The best food trails around Cairns and Port Douglas

Between exploring the depths of the Great Barrier Reef to an expedition through the world’s oldest rainforest, immersing yourself in nature will naturally take up the lion’s share of your trip to Cairns. But when you’re ready to eat, we’ve got that sorted too.

This diverse region is a crock-pot of trails for foodies, full of astoundingly good restaurants, fresh-from-the-farm produce and days of grazing between sightseeing. Check out these food trails around Cairns and Port Douglas for an adventure of the tastebuds. Of course, there’ll be plenty of natural beauty along the way – this is Queensland, after all.

Dine with the best in Cairns

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or looking to indulge after a huge day of exploring, dine on the city’s best by working your way through our favourite restaurants and cafes in Cairns. From a one-hatted Thai restaurant to seafood by the marina to indigenous infused dining, you’re sure to find some new favourites, too.

Only here for a short visit? Stick to our 24 hours of eating in Cairns itinerary to sample your way through local produce straight from the markets, daily-roasted coffee and artisan ice cream.

Follow the beans

Did someone say coffee? If you can’t function without your morning brew, then follow the cosy scents of caffeination on this trail to the best coffee stops in Cairns. Whether you like to enjoy your morning jolt by kicking back with a view or amongst the chatter in a hidden hipster café, these coffee experts are the best in town.

When you’re ready to head further afield, taste the region’s finest homegrown coffee through Mareeba at Skybury Café and Roastery, Coffee Works and Jacques Coffee Plantation.

Feast on Port Douglas’ finest

Port Douglas has long been a hotspot for serious foodies who know that some of the best views – from the rainforest to the beach – can be enjoyed with a wine and an entrée in front of them. Whether you want to eat where the locals do or splash out, follow the Port Douglas food trail to find your fix.

Unmissable eats? A smorgasbord of local seafood amongst the palms on Island Point Hill at Nautilus, or tasting kangaroo and crocodile in The Treehouse Restaurant at Silky Oaks Lodge.

Escape to the countryside

Swap the great blue for the green rolling hills of Atherton Tablelands, just a 45 minute drive inland from Cairns, where to paddock to plate is a way of life and the sweet tropical scents mean fresh produce nearby.

Take this road trip and your tastebuds will be rewarded with fresh-off-the-plantation roasted coffee, lakeside cafes serving up scones with lashings of double clotted local cream, handmade Australian origin chocolate, cheese platters on a dairy farm café, and a tipple at a local distillery.

The bonus? You can do some serious waterfall chasing between bites.  

If you time your trip right, attend a Sunday lunch or cooking class at Rainforest Bounty. This operation is the brainchild of inspiring local Dr Geraldine McGuire and her husband, who transformed their 80-acre former dairy farm into a regenerative agricultural farm, growing native fruits of the rainforest: ooray plum, lemon aspen, boonie tamarind and Cape York lilly pilly. You can buy a range of syrups, chutneys and sauces made from the fruits, or attend one of their incredible monthly events. 

Take the trail into the rainforest

A 180-million year old rainforest might be the last place you’d look for a meal; but not in Queensland. Head into the Daintree and Cape Tribulation and you’ll be met with local flavours and tropical fruits – yet another reason you need to elevate this region to your must-visit list.

Jump in the car for a day (or several days) of tasting your way through the tropics. Start with a morning pick-me-up at Daintree Tea before making your way to Cape Trib Farm where you have to sample the chocolate pudding fruit. Then, taste the real deal on a visit to Daintree Estates where you’ll find chocolate made from cocoa grown here in the Daintree.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite for lunch, order a gourmet picnic hamper from Daintree Ecolodge, then find a secluded spot in the rainforest to kick back and indulge. Mossman Gorge, Tranquility Falls or Wonga Beach are top spots nearby.

Satisfy your dessert stomach with a stop at Daintree Ice Cream Co, where you can taste your way through exotic fruit flavours like wattleseed and Davidson Plum (all grown organically on the orchard) amongst the beautiful Daintree wilderness.

For one of Queensland’s most incredible dining experiences, immerse yourself in a moving night of indigenous culture at Flames of the Forest, which combines storytelling and song with a seven-course banquet in the heart of the rainforest.

If you’re not sure where to start, start with a food tour and let the locals guide you through the best food trails around Cairns and Port Douglas.