Top 14 breakfast spots in Townsville

Here are the eateries at the top of our list of places to enjoy breakfast in Townsville.

From breaky favourites including smashed avo and eggs benny, to cat poo coffee and minced meat on toast – the breakfast options in Townsville are quirky and wonderful. Here, a guide to the best cafes in Townsville for breakfast and coffee.

1. CBar

The location of CBar on the Gregory Street Headlands reveals Townsville’s promise as a foodie destination.

Arriving at CBar after a stroll along The Strand as the sun rises is a very civilised idea. Sit outside on the deck to enjoy roasted field mushrooms with whipped goat’s cheese and poached eggs on sourdough while drinking in views across the Coral Sea to Magnetic Island.

They’re currently closed for renovations but are promising to reopen in December 2024.

Breakfast served 6 am – 11:30 am daily

Address: Gregory Street Headlands, Townsville

2. Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms

For culinary connoisseurs who collect food experiences like souvenirs, a visit to the oldest known building in North Queensland is a must.

Relax in the historic Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms with a cup of rare kopi luwak ($50 per cup), coffee that has passed through the digestive tract of the Asian palm civet.

The heritage tea rooms are housed in an 1865-built building located 30 minutes from Townsville atop Herveys Range.

Breakfast served 9 am – 2 pm Wednesday to Monday

Address: 37 Thornton Gap Rd, Hervey Range

3. The Balcony Restaurant

The food at Balcony has absorbed influences from around the globe, which mirrors the city’s multicultural makeup.

The Balcony Restaurant colonised the quirky upstairs space 30 years ago. Enjoy a Belgian waffle with ice cream, banana and honeycomb, served overlooking Flinders Street, which is bustling on Sundays when it hosts weekly markets.

Breakfast served 6:30 am – 11 am (Wed and Fri), 8 am – 2 pm (all other days)

Address: 1/287 Flinders St, Townsville

4. JK’s Delicatessen

The 2016 Census found that about 23 per cent of people living in Ingham have Italian heritage.

Offering a link to their mother country, JK’s Delicatessen in Ingham keeps the flavours of Italy alive and satisfies customers who come in asking for zuccato la giardiniera, wild porcini, white asparagus spears and fire-roasted sweet red peppers.

It’s a two-hour one-way trip to get to Ingham, but when you do it’s worth it. Mosey up nearby Mercer Lane to admire the mosaics while you savour favourites such as eggs benny, big breakfast and smashed avo.

Breakfast served 7:30 am – 11:30 am daily

Address: 78 Lannercost St, Ingham

5. Beet Bar

Although Beet Bar is known for its healthy raw, vegan fare, you can also pick up rainbow salads with chicken and hefty cheeseburgers to boot.

Start your day with an acai bowl, toast with avocado, lemon and feta, or a bacon and egg roll, washed down with a crunchy nut protein smoothie or freshly squeezed signature beet juice.

Breakfast is served from 6:30 am – 3 pm daily

Address: G1/21 Stokes St, Townsville

6. Hoi Polloi Café

Melbourne meets Seattle at this music venue and café, with a gritty, grungy, vintage-chic vibe for locals into the city’s underground culture.

The space is popular with Gen Zers who look like they are playing dress-ups and are the epitome of hipster cool. Visit the laneway for its street art and stay for great coffee and quick bites such as pumpkin scones and pretzel cookies.

Breakfast is served 7 am – 1 pm on weekdays and 8 am – 1 pm on weekends

Address: LOT 2 Flinders St, Townsville

7. Otto’s Fresh Food Market

All up, Otto’s has 13 departments spread across two locations which include a meat market, bakehouse, deli and fresh harvest section.

Otto’s sells everything from pastries to designer doughnuts stuffed with jam, custard and Nutella to house-made German smallgoods, such as bratwurst. Order a grazing platter and set up your perfect breakfast picnic on the Strand.

Open 7 am to 7 pm daily

Address: Locations include Warrina, Precinct and JCU

8. Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart

Cheesy Doorstop Toast and Betty’s (eggs) Bennys are the top-selling items on the menu at Betty Blue and the Lemon Tart.

Located in a dinky Art Deco arcade, the bustling café adorned with tropical accents has a rotating list of daily specials that are a huge hit with locals. To round out your breakfast, do as the locals do and order a Tim Tam frappe to fuel your walk up Castle Hill.

Breakfast served 7:30 am – 2 pm (weekdays), 7:30 am – 1 pm (weekends)

Address: 95 Denham St, Townsville

9. The Palm House

The Palm House is part of The Ville Resort-Casino, one of Townsville’s best places to stay. If you’re not a guest, you can buy a pool day pass and indulge in an all-morning eating extravaganza at this bright and breezy buffet.

Browse the ever-changing selection from chia pudding and granola to eggs benny made at the live cooking stations enjoyed alongside fresh juice and barista-made coffee.

Breakfast served 6:30am – 10am (weekdays), 7am – 11am (weekends)

Address: Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, Townsville

10. Born Wild Wholefood + Espresso

Born Wild Wholefood Cafe is located in the busy, buzzy City Lane precinct, which is worth a detour for its proximity to some of the city’s best street art.

The murals make a splash at the back end of the laneway, which feels more Melbourne than Melbourne. Follow Born Wild on Instagram for what to order – from a mountainous serving of savoury mince on toast to delectable roast pumpkin fritters.

Breakfast is served 7 am – 2 pm daily

Address: 383 Flinders St, Townsville

11. Grandma’s

If you’re craving some home-cooked comfort food, Grandma’s is your place. This menu is a combination of recipes passed down by four real-life grandparents, embracing global flavours of the Mediterranean, North Africa, Greece and Italy.

The breakfast menu includes Grandma’s ricotta pancakes – try the classic version topped with fresh banana, caramelised figs and dollops of cream, drizzled with pure maple; or choose from the all-day breaky options, which includes homemade Challa bread and eggs benedict.

Breakfast is served from 7 am – 2 pm on weekdays and 7 am – 3 pm on weekends

Address: Shop 14/45 Eyre Street, North Ward

12. Pedlar Project

Inspired by 1920s French jazz cafes and mid-century contemporary design, Pedlar Project is a boutique coffee roaster from the same master behind Townsville’s much-loved Piccolo Pedlar coffee cart.

The menu features breakfast bowls packed with veggie goodness, buttery croissants, flavourful corn fritters and fairtrade organic coffee. There’s plenty of sidewalk seating among green foliage to relax and enjoy your brekky in the fresh air and sunshine.

Breakfast is served from 6 am every day

Address: 320 – 334 Flinders Street, Townsville

13. Fresno Espresso & Wine Bar

The brainchild of three mates, Fresno is a sleek new cafe, bar and events space in the CBD. Using Code Black Coffee, exclusive to Townsville, there are plans to add food to the menu, but for now, it’s espresso by day and espresso martini by night.

Coffee is served from 6 am – 1 pm (Mon to Fri), 7 am – 1 pm (Sat)

Address: 139 Sturt Street, Townsville

14. Odyssey On The Strand

In a breezy spot at Townsville’s northern end, Odyssey on the Strand is a relaxed Greek restaurant where you can enjoy ocean views along with hearty Mediterranean fare.

Its breakfast menu offers simple options, from toasted croissants to bircher muesli, when you feel like a lighter start to the day. For something more filling, try a traditional oven-baked omelette, vegan stack of fresh veggies, or the signature Greek breakfast, a plate filled with roasted tomatoes, avocado, halloumi, and grilled pancetta, all drizzled with olive oil.

Breakfast is served from 6:30 am daily

Address: 120 The Strand, North Ward

For more insider tips on where to eat and drink in Townsville, check out our guide here.