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 $11.50, 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
Lafew Teahouse & Kombucha Bar
Falafel wrap
Falafel wrap
Lookout for the small shop-front on Sheridan Street
Lookout for the small shop-front on Sheridan Street
Dine inside, out the front or in the garden at the back
Dine inside, out the front or in the garden at the back
Selection of kombucha
Selection of kombucha
You’ll want to go back to Lafew “a few” times or more after sampling something from their plant-based menu and range of hand-brewed kombucha flavours. Their food epitomises how to make healthy food taste great and wouldn’t look out of place in a magazine. They describe their salads and bowls as the “perfect salad when you’re too hungry for a salad” which is a testament to their serving sizes and your satisfaction level. Still not convinced? Their mains are packed full of flavour and they endeavour to source as many products as they can locally.
Details: Open for brunch and lunch Tuesday to Sunday and Friday night for dinner, Sheridan Street Cairns
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 or tempeh and eggs (avocado for vegan); 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 and nightly 5pm-9.30pm
Kuranda Village
Falafellicious pita pocket
Falafellicious pita pocket
Charismatic chef and owner Or Ben Ezra of Falafellicious
Charismatic chef and owner Or Ben Ezra of Falafellicious
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.
At Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets you’ll find the tastiest falafels outside of the Middle East at small Israeli style falafel bar, Falafellicious. Your options here are simple: freshly baked pita wrap or lettuce bowl. Both are stuffed with almost too many falafels, sauce and salad. Paired with a refreshing organic lemonade, prepare for this meal to far exceed your taste expectations; it’s simply “dellicious”.
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. For around $10 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. For just $2.50 you can get a mouthwatering mixed vegetable samosa or for $3, 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 & 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 pulled jackfruit nachos, vegan sausage rolls, buffalo cauliflower “wing” tacos 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-2pm, Moffatt Street North Cairns
Mr Soy Boy
Vegan Indonesian rendang curry
When you have a whole page on the menu dedicated to vegan food, you know it’s going to be good. Don’t expect your run of the mill dishes here, this modern Asian restaurant, combines the flavours of a variety of Asian cultures to provide you with a diverse and mouthwatering menu. Coming from a classically French-trained background, chef and restaurant owner Ferdi takes a level of care that you’ll not see in most other establishments. He’s also mindful of his vegan visitors by offering a range of vegan wines on Mr Soy Boy’s menu.
Details: Open for lunch Monday to Saturday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, Mulgrave Road Earlville
Coco Mojo
Vegan Nasi Lemak
The flavours of the world are the hero of Coco Mojo’s huge vegetarian menu at Clifton Beach. Whatever you’re craving, chances are Coco Mojo have a meal to satisfy from paella to tagines, Mexican delights and mezze platters to a range of fresh and more-ish salads. Avoid food envy by ordering the Global Street Food Board for two which offers a taste of many of the dishes to sample.
Details: Open weekdays 11.30am-late and weekends 9am–late, Clifton Beach Road Clifton Beach
