Welcome! Benvenuti! 

Chill Café was born as an answered prayer almost fifteen years ago (Novena to St Joseph), when my life was at a crossroads, a broken-down yuppie who’d moved from Sydney in 2003, by late 2009 Cairns found itself at the tail end of the GFC and things were tough. Newly married to my beautiful Italian soulmate Manuela, I knew my path needed some radical change.

After twenty years in the financial markets, with my darling wife and father-in-law Corrado’s support, we stepped out in faith, and together we built Chill Café! Grace held us together through those first five years, Palm Cove’s seasonal nature always challenging, yet we continued taking baby steps which gradually strengthened our offering.

By 2015, having purchased our landlords business (Portobello), we acquired the adjoining two leases enabling the redevelopment of our entire corner position. The biggest of all our many steps, ‘Chill at Portofino’ is our story of evolution into relaxed beachfront dining excellence!

This season, with Covid restraints buried, we launch our new menu, it is an earnest reflection of our Italian heritage, an expression of who we truly are, whilst holding the best of Chill Café.

On behalf of Manuela, and our fabulous team, it is my sincere pleasure to welcome you into our restaurant, into our ‘Chill at Portofino’ familia!

Thank-you for your support!

Tony