Considered to be one of the best places to eat in Cairns, Ochre Restaurant is home to experienced chefs that are keen to get some of these culinary dishes straight off the menu and into your mouth. But before you start looking for the chicken, try another bird that is extremely hard to catch – the emu. The emu carpaccio with green ant salsa verde is part of the Australian antipasto tasting platter that will ease you into eating animals you didn’t even know could be cooked. That Australian antipasto plate features tasters of garnished salmon, kangaroo, emu and crocodile, so if you like what you taste then you can move on to a main meal of scrumptious wallaby.
Meat to try: Emu
Where: 43 Shields Street, Cairns QLD 4870
If you want a more casual setting and aren’t in the mood for fine dining then head to Green Ant Mexican Cantina for great drinks and filling food. To make the transition from chicken to kangaroo easy, order their gourmet Kickass Kangaroo Burger with half a pound of kangaroo served in a focaccia bun with mixed leaves, tomato, onions, chipotle mayo and topped with melted cheese. You will forget you’re eating kangaroo by the time you wipe your mouth with a napkin and finish off the side of chunky chips.
Meat to try: Kangaroo
Where: 183 Bunda Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Transport yourself into another world where you can experience and truly taste the Tropical North at Flames of the Forest. Although it’s a bit of a drive from Cairns to Port Douglas, this is definitely dining that shouldn’t be missed by travelling foodies. Inspired by Aboriginal culture and a love of the rainforest, this isn’t just your average restaurant. A Saturday evening with your significant other at this restaurant entails a six course meal immersed entirely by nature. Throughout the night, soothing acoustic solos will be performed while you wine and dine surrounded by candles. The banquet includes smoked crocodile rillette with crisp cucumber slice and salsa verde, and is simply sublime.
Meat to try: Crocodile
Where: 29 Barrier Street, Port Douglas QLD 487
