It’s Breakfast Time…
A quintessential part of any holiday in The Whitsundays is waking up in the morning, cruising into town and making the most of a lazy, sunny breakfast at one of the best Airlie Beach Cafés. The aromatic waft of freshly ground coffee and sizzling bacon lather the streets and are matched with chill lounge music and a humming chit chat of the previous day’s boat trips around the Whitsunday Islands.
Choosing a café on a bimble down the main road will likely produce a good result, but making the most of the café scene in Airlie Beach sometimes requires going just a skip off the beaten track. We’ve compiled 12 of the best cafés in Airlie Beach that each brings something unique to the table and the best experience available.
Click any of the cafés images listed below to be taken to their product page showcasing their full menu, full image galleries, and any other information you may need.
1. Bohemian Raw
Bowls • Smoothies • Health Food.
A bright, colourful and healthy start to our list is the Queen of Instagrammable breakfast, Bohemian Raw. With a focus on fresh and vibrant fruit and vegetable dishes this cafe a leader in the Airlie Beach’s health, vegan and vegetarian food scene providing a delicious ancient grain toast selection, antioxidant rich smoothies and their hero items – smoothie bowls. Located at the South End of Coral Sea Marina they hold prime Seaview real estate and the coffee is on point. Great for small to medium groups, or if you’re waiting for your boat trip to leave.
Our favourite dish: Smoked Salmon With Beetroot Hummus & Feta Toast
Our favourite drink: Immunity
Pro Tip: A Great Social Hot Spot For Dogs
2. Treehouse Airlie Beach
Contemporary • Brunch • Sea Views
If modern Australian breakfast classics overlooking the azure waters of the Airlie Beach lagoon is a sign of a good morning then Treehouse is what you’re after. Eggs Benedict, Smashed Avocado & Buttermilk Pancakes line the menu along with other creative meals such as their epic Corn Fritters, Green Bowls & Breakfast Chilli. A stacked lunch menu follows with a moreish range of burgers, pizzas and international salads. Being licenced from 10am means a refreshing Bloody Mary is never too far away either!
Our favourite dish: Corn Fritters With Halloumi
Our favourite drink: Grant’s Resolution
Pro Tip: Bring Something To Go Swimming In After
3. My Rainbow Bakery & Cafe
Brunch • Dessert • Seaside • Catering
Perched up high in the tree canopy with the broadest marina view in town, My Rainbow Bakery & Cafe is one who appreciates the finer things in life. An Airlie Beach specialist in unique & delicate sweets that can only be matched by the warming homemade pies, rolls and pastries the kitchen also bakes. High Tea is also available for those that want the royal treatment and for those that are hungry their extensive breakfast menu will satisfy the largest of appetites.
Our favourite dish: Mediterranean Flat Bread
Our favourite drink: Almond Cappucino
Pro Tip: Book A Seat By The Window
4. Cafe One 3
Creative • Funky • Dietary Specialists
A 1 minute walk from the Main street is the dietary specialist and creative master class that is Cafe One 3. With a strong emphasis on fun and health the menu is one that always keeps you guessing. With a Doctor Suess theme permeating the establishment it’s great for the young ones as it also comes with a kids corner stacked full of interesting books and games. The plant based meals are genuinely dedicated to the craft of making a dish magic without meat and the drinks push the limits of what’s possible with antioxidant rich coffees such as beetroot cinnamon lattes. Their acai bowls are some of the best in town and for those that just can’t bear the idea of a meat free breakfast, the breakfast burger is killer. Check their page for location.
Our favourite dish: Anything New On The Black Specials Board
Our favourite drink: Spiced Matcha LattePro tip: Pick What’s Fun!
5. Fat Frog Beach Cafe
Healthy • Fresh • Contemporary
A Cafe that needs no local introduction is the suburb of Cannonvale’s favourite, Fat Frog Beach Cafe. Any seat here comes with an expansive sea view of anchored yachts bobbing in the sparkling shallow waters of the bay. Arguably some of the best coffee in the region, it’s worth the 3 minute drive over the Airlie Beach hill or better yet, the half an hour stroll along the ocean boardwalk from the middle of town. The food matches the mood and is summery, laid back and does the simple things perfectly. Creamy and fruity Brekkie Panacotta sits alongside Spanish Beans with crusty sourdough and joins the coffee in making a down to earth Airlie Beach café experience like no other.
