When visiting Cairns, be sure to try the city's signature dishes, which showcase the region's unique blend of Australian, Asian, and Indigenous flavors, with popular ingredients like fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and native spices.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Cairns's cuisine is defined by its unique location, where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Daintree Rainforest, resulting in a diverse range of fresh seafood and exotic produce. The city's food culture is heavily influenced by its Asian and Indigenous heritage, with popular dishes often featuring Thai, Chinese, and Japanese flavors. The region is also known for its bush foods, which include native ingredients like kakadu plums, Davidson's plum, and lemongrass. Cairns's cuisine is also shaped by its tropical climate, with many restaurants and cafes offering outdoor seating and fresh, light meals.
The city's food scene is also characterized by its casual, relaxed atmosphere, with many restaurants and cafes offering beachside or rainforest views. The region is home to a number of food festivals and events, which celebrate the city's culinary diversity and local produce. Visitors to Cairns can experience the city's unique food culture by visiting one of the many farmers' markets, which showcase the region's fresh produce and artisanal products.
Cairns's cuisine is also influenced by its regional location, with many restaurants and cafes offering modern Australian cuisine with a tropical twist. The city is also home to a number of specialty food stores, which offer a range of gourmet and artisanal products, including chocolates, cheeses, and smallgoods.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barramundi | Seafood | Grilled or pan-seared fish served with a side of Asian-style vegetables | The Watermark Restaurant |
| Kangaroo Loin | Meat | Grilled or pan-seared kangaroo served with a quandong chutney | The Red Onion Restaurant |
| Seafood Platter | Seafood | A selection of fresh seafood, including prawns, oysters, and lobster | The Shangri-La Hotel |
| Daintree Ice Cream | Dessert | A unique ice cream made from native fruits, such as Davidson's plum and kakadu plum | The Daintree Ice Cream Company |
| Laksa | Noodle Soup | A spicy Malaysian-inspired noodle soup made with prawns, chicken, and vegetables | The Cairns Night Markets |
| Moreton Bay Bug | Seafood | A type of lobster that is native to Australia, often served steamed or grilled | The Watermark Restaurant |
| Crocodile Meat | Meat | A unique and adventurous dish made from saltwater crocodile meat | The Red Onion Restaurant |
| Tropical Fruit Salad | Salad | A fresh and colorful salad made with a variety of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples, and papayas | The Cairns Esplanade |
| Chicken Satay | Meat | Grilled chicken skewers served with a peanut sauce | The Cairns Night Markets |
| Wonton Soup | Soup | A Chinese-inspired soup made with wontons filled with pork or vegetables | The Cairns Chinatown |
Street Food & Snacks
- Fish and Chips: a classic Australian snack made with fresh fish and chips, available at most beachside eateries for around $10-$15 USD
- Prawn Skewers: grilled prawn skewers served with a side of peanut sauce, available at most night markets for around $5-$10 USD
- Tropical Fruit Smoothie: a refreshing smoothie made with a variety of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples, and papayas, available at most juice bars for around $5-$10 USD
- Meat Pie: a classic Australian snack made with beef or chicken filling, available at most bakeries and cafes for around $5-$10 USD
- Vegemite on Toast: a classic Australian snack made with Vegemite spread on toast, available at most cafes and breakfast spots for around $2-$5 USD
- Kakadu Plum Jam: a unique and native jam made from kakadu plums, available at most specialty food stores for around $10-$15 USD
Drinks
- Flat White: a type of coffee that is popular in Australia, made with espresso and steamed milk, available at most cafes for around $3-$5 USD
- Victoria Bitter: a popular Australian beer, available at most bars and pubs for around $5-$10 USD
- Chardonnay: a type of white wine that is popular in Australia, available at most wine bars and restaurants for around $10-$20 USD
- Fresh Coconut Water: a refreshing and healthy drink made from coconuts, available at most beachside eateries and juice bars for around $5-$10 USD
- Bush Tucker Tea: a unique and native tea made from bush foods, such as lemongrass and kakadu plum, available at most specialty food stores for around $10-$15 USD
Dining Customs
- Tipping: it is customary to tip around 5-10% in restaurants and cafes, or to round up the bill to the nearest dollar
- Table Manners: it is customary to keep your hands visible on the table, and to not leave the table until everyone has finished eating
- Dress Code: the dress code in Cairns is generally casual and relaxed, but some fine dining restaurants may require smart casual or formal attire
- Reservation: it is a good idea to make a reservation at popular restaurants, especially during peak season
- Eating Etiquette: it is customary to try a little of each dish, and to not leave food on your plate
- Cultural Sensitivity: it is important to be respectful of Indigenous and Asian cultures, and to try to learn a few basic phrases in the local language
Where to Eat
- The Watermark Restaurant: a fine dining restaurant that offers modern Australian cuisine with a tropical twist
- The Cairns Night Markets: a popular night market that offers a range of street food and local produce
- The Esplanade: a beachside area that offers a range of restaurants and cafes with ocean views
- The Cairns Chinatown: a Chinese precinct that offers a range of authentic Chinese restaurants and specialty food stores
- The Daintree Region: a rural area that offers a range of farm-to-table restaurants and specialty food stores
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- The Cairns Night Markets: a popular night market that offers a range of street food and local produce, open every Friday and Saturday night
- The Rusty's Markets: a farmers' market that offers a range of fresh produce and local products, open every Saturday morning
- The Daintree Food Trail: a food trail that offers a range of farm-to-table restaurants and specialty food stores, located in the Daintree Region
- The Cairns Festival: a food festival that celebrates the city's culinary diversity and local produce, held every July
- The Kuranda Markets: a market that offers a range of local produce and handmade products, located in the Kuranda region, open every Sunday