The best places to eat with kids in Cairns and Port Douglas

Located in the heart of Cairns’ largest playground and waterpark, Muddy’s Cafe offers a relaxed dining setting for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The little ones will be spoilt for choice with the kids menu and long list of fresh juices and smoothies. For breakfast the kids can dig into syrup-coated pancakes, a cheese toastie, or eggs on toast. For lunch and dinner, choose from cheeseburgers, nuggets, fish and chips or a dagwood dog with chips. Celebrating? There's a kids party menu too.

Living up to its motto ‘eat, play, relax’, this destination ticks all the boxes.

Location: 174 Esplanade, Cairns City

Opening hours: Daily from 7am - 8pm.

Hot tip: While you’re at it, make a splash at these other swimming spots and waterfalls.

Wharf One Cafe, Cairns

This cafe offers stunning water views and a menu that will excite both the adults and the kids.

Owners and old friends, Caroline and William, are parents to young children, so they know from experience how hard (and expensive) it can be to dine out with the family. That’s why they created a modern yet simple menu that suits all taste buds.

The ‘little people’s menu’ is bursting with tasty options, from rostis and fruit bowls to fish and chips. And then the kids can wash it all down with a fancy babyccino, complete with a dusting of chocolate powder, sprinkles, marshmallows and a cookie.

Wharf One plates up excellent food, but they also care about where their food comes from. Members of Plastic Free Cairns, their philosophy is to use premium, fresh produce that, wherever possible, is grown, harvested and caught sustainably, ethically and locally.

Location: Wharf Street, Northern end of Trinity Wharf, Cairns

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm, Sat & Sun 7am-3pm

Hot tip: Once you’ve finished your meal, head to the Fig Tree playground less than a minute walk away for a play.

Prawn Star, Cairns

For fresh seafood in a floating restaurant, head to the Prawn Star at Marlin Marina.

Not only will you experience picturesque water views, but you’ll get to indulge in some of the best local seafood right off the trawler. Take in the salty air as you chow down on the freshest prawns, mud crabs, cooked bugs, oysters and sashimi.

Sit at a share table with other travellers to meet new people and share stories, and watch the kids pretend they’re sailing the seas. This family restaurant in Cairns is a must-visit!

Location: Marlin Marina, E Finger, Berth 31, Pier Point Road, Cairns

Opening hours: Daily from 11am-9pm

Hot tip: Mums and dads can order a bargain $5 beer or wine to wash down the seafood.

Ellis Bar and Grill, Ellis Beach

Across the road from one of the best beaches in the region, this family restaurant right between Cairns and Port Douglas provides a relaxed, welcoming environment for breakfast and lunch.

Continuously replacing menu items with more sustainable alternatives and decorating the interior with finds from local reclamation yards, this place has a good heart behind the good food.

The kids can pick a meal from the ‘kids corner’ for their feast; it’s full of classics like waffles or poached egg, bacon and toast, and battered fish with chips and salad. There's different meal deals for the grown ups every day, with sunset sessions from 3pm-5pm.

To make the most of this gorgeous destination, take a stroll through the palm trees at Ellis Beach before or after your meal.

Location: Lot 13 Captain Cook Highway, Ellis Beach

Opening hours: Daily from 7.30am-8pm.

Hot tip: They flip free pancakes for kids each Saturday morning.

The Beach Shack, Kewarra Beach

Situated on a private beachfront just metres from the water, this is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal together.

The Beach Shack will transport you to island living with its casual setting that welcomes sandy feet, breathtaking views of sandy shores and sunsets, and live music. On Fridays and Sundays, wood-fired pizza is on the menu, so expect a crowd. Don’t leave before trying the dessert pizza with banana, chocolate and hazelnut.

Location: 80 Kewarra Street, Kewarra Beach Resort and Spa, Kewarra Beach

Opening hours: Friday 5pm-9pm and Sunday 4pm-8pm.

Port Douglas Surf Club

The team at Port Douglas Surf Club have kept some old faithfuls on the menu, but also mixed it up with coral trout tacos, taro chips and salsa, steamed barbecue pork buns and tempura tiger prawn sushi.

Book a table on the big open deck and take in the glorious Four Mile Beach views. The kids won’t need any encouragement to finish their meals as there’s an epic enclosed playground right next door to the restaurant to explore.

Location: Corner of Mowbray and the Esplanade, Port Douglas

Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11am-9pm

Hot tip: Walk off your meal along Four Mile Beach and grab some family snaps along the palm-tree-lined strip.

Want more kid-friendly food options? Here’s a few to keep up your sleeve:

• Waffle On. 64A Shields Street, Cairns | This family owned and operated cafe serves up sweet and savoury waffles.
• Gelocchio. 9/93 The Esplanade, Cairns | Come here for the creamy goodness of authentic Italian gelato.
• Rusty’s Market. 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns | Well-known for their fresh fruit and vegetables, and good value market cafe.
  
• Apex Milk Bar. 24 Hoare Street, Manunda | Operating since 1960 in the same location, you can expect tasty burgers, fish and chips, and milkshakes.
  
• Mondo’s on the Waterfront. 34 The Esplanade, Cairns | Enjoy casual al fresco dining with waterfront views.
• Palm Cove Surf Club. 135 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove | Half-priced kids meals are on offer Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 6pm.
• Court House Hotel. Wharf St & Macrossan St, Port Douglas | Classic Queensland pub with bistro serving $10 kids meals.

Need some inspiration for how to entertain kids in the tropics? Check out this handy list of things to do with kids in Cairns and discover the best things to do with kids in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef.