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For those who enjoy the art of a perfect pizza, Cairns and the Tropical North region offer some top-notch contenders for the title of the best pizza. But before we plunge into the mouth-watering layers of dough, sauce, and cheese, let’s outline the criteria that define the ‘I Love Cairns – Best Pizza’ list. This way, you’ll know if you’re on the same pizza slice as us when it comes to ranking Cairns’ Best Pizza—and ensuring every cheesy triangle slice fully satisfies your hunger.
Essential Pizza Guide: As you embark on this delicious journey through Cairns’ best pizza trattorias, remember to balance your quest with the many other activities this beautiful region has to offer. While indulging in the finest pizza and a refreshing Peroni is a must, don’t let it overshadow Cairns’ other incredible experiences, like snorkeling, scuba diving, rainforest treks, waterfall plunges, island getaways, and outback adventures. Treat yourself to an authentic pizza as the perfect reward after a day of exploring the wonders of Cairns. Even better, some of our top pizza spots are ideally located for you to combine your culinary and adventurous experiences into one unforgettable day.
La Pizza this has always been outstanding La Secret to make tasty pizza.
La Pizza is the locals’ go-to spot for pizza in Cairns, and for good reason—they’ve been around for as long as I can remember. The freshness is undeniable; you can watch the staff hand-make the pizza bases right in front of you. While all the pizzas on their menu are great, one truly stands out as absolutely delicious. I’m not sure if it’s a secret herb mix they use, but every bite is sensational. When you’re heading into town, this is a tough pizza bar to beat. I keep going back, and I know you will too.
Piccolo Cucina fior di latte and hand stretch bases, superb Neapolitan pizzas.
Translating to “Little Kitchen,” Piccolo Cucina is located just opposite the Reef Hotel Casino on Abbott St. The care and attention to detail in every pizza here are truly evident. It’s become a regular dinner spot for us—whether it’s a family win or any excuse we can find, it’s all we need to skip cooking at home and head straight to our little slice of Italy. My favorite? Their Capricciosa, a perfect blend of fior di latte, ham, mushrooms, olives, and artichokes. The hand-stretched crust, baked to crispy perfection on the outside while staying soft inside, is simply irresistible. For anyone looking to enjoy an authentic Italian experience away from the crowds, this restaurant is a must-visit.
Hemingway's Brewery awesome pizza and great beer a match made in heaven.
This is an awesome spot to kick off your pizza adventures! It may not be your typical local corner trattoria, it’s more of a massive craft beer brewery with a dedicated pizza department —but trust us, the pizza here is a crowd-pleaser. The pizzas are handmade with stretched dough, generously topped with cheese and fresh ingredients. We tried the pepperoni pizza, which had a nice little kick—nothing that a refreshing pilsner couldn’t fix. Overall, hearty pizza and, as a bonus, they also make a mean burger!
Salt House Pizzeria possibly the perfect pizza base and toppings to match.
You always know you’re in for an awesome pizza when you spot freshly proofed pizza dough, ready and waiting for its moment in the oven. At Salt House, that anticipation is rewarded with their standout Pollo pizza. The perfectly baked base—crispy outside with just the right chew—supports bush spiced chicken, chorizo, mushrooms, caramelized onion, and a generous helping of mozzarella, all balanced by a rich tomato sugo. Nestled in one of their cozy booths, with views of the marina and mountains, this pizza elevates your whole dining experience.
Villa Romana is an vibrant, bustling trattoria on Cairns Esplanade.
When at Villa Romana, do as the Romans do! This must-visit spot on the Esplanade recently celebrated 25 years of serving up authentic Italian cuisine. Watch the reef boats return at the end of the day while enjoying their fresh, hand-stretched pizzas. The bases are the perfect foundation for the flavorful toppings and melted cheese. We tried the Villa Special – a delicious combination of homemade meatballs, salami, mozzarella, and caramelized onion. The staff were friendly and engaging, and the Vespa out front added a charming touch to the experience!
"Big screens, cold beer, and a crispy wood-fired pizza perfect for game day in Cairns!
If you’re on the hunt for a pub to kick back and catch your favorite sport, this spot in Cairns has you covered with big screens. But what’s better than watching the game? Watching it while sipping on a cold beer and digging into a traditional wood-fired pizza! The pizza here is more of a thin and crispy base—perfect if you’re not into the classic Napoli-style. So, if you’re looking for something a little different while enjoying the action, this one’s for you.
These pizza are seriously loaded and delicious, my only regret not trying them sooner.
There is a few things that makes Giants a winner in the takeaway / delivery category. Giants are you traditional Aussie pizza, loaded with cheese and topping when you pick the bad boys up you know you are in for a feast, they are seriously loaded, you would be lucky to make it through a small pizza yourself, they have large and giant size, the giant size can feed 5 hungry men, I feel these would still taste awesome if you get them delivered. This has to be my personal choice for Friday night footy at home.
