Where should I eat in Cairns

[Cynicor]

Hello!

I'm in Cairns catching up with the Squeeze but she's working tonight (and also new to Cairns). Any suggestions for dinner for me by myself the next 3 nights and anywhere else recommended?

Thanks!

 

[Steady]

Sounds like an AFF meet up is in order

 

[Becky B]

Hello!

I'm in Cairns catching up with the Squeeze but she's working tonight (and also new to Cairns). Any suggestions for dinner for me by myself the next 3 nights and anywhere else recommended?

Thanks!

1 C'est Bon in Lake st, best restaurant in Cairns for dinner

2 RSL on the nard (esplanade) good prices ,good views(but are doing renos atm).

3 Bar and Grill at the pier, good meals ok prices (twenties crowd)

4 Mondos at the Hilton on the waterfront, great for lunch, ok prices

Prices can be exy, beware...

Welcome to Cairns, enjoy!!

 

[winston]

agree with c'est bon - best service in Cairns and nice classic french,

highly recommend Samgasat restaurant - sensational northern thai - BYO and well priced. It is a bit out of the way in Pease st (edge hill) , authentic and classy food , it's noisy and has basic furnishings - you'd feel quite comfortable eating alone there : warning that you almost always need to book ahead - as it is popular with locals.

Bayleaf (balinese food on lake st) is good also.

Tamarind restaurant adjacent to the casino

and a few at the pier -Waterfront bar and grill for good steaks, Tha Fish for seafood.

enjoy!!

 

[Cynicor]

1 C'est Bon in Lake st, best restaurant in Cairns for dinner

2 RSL on the nard (esplanade) good prices ,good views(but are doing renos atm).

3 Bar and Grill at the pier, good meals ok prices (twenties crowd)

4 Mondos at the Hilton on the waterfront, great for lunch, ok prices

Prices can be exy, beware...

Welcome to Cairns, enjoy!!

Thanks everyone!
Don't worry, we come from Perth and Broome so it seems prices here still aren't too bad :shock:

I'm here for just under a week but will hopefully be back for 3 months May-Aug if I can find someone who wants to employ me. I'm currently opposite Bayleaf but will likely be moving to Edge hill so will keep that recommendation (Samgasat) in mind for then, and probably hit the Bayleaf for an early dinner tomorrow before she has to work. Might wander down to the Waterfront Bar and Grill considering it's come up twice, and maybe we do C'est Bon during the week.

Anyone keen on an AFF meet in May?

 

[jastel]

Its just called the Waterbar and Grill...it is on the waterfront side of the Pier Complex...good for steaks.
The Salt House is out on the point at the Pier.
There are several other restaurants along there as well.
Around the Hilton Reef Terminal area is Dundees and Red Ochre and Mondo's.
All along the esplanade are restaurants, from takeaway McDonalds, kebabs, Chinese take away, night market food court, Rattle and Hum, (sports bar type), Bavarian, Pizza, Ice Cream and others.
Even a Hogs Breath up on Spence St near to Cairns Central.
There are many more from all countries curry, thai, asian, korean, italian...plenty of choice.

 

[Buzzard]

Have enjoyed the pub/restaurant on the corner of whatever street it is, used to be the GPO. Brew their own beer. I particularly like the red ale.

 

[puppysparkes]

You can grab a cheap pub meal at the court house. If you fancy kicking on then rattle n hum will do you right http://rattlenhum.com.au/cairns/

 

[turtlemichael]

If you like seafood, Prawn Star in the marina (it's a boat) is fun, good food and different.

 

[vetrade]

Do yourself a favour and make the time to eat at Palm Cove or Port Douglas. Very good options at both and a better atmosphere for mine.

 

[Viridianne]

Subscribed. Very useful information as I'll be up in Cairns during Anzac weekend. Would be up for AFF Meetup!

