The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Cairns, Queensland

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Speciality brunch spot Two Blocks dishes out an inventive seasonal brunch menu with delicious coffee. How does rooibos-tea-soaked overnight oats with almond and chia, poached strawberries, blood-orange marmalade, house maple granola, coconut labneh and seasonal berries sound? The Holloway Beach cafe’s food is so beautiful you’ll want to take a photo, and its minimalist interiors are the perfect backdrop.

The ultimate weekend brunch spot in Cairns, the Chambers combines hashtag-worthy dishes and colourful cocktails with bright and airy interiors and outdoor terraces. Their extensive brunch menu has all the Aussie classics as well as smoothie bowls, fresh fruit juices and cold brew for those sunny mornings. Brighten your day and order their rainbow breakfast of avocado bruschetta with beetroot hummus, crispy kale, heirloom tomatoes and almond granola.

NOA Cairns is a casual breakfast spot that’s all about locally sourced fresh produce. You’ll find all the usual suspects on the menu, as well as seasonal breakfast specials, Vietnamese iced coffee and cocktails. They also sell kombucha on tap. If you’re struggling to narrow down the menu, opt for the Spread, a too-long-to-list extravaganza featuring poached eggs, fennel and pork sausage and apple-wood smoked bacon. Come hungry.

Caffeine is the speciality here, and who doesn’t love a great coffee with their breakfast? This artisan cafe serves up tropical food, and also has – you guessed it – an extensive coffee menu. It supports nearby farmers sourcing seasonal produce from the local area. You’ll find all your much-loved classics on the menu, invigorated with an experimental chef’s twist. It also offers takeaway, so you can grab a bean and bite to go.

Craving baked goods? Check out Woodward Street Bakery for all your pastry needs. From rustic sourdough to pain au chocolat – and everything in between – here’s where to get your morning kick. They bake in-house daily and create eye-catching pastries and breads. If you’re in a rush, opt for takeaway. But if you’ve got time – or a morning-after-the-night-before headache to contend with – pull up a seat at the terrace here and watch the world go by.

If you’re after a cheap breakfast in Cairns, Rusty’s Markets is the spot. Open Friday to Sunday, this indoor farmers’ market has been open for more than 30 years and has some of the freshest food around. There are more than a hundred stalls run by enthusiastic holders who are always willing to take you through the produce. Rather than one big meal, try a bite here and a snack there. Sample crêpes, handmade pastries and locally grown fresh fruit, and wash it down with juices and coffee.