12 Cairns Restaurants Open on Mondays When Everywhere Else Closes
Monday blues hit harder when your favourite restaurant is shut. Cairns has plenty of quiet Mondays, but these 12 venues keep their doors open—from beachside dining in Palm Cove to the city centre and beyond. Whether you're craving a burger, steak, or something more refined, here's where to eat when most places aren't.
- 1Restaurants Port Douglas
1. Salsa Bar and Grill
Port Douglas outpost that stays open when the Monday crowd thins. Good if you're heading north and need a reliable Monday dinner spot.
Open late (after 10pm)Open MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.8(2,625)· Google$$$$70Spot ScoreGreat 
2Restaurants Holloways Beach2. Code Cairns
Holloways Beach location means you can combine a Monday meal with a quieter coastal vibe, away from the city centre rush.
Open late (after 10pm)Open MondaysOpen SundaysView venue5.0(509)· Google68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
3Restaurants Cairns City3. Hello Harry (The Burger Joint) Cairns
City centre burger spot that works for a casual Monday lunch or dinner without the weekend chaos.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.7(1,662)· Google$$$$68Spot ScoreWorth a Look
4Restaurants Palm Cove4. Miguel's
Palm Cove venue perfect if you're spending your Monday by the beach and want a sit-down meal without travelling back to town.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.8(885)· Google67Spot ScoreWorth a Look
5Restaurants Edge Hill5. NOA Restaurant Cairns
Edge Hill location gives you a neighbourhood dining option away from the usual tourist strips, ideal for a quieter Monday night.
Opens early (before 7am)Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.6(1,761)· Google$$$$67Spot ScoreWorth a Look
6Restaurants Cairns City6. Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse
City centre steakhouse that keeps Monday service going—a solid choice if you want something hearty and reliable.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.6(2,419)· Google$$$$67Spot ScoreWorth a Look
7Restaurants Cairns City7. Dundees on the Waterfront
Waterfront position in the city centre means you can eat with a view, even when Cairns feels sleepy on a Monday.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.6(5,071)· Google$$$$67Spot ScoreWorth a Look
8Restaurants Palm Cove8. Nu Nu Restaurant
Another Palm Cove option, so you're not stuck with limited choices if you're staying beachside on a Monday.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.6(3,867)· Google$$$$67Spot ScoreWorth a Look
9Restaurants Kuranda9. The Petit Cafe
Kuranda venue works well if your Monday plans take you to the rainforest and you need a proper sit-down meal nearby.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.7(915)· Google$$$$66Spot ScoreWorth a Look
10Restaurants Trinity Beach10. Il Chiosco
Trinity Beach location—close enough to the city but far enough out to feel less crowded on a quiet Monday evening.
Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.7(852)· Google66Spot ScoreWorth a Look
11Restaurants Cairns City11. KOI Bar & Restaurant
City centre bar and restaurant combo, useful if you want the option of a drink alongside food on a slow Monday night.
Open late (after 10pm)Open MondaysView venue4.8(492)· Google66Spot ScoreWorth a Look
12Restaurants Port Douglas12. Melaleuca
Port Douglas venue, another northern option if you're exploring the peninsula and don't want to hunt for open restaurants.
Open late (after 10pm)Open 7 daysOpen MondaysOpen SundaysView venue4.7(973)· Google$$$$66Spot ScoreWorth a Look
At a glance
| Venue | Spot Score | Price | Suburb | Top feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salsa Bar and Grill | 70/100 | 4.8(2,625) | $$ | Port Douglas | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Code Cairns | 68/100 | 5.0(509) | — | Holloways Beach | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Hello Harry (The Burger Joint) Cairns | 68/100 | 4.7(1,662) | $$ | Cairns City | Open 7 days |
| Miguel's | 67/100 | 4.8(885) | — | Palm Cove | Open 7 days |
| NOA Restaurant Cairns | 67/100 | 4.6(1,761) | $$ | Edge Hill | Opens early (before 7am) |
| Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse | 67/100 | 4.6(2,419) | $$ | Cairns City | Open 7 days |
| Dundees on the Waterfront | 67/100 | 4.6(5,071) | $$$ | Cairns City | Open 7 days |
| Nu Nu Restaurant | 67/100 | 4.6(3,867) | $$$$ | Palm Cove | Open 7 days |
| The Petit Cafe | 66/100 | 4.7(915) | $$ | Kuranda | Open 7 days |
| Il Chiosco | 66/100 | 4.7(852) | — | Trinity Beach | Open 7 days |
| KOI Bar & Restaurant | 66/100 | 4.8(492) | — | Cairns City | Open late (after 10pm) |
| Melaleuca | 66/100 | 4.7(973) | $$ | Port Douglas | Open late (after 10pm) |
Frequently asked questions
Do all these restaurants definitely open on Mondays?+
These venues are included because they're known to operate on Mondays when many Cairns restaurants close. However, we recommend calling ahead to confirm hours, as public holidays and seasonal changes can affect schedules.
Which area has the most Monday options?+
Cairns City centre has the highest concentration of open restaurants on Mondays, including Waterbar & Grill, Dundees, and KOI. Palm Cove offers a good secondary cluster if you prefer beachside dining.
Are these venues casual or fine dining?+
The mix includes casual burger and bar spots (Hello Harry, KOI) alongside steakhouses (Waterbar & Grill) and more formal dining options. Check individual venues for their style before booking.
Do I need to book ahead on Mondays?+
Mondays are quieter, so walk-ins are often possible. However, some venues may have reduced hours or staff, so a quick call is always sensible.
Keep exploring
Cairns guides
roundupCairns Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
Cairns may be best known as the gateway to the reef and rainforest, but once the sun drops the city centre comes alive with a compact, walkable cluster of bars, breweries and live
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Cairns
From the Esplanade Lagoon and Botanic Gardens to Palm Cove and rainforest escapes, these are Cairns’ best free outings — plus what costs extra.
Read guide →roundupCairns With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
From the free Esplanade Lagoon to the Daintree, here are Cairns family activities worth planning around, with practical ideas for wet and sunny days.
Read guide →The best of Cairns, in your inbox
New openings, hidden gems and weekend ideas. One thoughtful email a week. No spam.