The last few years have seen a boom in the coffee culture of Townsville, taking a leaf out of Melbourne’s book and catering to the ever-increasing crowds of caffeine fanatics. The city is now filled with fantastic options for coffee, and an equally impressive range of relaxed places to have a chat and a bite to eat.
The owner of the Quarters, Garry Miller, began his career in coffee-mad Melbourne, and has brought that expertise and atmosphere with him to Townsville. The Quarters serves up strong coffee and a selection of teas and hot chocolates, as well as scrumptious pastries and baked goods. The Quarters is open Monday to Friday, 6am to 12:30pm, and 7am to 12pm on Sundays. It is closed on Saturdays.
This family-owned cafe is situated right in the heart of the CBD, and is a wonderful place for breakfast and lunch throughout the week. The coffee from a Melbourne-based coffee roastery will satisfy coffee connoisseurs, and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere is the perfect place to chill out after a morning’s sightseeing. Lunch options include an impressive array of veggie, gluten and dairy free, and paleo choices too! Open from 6am to 2pm Monday to Saturday, and 6am to 12pm on Sunday.
Tide started life as a catering company, and have been running their buzzing little cafe close to the Strand since 2014. They have a strong focus on locally sourced ingredients, and offer award-winning Bounce coffee, roasted in Townsville. As you might expect with a background in catering, the food options are pretty special too! Open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3pm, and 9:30am to 2pm on weekends.
Hoi Polloi channels the hipster charm of a Melbourne cafe to perfection. Almost hidden down an alleyway covered in street art, inside you are greeted with beautifully mismatched furniture and a curious array of frames hanging from every wall. Food choices are a bit limited, as their focus really is on the coffee, but this more than compensates. They also run a fabulous outdoor cinema, A Day on Denham Lane. Hoi Polloi is open Monday to Friday 730am to 1130 am, and 8am to 1pm on weekends.
Stripes is the new kid on the block when it comes to Townsville’s cafes, but has made a great impression. The beautifully minimalist interior shows elegance and class, and they deliver the goods when it comes to the coffee too, with a range of coffee blends available, and bags of beans to take away as well. Open until 11am on Monday, and 12pm the rest of the week.
The Beet Bar is a true haven for vegetarians, vegans, and lovers of gluten free, dairy free and paleo brunch options. They are all about fresh, wholesome produce, and specialise in delicious acai bowls and raw food. Drinks-wise the juices and smoothies are to die for, and they serve up excellent kombucha and cold-pressed coffee. An absolute must for fans of eating clean. Open 6:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm on Saturday and 7am to 2pm on Sunday.