Cairns Dining

Cairns offers the very best in restaurants and dining options and, with such a vast variety of tastes and flavours drawn from all over the world, every visitor to Cairns City is sure to find something to tantalise their tastebuds. From unique Australian cuisine including Kangaroo, Barramundi, Crocodile, or Emu to Asian, Greek, Italian, Mexican, and Japanese delicacies, the sky is the limit when dining out in Cairns Australia.

You will be sure to enjoy your Cairns dining experience as so many of the stunning restaurants in the region are multi award winners. But don't just rely on what the experts say, locals frequently dine out in Cairns citing the fresh local grown produce, good quality, great taste, and superbly prepared and presented food is what keeps them coming back, time and time again.

Many of the major hotels, resorts and short term self contained holiday apartments are conveniently located around the known dining precincts of Cairns. The most popular of Cairns dining locations is of course the venues with beachfront or marina views where you can catch a cool breeze whilst enjoying a meal. The Esplanade Cairns has many upmarket seafood, Italian and Mod Oz cuisine restaurants for those that want to enjoy a nice evening in the Cairns City.

In amongst these restaurants are the more easy going budget cafes, burger bars and kebab shops for families, backpackers and those that would rather spend money on the Cairns tours and attractions instead. Inside the Cairns Nightmarkets you can select from a wide range of food outlets in the mega food hall when you just want a quick easy bite to eat or fast takeaway for the family.

Another great waterfront dining area in Cairns City is the extensive Cairns Marlin Marina Boardwalk. Here you have some of the most beautiful views overlooking multi million dollar super yachts and tinnies bobbing up and down in the water along with the added bonus of witnessing tropical sunsets behind the lush green mountains with a cocktail in hand. The restaurants along the Cairns Marina boardwalk range from ocean fresh seafood specialists, to upmarket Italian, specialty steak houses, lounges and cocktail bars with Tapas and funky music and Australiana cuisine with a dash of European flavourings just to round it off.

Shields Street and Spence Street Cairns also has some cozy little gems of restaurants that do not want to pay the big rents for the location they would rather spend it on the food and ambience of their little location and keep the costs of food down for their guests as well so make sure you have a wander around Cairns and find these little gems that will save you lots of money.

In Cairns you can also select to join a boat for a Dinner Cruise. Your choice is to stay on one of these vessels and enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner with drinks and entertainment on board for around two and a half hours whilst cruising up and down the calm Cairns trinity Inlet. The other dinner cruise choice is to join the vessel for a sunset cruise down the Inlet again for a few hours and then disembark at Cairns Marlin Marins and enjoy a three course meal at Dundees restaurant. An absolutely fantastic way to experience dinner in Cairns all year round.

Cairns Restaurants (Just a Few)

Adelfia Greek Taverna

Run by three brothers who made the move from Cyprus to Cairns long ago, you will get way more than bargained for at a night at Adelfia Greek Taverna. In traditional Greek style, plate smashing occurs nightly and a beautiful belly dancer will shimmy past your table as a live guitarist and singer croon away. The Adelfia Greek Taverna has many great lamb and seafood dishes as well as plenty of vegetarian options. With a full wine menu featuring some of Australia's finest drops as well as some delicious Greek wine, you are sure to find the perfect drop to accompany your meal. Located on the corner of Aplin and Grafton Streets, Adelfia Greek Taverna is open for dinner daily from 5.00pm till late and for lunch from Monday - Friday from 11.30am - 2.30pm.

Ochre

With items on the menu including kangaroo, crocodile, wild caught barramundi, and emu, it is safe to say that a meal in Ochre will give you a true taste of Australian cuisine. Wash your uniquely Australian meal down with a smooth glass of wine and complete your meal with a slice of wattle seed pavlova. Ochre is located right in the heart of the Cairns central business district on Shields Street and is open daily for dinner and from Monday - Friday for lunch.

Salt House

Salt House is located right on the waterfront and boasts and exciting menu of Australia cuisine infused with Asian flavours. As you enjoy your sumptuous meal in the superbly designed and handcrafted timber restaurant, you will be treated to panoramic views of the gorgeous Trinity Inlet and rolling mountains on the horizon. Open daily at 7am for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Salt House has made a name for itself as one of the trendiest and hippest places to eat in Cairns.

Cafe China Seafood Restaurant and Noodle Bar

Cafe China Seafood Restaurant and Noodle Bar is touted as being Cairns very best Chinese restaurant. Their mouth watering Peking Duck is a locals favourite. The dish features extra crispy duck, thin slices of cucumber, drizzled in ho sin sauce, and tightly wrapped up in thin light pancakes. Not in the mood for a la carte, no problem. Cafe China Seafood Restaurant and Noodle Bar also offers delicious Yum Cha or you can order seafood from the tank. Make sure you stop in at Cafe China to experience the gourmet Chinese cuisine at either their Spence Street, Reef Hotel and Casino, Rydges Plaza Complex, or Smithfield location.

