Where to Eat Near the Great Barrier Reef: Cairns, Palm Cove & Port Douglas

Three restaurants to consider for your reef trip

A day on the reef deserves a good meal afterward. For a waterfront table, beachfront dining, or an evening beneath the palms, start with these three options in Cairns, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas.

Planning update — November 4, 2026: The suggestions below are based on the restaurants’ official websites, checked on this date. They are researched additions, not new firsthand reviews. The original December 2018 guest contribution follows below.

Ochre — Cairns

Consider it for: Waterfront dining and Australian regional ingredients.

Ochre combines a waterfront location with a modern Australian approach centered on local produce and native ingredients. Its website lists lunch, dinner, tapas, and a six-course degustation, giving you options for a shorter stop or a longer meal. Compare the current menus before choosing your booking.

Location: Harbour Lights, 6/1 Marlin Parade, Cairns.

View Ochre’s current menus · Book Ochre

Nu Nu — Palm Cove

Consider it for: Beachfront dining and a menu built around tropical produce.

Nu Nu is a beachfront option at Palm Cove, with breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. Its published menu includes Australian seafood and tropical flavors, and changes with available produce. Choose it when you want the beach to be part of the occasion, then check the current menu for the meal you have in mind.

Location: 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove.

View Nu Nu’s current menu and booking link

Nautilus — Port Douglas

Consider it for: An open-air dinner in a tropical garden setting.

Nautilus offers outdoor dining beneath the palms, with a menu inspired by the region’s tropical flavors. It is an option for an evening where the setting matters as much as the meal. Check the latest menu, opening days, and booking conditions directly; the restaurant notes that opening days can vary.

Location: Enter via 17 Murphy Street or 14 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas.

View Nautilus’s current menus · Book Nautilus

Before you book

Choose the restaurant that fits where you are staying and when your activities finish. Confirm opening times, availability, and dietary requirements with the venue. Follow the menu links for current prices rather than relying on older travel articles.

From the archive: the original 2018 guest contribution

Another collaborative post from a talented contributor regarding one of my favorite locations in the world.  Enjoy, C. If you’re looking to have the trip of a lifetime, then visiting The Great Barrier Reef is surely the best place to start. Whilst there are a variety of restaurants with cheap and fast food up for grabs (and no matter where you are, you’ll be able to experience the beautiful sights that Australia has to offer) if you’re looking for something where flip-flops are banned and the food is some of the finest out there, then look no further. We’ve put together a guide so that you can eat like a King or Queen during your time around The Great Barrier Reef, so put your snorkel away and get your glad rags on!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ochre Restaurant & Catering (@ochrecairns) on Jun 2, 2018 at 1:22am PDT

Cairns Cairns is known for its fine dining, and there is plenty of it on offer here. Whether you’re looking for Australian cuisine and the beautiful seafood on offer, or you’d prefer French or Asian restaurants, you’ll be able to get anything you want around here, as long as it’s delicious (and pretty fancy). What better way to finish off a day full of adventure packages than relaxing in Cairns and taking in the beautiful views all around you. If you manage to fit this into your schedule, you’ll see beaches, palm trees, and rainforests for miles. We’re not jealous at all.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Happy Travels (@happytravelsreal) on Dec 20, 2017 at 12:40am PST

Palm Cove Palm Cove has a great lineup of restaurants if you’re looking for a unique dish to finish off your day. There is more Australian food on offer here, from clams and squid to wok fried Mud Crab. if you’re into seafood, this is certainly the place for you, and these lovely fine dining experiences border the coast, so you’ll be looking out over the calm sea whilst you enjoy a perfect meal with your loved one(s). Again, we’re not even slightly mad if you get the chance to give this paradise a visit, especially whilst the rest of us enjoy the cold winter at home…

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sassi Cucina E Bar (@sassicucina) on Jul 6, 2018 at 6:45pm PDT

Port Douglas If you’re not sold on the last two places we’ve described, then Port Douglas will certainly do it for you. There are plenty of opportunities to get the best food in town, and the open-air restaurants will really allow you to experience the beautiful tropical rainforest and the night sky in all of its glory. Whilst this is also a great idea if you’re with family, the setting is just so romantic that there is no way you’ll be disappointed if you’re taking the trip with your partner. Experience Australian culture and have a taste of the delicious seafood on offer. So, there are many restaurants to be found around The Great Barrier Reef, but Cairns, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas offer some of the best ones and boast a huge variety. So whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s modern Australian cuisine and fresh seafood, or whether you’d prefer French, Asian or Italian restaurants, you’ll find the best of the best around here. Enjoy your days snorkeling, going on boat trips, and meeting the locals, and transform your nights into an exquisite experience for your taste buds. Enjoy! What is your favorite dining destination near The Great Barrier Reef?  We loved Nautilus!