L'unico Trattoria

L’Unico Trattoria is one of Cairns’ longtime local gems, a rustic beach bungalow style Italian restaurant tucked away on the seafront esplanade at Trinity Beach.

For over 20 years it has been plying its trade and still today, on any day of the week, customers pour in for lunch or dinner on its wide wraparound deck and character-filled dining room to indulge in its signature seafood-based dishes as well as its spin on traditional Italian favourites.

Must try here at L’Unico is anything with seafood (which is sourced locally where possible) – think seared scallops with carrot, pancetta and truffle chilli emulsion or delectable mussels with tomato and chilli or garlic and white wine, the sauces perfectly mopped up with the house ciabatta. And for mains look out for the smoked barramundi with celery and onion salsa.

Recommended from the entrees is the beef carpaccio and from the pane offerings, try the bruschetta or acciughe – olive anchovy pizza bread. And pasta lovers who don’t want a seafood base will find delicious options like veal ravioli with creamy mushroom and shallot sauce.

There’s also a good range of traditional pizzas, made in the wood-fired pizza oven and save room for desserts like apple, mango and raspberry crumble.

The lovely palm-fringed vistas across the Coral Sea also make this a place to kick back with a tropical cocktail or two, like the Bluecolada – a variation of pina colada with Blue Curacoa, Bacardi, Malibu, cream coconut and pineapple juice.