The best places to eat and drink in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland

The “rainforest to the reef” mantra is one you’ll hear repeatedly during your time in Queensland’s tropical north, with the region’s restaurants perfectly embodying the theme. Whether you want to try Indigenous ingredients among the foliage or enjoy fresh-as-it-gets seafood at a venue with a view, your tastebuds are in for a treat.

Vivo

Relax with top-notch cocktails on the verandah of this Cairns stalwart.

MediterAsian flavours in a tropical setting
Sip on a Cojito cocktail – a Mojito with a coconut twist – as you admire the view over the Coral Sea from the verandah of this longstanding restaurant on the Esplanade at Palm Cove. Housed in a white colonial-style building with a small gallery showcasing local artists’ work, it serves Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian influence. The crab tagliatelline is a firm favourite, with salmon sashimi and nasi goreng among its other offerings.
49 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove. Phone: [phone]. See vivo.com.au

Ochre

This diner draws inspiration from the bush and native ingredients.

Bush food on the boardwalk
Founded by award-winning chef Craig Squire, who pioneered the use of native ingredients in Australia in the 1990s, Ochre is a great place to try dishes like salt and pepper prawn and crocodile, grilled kangaroo with quandong chilli glaze and wattle seed pavlova. Dine inside or outside on the covered terrace, where you can watch ships sail across Trinity Inlet and dock at the nearby Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal.
Harbour Lights Boardwalk, 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns. Phone: [phone]. See ochrerestaurant.com.au

Rocco

Enjoy sumptuous Middle Eastern share plates within the newly-built Crystalbrook Riley resort.

The city’s highest rooftop bar
Graze on mezze plates featuring house-made labneh cheese, spiced eggplant pastillas or grilled lamb cutlets as you take in panoramic views over Cairns and the Coral Sea from this rooftop restaurant and bar. Located on the 12th floor of the landmark tower at Crystalbrook Riley, which has an ethos of using sustainable, locally-sourced produce, it offers everything from tropical to Moroccan-inspired cocktails to complement a menu of Middle Eastern delights.
Level 12, Tower, 131/141 Esplanade, Cairns. Phone: [phone]. See crystalbrookcollection.com/riley/rocco

Prawn Star

This quirky restaurant spread across multiple trawlers specialises in cold seafood platters.

Hop aboard for the freshest seafood in town
Seafood lovers, rejoice! This is the place to go to indulge in freshly caught salmon sashimi, prawns, crayfish and oysters, served in their simplest form and washed down with a can of beer or a cold glass of chardonnay. Spread across four restored fishing trawlers moored permanently at Marlin Marina and decorated with hanging buoys and coloured lights at night, Prawn Star has the novelty factor in spades.
Marlin Marina, E Finger, Berth 31, Cairns. Phone: [phone]. See prawnstarcairns.com

The Chambers Cairns

This buzzing cafe in a heritage building is helmed by an award-winning chef.

Boozy brunch in heritage setting
Housed in a restored Federation-style building built for the National Bank of Australasia in the 1920s, this family-run café and cocktail bar is a hit with locals and tourists alike. Its coconut marinated lamb benedict is so good some customers return for it every day of their holiday, while its bloody Mary has a kick you won’t forget. Helmed by award-winning chef Chris Jarvis, The Chambers has retained many of its original features, including exposed brick walls, bank shutters and steel beams.
21 Spence St, Cairns. Phone: [phone]. See the-chambers.com.au

Nautilus

Degustation dining in a lush garden oasis setting.

