Best Cafes in Cairns (2026)
Looking for the best cafes in Cairns? We've rounded up 71 of the city's standout spots — from neighbourhood favourites to buzzy new openings. Every venue is ranked by our Spot Score, which weighs reputation, popularity and freshness, so you can book with confidence. Filter by suburb, price or what's open now to find your next go-to.
Australia takes its coffee seriously, and Cairns is no exception — think flat whites pulled to order, single-origin beans and a brunch culture that runs all morning. The spots below range from tucked-away specialty roasters to all-day cafes worth a slow weekend visit.
71 spots
Origin Espresso Port Douglas Coffee
$$Origin Espresso Port Douglas Coffee is a cafe in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 647 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 67/100.
Mi Piace Espresso Bar
$$Mi Piace Espresso Bar is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 1009 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 66/100.
Blackbird Laneway
$$Blackbird Laneway is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 547 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 66/100.
Bang & Grind Café Spence St.
$$Bang & Grind Café Spence St. is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 889 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 66/100.
Guyala Cafe
$$Guyala Cafe is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 888 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 66/100.
Rayyan Cafe
Rayyan Cafe is a cafe in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 332 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 65/100.
Memories Cafe @ Yorkeys Knob
$$Memories Cafe @ Yorkeys Knob is a cafe in Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 445 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 65/100.
Caffiend
$$Caffiend is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 1132 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 65/100.
The Chambers
$$Easygoing cafe with a terrace offering an extensive brunch menu, plus a cocktail bar.
Espresso & Co Cafe Palm Cove
$$Espresso & Co Cafe Palm Cove is a cafe in Palm Cove, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 956 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 65/100.
Cafe Strada
Cafe Strada is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 475 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 64/100.
Muddy's Cafe
$$Laid-back destination with sea views serving breakfast, tacos & burgers, plus juices & smoothies.
The Chamber Room Espresso & Brew Bar
$$The Chamber Room Espresso & Brew Bar is a coffee in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 300 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 64/100.
Pete & Paulz Breakfast Bar
$Pete & Paulz Breakfast Bar is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 574 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 64/100.
Goose Specialty Coffee
$$Goose Specialty Coffee is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 555 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 64/100.
Jamdrop Cafe Cairns
$$Jamdrop Cafe Cairns is a cafe in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 394 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 64/100.
Captain and Co Espresso
Captain and Co Espresso is a cafe in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 173 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 64/100.
Toast Sandwich Bar
$$Toast Sandwich Bar is a cafe in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 304 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.
Cafes by suburb
Zoom in on the best cafes in Cairns's most popular neighbourhoods.
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Read guide →Cafes in Cairns — FAQs
What are the best cafes in Cairns?+
Our top-rated cafes in Cairns are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Cairns cafes ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter cafes by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many cafes are listed in Cairns?+
We currently feature 71 cafes across Cairns and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.
What's the coffee culture like in Cairns?+
Specialty coffee is the norm rather than the exception — most cafes roast or source quality beans and turn out espresso-based drinks like the flat white, long black and piccolo. Brunch is a weekend institution, so expect queues at the most popular spots mid-morning.