Cairns Restaurant Tips by sirgaw

Spicy Bite: - great food at reasonable prices

I’m always on the lookout for bargains when it comes to food. Yes and I also want great food and service too – tall order? No, not if you’re prepared to hunt around and maybe dine a bit earlier than normal. Spicy Bite is just off the main restaurant strip of The Esplanade and offers a meal and drink deal of 20% off the food bill IF you are prepared to get the order in for main course before 6.30pm – which we did.

Service was friendly and the Indian food as spicy as you like it all at very reasonable prices, while people watching as you dine on the footpath.

Good value.

Address: 6/53 The Esplanade, Cairns

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Entrance is in Shields Street and they have another business trading under the same name in the city centre.

Phone: 07 4041 3700

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Indian

Cairns Night Market: - cheap and cheerful dining

Looking for a cheap and cheerful meal? The Cairns Night Market is THE place to head to for a variety of foods at very reasonable prices. There are 11 different individually owned businesses that are all competing for your money. I choose the Chinese and Seafood self service café and I had the X-large plate for $14.50. I then spent 10 minutes very carefully constructing a pyramid of tasty hot food and managed to sneak in a few of the cold options too. Perhaps I suffered from the “my-eyes-were-bigger-than-my-tummy” as I had trouble eating all I had chosen – self inflicted wounds.

I also received a 10% off discount coupon for the next door New Zealand Natural Icecream franchise. So for less than $20 I had a great meal while sitting in the noisy and reasonably clean food court dining area.

After our meal we explored the almost 100 stalls, where plenty of Australian souvenirs, gifts, clothing and much more were available. There was also a wide range of Asian massages.

The Night Market is situated along the very popular The Esplanade and across the road from The Lagoon, which is a man made and safe from crocs and stingers swimming area.

The 4th photo shows a glass artisan creating a work of art for sale - lots more great gift stalls as well.

Address: 71-75 The Esplanade, CAIRNS, QLD. 4870

Comparison: least expensive

Other Contact: Fax: (07) 4051 7094

Phone: (07) 4051 7666

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Street Vendor

Website: http://www.nightmarkets.com.au/