Hello everyone, let me introduce myself, I’m Elisa, I’m 23 years old, originally from Rome, Italy, and I work as a Sales Specialist for Travel Hub Australia.
Currently, I’m in Cairns, but before arriving here, I traveled for three months in a campervan along the entire Australian East Coast, exploring cities, islands, and some of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world.
As someone who is obsessed with organization, but also with good food, every time I travel and explore new places, I make it a habit to note down any restaurant, cafe, or brunch spot worth trying.
So, I’ve decided to write down all the best recommendations I’ve noted during these months, so that, in addition to seeing amazing places, your taste buds won’t be disappointed by this famous East Coast!!
I’ll start in order, beginning with Cairns, the home of Travel Hub and the place I now call home, and then head south until I reach Melbourne, the first city that welcomed me to Australia.
1. CAIRNS
Cairns, as you may have gathered from our previous article “Top 10 things to do in Cairns,” isn’t very big, but it has a lot to offer. This also applies to cafes and brunch spots, which are mainly found in the central streets and along the Esplanade.
Brekkie Time
- Envy Espresso (best coffee in town, especially if you like a strong one) ⁃ The Chambers (cutest location for a brunch stop)
- Crave (another nice brunch option)
- Maddy’s (seafront view!!)
- YoMg (if you want to spoil yourself with a frozen yogurt)
- Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Perrito Guatón (if you want to have an easy lunch, this Chilean street food place (only one in QLD) is located next to our second shop in the corner!)
- Vitalia’s (another take away lunch option that allows you to try a real Italian focaccia) ⁃ Viet Street Food (the place where we go to eat practically every day during our lunch break, simply delicious)
- Evo Burger (best sweet potatoes in town)
- Olli’s (as an Italian I can’t miss this place when I’m in Cairns, location with sea view and REAL Neapolitan pizza)
- Nightmarkets (cheap and good Asian food, only open from 4.30pm)
- Rusty’s (my favourite market for food and groceries, open only during weekends) Clubs
- Salthouse (my fav spot!! Go on Monday to have $5 drinks)
- Bar 94 (best techno in town)
- Gilligan’s (for those who don’t know yet it is the most famous hostel here in Cairns and at night it turns into a nightclub where you can have fun with friends and make it difficult for everyone else to sleep)
- Dirty Laundry (small social feel, cheap drinks, slide to get in, great music)
- Bourbon Street – (An amazing sports bar to sit and watch the footy or UFC whilst getting amazing service and great decorations!)
2. AIRLIE BEACH
Airlie Beach is a small town, quite similar to Cairns, full of backpackers and people traveling toward the paradise of the Whitsundays.
By the time you arrive here, you will probably already have a reservation for an overnight tour to the TOP 1 BEACH IN THE WORLD, which is Whitehaven Beach – and if you don’t have a reservation yet, hurry up and contact one of our agents!! – but you’ll need to spend a few nights and therefore some meals in this small town.
The restaurants and cafés, as well as the shops, are located along a single main street where you’ll also find the lagoon.
Brekkie Time
- Fruits’n Rotz (for the best açai bowls)
- Boho Cafè (fancy brunch spot with sea view)
- Sidewalk Cafè (another cute brunch option)
- Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Joa Sushi (easy lunch on the go)
- Mika (a small colourful seafood restaurant)
- Ramen in May
Clubs
Every self-respecting Whitsundays tour ends at Mama’s Africa, the perfect club to spend one last evening with the new friends made during the previous days, get drunk, and ensure an epic hangover to deal with on the Greyhound bus the next day, trying not to get sick.
3. NOOSA
Here we are at one of my absolute favorite spots, I know, it’s cliché, but Noosa is simply stunning. Now I understand why all the rich old Australian gentlemen have at least one villa here!! From this point on, we’re no longer talking about small towns with one or two streets, but things start getting more complex. We begin to have neighborhoods, but the entire central part is called Noosa Heads.
Brekkie Time
- Flo’s Creperie (salty and sweet authentic French crepes)
- Oakberry (açai bowl for an easy breakkie on the go)
- Everyday Coffee Bar (for the best cappuccino)
- Moonstruck (amazing location for coffee and pastries, they also double up as an incredible cocktail bar)
- Providoreo (another cafè right on Hastings with a fantastic selection of pastries and small shop featuring local goodies)
- Vanilla Food (my go-to local that has the most aesthetic design, serving local whole foods with plenty of vegan and vegetarian option)
Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Sum Yung Guys (fancy modern location and delicious asian fusion cuisine) – Pelis (Mediterranean restaurant with the most aesthetic design, great sea view) – Noosa Farmer Market (for some cheap and good local food)
- Rick’s Artisan Pies & Sourdough (all the best bakery goods, amazing baguettes for an easy lunch)
- Bandita (cute mexican food spot located in Noosaville)
Clubs
- The Rock (Located on Hastings Street, The Rock is an iconic venue recently renovated. It is open from Thursday to Saturday, from 8pm to 2am)
- Aqua Lounge & Nightclub (Located on the upper level of Bay Village on Hastings Street, Aqua is known for its themed nights and vibrant atmosphere)
4. BRISBANE
Here is our first big city, an amazing place to live and work as it has great weather all year round and lots of opportunities. I’m talking about job opportunities, but since we’re on the topic of food, I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed when it comes to cuisine either. Whether you’re looking for gourmet dishes, street food, or unique culinary experiences, Brisbane has something to offer.
Brekkie Time
- Adonis Cafe (the perfect brunch place in the hearth of Fortitude Valley)
- Pawpaw Cafe (contemporary and chic cafe located in Woolloongabba, best health-conscious fresh juices)
- – Colin’s (my fav place in Brissy, nordic aesthetic and delicious meals!!)
- – Cenzo’s Cafe + Bar (a well-kept secret, tucked away on a leafy street in Upper Mt Gravatt) – Mondays (best croissant and coffee for an easy breakkie)
- – Wuta Brewers (fav matcha place)
- – Darrell (must-try patisserie located in Bulimba)
- – Lune Croissanterie (no words can explain this place)
Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Evra (is my favorite place overall to have an easy and cheap – but delicious – lunch, you can build your own meal choosing from multiple ingredients)
- Siam Samrarn (cheap Asian cuisine)
- Etna or Beccofino (for the most amazing pizza!!)
- James & Antler (for the craziest deli sandwiches)
- Soko Rooftop (for the best sunset rooftop)
- The Lex (OMG the steak!!!!)
- The 203 (please try their tiramisu if you go there)
Clubs
- Cloudland (located in the Fortitude Valley district, Cloudland is an elegant club with a unique atmosphere, characterized by luxurious design and a variety of musical events.) – The Met (also in Fortitude Valley, it is one of the largest clubs in Brisbane, known for its nights with international DJs.)
5. GOLD COAST
Continuing our culinary journey south, just over an hour away you’ll be transported to the Gold Coast, “aka” the Miami of Australia for obvious reasons – tall skyscrapers and long beaches with massive waves, hosting world surf competitions.
In addition to all of this, you can also find great spots here to stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so let’s check them out together!
Brekkie Time
- Tarte Bakery & Cafe (artisan coffee and freshly baked pastries everyday)
- Cardamom Pod (modern location offering plant-based and veggie eats, their bowls are insane) – Palm Springs Burleigh (your new favourite Southern Californian inspired cafe) – Paddock Bakery (cute spot and pastries)
- The Milkman’s Daughter (THE brunch spot, pls try their lemon ricotta pancakes)
Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Piada Co (lots of yummy things on the menu, including piadina and cannoli as the perfect italian post beach lunch)
- Light Years (if you like bao buns you definitely have to try this)
- O Bagel (cute interiors and so many bagels to choose from, perfect as a lunch on the go) – Sofia’s (located in Broadbeach, this place reminded me of home, they serve the cacio e pepe directly in the cheese wheel, nothing more to add)
- Paloma (steak and fries here are perfection)
- ChangMai Thai (best thai restaurant in Surfers Paradise)
Clubs
- SinCity (strobe lights and DJs playing the biggest EDM hits)
- Rattlesnake Nightclub (insane lineups and sometimes you can find live actors and free tarot card reading)
6. BYRON BAY
Just over an hour south for Surfers Paradise, Byron Bay will be that place where you can have a true Aussie experience – this is the perfect place to find a blonde, surfer Ozzy guy and get your green card! xx
From surfers to buskers everywhere, Byron Bay will be a place to stay as long or as little as you’d like, you can spend your days taking surf lessons, go on a day trip to Nimbin, Australia’s weed capital, or visit the Lighthouse, Australia’s easternmost point.
Brekkie Time
- Combi (best bowls and brunch in the Bay!)
- Bayleaf Cafe (great vibes, you should try their eggs on toast)
- The Byron Bay General Store (everything is delicious and the place is just so aesthetic and cute)
- Sunday Sustainable Bakery (for fresh pastries and donuts)
- Folk (fav matcha spot in Byron)
Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Lightyears (modern Asias restaurant, lovely vibe and the aesthetic is just everything) – Mez Club (mediterranean restaurant that reminded me of being in Greece on holiday) – Costa Taco (mexican restaurant with a chilled vibe, perfect also for lunch and really good value for money)
- Beach Byron Bay (the only beach fronted restaurant here, the view is STUNNING) – Rae’s on Waters (love the courtyard for a drink in the sun)
- Puglia Pasta (for a dinner with less than $20)
Clubs
Byron Bay is known for its relaxed, bohemian vibe, but it also offers some great spots to dance the night away. Here are a few popular clubs and venues to check out:
- Duelling Piano Bar (best place for singing your heart out with a bunch of strangers) – The Northern (every night there’s a different events, my favs are the music bingo’s night and the piano bar’s one)
7. SYDNEY
Here we are in one of the largest and most famous cities in all of Australia. I can’t say whether I’m more fascinated by the beach life of Bondi or the skyscrapers and “fashionable” air of Melbourne, but I can say they’re both stunning.
I still haven’t figured out the rivalry between the two cities: from what I gather, people from Sydney say Sydney is the most beautiful, and those from Melbourne would vote to the death for their city — kind of like Rome and Milan, I guess. Anyway, having been to both, I can tell you that they’re two amazing cities for different reasons, full of inspiration and places to explore. “Unfortunately” for me, they are also places packed with restaurants, brunch spots, and cafés, so here’s a carefully curated selection of some of my favorite places in Sydney.
Brekkie Time
- Hungry Bear Açai (you’ve all probably seen at least one TikTok with the vibrant Dubai chocolate, well here you can enjoy an amazing Dubai-inspired açai bowl that will leave you speechless—and craving more)
- Celsius (sea fronted and delicious waffles)
- Tento (an adorable Japanese brunch spot located in Surry Hills with fresh dishes, yummy matcha and the friendliest staff)
- Pina (you might find a bit of a line, but I swear it’s so worth it, especially the prawn burger – it’s insane!)
- Theeca (located in Darlinghurst, this place has the behest pancakes)
- Happyfield (“aka” Bougie Maccas, their happiest meal platter us just iconic) – A.P Bread & Wine (this Sydney’s latest opening won me over with its refined aesthetic and delicious homemade dishes)
- Shadow Baking by Messina (I’m sorry, but I just can’t find the words to describe the freshly baked pastries at this place)
Lunch/Dinner Spot
- Burger Park in Bondi ($12 for a smash burger, do I need to say more?)
- Ranieri’s Continental Delicatessen (best italian deli sandwich, for $15 you can literally build your own sandwich by choosing from an endless variety of ingredients)
- Cross Section (burrito and caesar wrap for the best lunch on the go)
- Arms Length (located in King Cross, this restaurant is the perfect spot for a dinner with friends, you can get pasta and wine for just $18)
- Apollo (best greek restaurant ever tried)
- Pizza Bros (probably the best pizza in the whole Australia)
Clubs
- The Ivy (probably the most famous and icon upscale club in the city, it’s a multi-level venue where you can find a poolside area, bars and a great dance floor)
- Club 77 (this is a legendary underground club in the heart of Darlinghurs and a must-try if you like electronic music and it’s also got a 4am license seven days a week)
- Abercrombie (now houses three distinct venues under one roof with insanely funny weekly events)
- Goros (my fav place for karaoke booths, arcade games and they have playlist filled with 90s and 2000’s classics which is absolutely a pluss)
- The Bondi Beach Hotel (ideal for watching a free show from your favourite band or mingling with some backpackers)
*Also Bondilines is a great app that shows real time lines and vibes of clubs so you can see uf it’s popping off or not.
8. MELBOURNE
Here we are at the final stop of our journey, the first city to welcome me to Australia and one of my favorite places in the world.
Melbourne is a vibrant and majestic city, where an international atmosphere fills the air, both in its restaurants and beyond, and where everything is extremely trendy and fashionable. It was truly difficult to narrow down all my favorite places to eat into one list, so make sure to use it wisely!
Brekkie Time
- Lune Croissanterie (considered by many – and by me – to be the best croissanterie in the world, the founder of the bakery was an engineer and she used the scientific approach to create the croissant in a very controlled process, you can find some line but is SO SO worth it)
- Uncle Tetsu (maybe I’m easily swayed by TikTok trends, but you absolutely have to try this crème brûlée crepe)
- Acoffee (located in Collingwood, this is my fav coffee in town)
- Hectors Deli (for bagels and sweet treats)
- Levi (a brunch spot different from all the others)
- Terrace Cafe (my fav spot for a slow brunch with an amazing view of the botanical gardens) – Clementine (the interiors are absolutely stunning and honestly you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes)
Lunch/Dinner Spot
- The Hardware Club (pls try their cacio e pepe toast bc is something insane) – Alimentari (the perfect spot for a dinner with friends, the location is magical) – The Standard X (newest happy hour spot in Fitzroy serving $1 dumplings) – Carton (fav long lunch spot located in a fairy garden)
- Nomad (everything here is just top quality)
- Pierogi Pierogi (located in Brunswick East this place is a hidden gem, you’ll find the best Polish dishes ever)
- Nico’s (perfect crunchy deli sandwich)
- Wabi Saba Salon (for a slice of Japan in Melbourne)
Clubs
- Section 8 (outside bar that turns into a club, cheap drinks and always such good music) – The Third day (cool venue with nice interiors and food available in addition to several bars) – Sub Club (is a basement nightclub where you can expect to hear loads of bass techno and left field electro music)
- Revolver Upstairs or “Revs” (it will take you in on a Friday evening and will treat you to soul tinged deep house and then spit you back up into Chapel Street on Sunday morning) – Chase Lounge (top class DJs every Friday and Saturday)
We’ve come to the end of this long trip, and I truly hope this guide will be helpful during one of the most beautiful journey of your life – or at least, that’s how the Australian East Coast was for me. Let us know – by commenting on Instagram or even just sending us a DM – if you have any other tips! There are so many places, and it would take months to list them all. We’d be more than happy to chat with you and learn more about your experience. After all, we’re backpackers just like you, and we couldn’t be more excited to connect with you!
Elisa
