Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront
+61 7 4051 0399+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 9:45 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Seafood, Grill, Australian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, View, Groups, Business meetings
Does this restaurant serve Sardinian food?
Details
About
Overlooking Trinity Inlet at the Waterfront Harbour Lights, Dundee's Restaurant on the Waterfront captures three ingredients -- great food, great location and perfect ambience. Dundees has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in which couples, parties and families can all feel welcome at any time of the day. Dundee's specialises in Australian beef, fresh seafood, pasta and salads, there is a dish to cater for every tastebud. Dundees is the perfect place to Kickstart your day with a coffee and snacks on the waterfront.
CUISINES
Seafood, Grill, Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront, Gift Cards Available
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4.0
3,419 reviews
Excellent
1,861
Very good
943
Average
326
Poor
160
Terrible
129
STEPHEN N
Brisbane23157 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
We had booked for two at Dundee's for 7pm on Tuesday 01/09/20 & arrived at 06:50pm + seated.
We ordered 2 Mojito drinks $32.00 & one entree meal Antipasto $19.50 , flowered by 2 main meals - Taste Of The Sea $34.00 & Sirloin 200G $34.50 with roast potato & roast pumpkin with mushroom sauce [ no vegtables were available when asked the waitress ]. The drinks & Entree meal were served within 10-15 mins, however the 2 main meals were extremely slow approximately 45 mins after placing the order. Secondly one of the main meal portion was extremely small & disappointing with a very large plate & little food, the roast pumpkin & potato placed under the Sirloin & the mushroom sauce tasted fine. The other main meal Taste Of The Sea was a larger portion.
This was my very first visit to Dundee's and rather disappointing & after leaving had to eat elsewhere feeling empty.
Paid in total AUD $121.44 & certainly wouldn't rush back, slow service with small main meal portion.
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nat McAsey
369 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
Great location on the Marina waterfront, beautiful view and aspect. Service was great, the wait staff are friendly and attentive, but not intrusive or make you feel as though you’re being rushed out the door.
Beautiful food, seafood chowder was delicious, as were the mussels and my partner had the steak with mash. All cooked incredibly well, instructions listened to.
We felt the price was fair and reflective of the level of food and service you get.
Would recommend and left happy (and full).
Written 28 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff M
Gold Coast70 contributions
Sept 2020 • friends
We thought how wonderful it would be to go to Dundee’s to catch up with friends who are on a road trip around Australia.
A beautiful Cairns day, we chose to sit outdoors on the boardwalk overlooking the Marina. Drink service was prompt and to give the staff credit they were quite patient when a member of our party deliberated in ordering.
Because of Covid we had a selection of laminated menu pages which complicated the ordering process. Orders placed, we waited, waited and waited, firstly for our starters; simple, Garlic Bread and an Antipasto plate. More drinks were ordered and apologies from the kitchen because they were busy?
Our main courses eventually arrived, our friends had Prawns in Tempura from the Lunch Specials menu, quite generous portions so they were happy. My wife ordered a 250g Rump MR with mushroom gravy and mash. From my recollection anything but the steak was an extra. The steak must have shrunk during cooking because it could have been around 200g or less. My Grilled Barramundi was minute in size, served on two lumps of sweet potato. The fish was okay if there had been more of it and it would have helped if the server had suggested sides. I think one would expect extras to be gratis when the menu prices are so expensive.
Saving grace of the day was the solo staff member who sang happy birthday to our friend as his sticky date pudding was delivered.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
机智的小展博Benjamin
Brisbane1 contribution
Feb 2020 • friends
So disappointed. About the service,when we arrived there are three waiters and waitress just standard in front of order station and chatting, nobody guided us to our seat. They never take the finishing plates actively until the next course coming. About courses, the steak(medium rare ) half is over cooked and juiceless. But the side was very good, that is the only one meet my expectation. I think I will never come back again.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacobsergio
Hi Benjamin,
Our restaurant has a host during every service and please wait to be seated policy so not being shown to your seat is very surprising and I would have to investigate further. Im sorry to hear your experience was anything less than perfect and if you could email me to discuss when exactly it was you dined with us I could take some time to address the issues and staff if that is the case. My email is jacob@dundees.com.au.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Cairns and if you are ever back at Dundees please do say hello.
