17 of the best cafes in Townsville for breakfast

Megan ArkinstallBy Megan Arkinstall
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Here are the eateries at the top of our list of places to enjoy breakfast in Townsville.

From brekkie favourites including smashed avo and eggs benny, to cat poo coffee and minced meat on toast – the breakfast options in Townsville are quirky and wonderful. Below is our guide to the best cafes in Townsville for breakfast and coffee.

And if you’re looking to dine beyond breakfast, make sure to check out our guide to Townsville’s best restaurants.

The shortlist:

Best for views with Coral Sea vistas: CBAR
Best family-friendly breakfast: Happy Place
Best coffee: Born Wild Wholefood + Espresso

1. CBAR

people dining at CBAR, Townsville
Take in views of the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island at CBAR. (Image: Supplied)

The location of CBAR on the Gregory Street Headlands reveals Townsville’s promise as a foodie destination. Arriving at CBar after a stroll along The Strand as the sun rises is a very civilised idea. Sit outside on the deck to enjoy roasted field mushrooms with whipped goat’s cheese and poached eggs on sourdough while drinking in views across the Coral Sea to Magnetic Island.

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Elevated casual 

Location: 80 Gregory St, Townsville City 

2. Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms

For culinary connoisseurs who collect food experiences like souvenirs, a visit to the oldest known building in North Queensland is a must. Relax in the historic Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms with a cup of rare kopi luwak ($50 per cup), coffee that has passed through the digestive tract of the Asian palm civet. Of course, those less inclined to drink beans extracted from faecal matter can order a standard flat white alongside a menu of sweet treats and classic breakfasts of waffles and bacon and egg sandwiches. The heritage tea rooms are housed in an 1865-built building located 30 minutes from Townsville atop Herveys Range. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Bush charm 

Location: 37 Thornton Gap Rd, Hervey Range

3. The Balcony Restaurant

fresh juice at The Balcony Restaurant, Townsville
Sip on a cheeky cocktail with your breakfast.

The food at Balcony has absorbed influences from around the globe, which mirrors the city’s multicultural makeup. The Balcony Restaurant colonised the quirky upstairs space 30 years ago. Enjoy a waffle with ice cream, banana and honeycomb or a robust bacon chop with poached eggs served overlooking Flinders Street, which is bustling on Sundays when it hosts weekly markets. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Outdoor bustle 

Location: 287 Flinders St, Townsville City

4. The Beet Bar

an iced coffee at The Beet Bar, Townsville
Enjoy a top-notch coffee with non-dairy milk at The Beet Bar. (Image: Jack from ‘Cheers content’)

Although The Beet Bar is known for its healthy raw, vegan fare, you can also pick up rainbow salads with chicken and hefty cheeseburgers to boot. Start your day with an acai bowl, toast with avocado, lemon and feta, or a bacon and egg roll, washed down with a crunchy nut protein smoothie or freshly squeezed signature beet juice. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Bright and lively 

Location: G1/21 Stokes St, Townsville 

5. Hoi Polloi Cafe

a couple dining outside Hoi Polloi Cafe, Townsville
Come for the street art, stay for great coffee. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Melbourne meets Seattle at this music venue and cafe , which features a gritty, grungy, vintage-chic vibe. The space tucked into the heritage-listed Howard Smith Building is popular with Gen Zers, who look as though they’re playing dress-up and are the epitome of hipster cool. Visit the laneway for its street art and stay for great coffee and quick bites, such as pumpkin scones and pretzel cookies. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Grungy laneway vibes 

Location: LOT 2 Flinders St, Townsville

6. Otto’s Fresh Food Market

a box of purple donuts from Otto’s Fresh Food Market, Townsville
A box of purple donuts specially baked for International Women’s Day at Otto’s Fresh Food Market.

All up, Otto’s has 10 departments spread across two locations, which include a meat market, bakehouse, deli and fresh harvest section, fish market and even a ‘doughnut gallery’. Otto’s sells everything from pastries to Japanese favourites, smoked meats and house-made German small goods, such as bratwurst. Order a grazing platter and set up your perfect breakfast picnic on the Strand. 

Average price: $-$$$ 

Atmosphere: Euro marketplace 

Locations include: Warrina, Precinct and JCU

7. Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart

a cup of espresso at Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart, Townsville
Enjoy excellent espresso to fuel your day. (Image: Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart)

Cheesy Doorstop Toast and Betty’s (eggs) Bennys are the top-selling items on the menu at Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart . Located in a dinky Art Deco arcade, the bustling cafe, adorned with tropical accents, has a rotating list of daily specials that are a huge hit with locals. To round out your breakfast, do as the locals do and order a Tim Tam frappe to fuel your walk up Castle Hill. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Come as you are 

Location: Suite 8/95 Denham St, Townsville City 

8. The Palm House

the light-filled cafe interior of The Palm House, The Ville, Townsville
The Palm House is light-filled and luxe with a laid-back style. (Image: Simon Shiff)

The Palm House is part of The Ville Resort-Casino, one of Townsville’s best places to stay. If you’re not a guest, you can buy a pool day pass and indulge in an all-morning eating extravaganza at this bright and breezy buffet. Browse the ever-changing selection from chia pudding and granola to Eggs Benedict made at the live cooking stations enjoyed alongside fresh juice and barista-made coffee. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Resort chill 

Location: The Ville, Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville

9. Born Wild Wholefood + Espresso

Born Wild Wholefood Cafe is located in the busy, buzzy City Lane precinct, which is worth a detour for its proximity to some of the city’s best street art. The murals make a splash at the back end of the laneway, which feels more Melbourne than Melbourne. Follow Born Wild on Instagram for what to order – from a mountainous serving of teriyaki chicken benny to acai bowls and corn fritters. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: City stylish 

