Cairns Licensed Restaurants

Barassi's Bistro

Informal dining well suited to families looking for a social restaurant with reasonably priced food. Extensive children's menu and entertainment on selected evenings. Good quality bistro food with buffet and dessert.

Barnacle Bills

Fantastic location and quality seafood has made this locally owned restaurant very popular. Foreign language menus are available in Japanese, German, French, and Italian.

Barrier Reef Hotel

Barron River Hotel

The colourful Rivers Restaurant, with its choice of indoor or verandah dining, has always been popular, offering a great value dining option to the area.

Bayleaf Restaurant

Gorgeous alfresco dining with flaming torches surrounding the exterior, Bayleaf Restaurant's modern menu includes local produce. A lovely dining experience with company, or just for two.

Bel Paese

A cute Italian restaurant with a warm friendly atmosphere and genuine, tasty cuisine. The kind of trattoria you'd expect to discover accidently tucked away in a quaint alleyway in Sardinia. Great location for people watching, al fresco dinners and casual romance.

Bellavista at the Marina

Superb location on the marina, ideal for watching the sunset with afternoon beverages. Great range of pizzas with tatsy, innovative choices all cooked in a wood-fired pizza oven. Ideal venue for group celebrations or social dining.

Bello Caffe

A comfortable low-key cafe in the heart of Cairns CBD with simple, elegant, uncomplicated modern southern Italian cuisine.

Bellocale

A new restaurant worth talking about with Italian cuisine even Italians are raving about! Passionately serving local, seasonal produce.

Blue Mango Cafe Wine Bar

A funky location with a lengthy wine list, Blue Mango is a popular after work venue on a Friday with locals; Miles Away, a funky jazz band plays regularly. Innovative cocktails and interesting pizzas keep the regulars coming back. Great views of the Esplanade.

Blue Sky Brewery

Cairns' own boutique brewery serving large portioned pub food with an abundance of friendly hospitality.

Botanic Gardens Cafe

Set among tropical flora in the most beautiful garden in Cairns, this cafe is a lovely place to meet friends for lunch or devonshire tea. Delightful.

C'est Bon

Dining at C’est Bon French Restaurant is a truly unforgettable dining experience — exquisitely French and amazingly affordable. Join Junelle and the team with Chef Samuel Daquin from Lille in France to savour the mouth watering delights from original classic French dishes.

Cafe China

Recently moved to inside the Reef Hotel Casino complex, Cafe China is open for yum cha lunch and chinese dinner. Owner Harry Sou has extremely high standards and you are assured of a delicious meal every time you visit this authentic Chinese restaurant. Very high quality and excellent service.

Cafe Coco

Adjacent to the Cairns International's Lobby, Cafe Coco offers casual brassiere style dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Choose from the A La Carte menu or Buffet and enjoy quick and quality service at any time of the day.

Cafe Thailand

Fast paced friendly restaurant, with beautiful Thai decor. Extensive menu with many traditional Thai dishes not seen at other restaurants in Cairns, but also many dishes using local produce such as barramundi and coral trout. 10% discount on take away orders.

Casa De Meze

If you're seeking a quiet dining atmosphere where your mind can drift away to the clouds, don't bother visiting Casa De Meze. But if excitment, passion, bright colours and electric food takes your fancy, Cairns' Latin restaurant will light your fire. Drop in for a drink, a light meal or a huge feast and watch the amazing Latin dancers strut their stuff. Casa De Meze is great fun and is guaranteed to get your juices flowing!

Charlie's

One of Cairns' favourite restaurants, Charlies has a seafood and hot food buffet that offers tremendous value for money. Look for the discount vouchers in the Cairns Post each day.

Cherry Blossom Japanese Restaurant

One of Cairns' oldest Japanese restaurants, being established in 1987, Cherry Blossom Japanese Restaurant features a sushi bar, table cooking, teppanyaki and Japanese noodles. An authentic Japanese dining experience utilising fresh Great Barrier Reef seafood with the refined preparation styles of Japanese cooking. Exciting Australian meats such as Kangaroo, Emu and Crocodile are also available. Open for lunch on Wed, Thu & Fri, and dinner every night except Sun.

China Palace Restaurant

A large Chinese restaurant in the heart of Cairns with daily yum cha, and a wide variety of classic Chinese dishes that you would expect on a menu in Australia. All your favourites are on the menu, try their signature Xiao Long Bao. This restaurant is suitable for families and group dining parties.

Cho Gao

Asian food experience located at the Pier overlooking the marina incorporating the delights of hawker cuisine from east Asia.

City Walk Licenced Cafe

Cock & Bull Restaurant

A very funky restaurant that is popular with young people. The meals are huge yet cheap - this is a great venue for special occasions or if you want a group dinner before a night on the town.

Damari's

Donnini's Ciao Italia

An authentic Italian restaurant & cafe inside The Pier Marketplace. Donnini's Ciao Italia features an open kitchen, highly attentive staff, and some of the best Italian food available in Cairns.

Dunwoody's Tavern

E Bar

Nice location for kicking back with a drink and snacking on their tasty bar food.

Bar menu includes chips, wedges, pizza, antipasto, fish, burgers and salads

Also features a pool table and live jazz music on Fridays (between 6-10pm).

Fasta Pasta

Pasta that's fasta than the rest. For a quick, quality meal, Fasta Pasta is excellent value for money, and ideal for family dining. Laid back and informal, with a licensed bar.

Fetta's Greek Taverna

Excellent variety of Greek cuisine from this family-owned restaurant established in 1975. Experience the sights and sounds of Greece with gorgeous decor, beautiful belly dancers on the weekend and even Zorba dancing! Try the generous feast option to get a great variety of Greek food. Excellent Greek coffee too!

Flinders Bar & Grill

Flinders Bar and Grill is located on the first floor of the Reef Hotel Casino. The restaurant serves light meals at all hours of the day - a great place to refresh your palette after a few hours at the casino!

Golden Boat Chinese Restaurant

Serving Yum Cha, A-La-Carte, Live Seafood and having a Noodle Bar makes Golden Boat one of Cairns' most full service Chinese restaurants. A sensational restaurant for groups as you'll be treated like royalty. The yum cha is particularly good, probably the best in Cairns. You know a great Chinese restaurant when you notice many Chinese dining, and this seems exceedingly popular.

Grafton Hotel

Green Ant Cantina

A casual and funky restaurant with pub style Mexican food but done with flair. You can expect large tasty meals at affordable prices. Cool tunes and cosy rythums play most days at Green Ant. Popular with backpackers and a younger boho crowd, a lot of the dining space is outdoors in a 'beer garden' type environment. On Tuesdays take a friend and get two meals for the price of one.

Hanuman Restaurant

Renowned chef Jimmy Shu brings the latest exciting restaurant installment to Cairns. Expect innovative, modern Asian cuisine in an elegant setting. Amazing flavours and an impressive dining experience.

Havana Music Cafe

A funky Caribbean flavoured cafe bringing the intense tropical flavours of Jamaica, Cuba and Bermuda to Cairns. The menu includes many of the popular jerk selections from Jamaica, the jerk chicken is especially popular. Regular live music, and lots of friendliness make this venue a good spot for friends catching up.

Hog's Breath Cafe Cairns

With fantastic steaks slowly cooked to perfection, and curly pig-tail fries that make my mouth water just thinking of them, Hog's Breath Cafe is a top spot for a lunch or dinner with friends. Grab a beer from the bar and tuck into a hefty meal fit for a king.

Ibiza Beach Bar Cafe

Located on the Cairns Esplanade opposite the lagoon. Ibiza Beach Bar Cafe offers a casual selection of fishy favourites (salt & pepper calamaria, smoked salmon), wraps, burgers, and heartier ribs & steaks.

Jardines Restaurant

Kani's On The Esplanade

Popular restaurant in the prime location of the Esplanade.

Khin Khao Thai Restaurant

La Fettuccina

A trendy Italian restaurant offering a comprehensive selection of pasta and seafood pasta dishes. Exceptional service and great food make LA Fettuccina a high calibre dining experience.

La Pizza

Walk past La Pizza and the strong pizza aromas will beckon you to dine. Extensive pizza menu and other Italian favourites.

Limericks Restaurant

Multi-award winning restaurant in the Best Family Restaurant category, Limericks offers lunch and buffet dinner, with a roast carvery on Wednesday nights. Buffet includes soup, pasta, hot dishes, vegetables, salads and desserts.

Limmy The Flavour Of Malaysia

Authentic and very high quality Malaysian food, prepared by Malaysian chefs.

Linga Longa

Excellent variety of international dishes by a seasoned restaurateur. This restaurant is designed to be loved by locals and one of the few operators be licensed and offer BYO.

Lucifer Steakhouse & Bar

Lucifer Steakhouse & Bar located right on the Esplanade offers not only breathtaking views out to the Coral Sea but also a unique blend of innovative menu and a high energy atmosphere in a vibrant lounge scene.