Open-air dining among the rainforest
The first restaurant in Port Douglas when it opened in 1954, Nautilus was founded by one-time Her Majesty’s Secret Service agent Max Bowden and his wife Diana, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. David Bowie, Sir Laurence Olivier and Bill Clinton are among those who have dined at the breezy restaurant, which offers a degustation menu featuring dishes like Mojito and green ant cured kingfish, grilled Moreton Bay bugs and duck three ways.
17 Murphy St, Port Douglas. Phone: [phone]. See nautilus-restaurant.com.au

Nu Nu

Nu Nu is widely regarded as one of the region’s best restaurants.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Atmospheric eatery with top-notch cuisine
In a prime position at the end of the Esplanade at Palm Cove, this acclaimed restaurant was founded by a group of friends from Melbourne in 2003. Executive chef Nick Holloway, who has appeared on MasterChef, changes the menu with the seasons, with offerings like salted cucumbers, yellow bean eggplant and kimchi butter poached reef fish. Ideal for a long lunch or a romantic dinner on the deck under the fairy lights.
1 Veivers Rd, Palm Cove. Phone [phone]. See nunu.com.au

Salt House

Wood-fired meats and tropical vibes are on the menu at this waterfront favourite.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Hedonist heaven on the waterfront
With a large garden dotted with day beds, wicker lounges and timber stools topped with colourful cushions, it’s easy to while away the hours at this bar and restaurant on Marina Point. As well as a custom-built Argentinian wood-fired grill pumping out dishes like chargrilled sole and dry-aged, grain-fed tomahawk steak, there’s a pizzeria, with chilled seafood also popular. Ponds, lanterns and live music add to the vibe.
6/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns. Phone [phone]. See salthouse.com.au

Oak & Vine

This rooftop restaurant blends Peruvian dishes with Japanese techniques.

Rooftop restaurant with lagoon views
The menu at this rooftop restaurant and bar is inspired by on-trend Nikkei Cuisine, which blends Peruvian dishes with Japanese techniques and fresh local produce. Think gin-cured barramundi, Asahi battered prawns and miso roasted eggplant. Located at the top of Oaks Cairns Hotel, it has a casual and cool coastal feel, with a blue tiled bar, simple white tables, low-hanging lampshades and ceiling fans. It’s also one of the best places to go for breakfast.
59/63 Esplanade, Cairns. Phone: [phone]. See oakshotels.com

Seabean Tapas Bar

The crema catalana is akin to crème brulee served in half a coconut shell.

Small plates and a social vibe
Adorned with Spanish dolls, ’60s-style Spanish art and a tropical-themed mural, this quirky eatery is a fun place to dine. Bi-fold doors and tables on the footpath and side deck create a welcoming space, with a range of share dishes on offer. Its seafood croquettes and seafood paella are particularly popular, but it’s best known for its crema catalana – a Spanish dessert similar to crème brulee served in half a coconut shell.
3/28 Wharf Street, Port Douglas. Phone: [phone]. See seabean.com.au

The Backyard

The Shangri-La’s waterfront diner caters for families and adults.

Casual waterfront dining at its best
Watch super yachts bobbing in their berths at Marlin Marina from the deck of this understated restaurant in the Shangri-La hotel. The eclectic menu features everything from burgers and steaks to bahn mi and kombucha-cured tuna sashimi, but the fries with truffle mayonnaise are the real winner. There’s a great vibe in the garden on weekends, with plenty of room for kids to play and a bar housed in a repurposed shipping container.
Pier Point Rd, Cairns. Phone [phone]. See thebackyardcairns.com.au

Dundee’s Restaurant at Cairns Aquarium

Tuck into a seafood feast at Cairns’ own nautically themed aquarium restaurant.

A taste of the Great Barrier Reef
Spend a fascinating evening observing sturgeon fish change colour and the other shenanigans of the marine creatures living in the 70,000-litre saltwater aquarium at Dundee’s Restaurant. Located on the corner of the Cairns Aquarium, the menu features items such as crocodile spring rolls, crab and avocado tart and coral trout (which may leave you feeling a little guilty). Decorative buoys and barnacle-encrusted timber poles salvaged from wharves add to the nautical theme.
5 Florence St, Cairns. Phone: [phone]. See dundees.com.au/cairnsaquarium