Best Seafood Restaurants In Cairns
Hungry for some fresh local seafood? Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, a relaxed seaside town offering freshly caught local seafood and ocean views; that is what makes for a fantastic dining experience in Far North Queensland. A holiday in Cairns just would not be complete without tasting the fresh local seafood. Make your Cairns vacation complete and book a reservation at one of the best seafood restaurants in town. Enjoy splendid seafood from the reef and fresh produce from the local farms in the Atherton Tablelands; these are the fresh food sources that make up the Cairns dining experience. Here are our top seafood restaurant recommendations in Cairns as advised by the locals.
Best Seafood Restaurants In Cairns
Splash Seafood
103 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870
Along the Esplanade, you’ll find a charming family-owned seafood restaurant. Taste wild-caught fish whilst overlooking the Coral Sea. Perfect for a family lunch, romantic dinner or celebration, tuck into their Macamadamia lemon myrtle-crusted Threadfin or taste a spicy favourite, the Szechuan Barramundi! Whatever you choose off the Splash seafood menu, you are sure to leave satisfied. This intimate venue located along the Esplanade is Cairns' best-kept seafood secret and is not to be missed during your holiday in the tropics!
Photo: Splash Seafood
ThaFish
Pier Shopping Centre, G7b Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Tha Fish is an award-winning seafood restaurant on the pier, boasting spectacular waterfront views and excellent seafood dishes. Tha Fish caters for all your dietary needs, including six different ways to cook your fish; pan-seared, battered, chargrilled or baked; that’s enough to impress even the fussiest guests. There is even an a la carte menu for those picky eaters that don’t enjoy seafood. There’s plenty of outdoor dining on the deck with an overhead cover to keep out any rain.
Photo: Tha Fish
Dundees at the Aquarium
5 Florence St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Have dinner with a shark at Dundee’s at the Aquarium. Enjoy fresh seafood and flavours of Australia, all whilst gazing at the marine life in the 70,000L saltwater tank. For the most memorable dining experience in Cairns, visit Dundees at the Aquarium and wow your guests. For a unique taste of Far North Queensland, crunch into the crocodile spring rolls and enjoy a local delicacy. Dundee’s is our favourite restaurant on the list for seafood platters. Enjoy all the best seafood, including bugs, prawns, oysters, prawns, scallops, calamari, mussels and more!
The Backyard by Shangri-la
Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Experience casual waterside dining at The Backyard by Shangri-La. Take in views from the Marlin Marina all the way to the mountains surrounding Trinity Inlet. The Backyard by Shangri-la is beautifully lit at night by fairy lights and is an ideal spot for date night. Offering some of the best platters and cheese boards in town, you’d be willing to share as there’s plenty for all. And if you’re feeling like a high roller, try the ultimate lobster tacos with gold leaf and caviar! The Backyard has mud crab on the menu, an absolute must-try in the region!
Photo: The Backyard
Prawn Star
Pier Point Road | Marlin Marina, E31 Berth, Cairns City QLD 4870
Are you after a totally unique culinary adventure? Then you can’t miss the Cairns floating restaurant! Along the Marlin Marina, you’ll see a few brightly lit boats serving delicious seafood! This a unique and casual dining experience you’ll be sure to get stuck into! A great way to impress friends from out of town or a fun way to introduce the family to seafood, choose between platters of fresh prawns, oysters, sashimi, bugs or crayfish. Not to mention, the Prawn star has an in-house brewed beer or cider on tap! If you love seafood as much as us, you will love Prawn Star! Hop aboard and immerse yourself in a true FNQ experience.
Photo: Prawn Star
Bellocale
62C Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Delight your tastebuds with some of the yummiest Italian in town, where the chefs specialise in local seafood dishes! Located in the heart of Cairns City is a quaint Italian restaurant serving delicious seafood! Dine in for fresh, locally caught gulf prawns, Tuna Carpaccio and seafood ravioli filled with blu swimmer crab or try our favourite: the parpadelle bugs! With a selection of Australian and Italian wines to be paired with your delicious meal, your taste buds will thank you! Bellocale is an intimate, lively venue with both indoor and outdoor dining, offering a kids menu and daily specials to ensure the whole family is satisfied.
Photo: Bellocale
Boatshed
Cairns Harbour Lights, 8/1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City QLD 4870
Overlook the Trinity inlet whilst dining along the waterfront at the Boatshed. With fantastic cocktails to accompany your dinner and lunch. specials are available between 11am to 3pm, this is the best place to soak up the sun and exquisite flavours in Cairns. Boatshed is our favourite lunch spot to enjoy sunshine and oysters with the best views! Choose Boatshed for a casual lunch with mates or a group celebration. Either way, taste locally caught seafood and do it the Boatshed way, eat, drink, or both!
Photo: Boatshed
