TNQ Writer
You’ll find most cafes and restaurants around Cairns include quality meat-free dishes. The following eateries however, hero plant-based food. Here’s where to eat vegan and vegetarian food in Cairns.
Snoogies Health Bar
Pre-packages salads
Pre-packages salads
Hot food bain-marie
Hot food bain-marie
Snoogies Juice Bar
Snoogies Juice Bar
Salad bar
Salad bar
If you’re after a quick and easy yet tasty and healthy lunch, look no further than Snoogies. This vegetarian/ vegan eatery and juice bar is tucked away in the heart of Cairns CBD in Mainstreet Arcade and has lovingly been serving food for 15 years. Their windows are full of tempting salads, wraps, hot food and snacks. From only $14, mix and match salads, curries and more to create the perfect smorgasbord of dishes for your tastes. Otherwise, choose from one of their pre-packaged loaded salads topped with flavoured hummus and drizzled with mango dressing. Did someone say “yum”?
Details: Open weekdays 9am–2pm, Mainstreet Arcade (between Grafton and Lake Streets) Cairns
Root Vegetarian
Choose from a range of meals in the bain-marie
Tucked away in The Walk Laneway on Lake Street in Cairn CBD, you’ll find a small shop serving hearty, healthy and heavenly Asian-Argentian fusion vegan food.
Opt for their hero Root Bowl, where you can choose from a mix of curries, stirfries, rice, noodles or salad; for something lighter, try their delicious sushi rolls and rice paper rolls; or snack on tasty treats such as salt and pepper popcorn tofu, samosas or fritters.
Details: Open 11am-2.30pm Monday to Friday, Lake Street Cairns CBD
Guyala Cafe
Pina colada waffle stack
Pina colada waffle stack
Truffle & tofu toastie
Truffle & tofu toastie
Award-winning truffle mushrooms
Award-winning truffle mushrooms
Located on the north end of Cairns Esplanade in the Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre, Guyala Cafe serves up plates inspired by authentic Indigenous ingredients. The cafe offers a number of vegetarian and vegan options that are anything but your standard avo toast. Think truffle and tofu toasties and pina colada waffle stack.
Details: Monday – Friday 7am – 2.30pm, Saturday 7am- 2pm, Sunday 8am – 1pm
The Lillipad Cafe
Turkish Breakfast at The Lillipad Cafe
Turkish Breakfast at The Lillipad Cafe
Photo by instagram.com/bewarebrunette
As You Like It breakfast at The Lillipad Cafe
As You Like It breakfast at The Lillipad Cafe
Photo by instagram.com/feedingmysoul9
For an overwhelming choice of food with equally overwhelming plate sizes, The Lillypad Cafe has got you covered with their extensive menu. Although the cafe doesn’t exclusively cater to vegans or vegetarians, you’ll find almost half of its menu features meat-free dishes.
Think burritos smothered in green chilli sauce and cheese (optional) stuffed with sauteed potatoes, tofu and mushroom eggs benedict; marinated organic tofu, sautéed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, avocado and hash browns; or enormous vegan antipasto platters for two which could easily be shared by three. No matter what you order, you’re guaranteed to walk out with your belly full and satisfaction level exceeded.
Details: Open everyday 7am–3pm
Lukure Caff
Assorted salads
Assorted salads
Quinoa salad
Quinoa salad
Roasted vegetable panini
Roasted vegetable panini
Vegetarian pastries
Vegetarian pastries
Opening in December 2020, Lukure Caff was a refreshing welcome to the Cairns foodie scene. Specialising in fast, fresh and healthy food – and of course great coffee – the Caff’s menu lends itself to a vegetarian diet with a range of tasty salads, wraps, paninis and pastries all without meat. Unlike most cafes in town, salads come standard as vegetarian, and proteins (including halloumi) can be added for a small charge.
If you’re after extra convenience, you can preorder and pay online so you can really make use of their grab-and-go ethos.
Kuranda Village
Mango Shaved Ice at Hayabusa of Kuranda
Mango Shaved Ice at Hayabusa of Kuranda
Frog's Restaurant
Frog's Restaurant
Fruibies Organic Tropical Fruit Bar
Fruibies Organic Tropical Fruit Bar
Kuranda, the rainforest village just “up the hill”, is a mecca for plant-based food cafes. Organic vegan juice bar and cafe Fruibies, at Kuranda Village Centre, brings a splash of colour to your diet. Think bright pink dragonfruit smoothies, papaya boats or coconuts filled with fruit salad, nice cream and shredded coconut or some seriously loaded salads.
