: Salt House
- Best outdoor dining: Nu Nu Restaurant
- Best cocktails: Salsa Bar & Grill
Cairns City
1. The Lobby Bar & Kitchen
There’s a sunny vibe inside and out at The Lobby Bar & Kitchen in the Sunshine Tower Hotel, with a ‘Paradiso’ theme that echoes throughout. Expect a pared-back coastal palette with timber tones and seating that ranges from beautifully upholstered banquettes to more intimate tables for two.
The Lobby Bar & Kitchen welcomes hotel guests and visitors for breakfast and dinner, with the choice of a buffet and a la carte. There’s also a menu of comforting classics. Think hand-stretched pizzas and signature smoked mains like Chipotle and Plum Smoked Pork Ribs. What also makes dining at The Lobby Bar & Kitchen a treat is the friendly and welcoming staff, who hail from all around the world. Sit at a table by the pool where there is plenty of shade from palm trees and frangipanis.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Sunny vibes
Location: 136 Sheridan St, Cairns City
2. Corea Corea
With a stand-out reputation amongst locals and tourists alike, Corea Corea serves up tasty and authentic Korean cuisine at value for money. Located upstairs in Orchid Plaza, dishes include spicy pork, chicken, tofu, stir-fried seafood, beef ribs, hot pots, soups and vegetarian options.
Cuisine: Korean
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Authentic
Location: Level 1, Orchid Plaza, 58 Lake St, Cairns City
3. Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook
If nourishing classics alongside live sports and music sound up your street, then it’s time to hit up Boardwalk Social. Inspired by gastro-pub classics with a focus on local ingredients, take your pick of salads, sourdough pizza, tacos and burgers.
You’ll also find an impressive drinks list to match featuring local brews with 36 beers on tap, 40 local and international gins and a range of signature cocktails.
Cuisine: Pub classics
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Hive of activity
Location: Ground Floor, 85, Esplanade, Cairns City (inside Crystalbrook Flynn)
4. Ganbaranba
When in Cairns, do as the locals do and eat ramen at Ganbaranba. You’ll recognise this place by the line that snakes up the street six nights a week. Once you’re in, you’ll be rewarded with a busy yet wholesome joint that serves an array of traditional ramen soups and gyoza in a casual setting.
The ingredients are locally sourced and super fresh, with emphasis placed on authenticity. They’ll even ask you how you want your noodles cooked; say medium. Every meal comes with a complimentary serving of iced tea, cementing this casual joint as one of the greats.
Cuisine: Japanese
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Cheap-and-cheerful
Location: 7/12-20 Spence St, Cairns City
5. Prawn Star Cairns
Located at Marlin Marina, Prawn Star Cairns is a floating restaurant serving fresh and local seafood straight off the trawler. The atmosphere is laid-back yet enchanting, with fairy lights strung across the boats, music and communal shared tables.
Here it’s all about delicious simplicity, so forget the fancy sides and cocktails, and instead tuck into raw salmon sashimi, prawns, oysters and crayfish, or the ultimate Sailor’s Platter to share. Juices, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available.
Cuisine: Fresh and local seafood
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: Pier Point Road | Marlin Marina, E31 Berth, Cairns City
6. Piato Cairns Restaurant
If you want to savour the flavours of superior home cuisine, welcome to the Piato experience. Bringing the joy of casual Mediterranean dining to The Pier, Piato Cairns serves top-quality seafood and steak dishes, including Moreton Bay bugs and prawn and scallop ravioli, and for dessert — banana mousse.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Quality all-round
Location: 1 Pierpoint Road Shop G4A, The Pier Marina, Cairns City
7. Dundee’s Waterfront Dining
For waterfront views and a taste of Australia, Dundee’s Restaurant on the Waterfront has a modern Australian menu featuring fresh local seafood, tender Australian-bred beef grilled to perfection, pasta, salads and Australian fare such as kangaroo, crocodile and emu.
For dessert, you can’t go past the Magnum Lava, a dark chocolate lava pudding with a mini Magnum ice cream, honeycomb crumbs and double cream.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Postcard-worthy scenic
Location: 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City
8. Dundees at the Cairns Aquarium
For a dining experience with a different kind of view, Dundees at the Cairns Aquarium features the largest tank within a restaurant in the whole of Australia. With a 70,000-litre saltwater marine aquarium in the background, enjoy the finest seafood and produce from Tropical North Queensland with a lively drinks menu to match. Kids will love it too, with their own menu to choose from, including ice cream and a soft drink.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and immersive
Location: 5 Florence St, Cairns City
9. Moku Bar & Grill
With modern coastal decor overlooking the lagoon, Moku Bar and Grill boasts expertly crafted cocktails and island-inspired fare, designed to share. Feast your eyes on a seasonal selection of fresh tropical favourites, from Fried Baby Daintree Barramundi to their Fijian-Style Coconut Curry.
