Howlin' Jay's is a highly rated restaurant in Cairns City, QLD, Australia, located at 1 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870. With a 4.40-star rating from 1,419 reviews, this casual, trendy dining spot is a popular choice for brunch, lunch, dinner, solo dining, and late-night food.
Guests enjoy outdoor seating, dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and on-site service, plus a strong drinks menu featuring beer, cocktails, spirits, happy-hour drinks, and a great beer selection. Known for counter service, small plates, quick bites, dessert, and a bar on site, Howlin' Jay's also offers accessible dining with wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and toilet facilities.
Reservations are accepted, and payments include credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. To experience one of the best restaurants in Cairns City, QLD, visit Howlin' Jay's at 1 Pier Point Rd or call +61 7 4041 1791 for reservations and dining details.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Howlin' Jay's
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Chicken, Slaw, Pickles JAY'S Comeback Sauce & Butter Bun
(V)Halloumi, Slaw, Pickles JAY'S Comeback Sauce & Butter Bun.
HOWLIN'Southern Shake fries
Salt Seasoning.
Mac N' Cheese Balls
Southern Mac n' Five Cheese
Crispy Fried Sweet Pickles.
Tangy Pickled Cabbage & Onion.
JIMMY JAYS, Southern Waffle Icing Sugar, Butter & Maple Syrup
HOWLIN' Chicken Burger w/ Waffles & Maple Syrup
KIDS ONLY Kids Portion of Southern JIMMYS Jays, bread & fries
Hear from our valued guests
My husband and I whiled away a few hours over two afternoons here. The food was delicious and lots of it. We had wings, halloumi fries, fried pickles and popcorn chicken and it was all hot and fresh. The beverage menu was fantastic - the frozen cocktails were amazing. I have not had a Coronarita that good since being in the US. The staff were friendly and the service was quick. We did notice how fast the empties were cleared and the tables cleaned between customers. The music and the atmosphere were festive and cheerful. The air conditioning inside made it pleasant and the view outside, of the bay, was peaceful. We would definitely recommend and will go again if we come back to Cairns.
The girls working here are the kindest and most welcoming!! Every person who comes in they make the effort to say hey which makes you feel welcomed. The girl from Seattle & the Irish lady in particular were so kind and hospitable. The wings and Mac and cheese are also 1010. I’d come here again just for the amazing service and vibe of the place !! Thanks guys :)
I really enjoyed the chicken and waffle. It was great we could choose our spice level. As a solo diner I could sit anywhere I wanted. I opted for a counter seat that had a lovely view of the water.
Yum!! Chicken juicy and succulent, food was amazing. Staff were lovely especially wavy blonde at the bar counter. Being foreigners we didn’t always feel welcome in similar establishments in Cairns but Howlin Jays was lovely and also tasty. Highly recommend.
An exceptional restaurant with warm, friendly staff. Our host was new to the role, but she was absolutely lovely - checking on us regularly and making sure everything was just right. We had a wonderful experience and would happily return and recommend this restaurant to others.
when I lived in cairns and Howlin’ Jay’s opened it was my go-to, and even now, every time I fly in, it’s the first place I stop. It’s also the last stop before heading back to the Canada, every year. Their hot chicken is hands-down the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve eaten my way through plenty of spots across North America. The burgers are unreal—crispy, juicy, with the perfect amount of heat—and every bite reminds me why this place has stuck with me over the years. The drinks are just as good, always refreshing, and the vibe inside makes it easy to settle in and stay a while. The staff are always friendly and helpful. Simply put, it’s one of those rare places that never disappoints.
A must-eat in Cairns. We got the chicken tenders in hot and it had just the right amount of spice I'd expect from "hot". The crinkle cut fries were also well seasoned and fried to perfection. Very chill atmosphere on a weekday but can see how busy it would get during the weekend
The chicken sandwich and halloumi sandwich we got were both tasty. We came early on a Monday and they were pretty deserted. The food came out quick. The menu is pretty limited to various fried chicken and wings as well as halloumi as a veggie option, but that was fine. The decorations on the wall were entertaining.
The chicken and chips here are next level! So crunchy and tasty - at any heat choice. The first time we went we got the spicy and our brows got super heated. The second time we turned the spice down and it was still delicious. Chips and cocktails are a good accompaniment. Highly recommend visit here if you are in Cairns 👌🏻👌🏻
I had such an amazing time last weekend celebrating my sister’s birthday. The atmosphere was perfect for a night celebration, the food was absolutely delicious, and the drinks were beautifully decorated. All of the staff were very friendly and welcoming, but Vivian was truly exceptional. She genuinely cared about everyone during the party and always checked in to make sure everything was going well, which was really appreciated and showed how attentive she was. It was a fantastic experience overall, and I would definitely recommend Howlin’ Jay’s for celebrations or a fun night out. We’ll be back for sure! 🥳🍹🍗
Common questions about Howlin' Jay's
Howlin' Jay's is located at 1 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia, 1 Pier Point Rd, QLD, Australia.
You can reach Howlin' Jay's by calling +61 7 4041 1791.
Howlin' Jay's has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 1419 customer reviews.
Howlin' Jay's features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Howlin' Jay's features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Howlin' Jay's features the following highlights: Great beer selection, Great cocktails.
Howlin' Jay's features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Howlin' Jay's features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Happy-hour drinks, Late-night food, Quick bite, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Howlin' Jay's features the following dining options: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Counter service, Dessert, Seating.
Howlin' Jay's features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Howlin' Jay's features the following atmosphere: Casual, Trendy.
Howlin' Jay's features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists, University students.
Howlin' Jay's features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
Howlin' Jay's features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Howlin' Jay's features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Howlin' Jay's features the following parking: Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking.
Howlin' Jay's features the following pets: Dogs allowed.
Business Features
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