63Spot Score
Salt House
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Chic seafront Modern Australian menu with seafood and grill and a lantern-lit bar.
4.3(5,507)· GoogleView details →
Cairns City, Cairns
Best Restaurants in Cairns City
Looking for the best restaurants in Cairns City? We've gathered 37 standout spots in this corner of Cairns, each ranked by our independent Spot Score so the strongest picks rise to the top. Cairns City has its own character, and the restaurants here reflect it — from neighbourhood favourites locals keep to themselves to places worth a special trip across town. Use the filters to narrow by price, rating, what's open right now and the features that matter to you, then open the map to plan your visit around what else is nearby. We re-check details regularly, so opening hours and information stay current.
Cairns's dining scene spans cuisines from across the world alongside modern Australian cooking that leans on local produce and seafood. Whether you're after a special-occasion table or a relaxed neighbourhood dinner, the list below is ranked so the consistently excellent rises to the top.
37 spots in Cairns City
62Spot Score
Yama Zaru Izakaya
Restaurants · Cairns City
A much-loved Japanese izakaya at Edge Hill near Cairns, rated 4.6 across more than 380 reviews.
4.6(386)· GoogleView details →
62Spot Score
Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Casual indoor dining or terrace setting for traditional Balinese curry, rice and spicy grilled fish.
4.4(1,023)· GoogleView details →
62Spot Score
Bushfire Flame Grill
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Quirky, laid-back spot for Brazilian-inspired BBQ skewered beef, pork or lamb with variety of sides.
4.3(1,283)· GoogleView details →
61Spot Score
Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Sprawling brewhouse offering a diverse beer menu, plus burgers, pizza & fish tacos.
4.2(1,552)· GoogleView details →
61Spot Score
Villa Romana
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Breezy, beachfront all-day Italian cafe with buffet breakfast and Mediterranean menu until late.
4.2(2,993)· GoogleView details →
61Spot Score
The Pier Bar
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Pub meals, wood-fired pizza and cocktails in a vast, modern space with a terrace and a relaxed vibe.
4.2(1,946)· GoogleView details →
61Spot Score
Copper Bar & Grill
Restaurants · Cairns City
Copper Bar & Grill is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 587 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 61/100.
4.4(587)· GoogleView details →
60Spot Score
Rattle n Hum Cairns
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Steaks, burgers and pizza in an easygoing, wood-lined pub with long tables and big-screen sports.
4.1(2,982)· GoogleView details →
60Spot Score
The Cotton Club
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
The Cotton Club is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 454 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 60/100.
4.4(454)· GoogleView details →
59Spot Score
Pantry 15
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
Vibrant cafe for breakfast & lunch offering a gluten-free menu in simple, well-lit surrounds.
4.3(485)· GoogleView details →
58Spot Score
The Courtyard Cairns | Esplanade
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
A modern Mexican restaurant on Cairns’ Esplanade, serving handcrafted tacos, signature margaritas and share-friendly dishes in a lively setting.
4.1(886)· GoogleView details →
58Spot Score
Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
A Cairns North food and drink hub serving gastropub classics with local produce, plus live music, sports screenings, beers, cocktails and communal spaces.
4.1(732)· GoogleView details →
58Spot Score
Restaurant Oak & Vine - Cairns
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
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.
4.2(531)· GoogleView details →
56Spot Score
Oishi Oishi Japanese Fluffy Pancakes
Restaurants · Cairns City
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.
4.2(216)· GoogleView details →
56Spot Score
Lemoncello's Cairns
$$Restaurants · Cairns City
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.
4.0(633)· GoogleView details →
54Spot Score
Sails
Restaurants · Cairns City
Sails is a restaurant in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 92 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 54/100.
4.3(92)· GoogleView details →
51Spot Score
Calabrese Cafe
Restaurants · Cairns City
A 5-star cafe and restaurant on Lake Street in Cairns with a flawless record across 35 reviews.
5.0(35)· GoogleView details →
More in Cairns City
Restaurants in other Cairns suburbs
Restaurants in Cairns City — FAQs
What are the best restaurants in Cairns City?+
The restaurants in Cairns City listed here are ranked by our Spot Score — our independent editorial rating out of 100, combining reputation, popularity, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear first.
How many restaurants are there in Cairns City?+
We currently feature 37 restaurants in Cairns City, and we add and re-check venues regularly so the list stays current.
How do I get to Cairns City in Cairns?+
Cairns City is one of Cairns's neighbourhoods — open any venue's page for its exact location, nearby public-transport stops and a map. See our Getting Around guide for tickets and fares.
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.