Our favourite dish: Smashed Avocado With Hashbrowns
Our favourite drink: Long Black
Pro Tip: Make A Morning Of It & Walk There Along The Boardwalk
6. Garuma Cafe
Contemporary • Tasty • European
Not so much off the beaten track being smack, bang on the Main Street, Garuma Cafe hold it’s own on the front lines of the Airlie Beach strip. Their menu boasts the many Aussie classics we all know and love with a flare of European influence not seen around the rest of town. As well as making one of the top 3 best bacon and egg rolls in town they have a dedicated vegan breakfast menu including dishes like mushroom toasties and house-made potato rosti stacked with fresh breakfast greens. The kitchen is rapid at what they do, so don’t expect long wait times.
Our favourite dish: Smashed Avocado Add Feta
Our favourite drink: Almond Latte
Pro Tip: Get A Coffee & Bacon & Egg Roll Takeaway If You’re In A Rush
7. The Hangar
Cafe • Tasty • Island Flight Airport
If a scenic flight around The Whitsunday Islands is on your itinerary this holiday to Airlie Beach then make sure once you land that you take the time to treat yourself to the lavishly decadent menu that lives at The Hangar Cafe & Bar. They’re all about flavour and don’t hold back when it comes to this goal. The service is as friendly and local as it gets and the view of planes and helicopters whizzing about makes for an exciting morning that’ll be sure to wake you up just as quickly as their hot coffees!
Our favourite dish: Breakfast Bruschetta
Pro tip: Great For People That Love Engines & Planes
8. Wisdom Cafe
Fresh • Deli Sandwiches • Coffee
May we introduce the Airlie Beach grandmasters of deli sandwiches, Wisdom Cafe. Recently taken over by new owners, the newly refurbished and rebranded Wisdom Cafe focuses on a fresh & succinct set of deli sandwiches and breakfast items that are great for on the go or eating laxed out on the bean bags out the front. Their dukkah is an awesome addition to their Smashed Avo & the Belgium Waffles are great if you want to indulge. Located next to the lagoon, don’t be shy to order takeaway and eat it down there.
Our favourite dish: Breakfast Burger
Our favourite smoothie: Passion Mango
Pro Tip: A Cream Cheese Bagel & Coffee is $10.
9. Village Cafe Restaurant & Bar
Hot Rock • Coffee • Breakfast
Located in the centre of the Main Street, this Airlie Beach Cafe covers it all. Tropical Fruit Salads, Grilled Halloumi on Sourdough, French Toast and Bacon & Eggs to name a few. Being so central it makes for a great choice if you don’t want to move far. Their freshly squeezed juices hit the spot if you need a pick me up after a long weekend in the sun and the service is calm and relaxed.
Our favourite dish: Eggs Benedict With Portabello Mushrooms
Our favourite juice: Kickstart
Pro Tip: Stay For Lunch
10. 22 Buttercup Lane
Cafe • Contemporary • Catering
Admittedly, outside the circle of the Airlie Beach bubble but impossible not mention, 22 Buttercup Lane is worthy of the list. As you drive into or leave Airlie Beach, you will travel through our neighbouring township Proserpine. If you have time on your hands on you are simply just can’t wait, turn off and take the 30 second detour to the only cafe you need to visit in Proserpine, 22 Buttercup Lane. Their small menu changes regularly with the seasons and produce that comes in which makes for wholesome, down to earth food that you just can’t ignore. From homemade gourmet pies to classic bacon and eggs on daily baked focaccia it’s worth stopping in for. Sweet tooth? Their house vanilla slice is the best in Australia.
Our favourite dish: Bacon & EggsOur favourite drink: Iced Coffee With Cream
11. Mr Bean Coffee Caravan
Coffee • Waterfront • Events
They say the best things come in small packages and never more has this sung true than for locally cherished Mr Bean Coffee Caravan. The first choice for locals on their way to work and for those strolling the boardwalk at sunrise. You’ll find the magic team of two located most weekdays opposite the Police Station and on Saturdays at the Airlie Beach Markets. Grab a bottle of their signature cold brew coffee it is unbeatable over ice later in the day.
Our favourite hot coffee: Piccolo
Our favourite iced coffee: Mr CocoPro Tip: They’re Open From 6am
12. Luv A Coffee
Coffee • Brunch • Breakfast
On the way into Airlie Beach you’ll hit the first of only two traffic lights in the whole area and on your left, you’ll see Whitsunday Plaza. It’s a great place to stock up on essential items that you can not find in town for your Whitsunday Island trip. Right on the corner inside the mall you’ll see the welcoming and quaint little cafe that is Luv A Coffee. Serving the best coffee in the mall and with a large breakfast menu that won’t break the bank it’s a great spot to recharge and get yourself a hearty crowd pleasing meal.
Our favourite dish: Ham, Cheese & Tomato Croissant
Our favourite drink: Mallowcino
Pro Tip: Check Out Their Cake Cabinet
