Boardwalk Social
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Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook

4.6
·491k reviews·,

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Boardwalk Social

Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Fantastic experience with excellent service, great prices, and an awesome vibe right on the water!"

TIP

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.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Gastro-pub

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+61 7 4253 5000

Address

Ground Floor, 85, Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Prime Esplanade Location

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

Gastro-Pub Classics with Local Flair

Savor delicious gastro-pub favorites, featuring local ingredients in dishes like sourdough pizza, tacos, and burgers.

28 of the best Cairns restaurants to dine at now
Vibrant Atmosphere with Live Entertainment

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.

13 of the best restaurants in CairnsPitcher Perfect: The Best Bars in CairnsThe best bars in Cairns
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Breakfast Sessions at Boardwalk Social #work #Cairns #flynncrystalbrookcollection
@viv_aisi
20 likes • 454 views

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.

Brunch, lunch, and dinner in the boardwalk plus watching the cruise ships pass by 😀 #cairnsrestaurants #cairnsrestaurants #cairns #cairnsaustralia #cruiseship
@dundeesonwaterfront
47 likes • 1.1K views

Must-Try Dishes

Consider their signature dishes like the truffle mushroom pizza or soft-shell crab salad.

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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

4.6
(491k reviews)

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

Prime Esplanade location with great views
Delicious food, especially pizzas and seafood
Vibrant atmosphere and live entertainment

What People Dislike

Cashless payment policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Boardwalk Social offers gastro-pub classics with a focus on local ingredients, including salads, sourdough pizzas, tacos, and burgers.

28 of the best Cairns restaurants to dine at nowPitcher Perfect: The Best Bars in Cairns

Yes, they have an impressive drinks list featuring 36 beers on tap, 40 local and international gins, and a range of signature cocktails.

28 of the best Cairns restaurants to dine at nowPitcher Perfect: The Best Bars in Cairns

No, Boardwalk Social is a cashless venue. You will need a card for payment.

Google Review

The restaurant has a vibrant, tropical vibe, with live sports and music events contributing to a lively atmosphere.

TikTok13 of the best restaurants in Cairns

Customers highly recommend the truffle mushroom pizza and the soft-shell crab salad.

Google Review

Yes, it's a great spot for both adults and families, with friendly staff and an inviting atmosphere.

Google Review

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