Port Douglas tourism describes this small, vibrant town as ‘Where rainforest meets reef’ and it’s absolutely true. From Crystalbrook Marina pleasure craft cruise the Great Barrier Reef daily, offering tourists a chance to marvel at the incredible aquatic wonderland lying a few miles off shore. Alternatively, you can drive inland and take in the verdant beauty of the stunning Daintree Forest with its unique flora and fauna.
And when you’re tired of day-tripping, the list of things to do in Port Douglas will keep you busy for the rest of your stay.
You can stroll and length of Four Mile Beach, do a bit of sunbathing or maybe even catch a wave or 2. Alternatively, bike hire is a popular activity and a great way to check out the town and its surrounds.
Perhaps you like a spot of holiday shopping? Then the boutiques along bustling Macrossan St should keep you happy. And if you’re in town on a Sunday, check out the Port Douglas Markets on Port Douglas Beach. You’ll find everything from locally made arts and crafts to snacks and entertainment.
Last, but not least, there are the many and varied Port Douglas restaurants.
Port Douglas Restaurants
Please be aware that many of the more popular Port Douglas Restaurants book out months in advance. If you are planning to visit FNQ, get your lunch and dinner reservations in early!
The dining scene in Port Douglas is particularly rich for such a comparatively small place. Tourists come from all over Australia – and indeed the globe – to see the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Forest and their tastes, and wallets, are all catered for by the dining scene.
So if you wish to celebrate a special occasion with at a fine dining seafood restaurant, Port Douglas has a number of options. Or if you want to keep things cheap and cheerful, you can grab a bowl of noodles at an unpretentious Vietnamese joint or maybe some fish and chips to take away.
From kid-friendly ice cream and snack stops to healthy breakfast cafes. And from lively pubs screening the footy to chic bars where you can sip a sophisticated cocktail as you watch the sunset over the ocean – Port Douglas has it all.
With so much choice, your only problem is knowing where to try first.
Well, luckily, Eatability recently visited Port Douglas and ate at a range of establishments. Some budget-friendly, others at the top end of the market.
So here is our guide to the best restaurants in Port Douglas.
Location: Coconut Grove Complex, 9-11/56-64 Macrossan St, Port Douglas, QLD 4877 Ph: (07) 4099 5219
Light and bright with a beach-vibe aqua, turquoise and golden yellow colour palette, vibrant Wrasse and Roe opens onto the bustle of Macrossan Street.
As the name suggests, Wrasse and Roe is a seafood restaurant. So take a seat within view of envious passersby. Order a cheeky tropical cocktail or glass of wine. And sample beautifully fresh fish and crustaceans cooked with care by Chef Andy Gray and his team.
Calamari ($23) is always popular and here it comes with an Asian twist, spiked with Chilli Salt and with a Paw Paw Salad. The Seared Scallops ($24) were a real knock-out. Caramel-edged and glistening-centred, the accompanying Cauliflower & Truffle Oil Puree smooth and rich, with Crisp Pancetta adding saltiness and the Burnt Butter Sauce rounding out the dish.
For Mains, the Baked Moreton Bay Bugs ($49) were beautifully cooked and slid from their shells willingly. However, the Fragrant Coconut Laksa was only a dollop of sauce on the flesh. This was disappointing as it tasted divine. The Tamarind & Sticky Soy Glazed Beef Cheek ($44) were sweet, savoury and fell apart at the prod of a fork – perfect. The Steamed Black Mussels ($36) were plump and aromatic in a pool of aniseedy Pernod Garlic Butter. My companion mopped it all up with crusty Sourdough.
Clearly, Wrasse And Roe is a pescatarians dream. However, vegetarians also are catered to, but only just, with one Entree and a single Main on the menu.
For Sides, we ordered Green Beans & Broccolini with Pistachio ($12) which came rather light on nuts. The Thick Cut Chips with Roast Garlic Aioli lasted all of 5 minutes – they were that good.
As suckers for a Flourless Chocolate Cake, we shared the Chocolate Plate ($17). Paired with a delicious Orange Chocolate Mousse it lived up to expectations. Similarly yummy was the Coconut Pannacotta ($16), which wobbled enticingly and was complemented by Caramelised Pineapple and a delicately floral Lychee Ice Cream.
