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Cairns Food and Dining Guide: Winter Menus Roll Out Across the City

New winter specials and market stalls draw locals and visitors to Spence Street and the Esplanade this July.

By Cairns Things-to-do Desk · Published 20 July 2026

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Cairns Food and Dining Guide: Winter Menus Roll Out Across the City — Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels

Cairns restaurants introduced winter specials on July 1 that feature hot soups and grilled seafood at prices starting from $12 per serve.

The timing aligns with cooler nights averaging 18 degrees and a 12 percent rise in domestic visitor nights recorded by Cairns Regional Council for the June quarter of 2026.

Markets and waterfront venues

Rusty's Markets on Spence Street added three new soup stalls this month selling pumpkin and lentil varieties alongside fresh mangoes, while the Esplanade Seafood Grill at the Pier Marketplace serves barramundi fillets with chips for $28 on weekdays.

Both locations sit within a five-minute walk of Cairns Central station and report full tables by 7 pm most evenings.

Attendance at Rusty's Markets reached 42,000 people in the first week of July, according to market operator figures released last Friday.

Practical steps for diners

Reserve tables online before 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays when the Esplanade fills with groups from Edge Hill and Trinity Beach, and carry cash for the $8 market soup options that do not accept cards.

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