Best Restaurants in Cairns (2026)
Looking for the best restaurants in Cairns? We've rounded up 134 of the city's standout spots — from neighbourhood favourites to buzzy new openings. Every venue is ranked by our Spot Score, which weighs reputation, popularity and freshness, so you can book with confidence. Filter by suburb, price or what's open now to find your next go-to.
Cairns's dining scene spans cuisines from across the world alongside modern Australian cooking that leans on local produce and seafood. Whether you're after a special-occasion table or a relaxed neighbourhood dinner, the list below is ranked so the consistently excellent rises to the top.
134 spots
Zinc Restaurant Port Douglas
$$Modern Australian fare, from kangaroo to barramundi, in an airy, open-plan space with a lounge bar.
L'Unico Trattoria Italiano
$$L'Unico Trattoria Italiano is a restaurant in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 2704 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
Howlin' Jay's
$$Howlin' Jay's is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 1421 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
Watergate Port Douglas
$$A leafy, open-air restaurant and bar with an elegant atmosphere, serving Modern Australian cuisine.
Splash Seafood Restaurant
$$A maritime-themed restaurant run by a local fishing family, with an oyster bar and Coral Sea views.
Hayabusa of Kuranda Japanese Lunch/Sweets, Kimono & Tea Ceremony Experience
Hayabusa of Kuranda Japanese Lunch/Sweets, Kimono & Tea Ceremony Experience is a restaurant in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 238 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
The Tin Shed - Douglas Community & Sports Club Inc.
$$Long-running social club offering a range of tap beers & bar bites in a scenic waterfront locale.
hidden@yorkeys
$$hidden@yorkeys is a restaurant in Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 478 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
O’Donnells Irish Bar and Grill
$$O’Donnells Irish Bar and Grill is a restaurant in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 870 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
Yum Sing Cairns Restaurant
$$Yum Sing Cairns Restaurant is a restaurant in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 502 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
Salt House
$$Chic seafront Modern Australian menu with seafood and grill and a lantern-lit bar.
Eazytiger Trinity Beach
Eazytiger Trinity Beach is a restaurant in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 193 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
YADA Thai - Asian Restaurant Trinity Beach
YADA Thai - Asian Restaurant Trinity Beach is a restaurant in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 291 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
Palooka
$$Palooka is a restaurant in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 528 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
German Tucker
German Tucker is a restaurant in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 445 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
Yama Zaru Izakaya
Yama Zaru Izakaya is a restaurant in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 386 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
Kushi Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant
$$Kushi Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant is a restaurant in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 544 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
Tia's Cafe
$$Tia's Cafe is a restaurant in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 511 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
Restaurants by suburb
Zoom in on the best restaurants in Cairns's most popular neighbourhoods.
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Read guide →Restaurants in Cairns — FAQs
What are the best restaurants in Cairns?+
Our top-rated restaurants in Cairns are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Cairns restaurants ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter restaurants by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many restaurants are listed in Cairns?+
We currently feature 134 restaurants across Cairns and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.
Do I need to book a restaurant in Cairns?+
For popular and higher-end restaurants, booking ahead is wise — especially Friday and Saturday nights. Many casual spots take walk-ins. Check the venue's own page or website for the latest, as we don't take bookings on your behalf.