Coffee Palm Cove Cafes

• Most of the restaurants in Palm Cove are clones of whatever niche they fit in, though we do have some great dining experiences here. We have a new cafe called The Garage. It is at the northern end of the strip, next to O’Donnells. The food is amazing, and not to be found anywhere else in Australia is my guess. Chef Althea uses real technique. Everything looks and tastes great. Try it. Say the hire car bloke sent you.  Enjoy
• Vivo’s and Espresso are our favourite cafes on the strip. We have never been disappointed at either. Vivo’s 49 Williams Esplanade.  https://www.vivo.com.au/ 
• Pete’s Place For excellent fish and chips, and hamburgers. They also have a mini supermarket. 73 Williams Esplanade.
• Il Forno. For good Italian style pizza.  Upstairs at 111-117 Williams Esplanade. Say Hi to Mick.  https://www.ilfornopalmcove.com/ 
• Lucky Fish. Also upstairs. By far the best fish and chips i have ever had in Australia. have a potato cake. They are perfect. 
• The newest cafe on the block, is Miguel’s Tapas bar on the southern end of the block, next door to the ice cream shop. great food. lovely atmosphere. say hi to Mick from Bill. https://miguelspalmcove.com.au/ 
• 

Palm Cove Restaurants 

Heads up: Generally speaking, I’m not one for pub food, or the ubiquitous chicken breast.

• Rattle and Hum A good pub atmosphere, good food, always friendly professional staff. They just need a quiz night! 119 Williams Esplanade. https://rattlenhum.com.au/palmcove/ 

• Kushi-Yakitori Bar & Japanese Restaurant. Great reviews, above Pete’s Place. https://www.facebook.com/KushiCairns

• El Greko’s Taverna. A family run Greek restaurant that has been operating in Palm Cove for decades. In the shopping village, at the back https://elgrekostaverna.com.au/
• The Surf Club is a very popular venue with visitors. classic pub food. Lots of chicken Breast.  Currently considered by the locals (11/23) to be the best value venue on the strip. 135 Williams Esplanade, https://www.surfclubpalmcove.com.au/

Cairns lunch Eats 

• Best Laksa: Café China. 79 Mulgrave Rd, Parramatta Park QLD 4870 
• Best daytime Japanese: Ganbaranba https://m.facebook.com/Ganbaranba-153687294668443/ 
• Best authentic Indonesian, crispy fried chicken and Gado Gado: Bagus Café,149 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870 https://www.baguscafe.info/

Port Douglas Eats 

• Tol be fair, there is a cornucopia of excellent restaurants in Port Douglas.  the ones people are currently talking about most are la cucina and Malaleuca.  always book in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Zinc, Portico 3, 53-61 Macrossan St, Port Douglas QLD 4877 https://www.zincportdouglas.com/ 
• Salsa: 26 Wharf St, Port Douglas QLD 4877 https://salsaportdouglas.com.au/
• Seabean Tapas Bar Restaurant 3/28 Wharf Street, Port Douglas. We called in on spec for lunch mid week.  Often when we visit restaurants we find there isn’t really much on the menu we want to try. I wanted almost everything on theirs.  We had a simple, but fabulous meal between two people, and a jug of sangria. The bill came to $71 dollars! That is hard to beat. The best thing? There is no chicken breast on the menu. https://www.seabean.com.au/

Port Douglas accommodation 

• I have only included the recommendation here because the owners are such lovely people, and because I can. The venue and staff are sensational and perfectly located in the main strip, very close to the beach. Perfect for families and couples.  By The Sea.: 72 Macrossan St, Port Douglas QLD 4877 https://bytheseaportdouglas.com.au/