17 of the best cafes in Townsville for breakfast

Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
hero media
Here are the eateries at the top of our list of places to enjoy breakfast in Townsville.

From brekkie favourites including smashed avo and eggs benny, to cat poo coffee and minced meat on toast – the breakfast options in Townsville are quirky and wonderful. Below is our guide to the best cafes in Townsville for breakfast and coffee.

And if you’re looking to dine beyond breakfast, make sure to check out our guide to Townsville’s best restaurants.

The shortlist:

Best for views with Coral Sea vistas: CBAR
Best family-friendly breakfast: Happy Place
Best coffee: Born Wild Wholefood + Espresso

1. CBAR

people dining at CBAR, Townsville
Take in views of the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island at CBAR. (Image: Supplied)

The location of CBAR on the Gregory Street Headlands reveals Townsville’s promise as a foodie destination. Arriving at CBar after a stroll along The Strand as the sun rises is a very civilised idea. Sit outside on the deck to enjoy roasted field mushrooms with whipped goat’s cheese and poached eggs on sourdough while drinking in views across the Coral Sea to Magnetic Island.

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Elevated casual 

Location: 80 Gregory St, Townsville City 

2. Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms

For culinary connoisseurs who collect food experiences like souvenirs, a visit to the oldest known building in North Queensland is a must. Relax in the historic Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms with a cup of rare kopi luwak ($50 per cup), coffee that has passed through the digestive tract of the Asian palm civet. Of course, those less inclined to drink beans extracted from faecal matter can order a standard flat white alongside a menu of sweet treats and classic breakfasts of waffles and bacon and egg sandwiches. The heritage tea rooms are housed in an 1865-built building located 30 minutes from Townsville atop Herveys Range. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Bush charm 

Location: 37 Thornton Gap Rd, Hervey Range

3. The Balcony Restaurant

fresh juice at The Balcony Restaurant, Townsville
Sip on a cheeky cocktail with your breakfast.

The food at Balcony has absorbed influences from around the globe, which mirrors the city’s multicultural makeup. The Balcony Restaurant colonised the quirky upstairs space 30 years ago. Enjoy a waffle with ice cream, banana and honeycomb or a robust bacon chop with poached eggs served overlooking Flinders Street, which is bustling on Sundays when it hosts weekly markets. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Outdoor bustle 

Location: 287 Flinders St, Townsville City

4. The Beet Bar

an iced coffee at The Beet Bar, Townsville
Enjoy a top-notch coffee with non-dairy milk at The Beet Bar. (Image: Jack from ‘Cheers content’)

Although The Beet Bar is known for its healthy raw, vegan fare, you can also pick up rainbow salads with chicken and hefty cheeseburgers to boot. Start your day with an acai bowl, toast with avocado, lemon and feta, or a bacon and egg roll, washed down with a crunchy nut protein smoothie or freshly squeezed signature beet juice. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Bright and lively 

Location: G1/21 Stokes St, Townsville 

5. Hoi Polloi Cafe

a couple dining outside Hoi Polloi Cafe, Townsville
Come for the street art, stay for great coffee. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Melbourne meets Seattle at this music venue and cafe, which features a gritty, grungy, vintage-chic vibe. The space tucked into the heritage-listed Howard Smith Building is popular with Gen Zers, who look as though they’re playing dress-up and are the epitome of hipster cool. Visit the laneway for its street art and stay for great coffee and quick bites, such as pumpkin scones and pretzel cookies. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Grungy laneway vibes 

Location: LOT 2 Flinders St, Townsville

6. Otto’s Fresh Food Market

a box of purple donuts from Otto’s Fresh Food Market, Townsville
A box of purple donuts specially baked for International Women’s Day at Otto’s Fresh Food Market.

All up, Otto’s has 10 departments spread across two locations, which include a meat market, bakehouse, deli and fresh harvest section, fish market and even a ‘doughnut gallery’. Otto’s sells everything from pastries to Japanese favourites, smoked meats and house-made German small goods, such as bratwurst. Order a grazing platter and set up your perfect breakfast picnic on the Strand. 

