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The best cafes in Cairns for coffee, brunch and lunch

Credit: Social Impact

Jemma Fletcher Jemma Fletcher
These Cairns cafes are worth setting your alarm for.

Searching for the best cafes in Cairns? Cairns punches above its weight for great food and coffee. Whether you’re chasing your morning caffeine hit, hunting down a bottomless brunch or settling in for a long, laid-back lunch with a view, these Cairns cafes deliver.

In short

If you only visit one cafe in Cairns, make it Caffiend. With exceptional coffee, inventive brunch dishes and the best seasonal produce from Tropical North Queensland, don’t be surprised if you find yourself back here the next morning.

Best brunch: The Chambers
Best coffee: Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters
Best pastries: Woodward Street Bakery + Kitchen
Best family-friendly cafe: Muddy’s Cafe
Hidden gem: Ozmosis

Best breakfast and brunch cafes

Whether you’re after smashed avo, fluffy pancakes or a leisurely brunch with friends, these Cairns cafes know how to start the day right.

Caffiend

coffee at Caffiend, Cairns
Try the house-made coconut and caramel-infused latte.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

With its colourful mural watching over Grafton Street, Caffiend has become one of Cairns’ most-loved brunch spots. The menu champions seasonal Tropical North Queensland produce with creative twists on breakfast favourites, while the coffee is just as memorable. First-timers can’t go wrong with the signature chilli eggs paired with the house-made coconut and caramel-infused latte.

  • Good to know: Arrive early on weekends as breakfast tables fill quickly.
  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: 72 Grafton Street, Cairns City

The Chambers

the breakfast menu at The Chambers, Cairns
Come for the heritage charm, stay for modern brunch. (Credit: Social Impact)

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Brunch inside a beautifully restored former 1920s bank? Only in Cairns. The Chambers pairs heritage charm with one of the city’s most stylish cafe spaces, serving everything from colourful smoothie bowls and flaky pastries to its ever-popular bottomless brunch. Be sure to browse the pastry cabinet, where the in-house pastry chef creates fresh sweet and savoury treats daily.

  • Good to know: Bottomless brunch is available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic packages.
  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: 21 Spence Street, Cairns City

Arte Café

coffee with pastry at Arte Café, Cairns
Pair your coffee with flaky pastries. (Credit: Arte Café)

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Nestled inside Crystalbrook Bailey, Arte Café is proof that hotel cafes aren’t just for hotel guests. Expect excellent coffee, flaky pastries and a seasonal all-day menu celebrating fresh Tropical North Queensland produce, all served in a light-filled space that’s equally suited to a quick caffeine stop or a leisurely brunch.

  • Insider tip: Grab a table by the windows if you’re planning to linger over coffee and breakfast.
  • Average price: $$
  • Address: Crystalbrook Bailey, 163 Abbott Street, Cairns City

Pete & Paulz

Cuisine: Australian

When all you want is a generous breakfast without the fuss, Pete & Paulz delivers. This long-running local favourite is known for hearty home-style cooking, friendly service and portions that won’t leave you hungry. From the Benedict special with locally made black pudding or breakfast burrito to the brioche French toast with maple syrup, you’ll receive a hearty feed here. No bookings are required.

  • Good to know: Expect a wait during busy breakfast periods (worth it!)
  • Average price: $$
  • Address: 35 Sheridan Street, Cairns City

The Lillipad Cafe

a mixed kebab platter at The Lillipad Cafe, Cairns
Indulge in a kebab platter at The Lillipad Cafe.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
No one gets left out at The Lillipad Cafe, whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free or none of the above. In fact, they have a ‘no fuss approach’ where any food item is flexible and can be customised. Classic cafe favourites get a fresh twist here, with standouts including the Mediterranean crêpes, breakfast burrito and Atlantic salmon salad.

  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: 29/31 Spence Street, Cairns City

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Hopscotch Kitchen + Bar

Cuisine: Modern Australian

A favourite with Earlville locals, Hopscotch is the sort of place where breakfast easily turns into lunch. From smashed avo and fluffy pancakes to wood-fired pizzas and house-made desserts, the all-day menu caters to every craving, while the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to linger a little longer.

  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: 532 Mulgrave Road, Earlville

Mi Piace Espresso Bar

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Tucked away just outside the CBD, Mi Piace Espresso Bar has earned a loyal local following for consistently excellent coffee, warm hospitality and beautifully presented breakfasts. The menu keeps things fresh with everything from eggs your way and smashed avo to seasonal specials, while the cabinet is stocked with house-made cakes and pastries that pair perfectly with your morning brew. Locals have been returning for years, and it’s easy to see why.

  • Insider tip: Grab an outdoor table on a sunny morning and don’t leave without trying one of the house-made cakes.
  • Average price: $$
  • Address: 119 Sheridan Street, Cairns North

Best coffee and bakeries

From expertly brewed specialty coffee to flaky pastries fresh from the oven, these are the spots worth seeking out when only caffeine and carbs will do.

Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters

Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters, Cairns
Step into Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters for expertly brewed coffee.

Cuisine: Specialty coffee

If your holiday doesn’t properly begin until you’ve had an exceptional coffee, make a beeline for Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters. Roasting its own beans and serving expertly brewed coffee alongside fresh pastries, toasties and breakfast favourites, it’s the kind of neighbourhood cafe locals happily detour for. Even non-coffee drinkers are looked after, thanks to its much-loved signature hot chocolates.

  • Insider tip: Swap your usual coffee for one of the signature hot chocolates if you’re in the mood for something different.
  • Average price: $
  • Address: 29 Johnston Street, Stratford; 223 Hartley Street, Portsmouth

Annee’s Caphê Sua Da

Vietnamese coffee at Annee's Caphê Sua Da
Sip on authentic Vietnamese coffee. (Credit: Annee’s Caphê Sua Da)

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Forget your usual flat white. Annee’s Caphê Sua Da is a tiny drinks bar dedicated to authentic Vietnamese coffee and refreshing specialty beverages rather than full meals. Every cup is made to your preferred strength and sweetness, making it easy to see why this tiny cafe has become something of a local obsession.

  • Good to know: This is a drinks stop rather than a brunch cafe.
  • Average price: $
  • Address: 57/89 Grafton Street, Cairns City

Bang & Grind Spence Street

belgian waffles at Bang & Grind Spence Street, Cairns
The Belgian waffles at Bang & Grind Spence Street are a must try.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Proof that you don’t need anything fancy to serve a great breakfast, Bang & Grind Spence Street has earned a loyal following with quality coffee, generous portions and genuinely friendly service. Whether you’re after fried eggs on Turkish toast, a homemade cake or something sweet to start the day, it’s the sort of cafe you’ll wish was your local.

  • Insider tip: If there’s a slice of homemade orange almond cake in the cabinet, don’t think twice.
  • Average price: $$
  • Address: 8/14 Spence Street, Cairns City

Woodward Street Bakery + Kitchen

ham, cheese & tomato croissant from Woodward St Bakery
Freshly made croissant from Woodward St Bakery.

Cuisine: Bakery

Whether you choose to take away or dine in, you’ll soon find out that pastries from Woodward Street Bakery are some of Cairns’ finest. Pick up a loaf of freshly baked sourdough, and treat yourself to a coffee and a sweet treat. Local favourites include the almond croissant, rhubarb Danish and its go-to vanilla slice.

  • Insider tip: Arrive early for the best selection of pastries as they’re known to sell out.
  • Average price: $
  • Address: 216 Woodfard Street, Whitfield

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Blackbird Laneway

coffee at Blackbird Laneway, Cairns
Grab your morning coffee at Blackbird Laneway.

Cuisine: Specialty coffee

Tucked away in Oceana Walk Arcade, Blackbird Laneway proves that some of Cairns’ best coffee comes from its smallest spaces. Expect expertly brewed espresso, creamy milk coffees and a rotating selection of pastries, all served with laid-back laneway charm. If you’re serious about your morning coffee, this is one stop you won’t want to miss.

  • Insider tip: Grab your coffee to go and wander the nearby laneways before the city wakes up.
  • Average price: $
  • Address: 62-64 Grafton Street, Oceana Walk Shop 13, Cairns City 

Best cafes with a view

Pair your morning coffee or long lunch with waterfront vistas, tropical gardens or Esplanade views at these scenic Cairns cafes.

Muddy’s Cafe

tacos at Muddy’s Cafe, Cairns
Enjoy afternoon tacos at Muddy’s Cafe.

Cuisine: Australian

There’s no better place to refuel after a morning on the Esplanade than Muddy’s Cafe. Sitting beside Cairns’ much-loved playground, this is the ultimate kid-friendly and pet-friendly venue for a family meal, fresh juice, or coffee. Take your pick of takeaway or breakfast options, as well as burgers, fish and chips, and ice cream.

  • Good to know: The playground next door makes this one of the easiest breakfast stops with young kids.
  • Average price: $
  • Address: 174 Esplanade, Cairns City

Wharf One Cafe

coffee at Wharf One Cafe, Cairns
Linger over coffee by the marina.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Perched on Trinity Wharf, Wharf One Cafe pairs waterfront views with relaxed breakfasts, long lunches and sunset drinks. Set beside the marina, it’s a lovely spot to linger over coffee or tuck into fresh seafood while watching boats come and go across Trinity Inlet.

  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: Wharf Street, Trinity Wharf, Cairns City

Local favourites worth the drive

Venture beyond the city centre and you’ll discover neighbourhood cafes loved by locals for their friendly service, quality coffee and consistently good food.

Smith Street Cafe

drinks at Smith Street Cafe, Cairns
Refreshing drinks to match with your brunch at Smith Street Cafe. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Cuisine: Australian

Quietly earning a reputation for consistently good coffee along with generous breakfast and friendly service, Smith Street Cafe has built a loyal local following. Our pick is the chicken, brie and bacon burger, best followed by a macadamia and white chocolate muffin with coffee.

  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: 4/321 Sheridan Street, Cairns North (corner of Smith Street)

Ozmosis

avo on toast at Ozmosis, Cairns
The avo on toast is a standout.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Tucked away in leafy Edge Hill, Ozmosis is the kind of place you’ll find yourself lingering in long after breakfast is over. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the produce-driven menu celebrates fresh local ingredients with colourful salads, hearty brunch favourites and vibrant smoothies.

  • Insider tip: Pair your visit with a wander through the nearby Cairns Botanic Gardens.
  • Average price: $$$
  • Address: 1/116 Collins Avenue, Edge Hill

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Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
    Continue
    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.