Marinades

Authentic Indian cuisine with helpful, attentive staff and friendly passionate owners. Open for lunch and dinner, Marinades is an inexpensive and fun restaurant for small groups, family outings and dinner with friends. Large groups can also take advantage of their brightly decorated banquet room.

Mizuna Restaurant

New restaurant for Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort as part of a recent refurbishment. Head Chef, Mark Carrette has prepared a diverse menu featuring combinations of Australian specialties and international favourites. The restaurant will be focusing on providing fresh, locally sourced produce and 4.5 star quality.

Mondo on the Waterfront

Locals know where to find the best bites, and that’s why you’ll find the locals here. The award-winning Mondo on the Waterfront is a unique al fresco dining experience that encapsulates everything great about North Queensland, with stunning views of Trinity Inlet. Whether it’s a casual coffee, a family gathering, business lunch or cocktail, indulge in flavours from around the world, with signature dishes like Mondo barbeque and sizzling fajitas!

Montezuma's

One of the Australian-owned chain of Montezuma's with a warm, family-friendly style. All the Mexican favourites such as tacos, nachos and chili con carne can be found here.

Mother India Restaurant

Great exotic tastes that exhibit the richness of a glorious past and the luxury of a colourful present. Mother India Restaurant serve many innovative dishes not found at other Indian restaurants and prepare your food exactly the way you like: mild, medium, hot or Indian hot - or anywhere in between!

North Food + Wine

With million dollar views across the Cairns harbour, Tides Restaurant is superbly positioned for a special meal. Tides utilises their buffet in sohpistocated way for breakfast with extensive hot and cold dishes available as well as an egg chef. Lunch features an authentic curry bar with a range of interesting Indian delights. Dinner is contemporary Australiasian a la carte cuisine. Shangri-La formerly had Sirocco Restaurant in a similar location.

O'Cha Cha Modern Japanese Dining

Ochre Restaurant @ Harbour Lights

Neoteric Australian cuisine is the focus of Ochre Restaurant's sensational menu, incorporating Australian bush foods in innovative, exciting dishes. Menu changes seasonally, as different fresh produce become available. A must try!

Olanos Ristorante e Lounge Bar

Olano's is a beautifully located restaurant and lounge bar overlooking Trinity Wharf. Perfect for large or small groups. The Sicilian head chef provides a fresh, interesting menu with Italian influence.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Outback Jacks Bar and Grill

Thoroughly huge steaks dominate the menu at Outback Jack's. The meat cabinet boasts an amazing array of carnivorous delights, hailed to be the largest variety of steaks in the world. A great family restaurant, especially on Tuesday & Wednesday nights when kids eat free between 5-7pm.

Ozmosis

P.J.O’Brien’s Irish Pub

Pacific Flavours Brasserie

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Pacific Flavours Brasserie offers a nightly Tropical Seafood Buffet Dinner with a wide selection of tasty seafood and tropical fruit. Sunday lunch features a live band and bottomless glasses of wine!

Perrotta's at The Gallery

Top spot for casual dining in Cairns with an all-outdoors breezy deck. The food and service has been consistently strong for many years.

Pesci's On The Water

Cairns' only seafood restaurant overlooking the famous Marlin Marina, specialising in fresh local and southern seafood and modern Australian cuisine. The menu is not limited to seafood though, with an extensive meat and pasta selection - all pasta is made on premises daily. Gorgeous location with magnificent waterfront views, Pesci's won the Restaurant and Caterers award for Queensland in 2003 for a la carte dining. Open for lunch and dinner.

Piccolo Cucina

A small, cosy, family-run restaurant located in Cairns city centre, Piccolo Cucina is one of the finest Italian restaurants in Cairns.

Rattle and Hum

Very funky dining on the Cairns Esplanade. A great place to grab lunch, a beer, and have a great time with friends or family.

Salt House

Exquisitely located on the waterfront within the Cairns marina, Salt House is the place to go for amazing views over Trinity Inlet. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are heavily focussed on local produce, and feature modern Australian cuisine. An excellent restaurant for a quiet romantic evening, or to celebrate a special occasion with friends.

Sassi at Bale

Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. 2008 Restaurant and Catering Award winners for Best Italian Restaurant in Far North Queensland.

Silver Dragon Chinese Restaurant

One of Cairns' largest chinese restaurants, Silver Dragon is owned and operated by two local brothers, John & Phillip. Featuring an extensive menu and wine list, and conveniently located opposite Cairns CBD taxi rank.

