Great Barrier Reef Travel Guide

Australia #2 in Best Beaches in Australia

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Courtesy of Jeff Hunter/Getty Images

What to Eat in Great Barrier Reef

Most visitors head to Cairns when they want to explore the reef, so it's hardly surprising that one of Queensland's most diverse dining scenes can be found here. Popular eateries include the French-inspired C'est Bon Restaurant Français, the Indonesian-focused Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant and Tha Fish Restaurant, where local seafood staples like fish and chips, seared tiger prawns and grilled Moreton Bay bugs (small lobsters) are on the menu. Travelers can also enjoy an array of local brews at Cairns' Barrier Reef Brewing Co.

For those who plan to linger farther south in Townsville, Australian restaurants like A Touch of Salt, JAM and IMC Steak House are available. Aussie dishes served throughout the city include grilled barramundi (a type of seabass native to Australia) and roasted lamb, and craft brews can be savored at Townsville Brewing Co. A few specialty restaurants, such as Chico Rio (a Brazilian dining venue) and GYO Japanese Tapas Bar Restaurant, are located in Townsville as well.

Travelers visiting the Whitsundays will find the bulk of the islands' eateries on Hamilton Island. Because of its proximity to the water, Hamilton Island offers a variety of seafood-focused restaurants, including Bommie (which is part of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club) and Mariners Restaurant (located within the Hamilton Island Marina complex). Australian pub grub and Asian and Italian fare are also available.

Find the Best Restaurants in Great Barrier Reef

#1
Mi Piace Espresso Bar
#1 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (117)
$ - $$ | Cafe, Australian
119 Sheridan Street Opposite Munro Martin Park, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#2
Snoogies
#2 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (229)
$ | Cafe, Australian
82 Grafton St Between Lake and Grafton streets, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#3
Cruze Coffee
#3 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (408)
$ | Cafe
105 Grafton St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#4
Cairns Burger Cafe
#4 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (539)
$ - $$ | American, Fast Food, Australian
15 Aplin St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#5
Trinity Beach Kebab House
#5 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (124)
$ | Fast Food, Middle Eastern
1 Rabaul St, Trinity Beach, Cairns, Queensland 4879 Australia
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#6
Devine Gelato
#6 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (955)
$ |
Shop 3 5 Aplin St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#7
Gelocchio
#7 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (723)
$ | Italian
9/93 The Esplanade (50 metres up Aplin street From Esplanade-Aplin corner, walk up Aplin, 50 metres on the left., Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#8
Vitalia's Italian Restaurant
#8 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (337)
$ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, Romana, Lazio, Sicilian, Sardinian, Central-Italian, Southern-Italian
Shop G9 2 Pierpoint Rd, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#9
Waffle On Cairns
#9 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (369)
$ | Cafe, Australian
64A Shields St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#10
Fusion Art, Bar & Tapas
#10 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (447)
$ - $$ | Contemporary, Fusion, Australian, Wine Bar
12 Spence St Shop 5, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#11
Marinades Indian Cuisine Cairns
#11 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (560)
$ - $$ | Indian
43 Spence St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#12
Tha Fish
#12 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (1461)
$ - $$ | Seafood, Contemporary, Australian
Shop g7b Pier Pt Rd, Pier Shopping, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#13
Dundee's at the Cairns Aquarium
#13 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (347)
$ - $$ | Australian
5 Florence St Cairns Aquarium, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#14
Apex Milk Bar
#14 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (290)
$ | Fast Food, Diner, Australian, Street Food
24 Hoare St Manunda, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#15
Bang and Grind
#15 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (684)
$ | Cafe, Australian
Shop 8 14 Spence St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#16
Blackbird Laneway
#16 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (240)
$ | Cafe, Australian
67 Grafton St Oceana Walk Shop 13, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#17
C'est Bon Restaurant Francais
#17 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (1022)
$$ | French, European, Gastropub
20 Lake St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#18
JaffleHead
#18 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (270)
$ | Fast Food, Cafe, Australian
39 Lake St, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#19
Piato
#19 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (411)
$ - $$ | Seafood, International, Mediterranean, European, Greek
1 Pierpoint Road Shop G4A, The Pier Marina, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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#20
Tamarind
#20 of 590 Places to Eat in Cairns
Tripadvisor (1014)
$$ | Contemporary, Fusion
35/41 Wharf Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Australia
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