Coco's Restaurant

Located within the stunning Sebel Hotel, Coco's Restaurant offers exquisite dishes featuring some of the finest fresh local produce of the region. Every Sunday, Coco's Restaurant puts on a fine buffet brunch and each night as the sun goes down they offer an Italian Buffet. Breakfast and lunch are also on offer at Coco's Restaurant and you will not be disappointed with their fine hot and cold buffet breakfast options. Coco's is open daily from 6.00am.

The Plantation Restaurant

This elegant and romantic restaurant is the signature restaurant of The Hotel Cairns (looks like Raffles Singapore). The Far Northern Chapter of the Australian Culinary Federation voted The Plantation Restaurant Cairns Restaurant of the Year for both 2006 and 2007. The Plantation Restaurant's chefs recently won Best Desserts in the ACF's Gold Box Challenge. The Plantation Restaurant's menu highlight is their delectable hot rock meals. Served with green vegetables and a fresh salad, choose from beef tenderloin, barramundi, kangaroo, emu, or vegetarian. From Monday - Friday breakfast is served between 6.00am - 9.00am and from 6.00am - 10.00am Saturday and Sunday. Dinner is served daily between 6.00pm - 10.00pm and the full bar is open from 5.00pm daily.

Mizuna Restaurant

Taking its name from a delicate green, peppery green leaf found in gourmet salads Mizuna Restaurant is the ultimate in class and sophistication. Boasting a menu full of fresh local fare, Mizuna Restaurant has plenty of exciting and unique dishes to satisfy the fussiest diner. Located in the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Mizuna Restaurant is open for breakfast from 6.30am - 10.00am Monday to Friday and 6.30am - 11.00am Sunday. Dinner is served daily from 6.00pm - 9.00pm.

Tamarind

Located within the Reef Hotel and Casino, Tamarind puts an Asian twist on authentic Western cuisine. The multi-award winning restaurant was most recently named the winner of the Best Prestigious Restaurant by the Queensland Hotels Association Award for Excellence. The menu features hearty oriental soups, mouth watering tiger prawns, and scrumptious Japanese scallops. Tamarind hosts a cocktail hour on their terrace from 5.00pm each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and is open for dinner from 6.00pm - 10.00pm.

Pesci's On The Water

Take in the breathtaking views of the Cairns Trinity Inlet as you enjoy the culinary delights Pesci's On The Water has to offer. Located at the Marina side of the Cairns Pier, Pesci's On The Water offers a delightful range of fresh local seafood, pasta, and delectable desserts.

Cherry Blossom

Known by locals as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Cairns, Cherry Blossom boasts a full menu of all your favorite dishes as well as a few new takes on Australian cuisine. Their deep fried crocodile, kangaroo, and skewered emu dishes prove to be popular for those with an adventurous palate. Cherry Blossom also has plenty of options for vegetarians. Located on the corner of Spence and Lake Streets and is open for lunch Tuesday - Friday from 12.00pm - 2.00pm and for dinner from Monday - Saturday from 5.30pm - late.

Perrotta's At The Gallery

This hip and funky restaurant is located just steps from the exciting Cairns Regional Art Gallery. The perfect spot for a lazy weekend breakfast or brunch, Perrotta's At The Gallery features a large covered outdoor balcony. With plenty of tasty treats from eggs benedict, steak sandwiches, and pasta meals, it is not hard to see why the local hipsters make this their weekly meeting place to catch up over a delicious meal and a wine or two. Perrotta's At The Gallery is open daily from 4031 5899

La Porchetta

With roughly 80 restaurants Australia wide, La Porchetta is a family favourite. Serving pizza, pasta, salad, meat, poultry, and desserts La Prochetta never fails to disappoint. Located right next door the Birch Carol and Coyle movie theatre on Grafton Street, La Porchetta is the perfect spot to grab a meal before heading into watch a film.

Barnacle Bill's Seafood Inn

You will find this seafood lovers Mecca right on the Esplanade, making it the perfect spot to indulge in some fine fare while enjoying the terrific view of the Cairns Trinity Inlet. Barnacle Bill's extensive menu features plenty of fish from the Great Barrier Reef. Indulge in some coral trout, prawns, crayfish, barramundi, mudcrab, oysters, and much more. Barnacle Bill's also offers some traditional Australian dishes including kangaroo and crocodile. Open daily from 5.00pm until late, Barnacle Bill's Seafood Inn is a must for seafood connoisseurs.

Mondo Cafe Bar and Grill

With Trinity Bay views and a fine selection of international cuisine Mondo Cafe Bar and Grill is the perfect spot for some causal alfresco dining. Located at the Cairns Hilton Hotel, Mondo Cafe Bar and Grill offers plenty of vegetarian options as well as top quality steaks, burgers, pasta, and seafood dishes. Mondo Cafe Bar and Grill is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11.00am - 10.00pm Monday - Saturday and from 9.30am - 10.00pm Sunday. On Sunday Mondo Cafe Bar and Grill are open for a sumptuous brunch.

So as you can see from these examples above Cairns offers a huge array of dining options, locations and styles in the heart of the City and surrounding streets. Just ask your hotel or resort accommodation provider for some tips on where to find the best value meals or the most awarded restaurant in Cairns city and I am sure they would be pleased to brag about where they think the best place to dine in Cairns is.