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Typically, restaurants on Barrier Reef islands are part of each island's main resort, so many resorts' rates include some or all meals. Some larger resorts have a range of restaurants, with formal dining rooms, outdoor barbecues, and seafood buffets; some have premium dining options for which you pay extra. Dress is generally "island casual." Some upscale restaurants—such as those on Hayman Island—require men to wear jackets for dinner and frown on flip-flop sandals. On the mainland you'll find plenty of casual, open-air restaurants, serving mainly Modern Australian–style meals that showcase seafood and regional produce. With a few notable exceptions, Cairns, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas are your best bets for upscale dining.
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.
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.
