Charlie's on the Esplanade image

Charlie's on the Esplanade

Restaurant Breakfast restaurant Buffet restaurant

👍👍 great value buffet dinner… oysters, crab, mussels, deep fries, stir fried etc……we all enjoyed so much! People often mention seafood, buffet, fresh, great, nice, good,


Address

223/227 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia

Website

charliesontheesplanade.com.au

Contact

+61 7 4051 5011

Rating on Google Maps

2.80 (142 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (Easter Monday), 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 6:30 to 9:30 AM, 5:30 to 8:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: seafood (12) buffet (11) fresh (9) great (6) nice (6) good (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 L Y. 1 year ago on Google
    great value buffet dinner… oysters, crab, mussels, deep fries, stir fried etc……we all enjoyed so much!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 wongwing0 1 year ago on Google
    New owner, great range of food. Seafood buffet. Worth a go in lazy night .
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tuyết P. 1 year ago on Google
    Was a bit worried after reading previous reviews, but we had a great time. Maybe it's been recently improved. Buffet was great value and the beer was cold. Can't ask for much more!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mitch W. 3 years ago on Google
    Don’t be fooled by the previous poor reviews. This place has been reopened and has picked up its game. Great buffet with nice view of Cairns Esplanade. Very clean and reasonable price. Will definitely be back.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cassie L. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a fantastic night at Charlie's with 5 adults and 4 children all leaving with satisfied full belly's! The seafood was very fresh and taste amazing! The food kept getting topped up and they waited until after 8.30pm until we were all finished eating before they started putting the food away. I was very impressed and will definitely be returning
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Elizabeth M. 3 years ago on Google
    Sadly it has changed so much. The service was good and because of COVID-19 very quiet and the buffet gets served for you. Quite a stark difference to 5/10 years ago when it was a bustling restaurant and the buffet menu had more choice. COVID has really impacted here. :(
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Thomas P. 1 year ago on Google
    For a seafood buffet, it was rubbish. The oysters tasted like urine. The prawns were slightly mushed amd lacked the nice crunch. The chips were soggy. Some seafood was fried rather than grilled. The fish was overly saturated in sauce. Don't bother unless you want to go to a buffet and regret it whilst your dining and whilst your at spewing over your toilet seat.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 TAO盖世桃桃 1 year ago on Google
    foods are fresh and delicious! And now Friday night have live show now! Really good, highly recommend👍👍👍and beautiful ocean view as well!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tyranitar109 3 years ago on Google
    Same tone of review as below, don't be fooled by past reviews it appears this establishment is under new management once more and it shows. Amazing fresh seafood smorgasbord (no kidding it was all fresh), with the standard chinese choices as in past times. Have been visiting this place for going on 15+ years now and it's great to see the place back on its feet.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 candy l. 3 years ago on Google
    A wonderful evening and meal with my beautiful family. My husband loved the seafood and there were so many options all fresh too. Same Chinese "buffet-friendly" options as years previous and the manager is a lovely lady too. Will make this a monthly cheat meal frequent I think. :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Panpan H. 3 years ago on Google
    It's a very good experience. Food is delicious and the seafood is fresh. Environment is nice and clean and good service.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kirstey F. 1 year ago on Google
    This place was amazing. I couldn’t stop trying all the delicious range of dishes.. hot and cold seafood, Chinese and a range of western food.. and the deserts… definitely recommend
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 tsuaniu 1 year ago on Google
    $45pp, waited for food always line up as no food dishes out, no cups for drinks so we used tea cups, $15 jugs for soft drinks, maybe was too busy for staff that night, food wasn't the best but not the worst, however $45pp you'd expect more staff and better service
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steven S. 1 year ago on Google
    Was opened for business tonight 🦐👍21st April 2022 remember what you would pay for one meal in Cairns seat back and relax with a cold beer or two
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Breanna T. 8 months ago on Google
    The food is awful, I wouldn't even serve my dog what they served as food from this establishment. I don't feel as if it's the chefs fault/s as they would have a designated budget and from what i saw I'd say it wouldn't give them much of an option to do any better. So kudos to the chefs who work with what they can.

  • 1/5 veronica c. 7 months ago on Google
    Charlie's is the restaurant attached to acacia court. Forgive me if I'm wrong .bar and restaurant closed .Dreadful breakfast only warm ...how can a poached egg be tasteless?? The bacon was nice but $19.00 for a bacon sandwich and coffee was a bit steep .dried fruit nice but a lot of tinned pears etc .I was nauseated after ..other hotel guests joined me 2 doors up the road and we chose to breakfast there instead

  • 5/5 Phoebe Z. 10 months ago on Google
    They changed the menu, fresh seafood and super nice staff, affordable local price, we very enjoyed our dinner

  • 5/5 Sun L. 1 year ago on Google
    The seafood buffet here is great value for the price you pay, considering the average seafood main course in Cairns is about $40 a plate. The seafood was fresh and service was good. Staff were friendly and prompt with their service. The servings on the buffet might looks small, but the staff replenish them regularly, so the food were never ran out. Been back twice since.

  • 2/5 paul c. 1 year ago on Google
    Buffet on a budget, seafood is frozen/thawed but edible, breakfast buffet was good for the price, not much range but still cheaper than a cafe. Cairns seems to have an abundance of low quality food for price.

  • 5/5 Mel A. 2 years ago on Google
    The breakfast was fantastic and also the selection, Elsie the staff there was very friendly and accommodating. Cheers!

  • 2/5 Dr. M. 2 years ago on Google
    Not very hospitable, very rude after asking a few questions!!! When I looked clearly lost and dehydrated... Unwilling to help... Don't come here if you want to be treated poorly :(

  • 5/5 Ash 2 years ago on Google
    We had the buffet breakfast $15.90. Selection of scrambled eggs, bacon, baked beans, hash brown, cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit, toast, coffee, and tea. Was very satisfying. Would return.


Call +61 7 4051 5011 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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