 

[kevrosmith]

Waterbar and Grill is my all time favourite restaurant in Cairns. Order the Pork Ribs. You will NOT be disappointed.
C'est Bon gets great reviews - nothing special in terms of location, but it has great service and great food.
Salt House is great for a drink, but I can't remember having a great meal there.
Ganbaranba on Spence St is the best authentic Japanese noodle bar and cheap too.
Corea Corea upstairs in Orchid Plaza has the best Korean hot bowls.
Rattle'n'Hum pizzas are really good - you can get it takeaway and go sit across the road on the 'nard (the Esplanade) as well.
The Chicken Satay at Mondos is a great pick.
Dundees is great for a relaxed lunch time looking over the inlet.
Tamarinds gets rave reviews from all my friends, but I haven't been recently.
Cafe China noodle bar used to be good, but I haven't been for a couple years. There's one on Spence St and Abbott St entrance to Casino.
All the cafes on Grafton Street between Spence and Shields st (across the road from Gilligans/Rusty's market) are great too, especially for breakfast: Caffiend, Paleo Cafe, Lillipad etc. The good coffee and food make up for no view. Re:hab and Bang also serve good coffee.

 

[kermatu]

Do yourself a favour and make the time to eat at Palm Cove or Port Douglas. Very good options at both and a better atmosphere for mine.

Can't beat Mondos for location but I find the food quite average. I've enjoyed Simply Italian (new name) inside the Hilton. Other places I've had good experiences: Fetta's Greek Taverna, and Petit Cafe (great crepes, daytime only though). Matsuri Japanese has also been very good.

And a favourite is the Raw Prawn. Superb range, with a very decent lunchtime special menu.

 

[ksthommo]

Cheaper eats, upstairs of Orchid Plaza for Rice & Noodle Dishes.
Many choices.

 

[DalyWaters]

Voted No. 1 restaurant in Cheap Eats for all of Australia is Bagus Cafe at 149 The Esplanade.
It is an Indonesian cafe with tables on the footpath. The owner, Bagus, is a very jovial man.
The Bebek Goreng (Crunchy Fried Duck), at $15, is to die for.

We visit at least once a week when we are in Cairns.

Vivo, in Palm Cove, is exceptionally good if you are up for a romantic lash out meal.

 

[Cynicor]

Just a note, I have created a Cairns meetup thread.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/showpost.php?p=1629378

 

[ExpeditionCruiser]

Voted No. 1 restaurant in Cheap Eats for all of Australia is Bagus Cafe at 149 The Esplanade.
It is an Indonesian cafe with tables on the footpath. The owner, Bagus, is a very jovial man.
The Bebek Goreng (Crunchy Fried Duck), at $15, is to die for.

Thanks for the tip - we'll have to give it a try this week.. (always looking for something new)..

One that hasn't been mentioned yet is Alessandro's, great Italian-style pizzas (my Italian wife agrees - she's been missing her 'real' pizzas since moving to Aus) and pastas in a beautiful spot overlooking Lake Placid. About a 20 minute drive out of town, so you'll need a car.

 

[turtlemichael]

Can't beat Mondos for location but I find the food quite average. I've enjoyed Simply Italian (new name) inside the Hilton. Other places I've had good experiences: Fetta's Greek Taverna, and Petit Cafe (great crepes, daytime only though). Matsuri Japanese has also been very good.

And a favourite is the Raw Prawn. Superb range, with a very decent lunchtime special menu.

I'm wondering if the newish Simply Italian is solely a change of name or is it a more comprehensive change?

 

[kermatu]

I'm wondering if the newish Simply Italian is solely a change of name or is it a more comprehensive change?

Based on only a couple of experiences (including room service) I think it's a change in name only. Haven't been there this year, however.

 

[Steelo]

I would ignore downtown Cairns and head for Collins Avenue Edge Hill. There you will find everything from genuine Japanese, great Cantonese, Tapas, great pizza. And more importantly, some genuine hospitality.