Top 20 Asian restaurants in Cairns revealed
With the return of Asian tourists to Far North shores, here’s a list of our top 20 Asian restaurants. Don’t agree? Vote for your favourite.
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With a range of cuisines from all over the world, Cairns is a melting pot of flavour when it come to the city’s restaurants.
And now, with direct flights from China returning for the first time in four years, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 Asian restaurants, in no particular order.
Don’t agree? Vote in our poll.
Tuk Tuk by the Sea, Trinity Beach
Bringing authentic flavours from the heart of Asia direct to the northern beaches, Tuk Tuk at Trinity Beach offers a casual dining experience overlooking the ocean.
With popular Thai dish staples such as tom yum, laksa and jungle curry, Tuk Tuk also features its rich Thai flavours into popular breakfasts dishes.
The menu includes eggs bennie, big brekkie while Tuk Tuk also serves gelato and waffles for dessert.
It is open daily, except Tuesdays, from 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm.
See the menu here.
Jungle Fowl, Port Douglas
This modern Thai restaurant, set on the waterfront at Port Douglas, is hard to beat when it comes to views and food.
Using locally grown and sourced produce, Jungle Fowl showcases the best flavours Far North Queensland has to offer.
Choose from a range of share plates and individual dishes including steamed bao with beef brisket and hoisin pickle, yellow curry with Tolga potato and baby onion or Thai spiced Spanish mackerel.
Jungle Fowl is open daily from 5pm until late.
See the menu here.
Marinades Indian Restaurant, Cairns CBD
A staple on the Cairns dining scene and renowned for its explosive flavour and mouth-watering dishes, Marinades Indian Restaurant has been a favourite in the CBD since it opened on Spence Street more than 20 years ago.
Now located at The Pier precinct, Marinades has been run by husband and wife duo TJ Singh and Kay Kuar since 2019.
With a team of veteran chefs from different regions in India, Marinades maintains its reputation for authentic flavours and cooking techniques from the heart of India.
Using Halal certified meats and offering a range of vegan options, there is plenty for everyone.
Marinades is open from 5pm to 10pm, seven days a week.
See the menu here.
Beach Almond Restaurant, Palm Cove
Offering a delightfully modern spin on Asian seafood, Beach Almond Restaurant offers the rich aromatic flavours of South-East Asia.
Using local seafood and Asian delicacies, it is hard to go past this menu with items such as chargrilled seafood, Singaporean chilli crab, black pepper butter prawns and sumptuous curries.
Is was named as an Awards for Excellence – Restaurant and Catering finalist for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017.
Beach Almond Restaurant is open daily from 5pm to 10pm from Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 10pm on Sundays.
See the menu here.
Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant, Cairns City
Proving you don’t have to travel far to enjoy authentic Balinese flavours and tropical ambience, Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant brings Bali to the Far North.
With head chef I Made Upadana trained at Bumbu Bali Restaurant and Cooking School in Bali, the menu offers bona fide Balinese dishes straight to your plate.
Try besampi mebase Bali; braised beef in coconut milk, bebek kalas; braised duck curry with green papaya or the always popular nasi goreng.
Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant opens daily for breakfast and dinner, and lunch from Monday to Friday.
Bookings are recommended.
See the menu here.
Thai Coins Restaurant, Westcourt
This family owned Thai restaurant serves authentic recipes from the Phitsanulok Province in Thailand.
With lots of vegetarian, and meaty dishes to choose from, Thai Coins has something for everyone.
Run by owner Joel Cruz, the restaurant serves a variety of dishes including pad Thai, Thai curries, stir fries and salads.
Thai Coins is open from Tuesday to Friday at 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm.
On Saturday and Sunday it is opens from 5pm to 9pm.
See the menu here.
Samgasat Thai Cuisine, Edge Hill
The ever popular Samgasat Thai Cuisine in Edge Hill was voted as the best takeaway food by Restaurant Guru in 2023.
Featuring a range of Asian, Thai and grilled cuisine, it’s Samgasat’s seafood dishes that sets it apart.
Samgasat was voted one of the best Asian restaurants in the region by Cairns Post readers in 2019.
Samgasat opens daily, except Mondays, from 5pm to 9pm.
See the menu here.
Katch Up Bar and Restaurant, Cairns CBD
With a relaxed dining experience and live music every Friday night, Katch Up Bar & Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy out with mates.
With head chef Juthamas Supanya at the helm, Katch Up, experience culinary bliss with signature dish Khao Nuea Ob.
The dish stars succulent slow-cooked beef, infused with a blend of aromatic five spices and served alongside a bed of steamed jasmine rice, creating an unforgettable flavour sensation.
Katch Up Bar & Restaurant opens daily, except Wednesday.
Business hours are 4pm to 10pm from Sunday to Tuesday and 4pm to 12am from Thursday to Saturday.
See the menu here.
Tandoori Nights, Cairns North
Looking for affordable, mouth-watering options that cater to vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners alike? Look no further.
With a specially trained chef, Tandoori Nights brings the right balance of heat and spice to dishes.
Offering a range of seafood, beef, lamb and chicken curries and vegetarian options, Tandoori Nights also specialists in authentic Naan, desserts and a range of fresh chutneys to have with lunch or dinner.