Society Bar & Nightspot

Brand new funky nightspot with a wide sprawling balcony over the Cairns CBD, a VIP room and a very swish lounge. The food is modern Australian. Excellent venue for celebrating with friends or finding a hot lover.

Springs Restaurant

Located at Oasis Resort Cairns, Springs is a high class restaurant in an unlikely location. Don't be fooled by its location in the foyer of a hotel, Springs serves wonderful food and has friendly service. Definitely worth a visit.

Sushi Train

Rush in for a quick hit of Japanese food plucked from a moving conveyer belt, or relax and sit green tea while perusing the delicacies passing under your nose. Sushi Train is a treat for kids and adults alike.

Sushi Zipang

Sushi Zipang is a culmination of all that's good about dining in a Japanese restaurant - a funky conveyer belt with exquisite selections, coupled with an a la carte menu featuring a wide array of Japanese dishes and combos. Prices at Sushi Zipang are very reasonable, and the restaurant is licensed - I recommend the Sake!

Tamarind Restaurant

An intimate and exclusive restaurant, it is advised you book ahead to experience Tamarind due to its popularity. And well founded too, Tamarind restaurant is an exquisite dining experience incorporating the exciting tastes and textures of Asian cuisine in an innovative menu incorporating Western culture. The signature restaurant of the Sofitel Reef Casino, this a dining 'must do' while in Cairns.

Tandoori Nights

New authentic Indian dining experience in Cairns! Tandoori Nights offers fantastic full-flavoured Indian cuisine with a perfect balance of spices and heat. Open 7 days.

Tandoori Oven

Authentic North Indian cuisine with a cosy atmosphere in the restaurant hub of Cairns. Offers al fresco dining as well as an air-conditioned indoor option. Interesting Indian decor inside with a strong local following. Be sure to try the banquet menu if dining in a group of 4 or more.

Tha Fish

Situated on the boardwalk at The Pier overlooking the marine, Tha Fish is a popular seafood restaurant open for lunch and dinner.

The Deck @ Red Beret Hotel

The perfect place to relax, grab a cold beer, wine or softdrink, and tuck into a hearty meal. Very cheap prices, and fantastic family value.

The Lounge

After dinner cocktail lounge.

The Paddock Restaurant and Bar

Has all the Steaks, Saltgrass Lamb Half-Rack with Minted Pea Risotto, Parmesan Wafer and Mint Jelly

The Pier Bar & Grill

The Pier Bar & Grill has possibly the most enviable location in Cairns, overlooking the Esplanade across the bay. A popular watering hole with both locals and backpackers.

The Railway Hotel

The Raw Prawn

Another of Cairns' excellent seafood restaurants located on the esplanade, the standout feature of The Raw Prawn is the great name. But we can assure you this restaurant doesn't literally live up to the name 'Raw Prawn', because all seafood is cooked with delicacy and precision. Aside from the name, don't forget the excellent views of the Coral Sea, efficient service, relaxing atmosphere and of course, great food.

The Taj Indian Restaurant

Taj is the oldest authentic Indian Restaurant in Tropical North Queensland. Vegetarians are amply catered for, and dishes are created ranging from mild spice to extremely hot. Be prepared!

Tjapukai

Experience the spirit of indigenous Australia with the Tjapukai Night Tour, where you will enjoy a four-course buffet dinner and a live performance demonstrating the Aboriginal culture.

Tosca Trattoria

Old world aromas and a casual, rustic atmosphere. Enjoy the quiet away from the bustling of Cairns Central shopping centre.

Twelve Bar Cafe (Twelve BC)

An eclectic cafe in the heart of Cairns CBD serving rich, dark roast Genovese coffee and large hearty breakfasts.

Vertigo Bar

The ultramodern surroundings of Vertigo brings the latest trends in bar design to Cairns. Live entertainment Thursday to Saturday nights, state of the art music video Jukebox and wide selection of drinks, cocktails and Tapas ensure that Vertigo Bar is the ideal place to meet after work or late evening.

Waterbar and Grill Steakhouse

The Waterbar & Grill is located at the Pier and offers al fresco dining that overlooks the marina. It is a steakhouse specialising in contemporary Australian and South African cuisine. Great location for getting together with friends, especially over lunch.

Wawawa

Yama Japanese Restaurant

When a Cairns Japanese restaurant takes orders for business lunches on the other side of Australia, and delivers them by express courier, it's a pretty good indication that this is the pinnacle of dining. Yama Japanese Restaurant, located on the northern side of the Cairns International Hotel, is an exquisit experience that leaves nothing wanting. Very popular with Japanese food lovers, including Japanese people, for authenticity and freshness.