Coffee
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teddy.
Our local coffee shop and a favourite in Edge Hill, Teddy Espresso is a spot known for great coffee and friendly vibes. It’s right near the Botanic Gardens, perfect for a relaxed coffee while you’re in Cairns for the wedding.
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Blackbird
A Cairns favourite for specialty coffee, Blackbird has a relaxed, friendly feel and great brews. Located in Oceana Walk on Grafton Street, it’s a great spot for a coffee in the City.
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Newell Street Cafe
Tucked away on Newell Street in Cairns, Newell Street Cafe is a cozy, friendly spot that’s perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Think simple breakfast plates, fresh baked goods, and an easygoing local vibe.
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The Chamber Room
The Chamber Room is a specialty espresso and brew bar hidden down Village Lane on Lake Street in Cairns. The space prioritises expertly brewed speciality coffee, served in a relaxed setting where you can pull up a stool at the brew bar and watch baristas at work. The Chamber Room celebrates flavour and technique, making it a favourite local spot to savour thoughtfully prepared drinks and light bites away from the usual café hustle.
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Envy Espresso
Envy Espresso is a popular Cairns City café on Grafton Street known for its high‑quality coffee and relaxed brunch atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike praise its expertly prepared espresso and friendly service, making it a go‑to spot for your morning flat white or midday catch‑up.
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Annee's
Annee’s is a beloved Vietnamese coffee café in Cairns City, located at Rusty’s Market on Grafton Street. Alongside its iconic Vietnamese coffee, Annee’s also serves a variety of other drinks and light snacks.
Scroll down for breakfast, brunch and lunch
Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch
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Guyala
Guyala Café is a bright, airy breakfast and brunch spot on the Cairns Esplanade, known for its fresh, inventive dishes and expertly brewed coffee. With its welcoming atmosphere, specialty coffee from Tattooed Sailor Coffee Roasters (Newell Street Cafe), and scenic Esplanade views, Guyala is a favourite for leisurely breakfasts, weekend brunches, or a relaxed lunch by the waterfront.
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The Chambers
The Chambers in Cairns marries old-world charm with vibrant all-day brunch vibes, set in a beautifully repurposed building where sunlit spaces, inventive seasonal dishes and excellent coffee make every morning feel unhurried and special.
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Everyday Lover
Everyday Lover in Trinity Park is the kind of stylish neighbourhood eatery you stumble upon and then plan entire days around — think elegant brunch, seasonal produce, flawless coffee and a culinary creativity that transitions effortlessly into evening with crisp wines and thoughtful dishes that suit both long lunches and sunset suppers with a glass in hand.
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Bury Me Standing
Bury Me Standing is a vegan bagel shop and café in Cairns City, that specialises in handmade bagels, sweet treats, and coffee with plant‑based options. It’s known for a diverse menu of savoury and sweet bagels, including bagel sandwiches and creative twists like bagel dogs, as well as popular pastries such as cinnamon rolls, donuts, apple fritters and more.
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Earl's Eatery
Earl’s Eatery is a sandwich and café spot in Cairns City, known for its fresh, flavour‑packed focaccias, toasted sandwiches and specialty drinks. Locals and visitors love its creative twists on café classics, from chicken caesar and continental focaccias to unique toasties like beef bulgogi, all made with quality ingredients and bold flavours.
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Caffiend
Caffiend is a café on Grafton Street in Cairns City offering breakfast, brunch and lunch with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and bold flavours. The menu features dishes such as miso‑scrambled eggs, chilli eggs, avocado toast and other innovative breakfast and lunch plates. They also serve specialty coffee, as well as a range of other drinks.
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Dinner
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rufus
Rufus is a stylish restaurant and bar in the heart of Cairns City known for its warm, relaxed atmosphere, classic cocktails, curated wine list and seasonal dishes cooked over fire. Whether you’re popping in for snacks and drinks or a full wine-and-dine experience, Rufus is all about good food, great company and a welcoming setting, perfect for casual catch-ups or a night out.
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Guerilla
Guerrilla Cairns is a lively Mexican restaurant in Edge Hill that brings bold, fresh flavours and a fun, relaxed vibe to Cairns dining. Known for inventive tacos, empanadas, ceviche and other Mexican-inspired dishes, many with vegetarian and vegan options, it’s a great place to share plates, sip margaritas and enjoy good food with good company. The colourful atmosphere and spirited service make it ideal for everything from casual dinners to weekend hangouts.
