Best Pasta in Cairns
The best pasta in Cairns right now is Dundees on the Waterfront (score 62 from 5,317 reviews), based on 15 venues re-ranked weekly.
Where locals actually go for pasta in Cairns — not just what tops a Google search.
● Updated September 2026 · re-verified 15 venues this month
🔄 Re-ranked 2026-09-08: no moves since 2026-09-02 — the current order held steady.
The verdict: the best pasta in Cairns right now is Dundees on the Waterfront in Cairns City ($$$ price tier) (4.6 stars across 5,317 Google reviews), ahead of Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook, HOPSCOTCH Kitchen Bar. That call comes from Google review strength across 15 ranked venues — no pay-to-rank, updated September 2026.
The numbers: 15 venues ranked · 21,212 Google reviews analysed · median rating 4.5★ · #1 leads the field by 6 ranking points. Updated September 2026.
| 🏆 Top pick | Dundees on the Waterfront (Cairns City) |
| 📊 Most reviewed | Dundees on the Waterfront (5,317 reviews) |
| 📍 Venues ranked | 15 across 5 suburbs |
| Venue | Suburb | Price | Rating | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dundees on the Waterfront | Cairns City | $$$ | 4.6★ | — |
| #2 | Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook | Cairns City | — | 4.7★ | — |
| #3 | HOPSCOTCH Kitchen Bar | Earlville | $$ | 4.6★ | — |
| #4 | Bellocale Italian Seafood Restaurant | Cairns City | — | 4.7★ | — |
| #5 | Pistacchi | Cairns City | $$ | 4.7★ | — |
You've tried 0/15
#1 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the Aussie Duo Satays; the Oreo cheesecake is the sleeper hit.
★ 4.6 (5,317 reviews) on Google Maps
#2 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 Crystalbrook Flynn, Level 1/85 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the pasta; the ragout pasta is excellent.
★ 4.7 (1,003 reviews) on Google Maps
#3 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 532 Mulgrave Rd, Earlville QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the pizza; the carbonara is the sleeper hit.
★ 4.6 (1,929 reviews) on Google Maps
#4 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 62C Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the Pappardelle Bugs and Seafood Ravioli; start with the arancini.
★ 4.7 (782 reviews) on Google Maps
#5 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 Shop 2/64 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the gnocchi; the tagliatelle is amazing.
★ 4.7 (688 reviews) on Google Maps
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#6 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 47 Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach QLD 4879, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the gnocchi pumpkin and pizza; finish with cannolis.
★ 4.6 (868 reviews) on Google Maps
#7 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 183 Esplanade, Cairns North QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the potatoes with olive oil and sundried tomatoes; they are the standout dish
★ 4.8 (232 reviews) on Google Maps
#8 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 Shop 9/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the pizza and maritozzi; one maritozzi is big enough to share.
★ 4.5 (1,864 reviews) on Google Maps
#9 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 17 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
★ 4.5 (1,248 reviews) on Google Maps
#10 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 The Pier Marina, Shop G4A/1 Pierpoint Road, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the meat platter; the seafood platter is simply perfect.
★ 4.5 (1,076 reviews) on Google Maps
#11 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 101 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the calamari and Duck Spring Rolls; the cocktails are excellent.
★ 4.5 (1,004 reviews) on Google Maps
#12 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 41 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
★ 4.5 (567 reviews) on Google Maps
#13 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
Palooka
40📍 7 Kamerunga Rd, Stratford QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the vodka pasta and duck croquettes; save room for crème brûlée.
★ 4.5 (549 reviews) on Google Maps
#14 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 38 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
★ 4.3 (1,034 reviews) on Google Maps
#15 of 15 pasta spots in Cairns
📍 99 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
★ 4.2 (3,051 reviews) on Google Maps
Common pasta questions in Cairns
Where's the best pasta in Cairns for a special occasion?
Dundees on the Waterfront ($$$ price tier) is the highest-ranked venue worth the splurge, in Cairns City.
What's the best vegetarian-friendly pasta in Cairns?
Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook is the highest-ranked venue with confirmed vegetarian options, in Cairns City.
Where can I get gluten-free pasta in Cairns?
Bellocale Italian Seafood Restaurant is the highest-ranked venue with confirmed gluten-free options, in Cairns City.
Keep exploring: Related: 🍕 best pizza in Cairns. Pasta elsewhere: Melbourne · Sydney · Brisbane · Perth. By suburb: best in Cairns City. Q&A: your pasta questions answered. Nationally: best pasta in Australia, 14 cities compared. Also: head-to-head: the top two compared. See the data report.
How we rank
Venues are ranked by review strength: Google rating above a 3.8 baseline, weighted by review volume (a 4.6★ with 2,000 reviews beats a 4.8★ with 60). Global fast-food and dessert franchises are excluded — this site exists to find the best local specialists, not chains you already know. Community-consensus mining is added to high-traffic pages over time.
Frequently asked
What is the best pasta in Cairns?
Dundees on the Waterfront currently ranks #1 for pasta in Cairns with 4.6 stars across 5,317 Google reviews.
How does BestDish rank pasta in Cairns?
Venues are scored by blending community mentions from local discussions with Google review strength (rating above a 3.8 baseline, weighted by review volume). Global chains are excluded.