When I visited this place it was busy - as it was Sunday lunchtime. The waitress found a table for us and we were seated quickly. We ordered quickly but waited a long time until the waitress returned to advise the pancackes were not available (not sure if this was today only or forever). My companion had to re-order which meant our entire order was put at the back of the queue. We waited a long time for our lunch, but when it came it was very good. The Vegetarian Pannini was generous as was the Rocket/Parmesan salad. The food was actually worth the wait and distracted service. Coffee was very good. I would eat here again.

Approximate cost: $18

I ate at this cafe several times while I was in Sydney recently. Although you would expect the menu to be entirely chocolate-based (well, it is ...), there are some other rather delicious savoury items on the menu also. My favourites were the salads - Smoked salmon/avocado salad and the Vege/Hummus salad - both beautifully fresh, well presented and delicious.

Approximate cost: $20

This place is good - the service is mostly attentive and the food is very good. I was a little tricked by the name of my dish "warm lamb shoulder salad, with fetta and olives"..... this was long on the lamb and very short on the salad. In effect, cooked lamb minced together with some fetta, olives and seasoning, there was a little endive on top but that was all, in terms of salad. Not what I was expecting, but tasty all the same. My companion had the steak, which was very good. I ordered a side salad without dressing, which arrived including fetta cheese, so I asked for that to be removed - which was done. The salad was fresh and very good. Our wine was Vermentino/Fiano from Heathcote, Victoria - recommended by our waiter and very nice - she gave us a small glass to try before we decided on it, which was very good. Overall, a nice meal and I would go back there. Top-end price wise - Mains around $38 $40.

Approximate cost: $40

This is a great place to meet friends for lunch. I have done this several times. I have their baguette - they're lovely. I'd get the foccaccia if they didn't squash it flat beyond recognition in the press toaster. Be warned, though, many people seem to know about how good it is here, as it is usually busy! The food is fresh and good and service also good. Great coffee. I recommend it.

Approximate cost: $15

This might be a "happening place to be" at 2am, but at lunchtime it is a stark and bare joint, but with really good food. You can see the meat cooking on the gyros when you arrive and although it is austerely decorated with very basic furnishings, the "famous" souvlakis and other food is great. Go back for the good food at good value. When I go I have either the lamb, chicken or combination (of lamb & chicken) souvlaki ... it's good. The Greek Salad is great and generous. If you want to have good, reliable, fresh food without worrying about luxurious surroundings then this is the place for you. Arrive right at 12 though as a queue forms quickly.

Approximate cost: $15

This place has lovely food and the service is very good, respectful but friendly. it has a really nice location, on the Esplanade in Cairns, so you can watch the world go by while you eat. It's a very leisurely way to live! I had brushcetta followed by a Greek Salad here. The Bruschetta was delicious, but the Greek Salad was meagre, it consisted mostly of mixed lettuce and the fetta was scarce (only what you can see on the surface). The atmosphere is bustling but positive.

Approximate cost: $25

This is a good, reliable eatery. The food is rustic Italian and lovely, with generous servings. However, a couple of things you need to know - it is very dark, so you need to be aware of this if you bring a group who need good visibility to seat themselves and eat, but it's fine if you want a romantic dinner with atmosphere. The tables are very close together, diners are often elbow to elbow, which can be off-putting and there is not much room to move between the chairs. However, if you can tolerate that, the food is good and worth it. We ordered the bruschetta, which comes in a lovely rustic style - the whole small loaf on a bread board with knive to slice it - that's great, but it is also very messy to eat, particularly because the tomato salsa gets everywhere!. I had the vegetarian pasta and my companions had a veal scallopini and a sciciliana pasta, all very good. The wine list is broad and will offer what you feel like. Service is good. I like it.

Approximate cost: $25

This is a great place to sit and enjoy good food, great service and the delight of watching the world pass by. Sitting watching the Melbourne Skyline on the riverside in this French bistro is a great experience. The Gazpacho was delicious and the King Salmon fillet was cooked perfectly, my companions had the shucked oysters, followed by Beef Daube which was to die for. Queary Pinot Gris 2010 really balanced this meal, followed by great coffee. A couple of things to get used to ... the service staff are French so you can expect very strong french accents so you will need to concentrate to understand them when they describe the menu to you (this adds wonderfully to the ambience, though). When they bring the bread, there will be no accompanying side plate to eat it from. They don't provide them - even if you ask them to, because they say this is the French way to do it. fine, but expect crumbs everywhere! There is no un-messy way to eat that bread, but this adds to the experience. The service is very attentive and respectful, whilst being wonderfully warm and friendly. Price is very reasonable for this lovely place. I have been several times and the food is always divine and experience good. I recommend it.

Approximate cost: $36.00

This cafe is totally unassuming and fantastic. Who knew such a treasure exists behind this ordinary shop front? I had the best long black I've ever had in my life here. It was just delicious. The atmosphere is relaxed and the environment is very calm. It is a haven for anyone who needs brain space and time. I went around 8.30am one morning and the sun was blazing in their rear window, which was really fabulous. I didn't eat the food here as I didn't have enough time but it looks welcoming and homely. A really nice place - I'll be back.

Don't be put off by the "low market" name of this restaurant. I was for a couple of days, but I then visited and was very glad I did. I particularly enjoyed my meal here, the location is marvellous, you can sit at an outside table on the Esplanade and watch the colourful diverse Cairns world go by.

The food is outstanding, I understand there is a French chef here, bravo to them! My meal was a Grilled Fillet of Salmon with roasted vegetables and balsamic jus. It was totally delicious, salmon cooked perfectly, mouth-watering flavours in the jus and the vegetables were good. I recommend this place. Also, if you order before 6pm you get an "early bird" discount of around 20%.

Approximate cost: $25