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
Beach Almond
$$Upscale beachside restaurant & bar specialising in Modern Asian seafood dishes & desserts.
The Courtyard Cairns | Esplanade
$$The Courtyard Cairns | Esplanade is a restaurant in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 886 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 58/100.
Lagoon House Restaurant
Lagoon House Restaurant is a restaurant in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 103 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 58/100.
Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook
$$Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook is a restaurant in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 732 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 58/100.
Choo Choos at the Marina
$$Choo Choos at the Marina is a restaurant in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 844 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 58/100.
Restaurant Oak & Vine - Cairns
$$Restaurant Oak & Vine - Cairns is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.2-star Google rating from 531 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 58/100.
La Mesa
$La Mesa is a restaurant in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 317 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 58/100.
Haruka Japanese Cuisine
$$Haruka Japanese Cuisine is a restaurant in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 248 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 57/100.
Kickin'Inn Smithfield
Kickin'Inn Smithfield is a restaurant in Smithfield, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 53 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 57/100.
Rattle n Hum Palm Cove
$$Vibrant beachfront bar and eatery for char-grilled steaks and seafood, plus karaoke and live music.
La Fonda Latina
La Fonda Latina is a restaurant in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 210 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 57/100.
Oishi Oishi Japanese Fluffy Pancakes
Oishi Oishi Japanese Fluffy Pancakes is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.2-star Google rating from 216 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
Lemoncello's Cairns
$$Lemoncello's Cairns is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.0-star Google rating from 633 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
CHIANGMAI Thai Cuisine
$CHIANGMAI Thai Cuisine is a restaurant in Smithfield, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 161 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
Tasty at Yorkeys
Tasty at Yorkeys is a restaurant in Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 150 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 56/100.
The Beach House at Trinity Beach
$$The Beach House at Trinity Beach is a restaurant in Trinity Beach, Cairns. It holds a 3.9-star Google rating from 605 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
A Taste of Italy
$$A Taste of Italy is a restaurant in Clifton Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.0-star Google rating from 353 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Tosca’s Pizzeria & Bar
Tosca’s Pizzeria & Bar is a restaurant in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 224 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
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.