Kind regards,
Jacob Low
Written 18 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MichelleDeschamp
37 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
If you are expecting fine dining, this restaurant does not offer it. I ordered the taster plate for entree. The scallop was overcooked and the size of a 10 cent piece. The chilled prawn was almost certainly past it's use by date. The crispy coating calamari was not crispy. I do however highly rate the battered soft shell crab.
I then ordered seafood linguine for main and at $39, I was excited to receive a beautiful pasta with a minimal tomato/oil based dressing, topped with some beautiful seafood...Not the case. It was a bowl of pasta swimming in marinara sauce. The one scallop was raw as were 2 of the 3 mussels and the yabbie on top was completely cold inside (ie had been previously cooked then placed on top of the pasta). To the restaurants credit, I returned the meal and they did not charge for it, however, this was not before the duty manager wanted to say "he spoke to the chef who assured him the meal was fine but he doesn't want to argue about it, so we wouldn't be charged for it". If the dining experience wasn't bad enough, I ended up extremely sick around 4hrs later..
Important to note that my daughter's chowder was amazing and we definitely recommend that dish and our waitress was fantastic.
Given the many other options in cairns, I do not recommend this restaurant.
Written 22 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacobsergio
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to write your review, although of course it is disappointing to know you were unsatisfied with your experience.
Our food safety systems in our kitchen have been in place, improved and followed religiously for over 30 years and I would be happy to run through these with you if you would like to discuss further. My email is jacob@dundees.com.au- as would the executive chef. We have a perfect track record of local council health department inspections which are also on display if you wish.
As mentioned on the evening we are always happy to either re cook your meal to your preference (Less sauce if you had wished recooked fresh seafood) OR replaced it with anything else on the menu of your choosing and taken the meal off your bill no questions asked.
Glad to hear your daughter enjoyed her Chowder and the service was fantastic.
If ever in town again and wish to visit either of our restaurants feel free to drop myself a line and id be happy to personally take care of you and your guests to deliver the experience that the multitude of 5 star reviewers above and below yours have experienced.
Sincerely Jacob Low
Written 27 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Farnick
10 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Two nights in a row, and we were treated as locals. The maitre d’, the drink waiter, even the food server remembered us! The first night it was papadelli with a cream sauce and fresh seafood for one of us and fish and chips for the other. Simple. Elegant. Perfect.
Second night we were greeted as locals. “Weren’t you here last night?” “Thank you for returning.” This time it was the Australian Sampler, with emu sausage, crocodile satay, beef skewers, shrimp on the barbie, and kangaroo that was the tastiest meat ever. Oh, and somehow we were able to down a plate of smoked chicken and chorizo penne with the tastiest sauce ever.
On the waterfront, you might expect a more expensive experience, but with 2 beers and 2 glasses of pinot noir, the bill came to $115 AUD.
Simple. Elegant. Perfect!
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrissy
Melbourne111 contributions
Dec 2020 • family
Okay here’s the deal with this place we have eaten here twice since we have been in Cairns on holiday, and I can honestly say the food is very good, it’s a bit overpriced, but it is very good, however the negative is the service! they have very snooty/rude servers, and you have to ask for the same thing two or three times. My last experience there our drinks were forgotten and our mains took a really long time, however to be fair they were very busy. I can handle waiting a bit longer for tasty food however rude waitresses are a big no-no and this restaurant really needs to look at this because they are surrounded by other restaurants that I have dined it and the waitresses are much better. All in all it’s a bit 50-50 this restaurant and there are others in town who do much better by offering exemplary service. Again, I’ll be honest some of the best food I have eaten in Cairns is at this restaurant but it’s let down by the service.
Written 28 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob Low
Hi Nikki,
Thank you for taking the time to write your review of course though we are disappointed to hear your experience was anything less than perfect. The comments that our staff came off rude are very disappointing and I would love the opportunity to make contact with yourself to identify which staff they were to address this.
I assure you that from the trial stage to induction and ongoing training throughout their employment all of our staff are instilled to serve with a smile and to be accomodating to our guests above all else. If you take the time to read some of the surrounding reviews I hope you see that this was one of the rare times that this may have not taken place.
My email is jacob@dundees.com.au otherwise my personal number is 0434666352 and i assure you that myself and the other owners and management of Dundee's relish in the opportunity to rectify any subpar experiences any of ur guests may have experienced.