Cuisine: Island-inspired fare
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Tropical summer
Location: 122 Lake St, Cairns City (Within Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort)
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10. Oak & Vine Cairns
Perched atop Oaks Cairns Hotel, the city’s Oak & Vine Cairns rooftop restaurant and bar serves up ocean views and share plates daily. Indulge in small plates or hearty mains such as Lamb Rump Ted Curry, Confit Duck and Pesto Linguine. Sit back, relax and soak in some of the best open terrace dining Cairns has to offer.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: City views
Location: 59/63 Esplanade, Cairns City
11. Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse
If you’re on the lookout for succulent meat and exceptional service alongside a superb Cairns waterfront location, look no further than Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse. Renowned for its consistency in preparing and cooking grilled meats (prime rib eye topped with tiger prawns is a must-eat), you’ll also find an inviting decor, vibrant music and a hearty buzz.
Cuisine: Incredible steaks and African-inspired flavours
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Bustling
Location: 1 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City
12. Rocco by Crystalbrook
Boasting 270-degree panoramic views of Cairns and the Coral Sea, Rocco is the city’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant. With earthy tones and Middle Eastern prints setting a warm ambience, order from the delicious Mediterranean-inspired menu and choose a signature cocktail to go with it.
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Funky
Location: Level 12, Tower, 131/141 Esplanade, Cairns City (within Crystalbrook Riley)
13. Bellocale Italian & Seafood Restaurant
Owned and operated by husband and wife Kevin and Summer, Bellocale Italian provides locals and tourists with an upbeat ambience and modern Italian meals to create a welcoming dining experience. Choose from an array of fresh, locally caught seafood and dishes, including seafood ravioli filled with blue swimmer crab, and fileto di manzo — local Tableland beef fillet tenderloin steak.
Cuisine: Modern Italian
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Cosy yet sophisticated
Location: 62 Shields St, Cairns City
14. Paper Crane by Crystalbrook
For tastes of Asia with a playful twist, Paper Crane is an incredible fusion restaurant, beautifully highlighting Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. Signature proteins and local produce feature heavily, with an abundance of fresh options from the region. Thirsty? Their signature cocktails are a mix of sweet and spicy, and a varied global wine list will keep you hydrated.
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Unique
Location: Ground Floor, 131-141, Esplanade, Cairns City (within Crystalbrook Riley)
15. Flynn’s Italian by Crystalbrook
Bringing a taste of Italy to the tropics, Flynn’s Italian is loud, fun and all about communal dining experiences. Inviting you into its quintessentially Italian vibe, expect to find each dish expertly crafted, ensuring you savour the light mix of fresh Italian flavours. Dinner is complete with an assortment of Italian desserts, from tiramisu and vanilla panna cotta to affogato and gelato. And for the ideal match, choose the three or four-course set menu with perfectly paired wines.
Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Inviting
Location: Level 1/85 Esplanade, Cairns City (inside Crystalbrook Flynn)
16. Ochre Restaurant
In the hub of Cairns on the edge of the waterfront, dining out at the award-winning Ochre is a no-brainer. Renowned for showcasing the best of Australia’s produce to the world, diners from far and wide come to sample an inventive array of dishes such as Salt and Native Pepper Leaf Crocodile and Prawns, Kangaroo Satays, or an Australian Antipasto Platter that comprises emu wonton and salmon green ant gravlax.
Cuisine: Australian native foods
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Innovative
Location: Harbour Lights Boardwalk, 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City
17. Salt House
Located right at the heart of the esplanade, the expansive Salt House with flowing ponds and fire features is almost as iconic as the scenery that surrounds it. The menu changes frequently depending on the seasonal produce on offer at that moment. Brick-fired pizzas are a staple, alongside local seafood and a number of meats cooked on the custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$ – $$$$
Atmosphere: Entertaining
Location: Marina Point, 6/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City
18. Tamarind Restaurant
Featuring crisp white linen tablecloths and low-lit lighting on timber walls, Tamarind offers a sophisticated ambience, complemented by its exquisite dishes handcrafted from the freshest local produce, such as cured North Queensland kingfish and quail and crab. Have you heard of ‘Australian Freestyle’ cuisine? If not, it’s where the chefs embrace cooking styles and techniques from various cultures and cuisines, and let their imagination run free. Stop by and experience it for yourself.
Cuisine: Australian Freestyle
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Location: 6-8 Abbott St, Cairns City (Inside Pullman Reef Hotel Casino)
19. CC’s Bar & Grill
Inspired by the ruggedness of the Australian outback, award-winning CC’s Bar and Grill is famous for its steak, with most of it sourced from Cairns’ backyard, the Atherton Tableland. Premium steaks are served with grilled bone marrow and a choice of sauces. Not only is CC’s known for redefining the traditional steakhouse, but the extensive wine list also comes from some of the most exquisite wineries across the country.
