
Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook
A vibrant gastro-pub on the Cairns Esplanade, serving delicious local fare, craft beers, and cocktails with live entertainment.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant gastro-pub on the Cairns Esplanade, serving delicious local fare, craft beers, and cocktails with live entertainment.
"Fantastic experience with excellent service, great prices, and an awesome vibe right on the water!"
Cashless Convenience
The venue is cashless; remember to bring your card. Tapping does not incur surcharges.
Visit for Lunch or Dinner
Lunch offers a relaxed atmosphere, while dinner provides a more bustling and energetic experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Gastro-pub
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+61 7 4253 5000
Address
Ground Floor, 85, Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Prime Esplanade Location
Enjoy fresh food and ice-cold beer with prime people-watching on the Cairns Esplanade, offering a relaxed tropical vibe and great views.

Gastro-Pub Classics with Local Flair
Savor delicious gastro-pub favorites, featuring local ingredients in dishes like sourdough pizza, tacos, and burgers.

Vibrant Atmosphere with Live Entertainment
Experience a lively dining spot with a tropical vibe, often complemented by live music and DJs, perfect for any occasion.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Cashless Convenience
The venue is cashless; remember to bring your card. Tapping does not incur surcharges.
Visit for Lunch or Dinner
Lunch offers a relaxed atmosphere, while dinner provides a more bustling and energetic experience.
Must-Try Dishes
Consider their signature dishes like the truffle mushroom pizza or soft-shell crab salad.
Tips
from all over the internet
Cashless Convenience
The venue is cashless; remember to bring your card. Tapping does not incur surcharges.
Visit for Lunch or Dinner
Lunch offers a relaxed atmosphere, while dinner provides a more bustling and energetic experience.
Must-Try Dishes
Consider their signature dishes like the truffle mushroom pizza or soft-shell crab salad.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Boardwalk Social is praised for its exceptional location on the Cairns Esplanade, offering great views and a vibrant atmosphere, often enhanced by live music. Diners rave about the delicious food, particularly the pizzas and seafood, and the extensive drink selection. While most experiences are positive, some guests find the cashless policy inconvenient.
"Great spot with an awesome vibe!! Truffle mushroom pizza is so tasty. And the softshell crab salad is a must try. Good cocktails and friendly staffs.
Definitely coming back :))"
Thanyarat Nonkhampa
"This place is in a great position on the esplanade. We were having a roving night out - so entree at one place, main we had here then we went somewhere else for dessert. I ordered the Truffled mushroom pizza and my partner ordered something which they didn't have so he ended up with the daily special which was Two tacos and one margarita cocktail. He had the spiced cauliflower tacos. Hey I loved the pizza there was an ok amount of mushrooms on it - but could have had more in my opinion. If there was artichokes on there - I didn't find them. But it was ok and for the esplanade they aren't overly expensive. My partner thought the tacos were good but not fantastic. They have a decent wine list - so happy with that. I am a big fan of cash - so very disappointing to find it is cashless. I find this trend to be exceedingly annoying - cash is legal tender - especially as paying by card incurs fees - so think both should be catered for. So probably wouldn't go here again because of this. But if you don't care - then it is a great spot and very open and inviting."
Julie Franke
"I had an awesome time celebrating a friend's birthday here. Excellent service, great prices and friendly staff. One of the bartenders, Seth, was particularly awesome, sparking conversation and keeping the drinks pouring.
Great location, highly recommend!"
Jesse Taylor
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Boardwalk Social offers gastro-pub classics with a focus on local ingredients, including salads, sourdough pizzas, tacos, and burgers.
Yes, they have an impressive drinks list featuring 36 beers on tap, 40 local and international gins, and a range of signature cocktails.
No, Boardwalk Social is a cashless venue. You will need a card for payment.
The restaurant has a vibrant, tropical vibe, with live sports and music events contributing to a lively atmosphere.
Customers highly recommend the truffle mushroom pizza and the soft-shell crab salad.
Yes, it's a great spot for both adults and families, with friendly staff and an inviting atmosphere.
Mentioned in
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If nourishing classics alongside live sports and music sound up your street, then it’s time to hit up Boardwalk Social. Inspired by gastro-pub classics with a focus on local ingredients, take your pick of salads, sourdough pizza, tacos and burgers. You’ll also find an impressive drinks list to match featuring local brews with 36 beers on tap, 40 local and international gins and a range of signature cocktails.
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We ended up at Boardwalk Social – one of the in-house restaurants of Crystalbook Flynn, where we stayed – on two of our four nights in Cairns. It’s pretty hard to beat the convenience, the variety of food, and the impeccable vibes on account of it being located right on the Esplanade, right in the thick of the action.
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Great gastro pub classics with the focus on local ingredients, are served in the foodie hotspot Boardwalk Social. The market-style eatery on the Cairns Esplanade, is not just about food and drinks, but also about entertainment. Daily live music, performances and Dj’s complement the culinary experience.
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This market-style precinct serves tasty sourdough pizzas, bountiful salads, tacos, burgers and sides, with over 80% of the produce being locally sourced. Pop by for lunch, late dinner or some cocktails and enjoy the energy of one of the best bars in Cairns. Ground Floor, 85 Esplanade, Cairns
The best bars in Cairns
This market-style precinct serves tasty sourdough pizzas, bountiful salads, tacos, burgers and sides, with over 80% of the produce being locally sourced. Pop by for lunch, late dinner or some cocktails and enjoy the energy of one of the best bars in Cairns. Ground floor, 85 Esplanade, Cairns
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit