Phillip's Cairns Coffee Ratings

  • Intro (last update 2023)
    This web page aims to celebrate good coffee sources in the Cairns region. There were few good options in the early 2000s but coffee culture is now strong in Cairns. Many drinkers contribute info and if I've omitted a credit or thank you, please let me know. All contributions welcome.
    Fair Trade Coffee: There is a more serious side to coffee production world-wide --- see the Oxfam Fair Trade Coffee site (and the main OXFAM web site which looks at the bigger picture of inequality).
    Another view: note that Nicky Jurd directs incredible energy to searching for a perfect coffee in Cairns so do a google search for Nicky Jurd, best coffee in Cairns. Or maybe check beanhunter.

    Remember, there is a lot of coffee in the world but some of it isn't suitable for human consumption. Luckily, when we taste, we do not need to swallow ...
  • Cairns Coffee
    Billy's Coffee
    Crate59, 59 Sheridan St. weekdays and Rusty's Market, 57-89 Grafton St. Friday-Sunday (also accessible from Sheridan St.).
    Featuring a custom local coffee blend and options of local Mungalli Milk and Misty Mountains Milk. The Coffee Works shop next door at Rusty's sells many coffees including his blend.    		9
    MIPIACE Espresso Bar
    119 Sheridan St, Cairns Cairns 0740411955.
    (Very highly recommended by Carmen P!) 
    Cruze Coffee
    105 Grafton Street, Cairns. 0740511444
    (Recommended by Carmen P & Phillip M - very very good and also sells many types of roasted beans)    		9
    Caffiend 
    72 Grafton Street, Cairns. 0740515522 
    Offering a Melbournian atmosphere. 
    (Recommended by Carmen & Ana. Even runs coffee appreciation classes)    		9
    Barista Sista of Cairns
    Rusty's Market Friday-Sunday, Cairns.
    (Recommended by Charlie, and popular with my friends)
    Conveniently located next to Gyorgyi's Gormet Delights!    		8.9
    Industry One Coffee is a Cairns business roasting great coffee (sources include the Atherton Tablelands). Features a speedy sms-and-collect service.
  • Local Coffee Bean Sources
    • The Coffee Works with their headquarters in Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands, which is where you can view coffee making (and chocolate making) as well as sample blends such as Black Mountain. (google maps)
    • Jaques Coffee makes good coffee and the owner also offers gyrocopter rides over the farm and nearby areas like Mareeba (I can't believe I agreed to this but it was a very exciting and tasty afternoon). Their products are in local food store and the visitor centre features an interesting movie on their farming history. (google maps)
    • Skybury Tropical Plantation with a great restaurant in the coffee centre is located about 10km from Mareeba. Dining offers great views and they also have fancy chocolate. (google maps)
    • Tichum Creek Coffee Farm - seems like it will be good (coffee, cafe, etc) but haven't managed to visit yet. (google maps)
    • See also this related Trip Advisor search.
  • Other Coffee Ratings
    • Brunetti's (original streetview) (youtube recommendations by jpap and evan)
    HQ is at Lygon Court, 360 Lygon Street, Carlton, Melbourne, next to Cinema Nova.

  • Milk and Pastry Local Info
  • Chocolate
    • Local cocoa growing and chocolate making: Daintree Estates entered production in 2011. Ingredients such as sugar are also sourced locally.
    • If I rated hot chocolates, then Brunetti's (see above) and Angelina's (226, rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001) would be at the top of the list.
    • If I rated chocolate fondants, well I guess that list would definitely start with Café Trésor, 5 rue du Trésor, 75004 Paris (thanks to A. Lindley).
    • And if I was looking for coffee (and other fine food) in Vienna, I would have to visit Café Hawelka (thanks to Claudine M).
  • Industrial Design
    • The Otto was a stove top coffee machine designed in Australia: "the Little Guy won the Australian Design Mark at the prestigious 2008 Australian International Design Awards and was a finalist in the International Design Excellence Awards in America (IDEA)". In 2022, it has reappeared at lovethelittleguy.com.
    • A more practical design which I use (and recommend) is the Sunbeam EM4300 "Mini Barista" Espresso Machine which includes a PID controller to manage temperature (so obviously it has control systems engineer appeal).
    • Swiss company JURA Elektroapparate AG has been developing innovative electrical and electronic equipment since 1931 (their coffee machines suggested by Genevieve, thank you).
    • The Illy Company produces the FrancisFrancis! range (it is red!) designed by Italian architect Luca Trazzi (brought to my attention by Linden W).
    • And when design has problems: One source of spare parts is COFFEEPARTS.COM, Pagewood NSW 2035 (tel. 02 9666 6114) - I have purchased Baby Gaggia parts and found the service prompt and efficient.

  • Training
    • There is an Australian National Training registered course for espresso preparation, ANTA training code THHBFB12B, for which Pearson publish the text Barista: A guide to Espresso Coffee.
    • There are TAFE programs e.g. NSW TAFE THHBFB12B & SITHFAB012A (course codes change often so do a search on the sites).
    • Coffee aficionados offer courses: Barista Basics offers courses in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (SITHFAB012A, successfully completed by Evan G 2010 and Phillip M 2011, links verified in 2023!).
    • Coffee suppliers offer training: Sydney based Vittoria Coffee offers various training programs including SITHFAB012A. And Lavazza Coffee also offer courses.

  • Notes
    • If in Melbourne, check out St. Ali. (thanks to G. Coath) 
    • The Vittoria Coffee home page is https://www.vittoriacoffee.com - with coffee art.
    • RFC 2324 (Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol, HTCPCP/1.0, Copyright (C) The Internet Society 1998). Unlimited copying permitted.
    • Death wish coffee - reported by Jon Roberts. Hmmm ... thanks Jon!
    • The string Phillip Cairns Coffee is included to assist in coffee searching that leads to this page ... or Phillip's Coffee Cairns or Phillip Coffee Cairns. Only 2x2 combinations.


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