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The Boardwalk Cafe is located at the rear of the Pier shopping centre, just beside the boardwalk around the harbour. The café has a large covered terrace which is a great place to sit and enjoy the harbour views.
On my last visit to Cairns, my parents picked me up at the airport (I had just arrived from London) and I was keen for some lunch. They suggested this place as they knew I would enjoy the views.
We found a table and checked out the menu. There was a decent selection of sandwiches, toasties and other light meals. Service was very average, but I was just happy to be off the plane and catching up with my folks!
For lunch I had an icy cold beer and a BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich) which was served with chips. It wasn't the greatest BLT, but was better than plane food! Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Shop 1B Pier Marketplace, Cairns QLD 4870Phone: 07 40315496Directions: Just off the boardwalk at the rear of the big Pier shopping complexWebsite: http://www.cairnsdining.com/venue_9539
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Located in the suburb of Edgehill are the Flecker Botanic Gardens. Admission is free to the gardens, and during a visit you may happen across the Botanic Gardens Restaurant/Café. It is open daily from 8.30am–4.30pm, and is a handy place for a snack or light meal.
The Botanic Gardens are located very close to Cairns airport, and therefore were a handy place to visit for a few hours before flying to Sydney. After a quick wander through part of the gardens we headed to the café for lunch. It is hidden away amongst some tall plants, but there are signs to guide you to it.
The cafe has a very relaxed feel, with laid-back service. The menu consists mainly of salads and open grilled sandwiches, though there is a specials board with some hot meals as well.
We ordered a couple of different 'Open Focaccia Grills', though they weren't really on focaccia, and the serving was quite small for the cost. Oh well, the food tasted ok, and filled the gap. Leave a Comment
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 My parents at Yorkeys Knob
Boating Club by sue_stone, 3 more photos
My parents had been to the club several times before and suggested it as a relaxing lunch venue after our return from Green Island. They were spot on - the boating club has a large, covered deck area which is the perfect place to have a meal and check out the boats in the pretty harbour.
Once you have decided what you want to order, you just need to pop up to the bar and order your food. While there, why not buy a chilled bottle of something white - the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon.
I had the fish & chips and they were very good. Leave a Comment
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One evening during a stay in Cairns my parents and I headed to Palmer Kates for dinner. It is a relaxed bistro style restaurant located in the Smithfield Tavern, about 15 minutes drive from central Cairns.
This is a friendly place, with decent food and an ok wine list. Find a table, peruse the menu, and then go and order and pay at the bar. You meal will be bought over to you when ready.
We all had the Rack of Lamb, served with roast vegetables. It was the most expensive thing on the menu, but worth it, it was really tasty. We had a good bottle of Aussie shiraz to wash it down. No room for dessert unfortunately.
After your meal, make sure you say G'day to the life-size dummy of Palmer Kate - 'the notorious first lady of Smithfield'. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: In the Smithfield TavernPhone: 07 4038 1411Directions: Corner of Cook & Kennedy Highways, Smithfield, Cairns QLD 4878
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First off, as a rule we do not put a lot of restaurant reviews in our VT pages. The reason is that we eat out a lot, and there is not point in writing reviews for other travellers about average restaurants. If we do a review about a restaurant, to us it means that it is somewhere where our friends have to go if they are in the area.
Saying that, this place qualifies as a must go in our mind. (How about that for an endorsement)
This is a small french restaurant, with a proper clean, high end appearance. Fresh table linens, unbeatable service by true restaurateurs, a wine list chosen by a wine drinker and not sold by a wine rep and most of all > stunning food.
You can always tell when a restaurant is great, it is off the beaten path, it always has customers and most of them are locals. this is one of those great examples of this trait.
Be careful about when you want to go though. It is only open from Tuesdays till Saturday, and only for lunch (with a break in the afternoon) then supper. This is not a lounge type place, but a pure eating establishment. Have no doubt, this is about great food.
Amelie owns and runs the place. She will most likely greet you, seat you, take care of you and make you feel special, all while also taking care of her other patrons.
The menu was created by her father, a famous french chef who is also based in Australia. All the food is provencial styled, but modern and exceptionally well prepared. We had many favourites, the pork loin was great as well as the sea bass and the calamari. There is enough variety in the menu to take care of all tastes.
The wine selection is well developed. All wines in all price ranges were of great quality and chosen for the consumer. Prices are very reasonable for the quality served. Amelie will always help to chose a wine that will compliment the meal, while making you feel comfortable with the selection no matter what your criteria (price, taste, name). The sign of a great restaurateur.
Lastly, the deserts in this place are stunning, works of edible art. The selections differ from the traditional (creme brule) to the exceptional (Vacherin glace). The deserts again are another reason to save some room from dinner.
Overall, this is one of the best restaurants we have eaten in. And we would not give this endorsement if we did not truly believe it.
Lastly, if this restaurant was in Sydney, the prices would be at least twice as much and it would still be worth it.
Bon apetit! Leave a Comment Theme: FrenchPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 20 Lake Street CairnsPhone: 07 4051 4488Directions: Very close to the casino, but not on the water front. Just down the road from Inn Cairns headed south. 5 minute walk from the harbour.Website: www.cestbon.com.au
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This is a place Miyuki really loved, serving up fried and soupy noodles with various sauces toppings and extras. I tried to find it two days later, but couldn't, most likely because it was Sunday. Its got kind of a cafè style, with sidewalk seating, but does a very brisk business. Its one of the few asian restaurants I saw in Cairns that seemed to draw local Australians.
