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12 Essential Restaurants Around Cairns
12 spots · curated by our editors

12 Essential Restaurants Around Cairns

From beachside fine dining to casual burger joints, the Cairns region offers diverse dining experiences across its suburbs. Whether you're after Latin flavours in Port Douglas, Italian on the waterfront, or a quick bite in the city, here are venues worth visiting.

  1. Salsa Bar and Grill — Port Douglas, Cairns1
    Restaurants Port Douglas

    1. Salsa Bar and Grill

    A top-scoring option in Port Douglas if you're craving Latin-inspired cuisine with a relaxed bar atmosphere.

    70
    Spot Score
    Great
    4.8(2,625)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  2. Code Cairns — Holloways Beach, Cairns2
    Restaurants Holloways Beach

    2. Code Cairns

    Located in Holloways Beach, this venue offers a change of pace from the city centre while staying close to the northern beaches.

    68
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    5.0(509)· Google
    View venue
  3. Hello Harry (The Burger Joint) Cairns — Cairns City, Cairns3
    Restaurants Cairns City

    3. Hello Harry (The Burger Joint) Cairns

    Central Cairns location perfect for a casual, no-fuss meal if you're in the city and want something quick.

    68
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.7(1,662)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  4. Miguel's — Palm Cove, Cairns4
    Restaurants Palm Cove

    4. Miguel's

    Situated in Palm Cove, a good choice if you're spending time at one of the region's most popular beach strips.

    67
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.8(885)· Google
    View venue
  5. IGNIS Palm Cove — Palm Cove, Cairns5
    Restaurants Palm Cove

    5. IGNIS Palm Cove

    Another Palm Cove option offering an alternative dining experience in this established beachside precinct.

    67
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    5.0(285)· Google
    View venue
  6. Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse — Edge Hill, Cairns6
    Restaurants Cairns City

    6. Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse

    A steakhouse option in Cairns City if you're after a more traditional fine-dining experience without leaving the centre.

    67
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.6(2,419)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  7. Nu Nu Restaurant — Palm Cove, Cairns7
    Restaurants Palm Cove

    7. Nu Nu Restaurant

    A third Palm Cove venue, useful if you're staying nearby or making a dedicated trip to that beach suburb.

    67
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.6(3,867)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  8. NOA Restaurant Cairns — Edge Hill, Cairns8
    Restaurants Edge Hill

    8. NOA Restaurant Cairns

    Located in Edge Hill, slightly inland from the beach strips, offering a different neighbourhood option.

    67
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.6(1,761)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  9. Dundees on the Waterfront — Cairns North, Cairns9
    Restaurants Cairns City

    9. Dundees on the Waterfront

    Waterfront positioning in Cairns City gives you scenery with your meal if you're staying central.

    67
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.6(5,071)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  10. Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook — Cairns North, Cairns10
    Restaurants Cairns North

    10. Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook

    Italian dining in Cairns North provides a suburb alternative to the city centre and beach precincts.

    66
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.7(994)· Google
    View venue
  11. Bellocale Italian Seafood Restaurant — Cairns City, Cairns11
    Restaurants Cairns City

    11. Bellocale Italian Seafood Restaurant

    Italian seafood specialist in Cairns City if you want flavour-focused cuisine without travelling far.

    66
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.7(774)· Google
    View venue
  12. The Petit Cafe — Kuranda, Cairns12
    Restaurants Kuranda

    12. The Petit Cafe

    Kuranda location makes this worthwhile if you're visiting the hinterland village for the day.

    66
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.7(915)· Google$$$$
    View venue

At a glance

VenueSpot ScoreGooglePriceSuburbTop feature
Salsa Bar and Grill70/1004.8(2,625)$$Port Douglas—
Code Cairns68/1005.0(509)—Holloways Beach—
Hello Harry (The Burger Joint) Cairns68/1004.7(1,662)$$Cairns City—
Miguel's67/1004.8(885)—Palm Cove—
IGNIS Palm Cove67/1005.0(285)—Palm Cove—
Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse67/1004.6(2,419)$$Cairns City—
Nu Nu Restaurant67/1004.6(3,867)$$$$Palm Cove—
NOA Restaurant Cairns67/1004.6(1,761)$$Edge Hill—
Dundees on the Waterfront67/1004.6(5,071)$$$Cairns City—
Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook66/1004.7(994)—Cairns North—
Bellocale Italian Seafood Restaurant66/1004.7(774)—Cairns City—
The Petit Cafe66/1004.7(915)$$Kuranda—

Frequently asked questions

Are any of these restaurants on the waterfront?+

Dundees on the Waterfront in Cairns City is explicitly waterfront-positioned. Salsa Bar and Grill in Port Douglas and venues in Palm Cove may also offer water views, but this isn't confirmed from the supplied information.

Which suburb has the most restaurant options?+

Cairns City has four venues on this list, making it the most concentrated dining hub. Palm Cove has three venues.

What type of cuisine should I expect?+

The list includes Latin (Salsa), Italian (Flynn's, Bellocale), steakhouse (Waterbar & Grill), burgers (Hello Harry), and general dining venues. Specific menus aren't confirmed here, so check directly with each venue.

Are these venues suitable for families?+

Family suitability isn't confirmed from the supplied data. Contact venues directly to check if they cater to families, have kids' menus, or specific policies.

Do I need to book ahead?+

Booking policies aren't specified. It's worth calling ahead, especially for dinner service or if you have a group.

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