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Piccolo Cucina
Piccolo Cucina, a cosy Italian restaurant in the heart of Cairns. They serve up classic, handmade pasta and pizza with a nod to traditional recipes and quality local produce. With a relaxed yet polished vibe and a great wine list, it’s a favourite for both casual lunches and memorable dinners.
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Haruka
Haruka is a Japanese restaurant in Edge Hill, Cairns, loved for its fresh, authentic flavours and friendly service. With a menu featuring sashimi, sushi, tempura, bento specials and other classic Japanese favourites, it’s a relaxed go-to spot for lunch or dinner.
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Little Sister
Little Sister is located n Cairns’ Esplanade offering creative Asian-inspired dishes, share plates and crafty cocktails in a lively, laid-back setting. With an emphasis on bold flavours and shared dining experiences, it’s perfect for a fun lunch, dinner or a long weekend catch-up.
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CC's Bar & Grill
CC’s Bar & Grill by Crystalbrook is an award-winning steakhouse and bar in Cairns City with a relaxed yet refined vibe. It’s known for hearty, flavoursome dishes that celebrate the best of local Australian produce, especially premium steaks sourced from the Atherton Tablelands, and is paired with an extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktails. Whether you’re up for a casual catch-up or a special dinner, it’s a standout spot for great food and good company.
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Ice Cream
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Gelocchio
Gelocchio on the Cairns Esplanade is a gelato lover’s dream and a decadent break from sightseeing, with Italian-style gelatos and sorbets in generous scoops, friendly service and enough vibrant flavours to keep you returning during sunset strolls along the lagoon.
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Just Devine Gelato
Just Devine Gelato is a Cairns favourite that consistently ranks among the city’s top gelato spots, serving silky, handcrafted scoops in rich classic and inventive flavours. It’s ideal for an al fresco dessert as tropical twilight settles over the city.
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Numi Ice Creamery
Numi Ice Creamery in Palm Cove offers a cheerful, casual sweet stop right on the esplanade, where creamy scoops and tangy sorbets evoke seaside evenings and lazy strolls beneath swaying palm trees. It’s perfect for a relaxed treat after beach time or sunset drinks.
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Capannina
If you find yourself in Port Douglas, be sure to try this gem. The gelato is expertly crafted and is perfect for an after dinner dessert and espresso if that’s what you’re feeling.
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Drinks
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The Hound
The Hound Small Bar is a moody, intimate cocktail and whisky bar on Collins Avenue in Edge Hill with a subtle speakeasy‑inspired feel. Designed with dark timbers, forest‑green accents and low lighting, it evokes a cosy lounge atmosphere.
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Three Wolves
Three Wolves is one of Cairns’ original boutique cocktail bars, tucked away down a laneway in the CBD and now located on Spence Street. It’s celebrated for its expertly crafted cocktails, quality whiskey selection and stylish yet intimate setting that feels a bit like stepping into a hidden city gem.
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nōk nōk
nōk nōk is an intimate cocktail bar on Shield Street in Cairns, known for its moody, low-lit atmosphere and carefully crafted drinks. With its relaxed late-night vibe and stylish interior, nōk nōk is a favourite spot for pre-dinner drinks or a refined nightcap in the CBD.
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The Fox Small Bar
The Fox Small Bar is a cosy neighbourhood bar in Freshwater, known for its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and thoughtfully made drinks. With a focus on quality cocktails, it’s an easygoing spot for a quiet drink or catching up with friends. If you are getting peckish, try a pizza from the restaurant next door - Palooka which is also a favourite of ours.
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Flamingos Tiki Bar
Flamingos Tiki Bar is a fun, tropical-themed bar in Cairns, bringing a playful island vibe to the city. Known for its colourful tiki cocktails, rum-based drinks and laid-back atmosphere, Flamingos is perfect for a fun night out in Cairns.
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Rocco
Rocco by Crystalbrook is a rooftop bar and restaurant perched atop the Crystalbrook Riley hotel. It’s known for being the highest rooftop dining destination in the city, offering 270-degree panoramic views over the Cairns skyline and the Coral Sea, making it a standout spot for sunset drinks.
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Hemingway's Brewery
For a laid-back taste of Far North Queensland, Hemingway’s Brewery in both Cairns and Port Douglas serves up a rotating lineup of handcrafted beers perfect for a tropical “cheers” after reef trips and sun-soaked days. The brewpub vibe is casual and social, with fresh pub-style eats and lively views making it a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike.