So we all know Cairns is a bit of a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, especially for first time visitors. But if you’re planning a visit to one of Australia’s northernmost cities, make sure you leave room to check out the foodie scene, because let’s be honest, finding great places to eat is a mandatory part of any holiday! From laid-back brunch spots to waterfront dinners and drinks with a view, here’s our guide to where to eat in Cairns, featuring some of our favourite spots for brunch, dinner and everything in between (drinks included).
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Cafés & Brunch Options
Never come between an Aussie and their coffee fix! Coffee culture is such a thing here, and you’ll find heaps of great cafés all around Cairns.
The CBD is easy to get around, so you can wander between espresso bars and brunch spots, and there’s the unreal Rusty’s Markets, which brings a bit of everything into the mix. Book if you want to guarantee a table, but most places will do walk-ins if you’re happy to wait a little.
Mi Piace Espresso Bar
As we were saying, there’s loads of good places to eat in Cairns, but we reckon you should start the day at Mi Piace Espresso Bar. It’s a popular brunch spot near the Munro Martin Parklands and is the place to go if you want some Italian and Spanish flavours with dishes like the porchetta Benedict and the amazing pancake specials. We’re also partial to the hot-honey halloumi bruschetta. Plus the coffee is amazing, and if you’re short on time, you can always grab your food to go.
Need to know:
Address: 1/119 Sheridan Street, Cairns City.
Price Range: Most brunch dishes sit around 20-30ish dollars. Specials will vary.
Rusty’s Markets
Rusty’s Markets is legendary among Cairns locals. With more than 180 stalls selling everything from fresh produce and souvenirs to ready-to-eat goodies, you just need to pop in and enjoy the vibe. Oh, and the coffee. Coffee’s sorted too.
If we were visiting for the first time, we’d go for some of whatever tropical fruit is in season, especially if there’s some mangosteen or dragon fruit around (yummy). Grab an Annee’s Vietnamese iced coffee or something from Barista Sista. Options will vary day to day, so we recommend doing a few laps before you settle on what you’re going to get.
Need to know:
Address: 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns City.
Price Range: Prices will vary depending on what you decide to buy. You can spend a little or a lot here!
Blackbird Espresso
If you want somewhere that’s renowned for coffee, you need to go to Blackbird Espresso, it’s the perfect spot to get your caffeine fix. It’s a roaster, with some really good stuff on the menu.
Coffee is the main event here, but you can enjoy some sweet treats on the menu. Grab an almond croissant or a slice of banana bread if you’re feeling peckish, it’s the ideal spot for an early morning stop or if you want a quality takeaway coffee before you head out into the city.
Need to know:
Address: Shop 13, Oceana Walk, 67 Grafton Street, Cairns City
Price Range: Coffee and a pastry will usually cost you less than $15.
The Chambers
The Chambers has a great location in an old bank, with an all-day menu featuring local ingredients. It’s perfect if you fancy some brekkie, but someone else is ready for lunch. There are so many amazing dishes here, you’re probably going to want to share or come back
Some of our faves are the barramundi croquettes, which come with coconut curry cream, and poached egg and masala hollandaise. There’s also some bacon muffins on the menu, and the duck toastie is a special treat when you want something a bit more filling.
Need to know:
Address: 21 Spence Street, Cairns City
Price Range: Main dishes are around $28-$34, but lighter bakery items are available for less.
Waterfront Restaurants
Want to eat with a view? Then you need to give Cairns waterfront dining a go. It’s just a short walk from the CBD, and most of the city’s best restaurants are located here. The marina and Trinity Inlet are a must for sunset dinners or a bit of lunch. Make sure you ask for an outside table when you make a booking.
Salt House
The food FOMO is real, but choosing Salt House makes the decision a whole lot easier. Trust us.
It’s a stylish space on the marina that serves up amazing Aussie dishes, with cocktails and a wood-fired grill. It’s good for both casual lunches, and a dressed-up dinner and makes the cut for a lot of lists of where to eat in Cairns.
Seafood is huge on the menu here. You’ve got classic Asian-inspired dishes like tuna sashimi and reef fish ceviche, but there’s also ‘Butchers Cuts’ like lamb and steak. If you’re going with your mates, we recommend you get a few dishes and share between you. Make sure you get the truffle fries on the side, they’re incredible.