Average price: $-$$$ 

Atmosphere: Euro marketplace 

Locations include: Warrina, Precinct and JCU

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

7. Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart

a cup of espresso at Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart, Townsville
Enjoy excellent espresso to fuel your day. (Image: Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart)

Cheesy Doorstop Toast and Betty’s (eggs) Bennys are the top-selling items on the menu at Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart. Located in a dinky Art Deco arcade, the bustling cafe, adorned with tropical accents, has a rotating list of daily specials that are a huge hit with locals. To round out your breakfast, do as the locals do and order a Tim Tam frappe to fuel your walk up Castle Hill. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Come as you are 

Location: Suite 8/95 Denham St, Townsville City 

8. The Palm House

the light-filled cafe interior of The Palm House, The Ville, Townsville
The Palm House is light-filled and luxe with a laid-back style. (Image: Simon Shiff)

The Palm House is part of The Ville Resort-Casino, one of Townsville’s best places to stay. If you’re not a guest, you can buy a pool day pass and indulge in an all-morning eating extravaganza at this bright and breezy buffet. Browse the ever-changing selection from chia pudding and granola to Eggs Benedict made at the live cooking stations enjoyed alongside fresh juice and barista-made coffee. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Resort chill 

Location: The Ville, Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville

9. Born Wild Wholefood + Espresso

Born Wild Wholefood Cafe is located in the busy, buzzy City Lane precinct, which is worth a detour for its proximity to some of the city’s best street art. The murals make a splash at the back end of the laneway, which feels more Melbourne than Melbourne. Follow Born Wild on Instagram for what to order – from a mountainous serving of teriyaki chicken benny to acai bowls and corn fritters. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: City stylish 

Location: 383 Flinders St, Townsville 

10. Grandma’s

breakfast at Grandma’s, Townsville
The breakfast menu combines recipes passed down by four grandparents. (Image: Grandma’s)

If you’re craving some home-cooked comfort food, Grandma’s is the place. This menu is a combination of recipes passed down by four real-life grandparents, embracing global flavours of the Mediterranean, North Africa, Greece and Italy. The breakfast menu includes Grandma’s ricotta pancakes – try the classic version topped with fresh banana, caramelised figs and dollops of cream, drizzled with pure maple; or choose from the all-day breaky options, which includes homemade Challa bread and Grandma Haya’s beloved shakshukas. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Cottage cosy 

Location: Shop 14/45 Eyre Street, North Ward

11. Pedlar Project

a brunch plate at Pedlar Project, Townsville
Tuck into savoury brunch plates at Pedlar Project.

Inspired by 1920s French jazz cafes and mid-century contemporary design, Pedlar Project is a boutique coffee roaster from the same master behind Townsville’s much-loved Piccolo Pedlar coffee cart. The menu features breakfast bowls packed with veggie goodness, buttery croissants, flavourful corn fritters and fair trade organic coffee. There’s plenty of sidewalk seating among green foliage to relax and enjoy your brekkie in the fresh air and sunshine. 

Average price: $$–$$$ 

Atmosphere: Greenhouse lounge vibes 

Location: 320-334 Flinders Street, Townsville

12. Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar

a cup of coffee at Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar, Townsville
This sleek cafe is a go-to spot for consistently good coffee. (Image: Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar)

The brainchild of three mates, Fresno is a sleek new cafe, bar and events space in the CBD. Using Code Black Coffee, exclusive to Townsville, the food menu is limited, but excellent espresso by day and espresso martini by night make it worth the visit. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Laidback sips 

Address: 139 Sturt Street, Townsville

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

13. Odyssey on the Strand

a healthy bowl topped with fresh fruits and chia seeds at Odyssey on the Strand, Townsville
A healthy breakfast bowl of fresh fruits and chia seeds. (Image: Odyssey on the Strand)

In a breezy spot at Townsville’s northern end, Odyssey on the Strand is a relaxed Greek restaurant where you can enjoy ocean views along with hearty Mediterranean fare. 

