Best Seafood Restaurant , Cairns Local Favourites

Seafood Restaurant in Cairns 🌊

🐠 Dundee’s on the Waterfront

Location: 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City
A Cairns icon, Dundee’s is loved by locals and visitors alike. With stunning views of the marina, Dundee’s offers a relaxed, alfresco dining experience with standout dishes like the Seafood Tower and Penang Seafood Curry. It’s been serving up fresh, local produce for more than 30 years – and it just keeps getting better.

✅ Waterfront dining
✅ Seafood platters, crocodile, and Aussie favourites
✅ Indoor and outdoor seating available

🐟 Tha Fish

Location: Pier Point Road, Cairns Marina
Famous for their “choose your fish, choose your style” menu, Tha Fish lets you pick your catch and how it’s cooked – grilled, baked, battered or pan-seared. Set right on the waterfront, it’s ideal for a sunset dinner with an ever-changing menu based on the freshest local catch.

✅ Customisable seafood dishes
✅ Licensed and family-friendly
✅ Local favourite for reef-to-plate dining

🍤 Prawn Star

Location: Floating on the Cairns Marlin Marina
You won’t forget this one! Jump aboard a refurbished fishing trawler and enjoy freshly caught prawns, oysters, sashimi and bugs. Prawn Star offers the ultimate laid-back dining experience right on the water – cold beers, salty air and unbeatable seafood.

✅ Fresh prawns and oysters served on a boat
✅ Casual, BYO-style dining
✅ Perfect for lunch or sunset snacks

🐚 Splash Seafood Restaurant

Location: 103 The Esplanade, Cairns
A family-owned gem along the Cairns Esplanade, Splash is known for its wild-caught seafood and stylish yet relaxed vibe. Try the Macadamia-Crusted Threadfin or the Szechuan Barramundi – both come highly recommended.

✅ Ocean views
✅ Fresh fish, friendly service
✅ Great for a special night out

🇮🇹 Bellocale Italian and Seafood

Location: 62C Shields Street, Cairns
A unique fusion of Italian flair and tropical seafood, Bellocale is a local favourite for seafood pasta and creative daily specials. Their blue swimmer crab ravioli and parpadelle bugs are the stuff of legends!

✅ Italian and seafood fusion
✅ Cosy and casual
✅ Ideal for couples and small groups

🐠 Dundee’s at the Cairns Aquarium

Location: 5 Florence Street, Cairns
Enjoy a truly unique atmosphere as you dine beside a massive saltwater tank filled with reef fish and marine life. Dundee’s at the Aquarium serves everything from crocodile spring rolls to elegant seafood platters – a great spot for families or date night.

✅ Dine next to marine life
✅ Kid-friendly
✅ Great lunch and dinner spot in the city

🌴 The Backyard by Shangri-La

Location: Pier Point Road, Cairns Marina
With relaxed outdoor seating and magical views of the marina, The Backyard serves top-tier seafood with flair – think lobster tacos with gold leaf, caviar, and locally caught mud crab. Come for the food, stay for the fairy lights and cocktails.

✅ Marina-side dining
✅ Stylish but unpretentious
✅ Ideal for evening drinks and seafood delights

🦀 Planning Your Visit

Many of Cairns’ seafood restaurants are located right along the Esplanade or Marina, making it easy to enjoy a delicious dinner after a day of adventure. Reservations are recommended for weekend evenings and holiday periods.

💡 Tip: Most venues offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, so everyone can enjoy a night out.