Lillipad Cafe

Lillipad Cafe is a busy, laid-back all-day cafe in the Cairns CBD, known for huge portions and a menu that runs deep on vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. It has moved from its long-time Grafton Street home to 29/31 Spence Street, still a short walk from the Esplanade, and the front footpath and covered deck tables remain the dog-friendly seats.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the shaded footpath seating and the covered front deck, not in the main indoor dining room. Both areas are airy and shaded, which matters in the Cairns heat, so a morning table out front works year round. Staff are friendly to dogs but pet amenities vary, so bring your own water bowl rather than counting on one. It opens from 7am through to mid afternoon, closed Tuesdays.

Max: shakshuka the size of a frisbee, shade over the table, and my human too full to argue about the walk home.

The vibe

The reputation rests on portion size and range: eggs benedict, shakshuka, huevos rancheros, tempeh plates and crepes, with a genuinely long plant-based list rather than a token option. It is relaxed and unhurried even when the room is full, and the vegan-friendly menu makes it a reliable pick for mixed groups. Weekends run busy with a brunch queue, so early is safer with a dog in tow.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 29/31 Spence Street, a couple of blocks inland from the Esplanade. Street parking around Spence and Grafton streets is mostly timed metered bays and fills mid-morning; the CBD is compact enough to park once and walk. Most dog visitors arrive on foot after a walk along the Esplanade.

Close by with the dogs

Other dog-friendly tables in the city include Mi Piace Espresso Bar and Blu Marlin Bistro, and Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf has covered waterfront seating where dogs are welcome.

More options are on the QLD cafes list or in the Cairns City guide.