Less a romantic date for 2 than a bubbly celebration kind of venue, Wrasse and Roe is all about the fruits of the sea. Just make sure you try those scallops.
Location: Primewest Port Village Shopping Centre, Shop 25/11-17 Macrossan St, Port Douglas, QLD 4877 Ph: 0404 644 013
You’ve got to love a place that boldly proclaims its passion for toast and sandwiches. However, this buzzing cafe offers much more than sliced white and limp fillings.
From 7.30am until midday, the tables outside Toast in the mall are packed with couples and families tucking into breakfast. Toast – in one form or another – is, unsurprisingly, a common feature. Fancy something sweet? Then try the Raisin Toast ($7) or French Toast with Bacon, Mascarpone, Fresh Fruit & Caramelised Pecans ($19). Is savoury more to your taste? Then perhaps the Avo Toast with Persian Feta, Chilli, Cherry Tomatoes, Pepitas & Balsamic Glaze ($18) appeals?
Alternatively, you could order the very pretty Granola Bowl with Vanilla Pannacotta & Seasonal Fruits ($18) or the Pulled Pork, Scrambled Eggs and other goodies-filled Breakfast Burrito ($21).
But it’s the all day menu that really shows what the heart of Toast Sandwich Bar holds dear.
Bagels, Jaffles/Toasties (including the student fav Baked Beans & Cheese) and a selection of Signature and Classic sandwich combos are all made with the freshest ingredients and obvious care.
The Reuben sandwich we ordered was sublime. The perfect ratios of rich Slow Cooked Corn Beef and Swiss Cheese mellowed by punchy Sauerkraut and Pickles. The toasted Ciabatta Pulled Pork was juicy with BBQ’d meat, Crisp Apple Slaw and Spinach. Yum!
Vegetarians needn’t go hungry with the Rocket Man – Roasted Pumpkin, Babaganoush, Rocket & Feta Pesto on Ciabatta – sounding particularly mouth-watering.
Happily, the gluten intolerant are also considered as the Jaffles can be made with gluten-free bread for $2 more.
Add in friendly service and a dash of Port Douglas sunshine and you have a delightful spot to grab breakfast or lunch. Toasted, of course.
For many regular visitors, no stay in Port Douglas is complete without a meal at Salsa Bar and Grill. And undoubtedly, there is a quintessential FNQ holiday vibe about Salsa Port Douglas that many other restaurants have tried to capture, but failed.
Sat amongst a handful of bars and eateries on Wharf St, this is the perfect place to meet for a late lunch and end up staying for lazy sundowners. As the sun bloodies the sky and glints off of the ocean, few spots are more appealing than the deck of Salsa with a cocktail in hand. What do we recommend? Well, the Drunken Sailor ($21) – Maker’s Mark & Southern Comfort w/ Limes, Kaffir Lime Leaves & Pineapple Juice – went down extremely easily last time we checked.
The Lunch and Dinner Menus feature dishes plucked from far and wide, all united by that chilled summer feel. So the Sticky Berkshire Pork Belly Entree ($26.9)- Jaggery & Galangal Caramel, Green Paw Paw Sambal – is light and zingy rather than overly rich and heavy. Similarly, the Chermoula Roasted Chicken Supreme Main ($38.5) – Sweet Potato Salad, Mint Labna, Pomegranate – bursts with life and contrasting flavours.
Not surprisingly, seafood, as in many of the best restaurants in Port Douglas, dots the menu. The Entree of Saganaki Local Tiger Prawns ($27.5) – Whipped Feta, Spicy Sausage & Pepper Spetsofai was a definite winner. The sweet prawn flesh working perfectly with salty feta and the Greek sausage and pepper stew. Yum!
So book at table within sight of the sunset, order some dishes and maybe a drink or 2, and discover why of all of Port Douglas’ restaurants, Salsa Bar and Grill is recommended to first time visitors.
Location: 7 Grant St, Port Douglas, QLD 4877 Ph: 0402 519 492
Whilst there are plenty of glamorous dining options in Port Douglas, there are also, thankfully, some really great cheap eats.
At the top of our list for budget-friendly restaurants in Port Douglas comes the Viet Pho Cafe. This tiny Vietnamese eatery is one of a number of bargain food outlets on Grant St, which is aptly nicknamed ‘Eat Street’.
Though little more than a sliver of street frontage, the Viet Pho Cafe is hard to miss. Its signage is bright green, detailed with red and its lime green chairs stand out on the pavement. And on the pavement is where you’ll find yourself dining, if you decide to ‘eat in’. The Viet Pho Cafe is too weeny for indoor seating, so it has tables and chairs under huge umbrellas on the street outside.
So what can you expect at this humble entry in our rundown of the best restaurants in Port Douglas?
The Kung Fu Chicken – Stir Fried Chicken with Garlic, Chilli, Shallots and Asian Vegetables – is a steal at $20.90. And that includes Steamed Rice and the choice of having it mild or fiery. The Vietnamese Fried Rice ($20.90) smells mouth-wateringly delicious and is studded with Chicken, Pork Loaf, Mixed Vegetables, Egg and other goodies.
If you have a love of Pho, this is the place for you. We tried the Sliced Beef Pho ($19.90) and a generous bowl of fragrant broth arrived at the table, loaded with slippery Rice Noodles, sliced raw Beef, Onion, Spring Onion and Coriander. On a second visit at lunchtime we devoured a Vietnamese Pork Roll ($11.90). This version of the beloved Banh Mi was bulging with Roast Pork and Spiced Pork, as well as Carrot, Cucumber, Chilli and Coriander.
The Viet Pho Cafe doesn’t have a fancy deck and million dollar views of the sunset, but it knocks out good, filling Asian dishes at a price that even a cash-struck backpacker can afford.
Port Douglas restaurants, as we’ve already said, come in all shapes, sizes and cuisines. So, when a friend who is an annual visitor to the town said:
“You HAVE to eat at Nautilus. It’s not cheap, but the setting is magical and for a special occasion it’s the best.”
We took note.
So first up, let’s talk about that setting.
Nautilus Restaurant calls itself a ‘tropical dining oasis’ and it’s a pretty perfect description. Follow the verdant Nautilus Rainforest Walk away from the noise of the town, to a deck surrounded by a tropical canopy. Take a seat at one of the distinctive leaf-backed chairs and absorb the sounds of the rainforest around you. You really do feel as though you are in the middle of the Daintree.
Book at Nautilus and you enter the world of Modern Australian fine dining. Currently, the menu has dropped its a la carte section for a 5 Course Tasting Menu ($125pp + $60pp for matching wines). Fortunately, the core supplemented by a number of variations which allow for allergies and dietary requirements. And yes. One of those tweaked degustation menus is fully vegetarian.
Open with the Hiramasa Kingfish – Smoked Garlic, Scallion & Coriander Stem and you’ll wonder why more chefs don’t use garlic like this.
At Eatability, we’re huge fans of Aussie eateries championing native Australian ingredients. So it’s great to see Fermented Quandong (native peach) on the Barley Fed Tasmanian Eye Fillet plate along with Kent Pumpkin, Burnt Onion & Wild Rocket.
Finish with the Passionfruit Semifreddo whilst sipping your wine and absorbing the bewitching ambience of the rainforest as lanterns swing gently overhead.
My friend is absolutely correct. Nautilus Restaurant in ideal for celebratory meal or a final holiday blow-out before heading back to the rat race. In fact, it’s quite magical.
Editor’s Note: We strongly advise that you book Nautilus Restaurant well in advance of your planned trip. Indeed, you would be wise to book any of the places on this list of the best restaurants in Port Douglas months ahead of your vacation.
Continuing on with our look at the eclectic nature of Port Douglas restaurants, we have an eatery serving crowd-pleasing Mexican fare.
Aptly named, The Mexican, this is the latest incarnation of nachos and tacos in a spot very familiar with this style of cuisine. Indeed, there’s been some kind of Mexican venue at 43 Macrossan since the early 1990s.
So what of the current version?
Well thankfully, plates at this Port Douglas restaurant are a million miles from the stodgy, heavy food you sometimes come across. Instead, The Mexican is light and bright – both the dishes and the vibe.
We opened with Nachos ($29) – Warm Corn Chips + Gangsta Sauce + All The Good Stuff. And good it definitely was. We got both regular and blue corn chips, zesty guacamole and herby leaves along with our protein of choice – Beef. And the Gangsta Sauce? Delicious. What is so often a claggy clump of slightly soggy chips and too much sour cream was instead tasty. In fact, it actually felt healthy. Our only complaint was that the serving could have been bigger for the price.