A wander through the markets and streets of Kuranda will afford both vegetarians and vegans many other options. Dress in a kimono and enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony and lunch at Hayabusa of Kuranda, take in the views from one of Kuranda’s oldest establishments, Frog’s Restaurant or feast on authentic Central and South American food at La Fonta Latina which focuses on local vegan and vegetarian produce.
Tip: Make a day of it and venture to and from Kuranda on Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Gyorgyi's Delights
An arancini ball & pastry will set you back $10 for lunch
Keep your eyes peeled because you might miss this tiny stall located on along the Sheridan Street footpath at Rusty’s Markets. Here you’ll find chef Gyorgyi serving up a range of homemade vegan and vegetarian sweet or savoury treats. You can enjoy a wholesome lunch ranging from arancini balls, frittatas, tarts and pastries each served with a healthy portion of sauerkraut and a trio of sauces.
Govinda’s Yummies
Samosa with tamarind and date sauce
Govinda’s Yummies, specialising in “pure vegetarian food”, is a veteran of Rusty’s Markets. There’s always a line at this little stall and for good reason; you can get a mouthwatering mixed vegetable samosa or a spinach and cheese samosa. Topped with a healthy serving of your choice of sauce (the tamarind and date comes highly recommended) and a side of a lemon, orange and mint cooler it’s the perfect snack or light lunch.
The Healthy Hub Cafe
Pulled jackfruit tacos
Pulled jackfruit tacos
The Hub Burger
The Hub Burger
Beyond Meat hotdogs
Beyond Meat hotdogs
Twice baked buffalo style cauliflower "wings" tacos
Twice baked buffalo style cauliflower "wings" tacos
The secret is out! Cairns has an organic 100% plant-based cafe. Located inside Cairns’ organic produce store, The Healthy Hub, this cafe replicates the ethics of the store, sourcing suppliers with quality products that are sustainable, nutritious and unique. It’s unlikely you’ll stumble across this one without looking so jump in a car, on a bike or bus and head to North Cairns for some seriously tantalising vegan comfort food. From vegan sausage rolls, “chick’n” melt sandwhiches or a range of lighter options such as salads, wraps or smoothie bowls, everyone’s idea of comfort food is catered for.
Details: Open Monday to Saturday 9am-3pm, Moffatt Street, North Cairns
Bury Me Standing Bagels
Bagels and cinnamon scrolls may be the hero menu items at Bury Me Standing, but these plant-based delights are just where it begins. Classic hotdogs have a Bury Me Standing vegan twist, served on their simultaneously chewy and soft bagel dogs, and flavoured with a range of toppings from classic sauerkraut to cheeseburger style. It’s hard to go past their Peckels Bakkas (Polish family donuts) at three for $6, which are similar to a cinnamon donut but, dare-we-say-it, arguably better.
Details: Open Thursday to Sunday 7.30am to 12.30pm, Grafton Street, Cairns (near corner of Spence Street)
Falafellicious
Classic falafel pocket
Classic falafel pocket
Your falafel is always served with a smile
Your falafel is always served with a smile
Two doors down from Bury Me Standing, find the tastiest falafels outside of the Middle East at small Israeli style falafel bar, Falafellicious. It’s hard to go past their original falafels offering, freshly baked pita wrap or lettuce bowl stuffed with almost too many falafels, sauce and salad. However, they do have daily salad and sweet specials as well.
Paired with a refreshing, organic, house-made lemonade, prepare for your meal to far exceed your taste expectations; it’s simply delicious.
Details: Open weekdays 10.30am-2.30pm, and some weekends.
Pantry 15
Acai bowl
If you’re craving veggie/vegan delights such as smashed avo, buenos nachos or chickpea fritters, make way to Pantry 15 on Grafton St. This cafe has an abundance of vegetarian and vegan options available. including their signature smoothie bowls.
Little Sister
Nestled along The Esplanade, Little Sister will leave you spoiled for choice with a tantalising selection of plant-based options inspired by Asian street food. Their extensive menu is designed to be shared, so you won’t have to choose between their delicious house made Chickpea Dip & Lotus Chips or their heavenly Yellow Curry of Pumpkin.
If you’re feeling adventurous, let Little Sister take charge with their vegan or vegetarian Feed Me Banquet. This curated feast includes 9 of their absolute best dishes, guaranteeing that you’ll leave feeling satisfied and nourished.
Details: Open every day 11am – 12pm, closed between 3pm – 5pm Mon – Thu.