Have an amazing day and happy new year I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind Regards,
Jacob Low
Written 29 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Annie
1 contribution
Nov 2020 • none
I was really disappointed the other night when we were told there was only seating inside (at 5.30pm) I asked if we could sit outside as we come for the food with a view. But I was told all the tables were reserved, and I asked what time were the bookings for? And he said 6.30, I said we'll be finished by then, however the waiter was insisted we sit inside, this also happened to another 3 customers. When leaving I noticed there were 19 available table settings (some consisted of 10 seats, others with 2 seated tables). My advice to Dundee's is please don't push your customers inside when you clearly have available tables with a view (especially locals that support you during the tough times). On the flip side the meals were fabulous! Compliments to the Chefs, but thumbs down to the waiter for seating arrangements and not being accommodating!
Written 13 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacobsergio
Hi Leannb,
First of all thank you very much for taking the time to write your review, of course it's disappointing you did not enjoy your experience at our restaurant and for that i sincerely apologise.
Having a restaurant at our amazing location is a gift 99% of the time but in the case of your 1% it can be a curse. We really do wish that the entire seating sat facing as close to the water as possible but unfortunately that is not the case. I want to reassure you that it in no way benefits our business to not sit you at your most desired table. If we can our hosts go above and beyond to accomodate your requests. Obviously a reservation is your best bet to secure one of those tables and we encourage anybody that would like to dine with us to reserve and have a chat with our friendly staff about what tables are available when they do book.
Almost every reservation we do receive asks to be as close to the water as possible and Im guessing you either dined with us Friday 13th/ Saturday the 14th we were close to booked out from 6:30 onwards. If you arrived at 5:30 even though you intend to be dined and finish before the next table arrives this doesn't only put pressure on yourself to rush your experience but also the kitchen. We are a steak and seafood restaurant some of our steaks and platters do run the risk of 30+ minutes preparation time. The empty tables you would have seen as you left would have either been large groups that we would not have been able to sit you at running the risk of the table not being available when they arrived or tables that have been turned over from an earlier sitting waiting to be sat in the next half an hour again by another booking.
Our door hosts are usually business stakeholders/managers or at the very least long standing supervisors that have worked with us for years know the table rotation system and understand and uphold our values which are that we are a family owned and operated restaurant that has been providing a high standard of service and customer satisfaction for a very long time that survives on its reputation and word of mouth more than anything else.
Nonetheless if you could please get in contact with myself to let me know what day you dined with us I will investigate further. I can take a look at the reservations on the night and check the cameras to make sure that the host did in fact do everything they could have to accomodate your request and on the off chance that is not the case I will take the time to further train and instill the mantra that we DO in fact go above and beyond to accomodate your requests no matter what. I would be happy to even show you the bookings in our system and run through exactly how the rotation system works and the camera footage if you would like to see the little time between seating etc.
As you said, you are a local and I would like to invite you back to dine with us and I would love to personally take care of you at one of our best tables and show you the amazing dining experience we provide. You mentioned of course you loved the food and i'm sure you did recieve good service despite the table as you haven't said otherwise.
My email is jacob@dundees.com.au and my personal number is 0434666352.
I anticipate your email or call and look forward to speaking with you further.
Yours sincerely
Jacob Low
Written 17 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sweet teeth
Melbourne55 contributions
Mar 2021 • couples
We were greeted with friend staff member to seat outside near the water. Then our waiting member seems to rush us to order food and drinks right after we just sat down given that there wasn’t much choices for gluten free main dishes. Out of our orders, chips was great, the presentation with dessert was nice. Hubby ordered garlic yabbies on rice, quite a big serve with yabbies however the rice was boiled and soggy. The seafood linguine was average, not sure if either seafood were frozen or simply boiled too long, not much seafood flavour together with tomatoes sauce was quite plain. If seafood were freshly tossed with lightly charred then adding tomato sauce or sundered tomato sauce might make it more flavoursome.
Since we were organised to seat outside, we asked two different staff member for bugs spray many times, they both promised to bring but none of them bother to return with it. So my husband had to ran back to our hotel for bug spray so we could enjoy our food. Wish that for an anniversary dinner slightly more costly than a normal meal, a better attentive service would be really great.
