A coffee lover’s guide to Port Douglas and Cairns
Don’t let bad coffee ruin your holiday vibes (seriously, the struggle is real). Check out these Cairns and Port Douglas faves for all your caffeinated needs.
Cairns
1. Blackbird Espresso by Coffee NQ
Flat white rating: 9.5/10
Beans: Blackbird Espresso
Sooooo this is a big call, but Blackbird Espresso may have the best coffee in Cairns. Located on Grafton Street, a few streets back from the esplanade, the staff are crazy passionate about the science behind the magic beans, and you can see (and taste) it in their coffee. I definitely could have had five, but I didn’t (my heart is thanking me). Oh, and to keep up the energy high, you should also sneak in a little banoffee donut from Duke’s Doughnuts, which Blackbird also serve. To die for!
2. Sing Sing Espresso
Flat white rating: 9/10
Beans: The Little Marionette
Sing Sing Espresso is a hidden gem in the Cairns CBD that serves up full-bodied espressos. Aswell as offering 5-star caffeinated drinkies, the atmosphere sweetens the experience, with cool modern furnishings and super hipster design. The menu will probably lure you to stay for lunch too, and if you’re there on a Friday, be sure to grab a locally baked organic sourdough on your way out.
3. Sipping Duck CoffeeRoasters
Flat white rating: 8.5/10
Beans: Sipping Duck Coffee
When a coffee spot does a sparkling cold brew, you know you’re in for a treat. Whether you love it or hate it, these guys are legit specialty coffee roasters and, naturally, you see it in their product. The coffee is made with great care, and, of course, tastes like heaven (smooth and chocolatey). Definitely worth a visit!
4. The Chamber Room
Flat white rating: 8.5/10
Beans: Code Black Coffee
Journey to Village Lane on Lake Street to visit The Chamber Room, aka the ‘coffee professionals’ that offer specialty everything. They even have Brew Skool, where you can master latte art or become a ‘Brew Homie’, with classes from $100 per person. When it comes to the flat white, you have two choices of beans from Code Black (a top Melbourne roaster), and I can assure you that neither will let you down. If you’re already having heart palpitations from the caffeine overload, the Chamber Room also serve AMAZING decaf. It’s often taboo in the coffee world, but I respect their quest to find and serve tasty decaf. Bonus points for not having any shame.
Port Douglas
1. Origin Espresso
Flat white rating: 9/10
Beans: Origin Espresso
This, my caffeinated friends, is my top pick for coffee in Port Douglas. It’s a little bit off the main drag, but trust me, it’s worth the sleepy walk. Being a roaster as well, you can trust these guys know their stuff. Their coffee is perfectly extracted and full of flavour, with a nice fruity kick at the end. Also, if you fall in love with Origin, they have more shops in Stratford and Cairns 😉 We got yo back.
2. Sparrow Coffee Co
Flat white rating: 8.5/10
Beans: Allpress coffee
A coffee-only spot serving smooth, rich, Allpress goodness. You know this place is good because they’ve rapidly opened four stores – the other locations are in Bangalow, Byron Bay, and Brisbane. Sparrow is a takeaway-only place, but it’s also attached to a retail store, so you can sip ‘n’ shop. If you don’t want to wait for your coffee, just get the ‘Hey You’ app and order it ahead… It’s all about minimising the uncaffeinated time on earth – can I get an amen?
3. Betty’s Bohemian Beach Café
Flat white rating: 8/10
Beans: Blackbird Espresso
Betty’s is right off the main strip and it’s exactly as it sounds – colourful, bold, and leafy. But, let’s talk about the coffee. My latte was an easy drink, full of flavour and with subtle blueberry notes. The milk was perhaps not done as perfectly as at Sparrow or Origin, but Betty’s makes up for it with a full menu and oodles of seating space. Definitely one for your lunchtime coffee.
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