Fried rice noodles with assorted seafood. Other things looked tasty as well. Leave a Comment Theme: Chinese/Dim SumPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveDirections: Downtown Cairns is only like eight square blocks, you'll find it.
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 1 of the "Booze Brothers" at
the Beach Bar by TheTravelSlut, 4 more photos
If you are looking for some "exotic" Australian wildlife food--this is the place. Emu, kangaroo, crocodile and all sorts of seafood--they have it all and cooked in various ways.
The restaurant has a nice outdoor bistro area on the extended sidewalk facing the street and indoor seating also adjacent to the pub & bar.
The meal I had was outstanding and it was served in a timely manner and by smiling, friendly staff. The menu is extremely varied and the dinner menu has 15 different pastas, 10 different entrees (appetizers here in the U.S.) and every imaginable type of salad.
While I don't drink beer, I noticed the pub serves an incredible 125 beers from around the world and from 35 countries. Surely you will find something you like.
Damien was the host the day I dined there and a funny, gracious and professional host he was. He did not get a chance to see me "transform" however.
The baked breads were excellent and the seafood pasta (prawn fettucine AUD $23.90) was the best I had throughout Australia.
I noted some of the other dishes being served before and after mine also looked quite delicious.
My margarita was also VERY GOOD :-)
Entertainment can be found here on weekends also. Theme: LocalPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 41 A Shields Street Cairns, Queensland, 4870 AU.Phone: (07) 4051 1123Directions: Located between Cairns Central and City Place in the heart of downtown Cairns. You can't miss it with both indoor and outdoor dining.Website: http://www.beachbar.com.au Other Contact: Open 7 days a week
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 The front of the grill...
Look, no Neon! by Tourtech
Red Ochre represents pride of quality and service. Nestled right in the heart of Cairns, this gem of a restaurant features modern Australian and international dishes. We were referred to this restaurant by some people we met in Sydney. They said we should not miss this place while up in Cairns. We were glad for the tip because this restaurant represented one of the two memorable dinning experiences we had in Cairns. Decent dishes at reasonable prices, this was a good dining experience.
Red Ochre serves many different dishes, but they specialise in native Australian products. If you were looking for a chance to try crocodile, kangaroo or emu, this is the place. You can have little nibbles to try with the Australian Antipasto plate or you can go full bore with one of the main courses.
Besides the local fare prepared with serious flare, there is also a well developed modern menu with variety and depth that should satisfy just about everyone. I enjoyed the Pork shoulder and the coral trout (we went twice), while Jennifer loved the duck.
In the end, we are foodies. It is always nice to find a restaurant that rises above average and moves into a great eating adventure. This little spot gets the marks for making it worth it..... Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 43 Shields Street, Cairns.Phone: 07 4051 0100Directions: Corner of Shields Street and Sheridan. About 4 blocks from the casino or harbour, perhaps a 6 - 8 minute walk. (The blocks are small in Cairns). Head up Spence street from the harbour or casino and turn Right on Sheridan.Website: http://www.redochregrill.com.au/
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 Dinner at Reef House by SPW
It is open air, with storm screens in case of unpredictable tropical weather.
All the food was excellent: we decided to share 3 entrees and then we were able to manage a dessert each!
The boned quail and mushroom was probably the best but the seafood dishes were close behind. Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: Sebel Reef House, 99 Williams Esplanade, Palm CovePhone: 61 7 4055 3633Website: www.reefhouse.com.au
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 Treetops Restaurant by SPW
Apart from the wonderful ambience, the whole dining experience is excellent, and although we were not guests at the resort we were made very welcome, receiving excellent service as well as good food and wine.
While we both enjoyedour main courses: gourmet fish and chips, and prawns, thedessert we shared, baked papaya and passionfruit curd was sensational.
We also had the best coffee we had in all our time in Far North Queensland, apart from that which we made ourselves! Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: Silky Oaks Lodge, Finlayvale Road, MossmanPhone: 61 7 4098 1666Directions: Watch very carefully for signposts on the left when leaving Mossman over the Mossman River bridge.Website: www.silkyoakslodge.com.au
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- Cairns Queens Court
167-171 Sheridan Street, Cairns - Pacific International Hotel
Cnr The Esplanade & Spence St, Cairns - Sunshine Tower Hotel Cairns
136 - 140 Sheridan St, Cairns - Cairns Colonial Club Resort
18 - 26 Cannon St, Cairns - Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove
Triton St, Cairns - Peppers Beach Club & Spa
123 Williams Esplanade (formerly Outrigger Beach Club), Cairns - Trinity Links Resort and Apartments
72 Kowinka Street, Cairns - Amaroo At Trinity Resort
92 - 94 Moore St., Cairns - Park Regis Piermonde
2 - 4 Lake Street (formerly Oaks Piermonde), Cairns - Comfort Inn City Sheridan
157 Sheridan Street, Cairns - Beachfront Apartments On Trinity Beach
89 - 91 Vasey Esplanade, Cairns - Country Comfort Sunlodge
Cnr Grafton and Florence St, Cairns - The Sebel Reef House & Spa
99 Williams Esplanade, Cairns - City Plaza Apartments Cairns
37-39 Digger Street, Cairns - 181 The Esplanade
181 The Esplanade, Cairns
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