Cuisine: Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Stylishly rustic
Location: Ground Floor A/163 Abbott St, Cairns City (inside Crystalbrook Bailey)
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20. Bushfire Flame Grill
For all-you-can-eat succulent, flame-grilled meats that are carved right at your table, make a beeline for Bushfire Flame Grill. Carvers will circle the restaurant with the seasoned and marinated meat, followed by churros, cinnamon sugar, pineapple and ice cream. It’s fun, fierce and highly delicious.
Cuisine: Brazilian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Theatre of the kitchen
Location: 43 Esplanade, Cairns City
Surrounding suburbs
21. Nu Nu Restaurant
It doesn’t get any better than dining at one of the country’s best beachfront establishments – the award-winning Nu Nu. This much-loved Palm Cove restaurant offers modern Australian cuisine with a seasonal menu, focusing on locally procured ingredients from the rainforest, the reef and outback cattle stations. Our tip? Enjoy breakfast or lunch here so you can look out at the spectacular views across the Coral Sea.
Of course, you have to pop into its sweet little sister, Numi Ice Creamery, a short stroll from the restaurant and always stocked with artisan ice cream and sorbet.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Barefoot luxury
Location: 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove
22. Ellis Beach Bar & Grill
Just 5 minutes from Palm Cove on a 6-kilometre stretch of beach is Ellis Beach Bar & Grill. With rainforest backdrops and a casual and friendly vibe, it’s the ideal place to sit back and unwind.
Here you’ll find quality creative dishes that offer value for money, including wood-fired ‘low & slow’ BBQ meats, burgers, nachos, and dedicated vegan plant-based options. Join a Sunday Session for $2 oysters and live music, or enjoy a romantic twilight dinner overlooking the Coral Sea.
Cuisine: Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Friendly
Location: 13 Captain Cook Hwy, Ellis Beach
23. Harrisons Restaurant
Situated in the iconic Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, dine al fresco overlooking the resort’s pool at Harrisons Restaurant. As Port Douglas’ most nationally awarded restaurant, enjoy the unique tastes of North Queensland’s produce curated with a hint of the British heritage of acclaimed Chef Spencer Patrick.
Cuisine: Modern British
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Knowledgeable
Location: 168-190 Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas
24. Salsa Bar & Grill
A very popular Port Douglas restaurant, Salsa Bar & Grill is a local favourite known for its lively food, music and people. Alongside its cool vibe and awesome cocktails, take your pick from its fusion of culinary delights, including bush spice-dusted calamari, smoked almond crusted barramundi and mascarpone cream cheese mousse.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Energetic
Location: 26 Wharf St, Port Douglas
25. Flames Of The Forest
For an exclusive date night, how does an intimate, natural tropical dining experience set within a candlelit rainforest sound? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Flames Of The Forest, Australia’s only rainforest dining experience. Showcasing a tropical-inspired menu (such as coral trout with herb salad, fragrant rice, and yellow curry sauce), guests are treated to a performance from The Aboriginal Cultural Experience featuring traditional storytelling, didgeridoo playing and song. And to get there? It’s a door-to-door service.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: Rainforest magic
Location: 2 Hope St, Port Douglas
26. Osprey’s Restaurant at Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Perched in the treetops 10 minutes south of Port Douglas, Ospreys Restaurant provides a picturesque dining experience looking across the sparkling waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Produce is sourced daily from local markets and suppliers to create a seasonal menu, and an emphasis is placed on ethically sourcing ingredients directly from local neighbouring areas like the Atherton Tablelands and the Coral Sea. Our pick is the slow-roasted pork belly — and for dessert? Creamy tropical mousse sorbet.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Idyllic
Location: 5078 Captain Cook Highway, Oak Beach
27. Guerrilla
Serving up more than killer spicy margaritas and tacos, Guerrilla is a fantastic Mexican dining experience. For the ultimate family meal, nothing says Sunday like taking a deep dive into the Mexican tradition of slow-cooked barbacoa. Savour a special three-course meal with your loved ones whilst exploring boutique wines from the cellar.
Cuisine: Mexican
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Modern
Location: 120 Collins Ave, Edge Hill
28. NOA
Serving fresh, innovative food and utilising the local region as their supermarket, NOA is a relaxed yet refined restaurant. The menu here showcases the diversity of local produce infused with aromatic spices and bold flavours. Head in for all-you-can-eat baos every Thursday evening, or every Friday and Sunday evening for live music on the deck.
Cuisine: Modern Australian meets an international twist
Average price: $$ – $$$
Atmosphere: Personable
Location: 1 Pyne St, Edge Hill
Looking for a nightcap? Pop into one of Cairn’s top bars.
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