TNQ Writer
If your holiday hobbies include eating and thinking about the next time you’ll be eating then this list of bucket list breakfasts is worth waking up for. From mouth-watering breakfasts to boozy brunches, brekkie in Port Douglas is anything but your standard bacon and eggs.
Grant Street Kitchen
Tuck into handmade pastries at Grant Street Kitchen
Open 7 days from the crack of dawn, Grant Street Kitchen is the kind of artisan bakery that every city and town desires. Here you’ll find a mouth-watering selection of handmade pies, gourmet rolls and indulgent pastries all made daily from scratch. Their passion for showcasing the regions incredible produce shines through with their ever popular prawn and coral trout pie and the Atherton Tableland grass-fed beef pie.
Choo Choo’s at the Marina
Choo choo choose breakfast at the marina
Kick start your day with an adult’s only iced latte featuring Jack Daniel’s Honey, Malibu and fresh espresso. If that doesn’t get your heart pumping then the chilli eggs with kaffir lime chilli jam, spiced pumpkin smash and two perfectly poached eggs most certainly will. You’ll be ‘choo choo’ choosing this beaut little restaurant for its tasty food, exceptional coffee and friendly service. Plus, this spot is dog friendly, so you can take your four legged friend.
Osprey’s at Thala Beach
Start the day with a view at Osprey's
Enjoy your morning meal with a picture-postcard vista at this open air restaurant just 20 minutes south of Port Douglas. Local ingredients are the star of the menu with standout breakfast dishes that focus on fresh and sustainable produce. Enjoy a sautéed ginger and crab omelette and a cup of Daintree tea perched in the treetops amongst the birds and wildlife of Thala Beach. Bookings are essential.
The Little Larder
Never skip egg day at this Port Douglas breakfast icon. First opened in 2012, this pocket sized powerhouse is so popular that they expanded to bigger and better premises in 2019. Their menu has a delicious balance of naughty vs nice meals to keep the most polarised diners happy but it’s the Vietnamese crab omelette with its fiery sambal that’s a crowd favourite. This place is always buzzing and there’s often a line to get a table but I promise it’s worth the wait.
Cafe Fresq
Cafe Fresq's all day brunch menu has something for everyone
Whether you’re up at sparrow’s fart or like to roll out of bed late, Café Fresq has got you covered with their all day brunch menu. They might just be the only place in Port to offer a full Irish breakfast sure to cure even the most cantankerous holiday hangover. Don’t have a penchant for black pudding? Never fear, their all day eats cover everything from chia pudding to croque monsieur to the classic eggs benny. To top it off Café Fresq is family friendly and centrally located to cover all bases.
Whileaway Bookshop
Stationed on the main drag of Macrossan Street, you’ll find this unique café for bookworms and coffee aficionado’s. This bookshop/café offers a light breakfast and a drool-worthy selection of fresh baked cakes and tarts – including some gluten free. Browse the latest titles, best-selling authors, children’s books and more over a slice of pineapple and banana cake or one of their famous double choc chip cookies. Even better, since you’re on sabbatical, find a little nook, kick back and have a read to while away the day.
Kai
Eat like the locals do and head to Kai
Rated highly for their exceptional food and service it’s easy to see why Kai is a well-kept secret amongst the Port Douglas locals. Enjoy a morning splurge with the b and e burger topped with double smoked bacon, free range fried egg, cheese and house chutney on a grilled milk bun. Got a big holiday appetite? Why not go next level with double cheese, pickles and chipotle mayo. Of course being on holiday is not all about gluttonous breakfast choices. Some may choose to soothe the soul with a fresh made green bowl featuring quinoa, zoodles, avocado and edamame. Whatever your food affliction, you’re sure to find it at Kai.
St Crispin’s Café
Head out of town for brunch at St Crispins
Overlooking the sweeping greenery of the Mirage Country Club, St Crispin’s is positioned at one end of the historic Bally Hooley Railway. Touted online as Port Douglas’ best kept secret, the all-day menu at St Crispin’s allows you to hit the snooze button more than once. Here the Australian favourite smashed avo gets a bit of a spruce up with slow roasted beets, charred asparagus, rocket salad and a shiraz balsamic glaze. Wash it all down with a mango and pineapple frappe and you’ll be starting your day with a smile. If you need any more convincing, it’s also fido friendly with water and dog treats for your pampered pooch.
Lure
You’ll find Lure perched proudly on the boardwalk at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, boasting magical views of the boats, blue sky and beyond. Satisfy your tastebuds with a classic stack of buttermilk pancakes served with berry compote or up the ante with the Lure’s breakfast version of fried rice featuring local prawns, chorizo, vegetables, fried egg and sriracha. Whether you’re stopping in for a bite before heading out to the reef or prefer a long and leisurely brunch, Lure is sure to delight the most discerning diner.
Toast
Tucked away in the Port Village Shopping Centre, this charming little sandwich bar takes full advantage of the well-known fact that sandwiches always taste better when someone else makes them for you. Break the fast at Toast with blissful bagels, signature sandwiches and cosy cups of coffee. Although not your traditional breakfast food, the reuben sandwich with slow cooked corn beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and pickles is a sure-fire hit as is the French toast with bacon, marscapone and maple syrup. Go on, you deserve it.
Nectar
Get your fruity fix at Nectar
Nourish your body from the inside out with a visit to this smoothie and juice bar right on Macrossan Street. You’ll taste paradise with one of their acai bowls topped with coconut, mango and passionfruit. If you’re feeling a bit naughty then why not opt for the ‘cheat day’ bowl with chocolate granola, coconut, Nutella and banana? If bowls aren’t your jam then there’s more than enough smoothies to float your boat like the island time with dragon fruit, pineapple, lime, coconut yogurt and honey. There’s also plenty of freshly made savoury grab and go options in the cabinet if you’re short for time.