Its breakfast menu offers simple options, from toasted croissants to bircher muesli, when you feel like a lighter start to the day. For something more filling, try a traditional oven-baked omelette, a vegan stack of fresh veggies, or the signature Greek breakfast, a plate filled with roasted tomatoes, avocado, halloumi, and grilled pancetta, all drizzled with olive oil. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Casual and generous 

Address: 120 The Strand, North Ward

14. Sirens Bayside

a dog looking at the cup of coffee, Sirens Bayside, Townsville
Pups are welcome at Sirens Bayside.

Slinging sustainably minded and nourishing plates until midday, this beachy keen cafe has community and womenfolk at its heart. It’s a come-one, come-all vibe with a kids’ play corner and a pups-welcome policy. Caffeination comes by way of Byron Bay’s Moonshine roasters, and the menu is a procession of considered and colourful dishes, such as the maple-roasted beetroot and feta dip with feta, microgreens and mint on local sourdough and the ocean smoothie bowl with mango, blue spirulina and seasonal fruit. Parents can treat their little ones with healthy milkshakes, and there are health add-ons targeted at women and kids’ wellbeing, such as sea moss gel, collagen protein and probiotics. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: Sunny, sustainable and uplifting 

Address: 1/36 Primrose St, Belgian Gardens 

15. Happy Place

a breakfast burger at Happy Place, Townsville
Fuel up with a brekkie burger at Happy Place.

When the menu serves you uplifting messages alongside its list of dishes, you know you’re in for a good meal. An encouraging “You’re doing great!" does wonders to make you feel good about your breakfast choices, which may range from a classic bacon and egg roll to black bean fritters. There’s also a Happy Kids Breakfast menu, which parents will hope does exactly as promised. Need extra energy to embark on a day in the tropics? Go for an energy bowl that features acai, fruit and muesli. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Upbeat and welcoming 

Address: 62 The Strand, North Ward 

16. The Gypsea Collective

This courtyard cafe adjacent to The Gypsy Collective wellness studio is a peaceful sanctuary from the city bustle. Set yourself up post-workout under a tassel-trimmed umbrella and tuck into the signature breakfast of sourdough crumpets with your choice of toppings, such as butter and maple, avo and sauerkraut, or choc-hazel. If you need to calmly rush off, grab a chia pot or vegan slice to go with your turmeric latte or coffee made with Long Shot beans. 

Average price: $$ 

Atmosphere: Mindful 

Address: 146 Ross River Rd, Mundingburra 

17. Hey days

a chef sprinkling some seasoning on a dish at Hey days, Townsville
Expect perfectly seasoned cafe classics. (Image: Hey days)

Doing double time as a cafe in the day and event space come evenings, Hey Days can take you from your first fortifying sip of caffeine right through to a nightcap. Freelance Roasting roasts the beans onsite, while the menu makes its way through some updated cafe classics, such as chilli eggs, brûléed sourdough with a scorched praline top, and an aloha chicken burger with mango chilli aioli. 

Average price: $$$ 

Atmosphere: City cool 

Address: 482 Flinders St, Townsville

For more insider tips on where to eat and drink in Townsville, check out our guide here.

Originally written by Megan Arkinstall with updates by Lara Picone

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
View profile and articles
pilgrim sailing magnetic island
Townsville

Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

Read more
The Koala Park on Magnetic Island
Townsville

The island where koalas crash your dinner reservation

A family was joined by an unexpected dinner guest when dining at Peppers Blue on Blue Resort on Magnetic Island.

Read more
This unexpected Aussie city is hiding a world-class arts scene
Townsville

This unexpected Aussie city is hiding a world-class arts scene

From galleries to the Great Barrier Reef – Townsville is turning heads.

Read more
Things to do in Townsville
Townsville

26 of the best things to do in Townsville

Visit an underwater museum, take a ferry to a tropical island, chase waterfalls through the rainforest and wander street-art-filled laneways in this thriving Far North Queensland hub.

Read more
hero media

How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
    Continue
    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.