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Best Steak in Cairns

The best steak 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 steak 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 steak in Cairns right now is Dundees on the Waterfront in Cairns City ($$$ price tier) (4.6 stars across 5,317 Google reviews), ahead of Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse, Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook. That call comes from Google review strength across 15 ranked venues — no pay-to-rank, updated September 2026.

The numbers: 15 venues ranked · 29,408 Google reviews analysed · median rating 4.5★ · #1 leads the field by 6 ranking points. Updated September 2026.
Best steak in Cairns — quick facts (September 2026)
🏆 Top pickDundees on the Waterfront (Cairns City)
💸 Best cheap eatRocco by Crystalbrook
📊 Most reviewedSalt House (5,568 reviews)
📍 Venues ranked15 across 3 suburbs
Head-to-head: top 5 compared (September 2026)
VenueSuburbPriceRatingKnown for
#1Dundees on the WaterfrontCairns City$$$4.6★—
#2Waterbar & Grill SteakhouseCairns City$$4.6★Steakhouse
#3Flynn's Italian by CrystalbrookCairns City—4.7★—
#4CC's Bar & Grill by CrystalbrookCairns City—4.6★Steakhouse
#5HOPSCOTCH Kitchen BarEarlville$$4.6★—
You've tried 0/15
Steak at Dundees on the Waterfront, Cairns
#1 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Dundees on the Waterfront

62
📍 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the Aussie Duo Satays; the Oreo cheesecake is the sleeper hit.
$$$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.6 (5,317 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
Steak at Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse, Cairns
#2 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse

56
📍 1 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Order Reef & Beef with mushroom and blue cheese sauces on the side
Steakhouse$$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.6 (2,446 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
Steak at Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook, Cairns
#3 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Flynn's Italian by Crystalbrook

56
📍 Crystalbrook Flynn, Level 1/85 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the pasta; the ragout pasta is excellent.
🌱 Vegetarian options📍 Cairns City
★ 4.7 (1,003 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
Steak at CC's Bar & Grill by Crystalbrook, Cairns
#4 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

CC's Bar & Grill by Crystalbrook

55
📍 Crystalbrook Bailey, Ground Floor A/163 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the steak and oysters; try the bone marrow donut.
Steakhouse📍 Cairns City
★ 4.6 (1,894 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
Steak at HOPSCOTCH Kitchen Bar, Cairns
#5 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

HOPSCOTCH Kitchen Bar

55
📍 532 Mulgrave Rd, Earlville QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the pizza; the carbonara is the sleeper hit.
$$📍 Earlville
★ 4.6 (1,929 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
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Steak at Ochre Restaurant and Catering, Cairns
#6 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Ochre Restaurant and Catering

48
📍 Harbour Lights Boardwalk, 1 Marlin Parade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the crocodile and prawn appetizer; the kangaroo sirloin is excellent.
🌱 Gluten-free options$$$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.5 (1,816 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
Steak at Rufus, Cairns
#7 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Rufus

44
📍 43 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the pipis with Italian sausage and the wagyu bavette; both are essential.
📍 Cairns City
★ 4.8 (126 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
Steak at Little Sister Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Cairns
#8 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Little Sister Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

44
📍 101 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🍴 What to order: Get the calamari and Duck Spring Rolls; the cocktails are excellent.
$$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.5 (1,004 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#9 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

The Brass Bookie

43
📍 78 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
📍 Cairns City
★ 4.6 (383 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#10 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Dunwoody's Hotel

42
📍 317 Sheridan St, Cairns North QLD 4870, Australia
🌱 Vegetarian options$$📍 Cairns North
★ 4.4 (2,268 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#11 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Salt House

39
📍 Marina Point, 6/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
🌱 Vegan options$$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.3 (5,568 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#12 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Slap and Pickle Low and Slow Smokehouse

38
📍 62 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
$$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.5 (420 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#13 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Rocco by Crystalbrook

38
📍 Level 12, Tower, 131/141 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
$📍 Cairns City
★ 4.4 (1,029 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#14 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Cock & Bull

37
📍 6 Grove St, Cairns North QLD 4870, Australia
$$📍 Cairns North
★ 4.3 (3,593 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
#15 of 15 steak spots in Cairns

Copper Bar & Grill

35
📍 77 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Steakhouse📍 Cairns City
★ 4.4 (612 reviews) on Google Maps
🛵 Uber Eats🛵 DoorDash📅 Book
💡 Know a better steak spot in Cairns?
Real suggestions get mined for evidence and can enter the ranking.

Common steak questions in Cairns

What's the best budget steak in Cairns?

Rocco by Crystalbrook is the top-ranked budget ($) option in Cairns City — #13 overall for steak.

Where's the best steak 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 steak 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 steak in Cairns?

Ochre Restaurant and Catering is the highest-ranked venue with confirmed gluten-free options, in Cairns City.

Keep exploring: Related: 🍔 best burgers in Cairns · 🌮 best tacos in Cairns · 🥙 best kebab in Cairns · 🍟 best hsp in Cairns. Steak elsewhere: Melbourne · Sydney · Brisbane · Perth. By suburb: best in Cairns City. Q&A: your steak questions answered. Nationally: best steak 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 steak in Cairns?

Dundees on the Waterfront currently ranks #1 for steak in Cairns with 4.6 stars across 5,317 Google reviews.

What is the best cheap steak in Cairns?

Rocco by Crystalbrook is the highest-ranked budget option in Cairns City.

How does BestDish rank steak 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.