Treat Yourself at these Top Cairns Restaurants

Packed with fine dining options, gourmet cafes and brilliant restaurants, Cairns is a haven for local foodies and travellers alike. Discover 6 diverse and delicious hot spots topping our list.

Caffiend
Start your morning right with one part coffee, one part art and one part music at Caffiend. This triple threat is Iocated in central Cairns and promises to satisfy all your senses. Get your caffeine fix here, with insanely delicious coffee blends including single origin roasts. The grub whipped up in this graffiti splattered space packs a real punch too. You’ll find a menu packed full of local ingredients and honest flavours like homemade banana and walnut bread, French toast and eggs with the trimmings. 

Café Fika

Fika is a Swedish concept basically meaning ‘to have coffee’, followed by delectable baked goods. Local spot Café Fika certainly delivers, with true Scandinavian eating in the heart of Cairns. Stop for the strong coffee and friendly staff and stay for the authentic cuisine. If your stomach is grumbling, choose a prawn and egg open sandwich or opt for rare beef with Danish pickled mayo and onions. For something on the lighter side, the gingerbread muesli mixed with Greek yoghurt goes down a treat.

Salt House

For priceless views of the sea, the mountains and Trinity inlet Salt House is your go-to. This unforgettable dining experience seats customers along the water’s edge, making for the perfect holiday meal. With entrée’s like local tiger prawns, followed by filling mains like wagyu striploin, guests will arrive hungry and leave happy.

Dundee’s Waterfront Dining

Surf ‘n turf is the name of the game at Dundee’s Waterfront Dining. Immerse yourself in holiday vibes as you wine and dine overlooking the picturesque marina. Chow down on seafood, pasta or a hearty steak from the grill, chased down by a local drop. For large groups of ten or more, Dundee’s million dollar view and flavoursome set menu is an excellent choice. 

Prawn Star
If you’re looking for a great seafood restaurant, Cairns is the place to be. And for a delicious, no frills experience, this restaurant on a boat is a true gem. Hop aboard the Prawn Star for an authentic encounter with some of the freshest seafood in town. Travellers should be prepared to get their hands dirty as they dig into prawns, bugs, crabs and oysters. 

ThaFish
Tha Fish delivers a ten out of ten experience for seafood connoisseurs visiting the Far North Queensland area. Located on the Cairns Pier, this award-winning restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood for over 15 years. We highly recommend choosing the catch of the day and pairing it with one of the six cooking styles on offer. 

The Humpy
If a road trip is on the cards during your time in Cairns, skip the fast food joints and stop at The Humpy instead. Health food lovers are guaranteed to find just what they’re looking for, with no shortage of gluten free, wheat free and organic products among the aisles of this side-of-the-road establishment.

Throw in exotic fruits like mangosteens, farm fresh veggies and local nuts, and The Humpy is a no brainer. Open every day from 8am to 6pm, it makes an ideal rest stop for travellers with an empty belly. 

Emerald Creek Ice Creamery
Along the Kennedy Highway just outside of Cairns, lies the locally owned and operated Emerald Creek Ice Creamery. They source only the finest ingredients to master the art of their full-cream ice creams and dairy free sorbets. With flavours like Almond Nougat, Butterscotch Ball, Green Tea, Red Elderberry, Mareeba Pineapple and more, finding the best one for you is an enormous task. If your sweet tooth is craving for more, give the fresh fudge a go. Made with real butter and cream and offered in delicious flavours including Pure Caramel and Choc Mint Swirl, visitors will leave buzzing on a sugar high.