Popular dishes include chicken tikka, vindaloo, korma and of course tandoori chicken.
Tandoori Nights opens daily from 3pm to 10pm with takeaway and dine-in options available.
See the menu here.
In 2 Thai, Bungalow
Located just a few minutes from the Cairns CBD, this suburban restaurant offers an array of Thai cuisine.
The restaurant’s cosy vibe sets the tone for a warm and friendly atmosphere, perfect for a family get together or a nice night out.
With friendly service and a range of menu items such as panang curry, satay skewers, pad Thai, soft shell crab and Barramundi salad.
In 2 Thai is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm.
See the menu here.
Haruka, Edge Hill
More than just a sushi stop, Haruka in Edge Hill offers a selection of Japanese cuisine such as sushi, gyoza, tempura, tofu and weekly bento boxes.
Haruka is open every weekday from 12pm to 2pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
It also opens every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
Bookings are preferred.
See the menu here.
Yokozuna, Cairns CBD
This popular Japanese hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Orchid Plaza brings diners from Cairns straight to an authentic street diner serving Japanese cuisine.
From fresh sushi and sashimi plates to tempura, ramen noodles, Japanese curies and more, this fully licensed diner is open almost daily for lunch and dinner.
The menu includes teriyaki, fried chicken, pork and eel.
Yokozuna is open daily except Tuesdays from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm.
See the menu here.
Imm Thai, Cairns CBD
For a laid back, casual dining experience with Thai so tasty you’ll be back for more, you can’t go past Imm Thai Cafe.
Located on Abbott Street close to the Cairns Night Markets, and in the heart of the CBD this restaurant offers traditional fan favourites such as satay skewers, coconut rice, pad thai, massaman beef curry and more.
The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8.30pm.
See the menu here.
Corea Corea, Cairns CBD
Voted by Cairns Post readers as one of the best Asian restaurants in the region in 2019, Corea Corea has been operating for more than 20 years.
Tucked away upstairs at Orchid Plaza, Corea Corea offers fresh, Korean-style street food, hotplate and hot-pot dishes such as spicy octopus and barbecue beef served with steamed rice, sauces and more.
It serves both meat and vegetarian options and offers dine-in and takeaway service.
Corea Corea opens for lunch and dinner seven days a week, between 11.30am and 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.20pm.
See the menu here.
Me Kong at Orchid Plaza
Specialising in original Vietnamese rice noodle and Chinese cuisine, Me Kong has been described as an exquisite noodle shop in the heart of Cairns.
With flavoursome, aromatic meals, Me Kong is best known for its noodle soup, stir fry and banh mi.
The menu includes Vietnamese foods such as pho, bao, laksa, Chinese stir fries and rice dishes.
The drink menu which includes lemongrass honey ginger tea, Vietnamese lemonade, Vietnamese iced coffee and three colour desserts.
Me Kong is open seven days until late.
See the menu here.
The Hungry Wombat, Cairns CBD
An authentic causal dining Japanese restaurant, The Hungry Wombat specialises in handmade udon noodle dishes, tempura and curries.
With reasonable prices and friendly staff, the restaurant comes in highly recommended by diners, particularly for its tempura, udon and katsu curry.
After a short closure, The Hungry Wombat reopened on January 26 for lunch and dinner service from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm.
See the menu here.
Thai Foodies House, Cairns CBD
With a varied menu and licensed bar, this restaurant has something for everyone including satay skewers, mango sticky rice, milk crepes and pad see ew.
Their specialty made alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages have also been popular.
Thai Foodie House operates every weekday with varied hours as advertised on its Facebook page.
See the menu here.
Pho Viet Vietnamese Noodle Bar, Cairns CBD
For authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a focus on healthy eating, check out Pho Viet Vietnamese Noodle Bar.
The rice paper rolls, chicken rice noodle soup and sliced beef brisket come in highly recommended.
Conveniently located on Abbot Street in the Cairns CBD, Viet Pho also offers online ordering and delivery service.
Pho Viet is open daily from 11am to 9pm.
See the menu here.
Indian Brothers, Cairns CBD
Fragrant, flavourful and delicious dishes await at Indian Brothers Cairns.
All dishes feature locally sourced produce ensuring delicious and healthy meals.
This sought after menu includes Punjabi chicken, lamb korma, chicken tikka masala and biryani.
Vegan and vegetarian options are available, as well as gluten free, MSG free and nut free choices.
All meats are halal certified.
Indian Brothers is open daily from 11am to 10pm.
See the menu here.
Tia’s Cafe, Cairns North
For a mix of traditional Aussie classics and popular Thai dishes, Tia’s Cafe has got you covered.
Meals range from hamburgers and fish and chips to the traditional flavours of pad Thai, green curry and vegetarian spring rolls.
Along with seafood, rice and noodle dishes, Tia’s Cafe has a variety of iced teas, smoothies and iced coffees.
Tia’s Cafe is open from 10am to 9pm daily and from 5pm to 9pm on Sundays.
See the menu here.
Originally published as Top 20 Asian restaurants in Cairns revealed
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