Once a fishing trawler called Lewis Venture, the boat was bought in 2013 and converted into a seafood restaurant. Now moored at Cairns Marlin Marina, the restaurant enjoys calming views across the water and a chance to experience Queensland’s fishing heritage. Opt for one of the stacked seafood platters, best enjoyed with a buddy.

Not quite take-away, but also not a conventional dine-in, Prawn Star undisputedly offers Cairns’ most unique, and most cheery, dining experience. Turn up to the permanently moored prawn trawler in Cairns Marlin Marina with an appetite for seafood and the expectation that your fingers will likely become utensils. Leave your flashy sandals at home (it’s a boat – things get wet) and be prepared to get close with fellow diners at this jovial hotspot.

The first thing you’ll notice about Prawn Star Cairns, the fleet of fishing trawlers down at the Marlin Marina, is that there’s always a crowd close-by – whether its people up on the Boardwalk snapping photos or a huddle down at the boards checking out the prices - most are standing by sampling and purchasing some delicious seafood bounty. There’s no mistaking the magnetic attraction this quaint little fishing trawler has on passers-by….

The cheekily named Prawn Star takes seafood very seriously, with nine seafood platters on the menu. Catch of the day served up as sashimi, freshly shucked oysters, or tiger prawns straight from the trawler - whatever your taste in seafood, you can bet you’re getting some of the freshest around. The dining area is comprised of several repurposed trawlers, which may seem kitsch, but adds to the charm to this no-frills dining experience.

For a unique dining experience, I always recommend Prawn Star. Located at Marlin Marina, this floating restaurant on moored trawlers is an experience you can’t miss in the Tropical North. The laid-back atmosphere of dining on the trawler with fairy lights shimmering above, music playing in the background, and sharing a communal table with strangers makes this one of Cairns’s most unique dining experiences.

Imagine dining at a place that is actually a refurbished fishing trawler and where you can get freshly picked seafood directly from the azure waters surrounding Cairns. This is the delightful experience that Prawn Star offers its visitors. Founded by Danny Moore, this unique seafood restaurant is comprised of a fleet of four vessels that double as floating culinary havens.

This unique dining experience and casual yet comfortable dining experience make Prawn Star one of the best restaurants in Cairns and a definite must-do for any new travellers to the region. Prawn Star’s no-fuss fare comes with friendly service and reasonably priced beverages. Fresh oysters, tiger prawns and salmon sashimi abound on this ocean-to-table vessel.

One of the most unique seafood experiences in Cairns has to be Prawn Stars. The restaurant is actually a boat, allowing you to indulge in a feast of cold seafood specialties while floating peacefully on the calm waters. The chilled seafood platter is a crowd favorite here, offering a delightful variety of prawns, oysters, mussels, and other fresh catches.

But despite the deliberately provocative name, it’s actually an immensely cute seafood restaurant set aboard a collection of fishing trawlers. And when I say seafood restaurant, I mean it – the menu is literally nothing but fresh seafood, without even a breadstick to break things up. You’ll either love it or hate it, but for me, this is absolute heaven.

If a tropical holiday gets you prawny for seafood, then push Prawn Star to the top of your culinary list when visiting Tropical North Queensland this summer. Serving fresh, locally sourced seafood right off the back of a repurposed fishing trawler, this fleet of four floating restaurants is an experience that reflects Cairns' laidback lifestyle.

Prawn Star takes the cake for the most exciting location, dining on one of their two boat decks situated right on the water at the marina. Teamed with their Jumbo Platter featuring fresh oysters, prawns, sashimi and bugs (and only $5 for beer and wine), it’s fun, it’s tasty and it’s perfect for those warm tropical days.

Location: Floating on the Cairns Marlin MarinaYou won’t forget this one!. Jump aboard a refurbished fishing trawler and enjoy freshly caught prawns, oysters, sashimi and bugs. Prawn Star offers the ultimate laid-back dining experience right on the water – cold beers, salty air and unbeatable seafood.

This unique restaurant is located right on the water at Marina Point. If you’re willing to leave your table manners behind when you step on board the trawler restuarant this is the place for you. Experience typical Aussie dining, find a seat, order your meal and shout when you need another beer.

Prawn Star is a unique seafood dining experience located in Cairns’ marina. The restaurant is built on a converted fishing boat, which adds to the atmosphere of the place. Prawn Star offers a fantastic selection of freshly caught seafood that can be cooked to your liking.

This is a must-visit for seafood-lovers with its fresh seafood the likes of prawns, mud crabs, and oysters. Climb aboard the trawler restaurant and experience tropical dining on a boat!. Pier Point Road, Marlin Marina, E31 Berth, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Seafood just tastes better when consumed on a boat that doubles as a restaurant. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland). Located at Marlin Marina, Prawn Star Cairns is a floating restaurant serving fresh and local seafood straight off the trawler.

Unless you have a shellfish allergy, then it’s best to avoid 😂 Here you are going to settle into some communal seating ON A BOAT!. Ok it might not be that exciting for you, but I love the concept. Then you’re going to stuff yourself with seafood.

The Prawn Star restaurant is one of the most famous dining venues in Cairns and easily one of the best things to do in Cairns CBD. Located on a boat at Marlin Marina, it serves fresh, local seafood including tiger prawns, oysters and crayfish.

Type of Restaurant: Seafood food truck specializing in prawn dishes. Ideal for Lunch: Perfect for a quick seafood fix on the go. Lunch Menu: Various prawn dishes such as prawn skewers, prawn tacos, and prawn burgers.

Prawn Star is hands down, one of the coolest waterfront restaurants in Cairns. In fact, you can’t really call it a restaurant, and it isn’t exactly waterfront. Prawn Star is a boat directly on the water!

Hop aboard the Prawn Star for an authentic encounter with some of the freshest seafood in town. Travellers should be prepared to get their hands dirty as they dig into prawns, bugs, crabs and oysters.

The Cairns food scene is a celebration of the city’s diversity and tropical abundance. From budget-friendly eats to gourmet dining, every meal tells a story of local flavours and global influences.

Prawn Star (Seafood) – Located down on the Marlin Marina, right in front of the Pier. This place is a bit of a rip off but where else do you get to eat fresh seafood on a trawler?

Technically this one isn’t quite a restaurant, but this list would be seriously lacking without mentioning Prawn Star. Freshly caught seafood sold straight off the trawler?

Pier Point Road | Marlin Marina, E31 Berth, Cairns City QLD 4870. Are you after a totally unique culinary adventure?. Then you can’t miss the Cairns floating restaurant!

You will find the Prawn Star trawlers at Cairns Marlin Marina, sitting alongside each other, decked out with bench seats and chilled beverages.

Sit back and relax on the Marina and enjoy the seafood freshly sourced and cooked on the floating restaurant – The Prawn Star.

From mud crabs, to oysters to the star of the eatery, prawns (of course ?), Prawn Star has it all!