Location: 383 Flinders St, Townsville 

10. Grandma’s

breakfast at Grandma’s, Townsville
The breakfast menu combines recipes passed down by four grandparents. (Image: Grandma’s)

If you’re craving some home-cooked comfort food, Grandma’s is the place. This menu is a combination of recipes passed down by four real-life grandparents, embracing global flavours of the Mediterranean, North Africa, Greece and Italy. The breakfast menu includes Grandma’s ricotta pancakes – try the classic version topped with fresh banana, caramelised figs and dollops of cream, drizzled with pure maple; or choose from the all-day breaky options, which includes homemade Challa bread and Grandma Haya’s beloved shakshukas. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Cottage cosy 

Location: Shop 14/45 Eyre Street, North Ward

11. Pedlar Project

a brunch plate at Pedlar Project, Townsville
Tuck into savoury brunch plates at Pedlar Project.

Inspired by 1920s French jazz cafes and mid-century contemporary design, Pedlar Project is a boutique coffee roaster from the same master behind Townsville’s much-loved Piccolo Pedlar coffee cart. The menu features breakfast bowls packed with veggie goodness, buttery croissants, flavourful corn fritters and fair trade organic coffee. There’s plenty of sidewalk seating among green foliage to relax and enjoy your brekkie in the fresh air and sunshine. 

Average price: $$–$$$ 

Atmosphere: Greenhouse lounge vibes 

Location: 320-334 Flinders Street, Townsville

12. Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar

a cup of coffee at Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar, Townsville
This sleek cafe is a go-to spot for consistently good coffee. (Image: Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar)

The brainchild of three mates, Fresno is a sleek new cafe, bar and events space in the CBD. Using Code Black Coffee, exclusive to Townsville, the food menu is limited, but excellent espresso by day and espresso martini by night make it worth the visit. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Laidback sips 

Address: 139 Sturt Street, Townsville

13. Odyssey on the Strand

a healthy bowl topped with fresh fruits and chia seeds at Odyssey on the Strand, Townsville
A healthy breakfast bowl of fresh fruits and chia seeds. (Image: Odyssey on the Strand)

In a breezy spot at Townsville’s northern end, Odyssey on the Strand is a relaxed Greek restaurant where you can enjoy ocean views along with hearty Mediterranean fare. 

Its breakfast menu offers simple options, from toasted croissants to bircher muesli, when you feel like a lighter start to the day. For something more filling, try a traditional oven-baked omelette, a vegan stack of fresh veggies, or the signature Greek breakfast, a plate filled with roasted tomatoes, avocado, halloumi, and grilled pancetta, all drizzled with olive oil. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Casual and generous 

Address: 120 The Strand, North Ward

14. Sirens Bayside

a dog looking at the cup of coffee, Sirens Bayside, Townsville
Pups are welcome at Sirens Bayside.

Slinging sustainably minded and nourishing plates until midday, this beachy keen cafe has community and womenfolk at its heart. It’s a come-one, come-all vibe with a kids’ play corner and a pups-welcome policy. Caffeination comes by way of Byron Bay’s Moonshine roasters, and the menu is a procession of considered and colourful dishes, such as the maple-roasted beetroot and feta dip with feta, microgreens and mint on local sourdough and the ocean smoothie bowl with mango, blue spirulina and seasonal fruit. Parents can treat their little ones with healthy milkshakes, and there are health add-ons targeted at women and kids’ wellbeing, such as sea moss gel, collagen protein and probiotics. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Sunny, sustainable and uplifting 

Address: 1/36 Primrose St, Belgian Gardens 

15. Happy Place

a breakfast burger at Happy Place, Townsville
Fuel up with a brekkie burger at Happy Place.

When the menu serves you uplifting messages alongside its list of dishes, you know you’re in for a good meal. An encouraging “You’re doing great!" does wonders to make you feel good about your breakfast choices, which may range from a classic bacon and egg roll to black bean fritters. There’s also a Happy Kids Breakfast menu, which parents will hope does exactly as promised. Need extra energy to embark on a day in the tropics? Go for an energy bowl that features acai, fruit and muesli. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Upbeat and welcoming 

Address: 62 The Strand, North Ward 

16. The Gypsea Collective

This courtyard cafe adjacent to The Gypsy Collective wellness studio is a peaceful sanctuary from the city bustle. Set yourself up post-workout under a tassel-trimmed umbrella and tuck into the signature breakfast of sourdough crumpets with your choice of toppings, such as butter and maple, avo and sauerkraut, or choc-hazel. If you need to calmly rush off, grab a chia pot or vegan slice to go with your turmeric latte or coffee made with Long Shot beans. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Mindful 

Address: 146 Ross River Rd, Mundingburra 

17. Hey days

a chef sprinkling some seasoning on a dish at Hey days, Townsville
Expect perfectly seasoned cafe classics. (Image: Hey days)

Doing double time as a cafe in the day and event space come evenings, Hey Days can take you from your first fortifying sip of caffeine right through to a nightcap. Freelance Roasting roasts the beans onsite, while the menu makes its way through some updated cafe classics, such as chilli eggs, brûléed sourdough with a scorched praline top, and an aloha chicken burger with mango chilli aioli. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: City cool 

Address: 482 Flinders St, Townsville

For more insider tips on where to eat and drink in Townsville, check out our guide here.

Originally written by Megan Arkinstall with updates by Lara Picone

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.