Il Forno Pizzeria is, in our opinion, Palm Cove's best pizza spot.
Il Forno Pizzeria in Palm Cove is one of our top-tier favorites—a must-do when you’re in the area! Tucked upstairs on the esplanade, this spot serves up pizzas with the perfect blend of crisp, flavorful bases and generous, fresh toppings. We tried the Meat Lover, loaded with mozzarella, ham, salami, and Italian pork sausage. What sets Iforno apart from other venues in Palm Cove is that extra flavor profile that leaves you craving more. It’s not just dough and toppings; there’s something special here—maybe it’s the “pizza love” baked into every slice!
Pinnarendi Station Stay & Cafe is an outback, Pizza and Brick Oven Oasis.
Pinnarendi Station Stay & Cafe could very well serve the best outback pizza around. As you head west from Cairns, not only does the savannah dry out, but so do the quality food stops. Fear not! We’ve found the perfect pizza place for a stop on your journey to Undara, Cobbold Gorge, or the Dinosaur Trail. Located 55km from Mt Garnet, Pinnarendi serves up a delicious wood-fired sourdough pizza. They host all you can eat pizza nights for guests (trust me the pizza just keep coming), but you can also snag a “last night pizza” or grab a coffee if you make this your lunch stop. Personally, we always grab a takeaway pizza and throw it on the Weber at our next destination.takeaway pizza and throw it on the Weber at our next destination.
La Pizza is the locals’ go-to spot for pizza in Cairns, and for good reason—they’ve been around for as long as I can remember. The freshness is undeniable; you can watch the staff hand-make the pizza bases right in front
Translating to “Little Kitchen,” Piccolo Cucina is located just opposite the Reef Hotel Casino on Abbott St. The care and attention to detail in every pizza here are truly evident. It’s become a regular dinner spot for us—whether it’s a
This is an awesome spot to kick off your pizza adventures! It may not be your typical local corner trattoria, it’s more of a massive craft beer brewery with a dedicated pizza department —but trust us, the pizza here is
You always know you’re in for an awesome pizza when you spot freshly proofed pizza dough, ready and waiting for its moment in the oven. At Salt House, that anticipation is rewarded with their standout Pollo pizza. The perfectly baked
When at Villa Romana, do as the Romans do! This must-visit spot on the Esplanade recently celebrated 25 years of serving up authentic Italian cuisine. Watch the reef boats return at the end of the day while enjoying their fresh,
If you’re on the hunt for a pub to kick back and catch your favorite sport, this spot in Cairns has you covered with big screens. But what’s better than watching the game? Watching it while sipping on a cold
There is a few things that makes Giants a winner in the takeaway / delivery category. Giants are you traditional Aussie pizza, loaded with cheese and topping when you pick the bad boys up you know you are in for
Il Forno Pizzeria in Palm Cove is one of our top-tier favorites—a must-do when you’re in the area! Tucked upstairs on the esplanade, this spot serves up pizzas with the perfect blend of crisp, flavorful bases and generous, fresh toppings.
Pinnarendi Station Stay & Cafe could very well serve the best outback pizza around. As you head west from Cairns, not only does the savannah dry out, but so do the quality food stops. Fear not! We’ve found the perfect
If you live in Cairns, then no that would be ridiculous, but if you are on holiday and that is going to make you happy then go for it – you have the rest of the year to work out, do park runs and pay for your pizza sins. Side note, if you tire of the pizza then check out our Cairns’ Best Burgers page to give yourself some menu variety.
We are always keen to find new venues, if you have one in mind then send us an email we will head over and check it out. You don’t have to try very hard to get me to eat pizza.
Not all blogs are created equal, and sadly, some similar posts online have become completely outdated. We take pride in keeping our information accurate and up-to-date. Unfortunately, we’ve had to say goodbye to a few exceptional pizza spots in recent years, including Lush Pizza and Alessandro’s Pizzeria Antipasto Bar. But fear not! Save yourself the disappointment and check out one of our top picks from the list above.
Sorry no chains, save this for your next footy game or super Tuesdays when you get home.
Yes we are planning to do more of these, what about the best steaks and not to be limited to food we are also considering things like the ‘the best sunrise locations in Cairns’ and more specific topics like ‘Best drone locations’, if you have any ideas we would love to hear about it.
Based on my personal experiences and insights, this guide is meant to be taken in a light-hearted spirit. Yet, if your travels lead you to Cairns, consider it an additional reason to fall in love with this great city. I encourage you to visit these spots and support local businesses with your patronage. It’s the passion and dedication of these local entrepreneurs that drive Cairns’ economy and shape its future. By choosing to spend your money here, you’re not only enjoying great food but also helping sustain the unique charm that makes Cairns truly special.
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