Where to Eat in Cairns

It’s no secret that Cairns is a food lover’s haven. Whether you’re a true local or just passing

through, you’ll find local flavours and international inspirations on most street corners. While

there is no shortage of foodie hotspots promising to excite your palate and tug at your waistline,

we’ve scoured the city for the select few that stand above the rest.

Come with us on a food tour of Cairns to all the best restaurants, cafes and hole-in-the-wall

eateries this great place has on offer.

Best Restaurants & Cafes For Food Lovers in Cairns

Waffle On

Every day is a good day when waffles are involved. Waffle On is the family-owned café that has

its priorities right, serving up heaped piles of sweet and savoury waffles on a daily basis. We’re

talking waffles benedict, BLT waffle sandwiches, maple bacon waffles, and the ever-iconic,

Robert Brownie Jnr featuring their homemade chocolate brownie waffle with Belgian chocolate,

ice cream, and strawberries.

Dundee's at the Cairns Aquarium

For sure the most unique restaurant in Cairns. Dundee’s at the Cairns Aquarium offers a

contemporary and innovative dining choice for a special place to eat in our tropical city destination.

The restaurant features the largest tank within a restaurant in Australia: a stunning 70,000 litre

saltwater marine aquarium. Providing a mesmerising encounter with coastal aquatic life, it sets the

backdrop for a truly unique dining experience. Definitely not a tourist trap with some of the best food

one can enjoy in Cairns.

Snoogies

Need something quick, healthy, and oh-so-delicious? Snoogies is the place to be. This health

bar is Cairns’ best-kept secret, serving up vegan and vegetarian eats that will satisfy any foodie.

Choose from their colourful and photo-worthy salads, acai bowls, stir fry, veggie balls, and their

dizzying array of smoothies and juices.

Slap and Pickle Low and Slow Smokehouse

The name pretty much sums it up. Slap and Pickle specialise in meats that have been

slow-cooked to perfection, infused with melt-in-your-mouth smokey flavours. From pork ribs and

brisket burgers to sriracha wings and loaded fries, settle in for the best American BBQ Cairns

has in store.

C’est Bon Restauarant Français

If you’re searching for a quintessentially French restaurant in Cairns, book a table at C’est Bon.

This place is all about indulgence. Expect sophisticated dishes cooked with local produce

wherever possible and authentic French ingredients wherever else. Don’t let the deliciously

fancy food fool you, the team at Ces’t Bon are also known for their down-to-earth charm with

magnificent French accents thrown in.

Yaya’s Hellenic Kitchen & Bar

Yaya’s specialises in bringing the recipes of dear old grans to life. Family owned and operated,

they’re committed to serving up traditional Greek fare from fresh, local ingredients. If you love a

comforting Greek meal that brings love to the table, this is the spot.

Salt House

One of Cairns’ most iconic waterfront restaurants, Salt House puts flavour front and centre.

Championing local produce and the freshest seafood around, most of the tasty dishes are

cooked in the heart of their kitchen, being the custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill. With

unbelievable interiors, views, and food, you can’t go wrong.

Wawawa Izakaya

For Japanese cuisine that makes your tastebuds explode (in a good way), head to Wawawa

Izakaya. As you walk in you’ll be greeted by vibrant murals of Japanese art and neon signage,

setting the vibe for the exciting flavours you’re about to taste. Order some of their signature

sushi, sashimi, and bento with a Sapporo beer on the side to complete the experience.

Piccolo Cucina

The kitchen might be small, but the taste of the meals this authentic Italian restaurant conjures up is anything but. This cosy restaurant right next to the Pullman Hotel is the place to go for great Italian food and excellent service. My favourite are the homemade Gnoggi with four cheeses.

Rusty’s Market

Can’t pinpoint your cravings? They have it all at Rusty’s Market. The Cairns Urban Walking

Foodlovers tour combines one of the best walking tours in Cairns with the tasty morsels of these

iconic markets. Expect drool-worthy dishes at every turn while you learn about the unique local

history behind each flavour.

You might be heading to Cairns for the stunning reef, but you won't be disappointed by the food on offer. Are you ready to explore more of Cairns outside of the food? Check out the best walking tours Cairns has on offer.