Cairns Food and Drinks

🥥 Cairns Food and Drinks Guide

Tropical flavours, local favourites, and unforgettable views

Welcome to Cairns – A Feast for All Senses

In Cairns, every bite comes with a side of sunshine. This vibrant city is home to a thriving food and drink scene shaped by its tropical location, multicultural community, and access to some of Australia’s best seafood, produce, and coffee. Whether you’re craving a reef-fresh seafood platter, a spicy Thai curry, or a perfectly poured espresso, Cairns delivers it all — with a relaxed, beachy vibe that’s uniquely Far North Queensland.

From waterfront dining and lively bars to local coffee roasters and hidden laneway cafés, here’s your delicious guide to eating and drinking your way around Cairns.

🍽️ Top Dining Experiences in Cairns

Waterfront Restaurants

Cairns boasts some of the best waterfront dining in Australia. Pull up a chair at Salt House for sunset cocktails, enjoy a native Australian menu at Ochre, or head to The Pier Bar for casual vibes and live music. Don’t miss Prawn Star — a floating seafood boat at the marina that serves up prawns, oysters, and reef fish straight from the ocean.

👉 Explore more: Best Waterfront Restaurants in Cairns

Iconic Aussie Pubs & Steakhouses

For hearty fare and icy cold beers, try The Woolshed, or Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse at the Pier. These venues combine tropical hospitality with generous plates — think chargrilled steaks, barramundi burgers, and loaded schnitzels.

☕ Cairns Café Culture

Local Favourites

Cairns is coffee-obsessed — and it shows. Top spots include Caffiend, known for its creative breakfast menu and funky laneway style; The Chambers, set in a beautiful 1920s bank building; and Mi Piace Espresso Bar, a local favourite for smooth blends and breakfast bagels. Don’t forget Cruze Coffee, a small-batch roaster offering over 30 unique blends!

👉 Discover: Best Cafes in Cairns

Health-Focused & Vegan Options

Health-conscious travellers will love Snoogies, Blackbird Laneway, and Annee’s Caphê Sua Da, offering vegan-friendly meals, smoothie bowls, cold brews, and fresh tropical ingredients with a sustainable focus.

🐟 Fresh Seafood & Local Produce

Seafood Lovers’ Paradise

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — and it’s also one of the best places in Australia to enjoy fresh, sustainably caught seafood. From reef fish and Moreton Bay bugs to prawns and oysters, the seafood here is sensational. Look out for menus featuring coral trout, barramundi, and spanner crab, often sourced fresh from nearby waters.

Local Markets

Stop by Rusty’s Markets (Friday to Sunday) to stock up on tropical fruits, herbs, coffee beans, baked goods, and Asian-style street food. It’s a great spot to sample local flavours and chat with friendly growers and makers.

👉 Visit: Rusty’s Market Cairns

🍹 Cairns Bars, Breweries & Nightlife

Cocktails & Sunsets

For a tropical cocktail by the water, head to Hemingway’s Brewery, Salt House, or Bar36 at The Reef Hotel Casino. Enjoy live music, craft beers, and a buzzing vibe that lasts well into the evening. Many bars also offer tapas-style menus and reef-to-plate specials.

Craft Beer & Breweries

Hemingway’s Brewery is the crown jewel of local brewing — sample tasting paddles and pub meals with marina views. Keep an eye out for other local craft beers around town, including brews from Barrier Reef Brewing Co.

🌴 Food Festivals & Seasonal Events

Cairns hosts a variety of food and wine events throughout the year, including:

Taste of Port Douglas – a must-visit for foodies (held nearby)
Cairns Festival – includes food trucks and pop-up dining
Rusty’s Tropical Food Showcases – weekly tastings at the market

Stay tuned to our Events Calendar for more seasonal delights.

🔍 Quick Foodie Tips for Visitors

🕓 Best time for dinner: Book ahead for sunset seating at waterfront venues
🥗 Dietary needs: Most cafes and restaurants offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options
🧃 Tropical treats: Try fresh sugarcane juice, dragonfruit smoothies, and pawpaw salads
🧑‍🍳 Cultural variety: Enjoy everything from Thai and Vietnamese to Italian, Japanese, and Indigenous-inspired cuisine

🧡 Eat Like a Local in Cairns

Cairns’ food and drink scene is as vibrant as its reef and rainforest. Whether you’re starting your day with a cold brew and avo toast or ending it with seafood and cocktails under the stars, you’ll find something delicious at every turn.

👉 Ready to taste your way through Cairns?

Explore our best cafés, seafood spots, sunset bars, and dining experiences today.