Need to know:
Address: Marina Point, 6/2 Pier Point Road, Cairns
Price Range: Expect to pay about $30-$70 per person before drinks, depending on whether you share smaller plates or order bits from the grill.
Ollie's Italian
You can’t beat a good Italian, and Ollie’s Italian won’t disappoint. There’s homemade pasta, pizza and of course, some Aussie steak added to the mix. It’s a popular spot on the waterfront and is great for families too.
If you want to try something a little different, give Pizza al Canguro a try. It’s topped with kangaroo salami and a delicious goat-cheese cream, it won Australia’s Best Creative Pizza in 2025. If you’d prefer some pasta, the Spaghetti Marinara is packed with local seafood and is a real comfort dish. Remember to save some room for tiramisu for pudding!
Need to know:
Address: 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City
Price Range: Pizzas are around $28-$38, pasta is mostly $39-$56, and the current four-course sharing menu is $85 per person.
Ochre Restaurant
Ochre Restaurant is the place to try some real Australian ingredients in a gorgeous waterfront setting. It’s over 30 years old and is known for being a good place to eat in Cairns. Visitors love it because the menu is pretty different to anywhere else!
Ochre has many signature dishes. There’s salt and pepper quail, kangaroo satay, crocodile laksa, and so much more. You’ll even find burgers and tacos on the menu! The menu changes seasonally, so you’ll always get to enjoy fresh local ingredients.
Need to know:
Address: 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City
Price Range: Dishes range from $18-$40, but you can also enjoy an amazing taster menu with wine for $199 per person.
Bars & Pubs
The nightlife in Cairns is all about rooftops, terraces and roomy beer gardens. You can enjoy a sunset drink by the inlet and then move into the CBD for a bit of atmosphere later on. The best bars in Cairns are open until late, perfect for those in the party mood.
Grand Hotel Cairns
The Grand Hotel Cairns is a typical Aussie pub, near Cairns Central, home to a crocodile-shaped bar. The kitchen serves your pub classics, and it’s a great place to enjoy a beer with mates or casual dining with the family.
The menu changes regularly, but you’ll usually find burgers, steak and fish and chips on the menu!
Need to know:
Address: 34 McLeod Street, Cairns City
Price Range: This is one of our more budget-conscious choices of where to eat in Cairns, with mains priced around $25-30.
Hemingway's Brewery
Head to Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf for excellent pub grub with a view. It’s in a heritage-listed shed at the Cruise Liner Terminal, with perfect views of Trinity Inlet. It’s a good choice for groups, with plenty of space to enjoy a slow afternoon with your mates.
There’s some great choices on the menu here, including pizzas, burgers and share plates. You can also try a few house brews with a tasting paddle featuring new releases and classics.
Need to know:
Address: 4 Wharf Street, Cairns City
Price Range: You can eat and drink comfortably here for under $40
Rocco by Crystalbrook
If you want a bar with an epic view, Rocco is the place to go. It’s 12 floors above the Esplanade, with a 270-degree view over Cairns and the Coral Sea. The menu here is made for sharing, with Egyptian-spiced chicken wings, prawns with harissa butter and Rocco baklava high on the recommendations list.
Make sure you have some of the cocktails too, we love the Smokey Lalla and Pineapple Haze!
Need to know:
Address: Level 12, Crystalbrook Riley, 131-141 Esplanade, Cairns
Price Range: The Flavours of Rocco sharing menu is priced at $95 a head, but you can enjoy a lot of tasty dishes for under $30.
Downunder Bar
We reckon The Downunder Bar is one of the best bars in Cairns! The vibes are fun and the music’s loud, plus there’s plenty of pool tables to keep you occupied. It’s a good pick if you want a bit more than a quiet cocktail on the water.
You’ll find some much-loved bar foods on the menu, like nachos, buffalo wings and one of our faves, Mexican parmigiana. Think comfort food and share plates!
Need to know:
Address: 102 Lake Street, Cairns City.
Price Range: Most dishes are under $25, so you can fill up comfortably here!
