22 Brunch Spots Everyone In Cairns Should Visit Immediately

Eat your way through this tropical city.

1. NOA, Edge Hill

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Ever wished you could order your morning eggs with a cocktail on the side? Of course you have. Lucky for you, this popular tapas restaurant in Edge Hill now serves breakfast.

2. Eatos, Cairns CBD

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This not-for-profit cafe is making waves with a government funded project. Eato's teach hospitality skills to people who are part of the Work for the Dole program, and the results are both delicious and heart-warming.

3. Frame Espresso, Cairns CBD

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Chasing good coffee? Well, Frame is the only cafe to serve Campos in the CBD, so it's definitely worth a visit. Choose a tempting treat from the glass counter of house-baked goods or order off the tasty a la carte menu.

4. Ozmosis, Edge Hill

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One of Cairns' favourite brunch places, Ozmosis serves an innovative brunch menu seven days a week, with plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options available.

5. NuNu, Palm Cove

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Previously recognised by Gourmet Traveller magazine as Regional Restaurant of the Year, this award-winning eatery works with the freshest local produce. Feast on a North Queensland mud crab omelette, cider donuts with passionfruit curd or Sichuan pork fried rice.

6. Caffiend, Cairns CBD

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Step down a graffiti-covered laneway and you'll find Caffiend, a good spot to settle down with specialty coffee, awesome food, and free Wi-Fi. Caffiend's experimental menu is worth checking out, with the miso scrambled eggs a favourite of many visitors.

7. Helga's Pancake House, Cairns CBD

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Sometimes brunch calls for pancakes, and when that's the case Helga has your back. This central Cairns pancake house serves pancakes (obviously), crepes, and waffles (savoury or sweet) seven days a week. Pictured is the "Gone Bananas" dish: a four pancake high stack.

8. Petit Cafe, Cairns CBD

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This whole place is commonly described as "not very Cairns", which is a compliment for the rural North Queensland city as it becomes more metropolitan. Sink your teeth into a range of crepes, topped with proscuitto, rocket and truffle, or smoked salmon and crème fraîche.

Hot tip: The cafe sometimes runs Petit Cine Bar with wine, cheese and a big screen in a laneway, so keep your eyes on their website.

9. Vivo, Palm Cove

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Up the road in Palm Cove, Vivo is making a name for itself with exquisite and exotic dishes, including this breakfast panacotta. Giving you a damn good reason to eat dessert before 10am, the vanilla bean yoghurt panacotta is served with seasonal tropical fruits, toasted nuts and seeds, and dried fruit.

10. Rehab Cafe, Cairns CBD

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If someone tries to make you go to Rehab, do NOT say: "No, no, no". Say "yes". With great coffee, famously good house-made coconut jam, and a menu with all the breakfast classics there's absolutely nothing wrong with checking yourself in here for a few hours.

11. Ten One Twenty, Edge Hill

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Ten One Twenty is a cafe that does it all – and does it all bloody well. There's specialty coffee on offer (we're talking single origin beans, pour-overs, filters, and cold brew) to accompany an all-day breakfast menu of classics with a tropical twist. In addition to all of this, they also do amazing fresh juice, paleo and vegan cakes, kombucha tea, and gelati.

12. Expresso Cafe, Kuranda

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Fact: There's way more to Kuranda than a cute train ride and tourist traps. Hop off at Freshwater Station to tuck into a surprisingly delicious breakfast. If you're keen to avoid the crowds, time your visit before or after the train arrives as that's when it gets busy.

13. Reserved on Grafton, Cairns CBD

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Reserved on Grafton has the golden brunch trifecta worked out: good coffee, great food, friendly (and fast) service. Located on Grafton Sreet, the cafe takes pride in its food and serves a different, more imaginative breakfast menu on weekends. Try the Nutella-filled french toast, or Reserved Benedict, which consists of poached eggs on a bed of spicy prawns.

14. The Rising Sun, Palm Cove

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A half hour drive north, Palm Cove is a literal paradise with gentle lapping waves, palms (surprise, surprise) and breakfast, of course. The Rising Sun has a beachfront position and casual vibe so you can tuck into those perfectly poached eggs in peace.

15. Mama Coco, Westcourt

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Mama Coco is a Cairns success story, which started with a stall at Rusty's Markets and blossomed into cafe and commercial kitchen opening in 2009. Brunch is served Monday to Saturday, and consists of a classic menu with a few Asian fusion twists, including the pulled pork with sweet potato galette, pickled cucumber, fried egg and saffron aioli.

16. Cafe Fika, Cairns CBD

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A Swedish cafe in Cairns? Apparently, yes! Fika means "taking a break for coffee and a bite to eat" and the Swedes will always make time for Fika. Head in for a classic Swedish brunch Monday to Saturday and dine on open sandwiches, eggs topped with caviar, and waffles. Everything on the menu is under $15 and Fika doesn't charge extra for fancy milks.

17. Imprezzed Juice, Cairns CBD

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After a big night on the town, some crave bacon and fried chicken for brunch the next day. Others want fresh foods to cleanse thy soul. If you fall into the latter category, head to Imprezzed Juice for acai bowls, healthy smoothies, bliss balls, and of course, coffee.

18. Petals & Pinecones, Atherton

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Roadtrip time! As you head out to the Atherton Tablelands be sure to stop by the eclectic and whimsical Petals & Pinecones cafe. Jumping on the freakshake wagon, P&P offers weird and wonderful milkshakes alongside a counter of filled goodies, worth the stop for those passing through.

19. Blue Moon Grill, Trinity Beach

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Blue Moon Grill has managed to both correctly spell and feature "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in its menu – in its menu, and its used to describe the breakfast sausage, of all things. Beware though, the menu also warns that the restaurant is not a "grumpy breakfast people friendly outlet" and that staff won't hesitate to yell at you if you're not having a good day. Breakfast is served Friday to Sunday.

20. Perrotta's at the Gallery, Cairns CBD

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Head in seven days a week for an all-day brunch menu with an Italian influence. Besides the usual suspects you can order avocado bruschetta, Campari beetroot with smoked ocean trout, and more - but make sure you save room for a slice of the divine house-made cakes.

21. Chill Cafe, Palm Cove

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Do brunch the American way and pair it with a mimosa or bloody mary. While the drinks aren't bottomless, the food is delicious. A classic brunch menu is served seven days.

22. Candy Cafe, Cairns CBD

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Chocolate, hazelnut, and banana french toast with a salted caramel sauce, crushed hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream. Need we say more? With a retro, tattoo parlour theme and location right in the centre of Cairns CBD it is hard to argue against visiting Candy.