Cairns Dining: Where to eat in Cairns

Planning a trip to Cairns Queensland? Want to know the restaurants where the locals eat?You've got your Great Barrier Reef trip sorted, you're visiting the magnificent Daintree Rainforest but.....where are the picks for Cairns dining? As a local I can tell you the best places for where to eat in Cairns, especially if you're on a budget (prices current Oct 2011). There are loads of great restaurants and cafes in Cairns plus funky Hotels, let's have a look at a few of my favourites:

1. Brothers Leagues Club- Manunda

Does cater for an older crowd but I LOVE the MASSIVE pizzas from the Celtic Cafe. Priced at only $11.50 they have Hawaiian, Tandoori (my favourite) and a meat lovers. The pizzas are huge and can be shared by 2 people without either going hungry. Brothers also has the Sunsets Buffet Restuarant where you can help yourself to all sorts of great food. The type of food they have depends on day what you go but Mon-Sun you won't be disappointed. Fuller Sports Club at Edmonton (southern Cairns) is owned by Brothers and they do a $12 3 course roast meal on a Monday night.

2. Vibe Bar & Lounge-Lake street Cairns

A favorite restaurant on the Cairns dining guide and located right in the middle of town Vibe Bar & Lounge offers a funky venue and great food. This is a great starting point if you're not sure what to do in Cairns for a night out and well located amongst accommodation in Cairns for holiday makers. They have terrific specials including 2 for 1 burgers every day from 12noon to 7pm or a $10 steak and beer. The menu is mainly made up of burgers priced from around $12-$15 but you won't be disappointed. I've taken the family here and they love it and so do I.

3. Ibiza Bar & Cafe-The Esplanade

Centrally located amongst Cairns holiday apartments on the Esplanade is Cairns Ibiza Bar & Cafe which is relatively new on the scene. But we went there recently for a birthday and were pleasantly surprised. Ibiza Bar & Cafe Cairns mainly serve up burgers and wraps. The fish & chips that one of our guests ordered was a little small but I had the double bacon cheese burger with great chips and salad. Be aware this place can get a tad rowdy on a Saturday night so perhaps look at another night. Priced at around $15 Ibiza Bar & Cafe makes for a great start to an evening in Cairns.

4. Bella Vista- Pier Complex

The Pier Complex at the Cairns Marina has some great bars which serve tasty food. Bella Vista is one such place which serve nice pizzas and steak sandwiches for around $10. Enjoy the balmy tropical Cairns weather in a central part of town. Great value.

5. The Salthouse-Pier Complex

The Pier Complex is a diners paradise with so many great restaurants to sample. Getting up in price a bit The Salthouse Restuarant food is worth a visit but if you're on a budget then stick to the bar food rather than the restaurant. Try some olives filled with crocodile!

6. Marinades- Spence Street Cairns

Indian restaurant food at its best. For lunch try 2 vegetable curries, rice and dessert for only $10. Or the meat equivalent for just $12. Lunch is presented beautifully and I always pay just a tiny bit extra for some wicked naan bread (cottage cheese fill!). Marinades has a pleasant atmosphere and is always busy (good sign of great food!).

7. The Courthouse Hotel-Abbott St

Not a resturant as such but a Cairns favourite for lunch and a well kept Cairns secret. Refurbished from the original city courthouse this pub is trendy, funky, light and has great Aussie pub meals. There are daily specials including $10 fish & steak burgers for lunch or dinner and $3.50 Coronas. Wander around the old building and you'll find original defendant and witness boxes. Hang out in the relaxing beer garden then head out for some gelati on the Esplanade...this is Cairns at its best, eating great food, drinking cold beer and relaxing in a great Cairns Hotel.

8. Dundees-Pier Waterfront

Located under the Harbour Lights apartments overlooking the waters of Trinity Inlet is the very impressive Dundees Restaurant. Perfect for any occasion Dundees offers the freshest of seafood with a variety of prawn and fish plates, there's also beautiful food from the grill. I enjoyed the chicken breast that was stuffed with avocado and sun dried tomatoes. How good!

Right next door to Dundees is a new restaurant in Cairns called Havelli. It is an Indian restaurant that opened in December 2011. Whilst I'm yet to eat there from all reports it serves excellent spicy food with beautiful aromas and taste. Butter chicken anyone?

And....

There are other great places to eat in Cairns which I won't get into detail but here's a selection: The Banana Leaf, Thai Coins, Botanical Gardens and Restaurant (check out tropical gardens and plants then head into the Cafe) and Mecca Bah with it tasty Turkish pizzas and genuine kebabs on skewers. Make sure you check out the beaches just a short drive north from Cairns. Here you find more great places to eat: Trinity Beach Tavern and L'unico also at Trinity Beach for great woodfire pizzas for around $17.

Whatever your taste or budget Cairns caters for you. If you're from overseas why not try local delights such as Crocodile and Kangaroo!

There is so much to Cairns and Far North Queensland, check out these articles to find out more: