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Top Cafes in Cairns 2024: A Guide to the Best Coffee and Brunch Spots
Cairns, a city renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant tourist scene, also boasts a thriving cafe culture. This listicle delves into the heart of Cairns’ coffee and brunch landscape, highlighting the top cafes that stand out for their unique offerings, ambience, and culinary delights. Whether you are a coffee connoisseur, a brunch enthusiast, or simply someone looking to soak in the local flavors, this guide promises to navigate you through the best of Cairns’ cafe scene in 2024.
Key Takeaways:
- Mi Piace Espresso Bar: Known for its artisan coffee and cozy atmosphere, this cafe is a haven for coffee lovers, offering a diverse range of coffee blends and a menu focused on quality and local produce.
- Caffiend: A local favourite, Caffiend is celebrated for its innovative dishes made from locally sourced ingredients and its signature coconut and caramel-infused latte.
- Waffle On Cairns: A paradise for those with a sweet tooth, specialising in beautifully crafted waffles and known for its friendly service.
- Bang & Grind Spence Street: Offers a vibrant atmosphere with a focus on healthy eating options and high-quality coffee.
- Snoogies: Catering to the vegan and vegetarian crowd, Snoogies is noted for its diverse, plant-based menu using fresh ingredients.
- Blackbird Laneway: Renowned for its vegan cakes and highly rated coffee, this cafe is a must-visit for vegan-friendly options.
- Cruze Coffee: Owned by Gilberto Risa, this cafe stands out for its extensive range of over 30 coffee varieties, including single-origin and unique blends.
- The Chambers: Known for its bottomless brunch, housed in a historic building, and featuring a diverse breakfast menu along with an in-house pastry chef.
- Wharf One Cafe: Offers stunning inlet views and is ideal for a range of dining options from breakfast to after-work drinks, known for its modern menu and family-friendly environment.
- Pete & Paulz Breakfast Cafe: Famed for its home-style cooking and easy-going atmosphere, offering a variety of breakfast and brunch options.
1. Mi Piace Espresso Bar
Address: 1/119 Sheridan St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Mi Piace Espresso Bar stands out not just for its excellent coffee but also for its warm, welcoming atmosphere. This cafe has garnered a reputation for serving some of the best coffee in the region, a claim backed by numerous positive reviews. Their menu boasts a variety of coffee options, catering to all tastes, from the traditional espresso to more adventurous blends. The baristas here are skilled artisans, ensuring each cup is a masterpiece of flavor.
But it’s not just about the coffee. Mi Piace also offers a range of delicious breakfast and lunch options. Their food menu, although not overly extensive, focuses on quality, freshness, and local produce. You can enjoy classic breakfast dishes or try some of their unique creations. The ambience of the cafe, with its chic and minimalist decor, makes it a perfect spot for a relaxed morning or an afternoon break.
2. Caffiend
Address: 72 Grafton St, Cairns City, QLD
Caffiend is a local favourite, known for its unique food made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The cafe is easily recognisable thanks to a large mural at its entrance. They offer a house-made coconut and caramel-infused latte that is a must-try for coffee aficionados. The chilli eggs are another highlight on their menu, providing a spicy twist to your breakfast.
3. Waffle On Cairns
Address: 64 Shields St, Cairns City
Specialising in waffles, this cafe is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. Their waffles are beautifully prepared, and the friendly service adds to the overall experience. It’s a great spot for a delightful breakfast or a sweet afternoon treat.
4. Bang & Grind Spence Street
Address: 8/14 Spence St, Cairns City
Bang & Grind offers a vibrant atmosphere and is popular for its healthy food options. They serve a variety of dishes, with a focus on freshness and quality. The coffee here is also highly praised, making it a perfect stop for both a meal and a coffee fix.
5. Snoogies
Address: Main Arcade, 82 Grafton St, Cairns City, QLD
Snoogies is known for its vegan and vegetarian-friendly menu. It’s a great choice for those looking for healthy, plant-based options. Their menu is diverse, offering everything from light snacks to hearty meals, all prepared with fresh ingredients.
6. Blackbird Laneway
Address: Oceana Walk Arcade, 13/62 Grafton St, Cairns City
This cafe is famous for its vegan cakes, which are more like dense tarts. Their coffee is also highly rated, and the staff is known for being friendly and welcoming. It’s a great spot for those looking for vegan-friendly options in Cairns.
7. Cruze Coffee
Address: 105 Grafton St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Owned by Gilberto Risa, Cruze Coffee offers over 30 coffee varieties, including single origin and original blends. The beans are sourced from some of the best coffee-growing regions worldwide. This is the place for coffee purists who appreciate a diverse range of quality beans.
8. The Chambers
Address: 21 Spence St, Cairns City, QLD
The Chambers is known for its bottomless brunch and is housed in a former 1920s NAB Bank building. The cafe features a lineup of breakfast favorites and an in-house pastry chef who creates freshly baked sweet and savory treats daily.
9. Wharf One Cafe
Address: Wharf Street on Trinity Wharf, Cairns City, QLD
Located close to the water, Wharf One Cafe offers stunning inlet views. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even after-work drinks and tapas. The cafe has a modern and uncomplicated menu, and the venue is family-friendly.
10. Pete & Paulz Breakfast Cafe
Address: 35 Sheridan St, Cairns City, QLD
Pete & Paulz is best known for its home-style cooking in an easy-going atmosphere. They offer a variety of breakfast and brunch options, including the benedict special and brioche French toast.
Conclusion
The cafe culture in Cairns is as diverse and inviting as the city itself. Each cafe on this list offers a unique experience, whether it’s the exquisite coffee blends, innovative culinary creations, or the ambience that resonates with the tropical charm of Cairns. These top cafes are not just about food and drink; they are about experiences, moments, and memories. They are integral parts of the Cairns community, each contributing to the city’s vibrant and evolving cafe scene.
FAQs
What makes Cairns’ cafe scene unique?
Cairns’ cafes are known for their diverse offerings, from artisan coffee to innovative brunch menus, often incorporating local produce and unique culinary twists.
Are there vegan or vegetarian options available in Cairns cafes?
Yes, cafes like Snoogies and Blackbird Laneway offer a range of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options.
Is it common to find cafes in Cairns with a focus on local ingredients?
Yes, many cafes like Caffiend pride themselves on using locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
Can I find family-friendly cafes in Cairns?
Absolutely, cafes such as Wharf One Cafe are known for their family-friendly environment.
Are there any cafes in Cairns that offer a historical or unique setting?
The Chambers, located in a former 1920s bank building, offers a unique setting with a rich historical backdrop.
