Tia's Cafe in Cairns
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Tia's Cafe in Cairns
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, Asian, Thai, Vietnamese
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Delivery
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Seating
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Parking Available
Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?
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4.4
171 reviews
Excellent
108
Good
44
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
5
CairnsOne
Biboohra250 contributions
June 2022 • solo
Food was excellent.
Mixed entree $9 very good especially the dim sum
Crying Tiger approx $24 best I’ve ever had
Peanut Chicken approx $24 average
Large Steam rice $7
Price are high for the location and decor but the taste is worth it.
I’ll be back to try the seafood.
Credit cards have a surcharge.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DCI2018
Southern Queensland20 contributions
Aug 2022 • family
Such a beautiful meal. A big variety of courses. Entree spring rolls and prawn sticks. Main - fish soup, whole fish and a really nice fish dish. Staff were very attentive and very helpful even giving special plates and cutlery to small child with us.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ozzy-Kunnu
Melbourne3046 contributions
Dec 2020 • couples
You only know how good she is once you have taken.the first bite of your food, and if it comforts you, locally, she is a food celebrity, know for dishing out food that's fabulous and covered by many newspapers.
Portions are huge and thus the prices seem steep but worth the quality and taste.
Their seafood pad hai was selfish, and very unusual from what we have tried in the past. Also, their green curry was lesser on the sweet side yet packed punch, flavors and meat. Definitely among the best Thai food we have eaten in Australia.
This one too is run by the family and they are warm and welcoming.
One note of advice that we will give to any seafood lover is, If you are in Queensland don't miss out on Seafood. It's the best you'll find.
Written 15 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana P
3 contributions
May 2023 • friends
Wow. Hasn't this place dropped the ball! After being a customer for over 10 years (and still never being recognised when I go in. 🤷) I thought initially, that it was a busy thing, but since I've realised... it's just really bad service! The quality of the food has plummeted since Covid yet the prices have skyrocketed. Don't tell me it's inflation. They were already expensive to start with BUT they had a reputation. Now they are rude, cut corners and serve some of the most flavourless SE Asian food in Australia! And that's a big bad call.. PS Don't ever assume your customers don't have a better precedent than the crap you are serving for top price 🤷
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
243win
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • solo
I am been enjoying Tia cafe for many years and has been my favourite eating spot in Cairns. At lest once a week i was eating there.Over last few months have noticed a decline in standard of food and service.
Very disappointed with last few times I have been. I will be back to try again but not as ofter anymore.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toni C
Redlynch1 contribution
Oct 2020 • family
I will say that compared to other places, the servings are small for the price you pay(they seem a few dollars, $2-$5 more expensive than other places per dish, depending on what you order). Eg: only got 4 lumps of meat in the massaman curry, had to break it up so everyone got some. And usually have leftovers for the next day or 2, there were no leftovers last night.
But the food was better tasting than all the Thai places we've tried since our favourite closed a few years back. So points for that, and having good pad thai🙂
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teleost
Cairns129 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Is it the best Thai food in Cairns? No.
Is it a classy place to take your new client for a meal to impress them? Again, no.
What it is is a busy, vibrant suburban restaurant/takeaway with good quality food, huge serves and quick, friendly service. It's very easy to see why it's so popular. If you're not a big eater, a main with rice could easily serve two. A great place to go with friends or family for an informal meal.
Bonus, it's BYO so you can pop into the bottle shop just down the street and chose whatever beverage takes your fancy.
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle M
Numurkah58 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
Just amazing food delicious very large portions. Friend and l shared plate of egg fried rice had 2 servings each will be coming back,they also delivery which is something we will be trying.
With our meal l had a Avocado smoothie it was to die for the whole meal was just delicious and well presented also very quick service.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anchick01
85 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Flavours are good, portion size decent.
Penang is delicious and creamy, however don’t expect a variety of vegetable when you order the Tofu and vegetable option. They just add tofu to the existing vegetables.
Asked for Thai hot and came out western style hot, they do have chilli on table but would have been nice to have the dish cooked with fresh chilies.
Jungle curry is a soup like dish, lots of vegetables in this one. No need for rice as the dish is a soup not curry like.
Pad Thai is pleasant, no vegetables only grated carrot is mixed in sparingly, however the pork is cooked well.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bradbayshore
Candidasa165 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
Excellent find the quality of the food was exceptional.
Service was prompt and friendly.
Menu choices very good.
Each dish that I sampled was a taste sensation with its own individual style and taste.
We had the whole fish that was fresh and tasty.
Definitely will be back and everyone I told about this gem said they loved it too.
Thanks for the great food.
Written 23 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette D
14 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
We ate at Rusty’s market. You can take away or eat there. Tia’s stall is in a breezy corridor next to the fruit and veggies. We ate the dim sum which was flavoursome and fresh and the texture was beautiful. The lady gave us a tray of sauces and recommended which ones to use. Then we tried the Pandan layer cake which was refreshing and so yummy. It’s a jelly cake for special occasions we were told. Could totally recommend the food and the friendly service here. They have a bigger restaurant in town too.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheyCallMeMrT
Toowoomba394 contributions
July 2020 • none
We got some takeaway from here. You can tell a good place if there are lots of locals eating there and also lots of people from the cuisine origin eating there. This place had both. It’s not in a pretty location but the flavour of the food was right up there. The beef was tender and the spring rolls were tasty and also crispy. We got a couple noodle dishes and they were smashing too. I almost always order pad Thai so that is my litmus test. I gave the pad Thai a solid 8.5/10. So that’s pretty good. I’d definitely be happy to eat from here again. The staff k On my way! What their doing and I get the feeling they don’t make too many mistakes with orders.
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve_d_fb
Birmingham342 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
We decided to try this place as it was only a short walk away from where we were staying. We were so very disappointed. We only wanted a quick snack before the evening and glad we didn't spend much time here.
The spring roll pastry was far too thick, the filling was vegetarian and almost non existent (talk about cost cutting). We also had the Vietnamese style sandwich with crispy pork. The pork was nice but the sandwich itself isn't authentic.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stephen j
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • solo
stopped in for a bite. Did takeaway. sweet and sour pork. Sauce was so sickly sweet intolerable. I tried to eat a lump of battered stuff. could not bite through to get half. Tried to chew. Tried a few more. Same. I imagine an old car tyre to be more edible. Threw the lot away..
Written 14 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine J
20 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Great food and great service. A well priced Thai spot within walking distance of the Holiday Inn where we were staying. Friendly service and the food was tasty and good sized meal. Would recommend.
Written 27 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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