9 Best Restaurants in Cairns, Great Barrier Reef

Dining in this spacious, central restaurant, you can enjoy some of the most delicious, innovative cuisine in North Queensland. Choose from an expansive menu that combines traditional Balinese spices and recipes with native Australian ingredients. Dishes include a crocodile satay skewer and nasi goreng (fried rice with chicken, mixed sates, fish fillet, and egg).  Don't eat lunch if you're planning to order the rijstaffel at dinner—it's huge.

In a city that loves a steak, this is probably the best of them. CC's Bar & Grill sources most of its beef from farms in the Atherton Tablelands. Those cuts—as well as others sourced from around Australia—are either wet- or dry-aged, and grilled to perfection. The atmosphere here is upmarket and classy, and the wine list wouldn't look out of place in a Sydney or Melbourne fine-diner.

Local seafood and native and seasonal ingredients take top billing at this upscale yet relaxed Cairns institution that specializes in native ingredients and local produce. Expect to find the likes of kangaroo, crocodile, seafood, and high-quality beef, with fine antipodean wines to match.

Get immersed in north Queensland coffee culture at Bang and Grind, a lively café in the CBD. The venue is known for its house-blended coffee, which goes perfectly with classic Australian breakfast fare such as avocado toast, eggs Benedict, and pancakes.

Offering refined dining in relaxed environs, Chef Masa puts a deft, modern-Japanese spin on classic French dishes at this restaurant that occupies a prime pier-front position. The food is as inspiring as the marina, inlet, and mountain views, and the waitstaff can help you select the perfect match from a well-chosen Antipodean wine list.

This outdoor café and wine bar on the deck at Cairns Art Gallery serves sumptuous breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner. Lunch fare features a signature duck salad, gourmet sandwiches, and pizza, while dinner options include Italian and modern Australian dishes, such as antipasto and pasta.

Blessed with mountain and ocean views and located in prime position at the Cairns Marina, Salt House serves Modern Australian fare in casual chic environs. A carefully considered menu includes plenty of local seafood, as well as a mouthwatering selection of local cuts of meat cooked on the custom Argentinian grill.

At this busy waterfront eatery, you can gaze at the bustling marina while chowing down on a locally sourced, char-grilled steak, which comes in all cuts and sizes, with thick fries on the side. There's also a nice selection of barbecued ribs, burgers, seafood, and lighter lunch fare, such as salt-and-pepper squid and salads.

The food court in these lively, night owl–friendly markets offers something for every palate, from Korean BBQ to sweet-and-sour chicken, sushi, Thai, and Italian. You can also max out on desserts, with outlets offering crepes, waffles, churros, gelato, ice cream, and Italian-style coffee. The food court's open daily from 10 am to 11 pm; the night markets, 5 to 11 pm.