Hubby liked his yabbies, the rest of the food was just okay, not so friendly attentive waiting service with the price they charge. So 3 out 5 shall be fair enough.
Written 11 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina W
Hi Mel,
Thanks for taking the time to review Dundee's on the Waterfront. We appreciate all feedback and are sorry that your dining experience did not meet your expectations. Our kitchen strives to offer dishes with a variety of flavors and textures so we can accommodate all tastes, but we will be sure to pass along your feedback to our chefs as well.
We hope this does not deter you from returning in the future.
Written 2 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Flopsynz
Gold Coast99 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
Dined here after an aquarium tour.
Food was of a high level, and for those of us who are more use to pub meals it was a bit over the top.
Ordered the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream as it was only dessert without either berry or passionfruit.
Chocolate cake still came with berry sauce which was dissapointing.
Written 27 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina W
Thank you for your review Flopsynz. We are happy to hear our meals were of a high level. However, sorry that your desserts did not meet your expectations, we appreciate your feedback.
Written 2 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donna L
Scarborough13 contributions
Jan 2020 • business
I ordered the Taste of the sea, just pointing out 1 piece of each mentioned on the menu eg 1 prawn, 1 scallop etc. is what you get.
I ordered room service admittely. Rang at 7.10 delivered at 7.30. $58 including a drink and my meal was served on a bamboo plate covered in glad wrap which is why everthing was a bit soggy. Dissappionted to say the least but great salad and chips pretty good. Had to leave the fish and some calamari as too soggy.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacobsergio
Hi donnalO2832CY,
Unfortunately our restaurant is bound by food safety standards and our takeaway/room service does have to be packaged in this manor. Agreed this does affect the integrity of the food in some cases especially the hot fried food.
Next time if you call the restaurant and let them know though how unhappy you were we would have made an exception in this case and brought you up a fresh dish unwrapped to replace it which i'm sure you would have enjoyed as much as you did your chips and salad.
Have a great day and thank you for your review.
Written 17 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul T
25 contributions
May 2021 • couples
A couple of locals said this place was good so we gave it a go. I had the lunch special fish and chips the Wife had the Barramundi my fish and chips should of come out of the fryer 10 min earlier as it was very Very dry. The barramundi was nice but wouldn’t rave about it. Overall better places to eat.
Written 17 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob Low
Hi PaulT,
Thank you for your review. Did you mention to our staff at all that you weren't satisfied with your meal? We are always happy to re cook or replace any meal you aren't 100% happy with.
Written 20 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Suzy Maree
Melbourne52 contributions
Apr 2021 • family
Booked for 12 people for dinner at 7.30pm. Received the children’s meals at 8.50pm ( after we questioned why it was taking so long)
Finally received our main meals at 9.15pm. Our salads with our main meals were incorrect. Finally left restaurant after 10pm, with no desserts purchased. Found on the bill they had charged extra soft drinks from kids menu, when they were supposed to be for free. Food was nice, if you are willing to wait an hour and a half for your meal. Bearing in mind we had to ask a few times how long our meals were going to take to come out. I wouldn’t bother going again.
Written 13 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne2303
Labrador1392 contributions
May 2021 • friends
We met up with old friends for a lovely meal here. Staff were friendly and attentive.
Our table had a good view of the marina, with nice ambience in the restaurant.
The whole four of us enjoyed our meals: bug tails spaghettini, garlic prawns in white wine sauce, seafood marinara pasta and bacon and egg pasta - a variety of meals and all good. Prices were reasonable too.
Parking is in the underground car park but you get a token to pay so it’s free parking!
The wine list was acceptable too.
Overall a lovely evening, and they even split the bill for us😀
Written 2 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob Low
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much for your kind review. Glad you enjoyed your meals, sounded like a great selection!
Have a great day :)
Jacob
Written 3 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cabarker
Trowbridge141 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
We ate here 3 times during our stay. The wild barramundi was a favourite. Once we ate at lunch time, their set menu is good value for money (most of the restaurants do a good set lunch time menu on the marina and waterfront which are a lot cheaper than the evening). Service and ambience was nice. Overall a nice place to eat.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacobsergio
Hi Cabarker,
It was so lovely having you not once, twice but three times during your stay :)
We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Cairns and make sure to pop in and say hello whenever you're back next :)
Written 11 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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