If you want the best food and restaurants in Great Barrier Reef and Queensland, focus your search around Cairns, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and the wider Queensland coast, where reef-fresh seafood, modern Australian and Asian-influenced cuisine are all within short walks of the waterfront.
For Singapore travelers and investors using Homejourney, this guide distils the safest, most reliable and consistently good dining options, plus practical tips on budgeting in AUD, planning from Singapore, and connecting your trip with long-term lifestyle or property plans.
How this food guide fits into Homejourney’s Queensland pillar
This article is a focused companion to the broader destination guide, “Great Barrier Reef & Queensland Australia Guide | Homejourney” Great Barrier Reef & Queensland Australia Guide | Homejourney .
While the pillar explains when to go, how to plan your route and what to do, this cluster zooms in on where to eat safely and well – especially around Cairns and key reef gateways – with the level of verification and transparency Homejourney applies to Singapore property research.
Why food in Great Barrier Reef & Queensland is worth a trip
Queensland’s tropical north sits between the Great Barrier Reef
Compared to Singapore, serving sizes are larger, dining is more relaxed, and many top venues are open-air or beachfront, which makes careful venue choice important for both food quality and comfort (heat, sun, and mosquitoes in the wet season).
Best food areas around the Great Barrier Reef
From first-hand trips based in Cairns and Port Douglas (the most common bases for reef tours from Singapore), these are the most reliable food hubs:
- Cairns city & marina – best all-round mix of casual seafood, steakhouses and hotel restaurants, all walking distance from most CBD hotels.
- Palm Cove – a compact beachfront strip with several destination restaurants within a 10–15 minute stroll end-to-end.
- Port Douglas – resort town with relaxed, open-air venues and strong seafood and modern Australian options.
- Southern Great Barrier Reef towns (e.g. Bundaberg, Bargara) – more low-key but great for value, views and regional produce.
Top restaurants in Cairns & reef gateways
Based on Tourism Australia and Queensland tourism recommendations, plus repeat visits, these places consistently deliver for Singapore travelers who value safety, quality and clear pricing.
1. Nu Nu Restaurant, Palm Cove – beachfront modern Australian
Location: 1 Veivers Rd, Palm Cove (about 25–30 minutes’ drive from Cairns CBD).
Nu Nu is repeatedly listed as one of the best restaurants near Cairns, with absolute beachfront seating and a modern Australian menu using tropical produce and Asian-Pacific flavours.[1][3]
Why it works for Singapore visitors:
- Open all day (typically 7am–10pm) with different menus, so you can fit it around reef tours that leave early and return late.[3]
- Seasonal menus clearly labelled, with staff used to dietary requests – useful if you are halal-conscious or avoid shellfish.
- Portion sizes are generous; two starters and one main can comfortably feed two light eaters from Singapore.
2. Tamarind, Cairns – refined South‑East Asian flavours
Location: Wharf Street, Cairns city (inside The Reef Hotel Casino).
Tamarind is one of Cairns’ best-regarded fine-dining restaurants, known for South‑East Asian inspired dishes featuring Queensland seafood and produce.[1]
Good to know from a Singapore lens:
- The cuisine profile (chilli, garlic, lemongrass) feels familiar if you enjoy Thai or Peranakan food, but flavours are less spicy than in Singapore.
- Smart casual dress is sufficient – no need for jacket, but avoid beachwear.
- Book ahead for weekend dinners, especially during Australia school holidays.
3. Dundee’s Restaurant on the Waterfront – marina views & reef seafood
Location: 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns Esplanade.
Dundee’s sits along Cairns’ waterfront boardwalk with unobstructed views of the marina and Trinity Inlet.[1]
Seafood is the highlight, but they also serve steaks, pasta and even crocodile skewers for something uniquely Australian.[1]
Insider tip: Choose an early dinner slot around 5.30–6pm; you get the sunset light over the marina, it’s cooler for kids, and you’re back at your hotel by 8pm – helpful if you have a 7am reef tour the next morning.
4. CC’s Bar and Grill – steakhouse for carnivores
Location: Abbott Street, Cairns (inside Crystalbrook Bailey).
CC’s specialises in beef sourced from Crystalbrook Station, with a strong reputation for high-quality steaks in generous cuts.[1][4]
If you live in Singapore and are used to smaller, more expensive steaks, CC’s can feel very good value, especially if you share sides and a large steak between two.
5. Casual seafood & tapas favourites
For relaxed evenings after a full day on the reef, these spots combine atmosphere with reasonable pricing compared to fine dining:
- Prawn Star (Cairns marina) – casual trawler boats serving prawns, bugs and other seafood fresh off the boat, repeatedly highlighted by Queensland tourism as a top seafood experience.[2][4]
- Salt House (Cairns marina) – modern Australian with excellent views of Trinity Inlet, popular for sundowners and shared plates.[2]
- Seabean Tapas (Port Douglas) – Mediterranean-style tapas and sangria with sunset views, ideal if you’re staying closer to Port Douglas for outer reef trips.[1]
Southern Great Barrier Reef: more relaxed food with big views
If you venture to the Southern Great Barrier Reef (around Bundaberg and Bargara), dining tends to be simpler but very scenic, with strong use of local seafood and regional produce.[5][6]
Popular venues here include cafes and riverfront restaurants where you can expect hearty portions, friendly service and slightly lower prices than Cairns or Port Douglas.[5]
Local food to try in Queensland
To make your meals more meaningful, look out for these Queensland and reef-region staples on menus:
- Reef fish: Coral trout, barramundi and Spanish mackerel, often grilled simply with lemon and herbs.
- Prawns & bugs: Queensland prawns and Moreton Bay bugs (a type of small lobster-like shellfish) are must-tries for seafood lovers.[2][4]
- Tropical fruit: Mango, papaya, lychee and passionfruit appear in breakfasts, desserts and cocktails.
- Grass-fed beef: Queensland cattle farms supply many of the steakhouses you’ll see in Cairns and regional towns.[1][4]
Practical dining tips for Singapore travelers
Budgeting & payments
In Cairns and reef towns, a sit-down main course at a mid-range restaurant typically ranges around AUD 30–45, while fine dining tasting menus cost more; prices in casual cafes and pubs are lower.[2][3][4]
Compared with Singapore, tipping is not compulsory but 5–10% for excellent service at higher-end venues is appreciated.
Most restaurants accept international credit cards, but it is wise to keep a small amount of cash (AUD 50–100) for markets and smaller cafes.
Reservations, timing and safety
- Book ahead in peak seasons (June–August, and Australian school holidays) for Tamarind, Nu Nu and popular marina restaurants.
- Check opening hours on the restaurant’s official website or Google listing before setting out; some kitchens close by 9pm even if the bar stays open.
- Sun & heat: Outdoor decks are beautiful but can be hot at midday; lunchtime shade and hydration are important, especially for children or seniors.
- Food hygiene: Established venues in Cairns and Palm Cove follow Australian standards; if trying markets or food trucks, favour busy stalls with high turnover.
