Is this hot new Cairns cafe all it’s cracked up to be?

Food editor Anooska Tucker-Evans rates a recently opened cafe where one dish is much loved on social media for its photogenic appearance. Find out if it’s worth a visit.

“Why is there vaseline on your breakfast?” my friend asks.

It’s not the popular petroleum product used for all manner of skin conditions and lubrication needs, but a languid lychee jelly flopped across an almost blackened hot cake at the fairly recently opened Two Blocks Cafe in the coastal Cairns suburb of Holloways Beach.

The dish (pictured, $16 and $2 extra with vanilla ice-cream) has become a signature, loved on social media for its photogenic appearance (despite the lube-like globs), with a scattering of fresh berries, edible flowers and honeycomb.

The pancakes at Two Blocks Cafe, Holloways Beach Picture: Facebook

The stretched-palm-sized pancake has the consistency of being deep-fried, the batter bleeding oil or butter with every slice.

It’s too sickly and fatty for me, but my friend loves it – trying desperately not to devour it all after polishing off our other dish – the curried fritters ($17).

Giving a twist to the classic corn and zucchini fritters, the curry powder could do with being toasted off a little more first to avoid the harshness of raw spice, but the accompanying cucumber raita helps balance things out, while the accompanying pickled mustard is terrific with the poached egg, avo and an extra side of bacon ($4).

At a nearby table, the sticky, nut-filled house-made granola ($12) topped with globular blackberries and fruit from Cairns’ popular Rusty’s Markets is enough to give you food envy. I’d happily go back to try the sticky black rice ($16) with kiwijam, turmeric poached pear, berries and toasted nuts and seeds that is on the regular and separate vegan menu, which includes roasted mushrooms on ciabatta and smashed avo on rye sourdough.

While breakfast is an all-day affair of classic cooking with a contemporary edge, come 11.30am a lunch menu also kicks in serving simple but popular fare such as a 12-hour pulled beef roll with sticky bourbon glaze, fish of the day, Sichuan spiced squid and an ancient grain salad.

The interiors of Two Blocks Cafe, Holloways Beach Picture: Facebook

Coffee (from $3.50) is from Blackbird Espresso and is fair trade, organic and as strong as a cross fitter, with cold drip and iced versions also available. Tea Drop loose leaf tea, chai, turmeric lattes, freshly squeezed juice and milkshakes make the drink list as well, while a mango and passionfruit smoothie as thick as wet cement is an absolute standout.

Boasting a comfortable, modern, fit-out with banquette seating and communal tables inside, and a greenery-bordered courtyard outside, and warm and efficient service to boot, Two Blocks Cafe is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

TWO BLOCKS CAFE

Address 5/117 Oleander St, Holloways Beach

Phone [phone]

Open Wed-Mon from 6.30am

VERDICT

Food 7

Service 7.5

Ambience 7.5

Value 8

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