The Crispy Haloumi Tacos (3pc/$27) – Mango Gel + Toasted Coconut + Herbs were excellent. Golden wedges of haloumi given a tropical make-over by the addition of nutty coconut and cooling mango. Perfect after a tiring morning on the beach.
Similarly, the Baja Barramundi Tacos (3pc/$30) – Shaved Slaw + Green Chilli Mayo + Radish were very moreish. The strands of diakon and hints of fennel in the slaw a classic marriage with the airy battered fish.
Finally, we went substantial with the Pork Pibil Taco (3pc/$29) – Achiote + Pickled Onion + Chicarron. The soft, slow-cooked pork lifted by the chillies and pickles. And why, I wonder, don’t more places offer Chicarron? After all, if you like crackling, you’ll love this.
Because we were genuinely famished from the beach, we also choose a side of Rice and Beans ($7). This was exactly as described and a great bland carbo-fill with our more flavoursome mains.
And of course, you can’t order Mexican food and not have a Margarita – even at 4 in the afternoon! Suffice to say that if it hadn’t only been mid-arvo, I would have had a couple more. They were that good.
Set in a chilled open dining space that spills onto the street and with friendly, hip staff, The Mexican is a great place for a relaxed dinner or a quick pitstop on your way back to your accommodation.
Yes, it’s not the cheapest meal in town, but with fresh ingredients and appealing plating, it’s worth popping in.
That said, be aware that, like all the best restaurants in Port Douglas, it pays to book ahead. What’s more, The Mexican only take reservations from 7 days in advance, so you need to be on the ball to avoid disappointment.
Sitting at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, Kai Port Douglas might be away from the buzz of Macrossan St, but that’s just one of its many plus points. A couple of the others being is friendly staff, chilled vibe and family friendly bistro and cafe fare.
Whether to you dine inside or out on the deck, you’ll love the fresh flavours found in dish after vibrant dish.
Maybe start your day with the veggie-forward Hash Stack. Featuring a Spiced Pumpkin Hummus, Poached Eggs and a zingy Salsa Verde, it’s a delight as it is. But if you want to up the protein, you can always add some lobes of Smoked Salmon or some crispy Bacon. That said, for us, it’s impossible to go past the Acia Bowl – or A”KAI” Bowl as it’s called here.Topped with Seasonal Fruit, House-Made Granola and a peppering of Chia Seeds, it’s both delicious and healthy.
As the sun dips on another perfect FNQ day, why not try the Yeloow Seafood Curry? Loaded with Mussels, Prawns, Reef Fish and more, the addition of Watermelon is a revelation.
And talking of fish, one of Kai Cafe & Bistro’s most popular events is their 4 course dinner where you bring the fish and they cook it for you. How cool is that? Just make sure you get your booking in early. Like all of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas, tables at Kai go fast.
Next as we continue to look at the best restaurants in Port Douglas we have something a little different.
Firstly, Epicurean Port Douglas is only open for lunch and ‘afternoon grazing’. And we are huge fans of lazy arvo snacking! Having said that, on site isn’t the only place where you can eat their delicious food, but more on that later.
This intimate eatery is all about the finest French provincial cuisine and wine. And when we say intimate, we mean it. Epicurean Port Douglas caters to a mere 20 guest per seating. However, this exclusivity is part of its appeal. Guests get to relax on a tranquil deck in an oasis of greenery. It’s the ideal place to chill and enjoy a long, slow lunch.
As for the food, it’s exquisitely prepared plates and boards of house made terrines and rich pates, carefully selected charcuterie and a wonderful range of cheeses. What’s more, the French bread is authentic and the wines are the perfect match for such fare.
Impress your guests and make cleaning up a breeze with this stunning Cheese Cutting Board Set. Compact and adaptable, it’s great for both home entertaining or to take to an outside event.
However, if you can’t get a booking on the deck, don’t fret. Epicurean Port Douglas offers beautifully presented hampers and picnic boxes. Their Sparkling Picnic ($135) which includes House Made Chicken Terrine, Fig & Walnut Rolada, Cuvee Chocolates and Kreglinger Tasmanian Brut is just the kind of spread we’d like for a sunset picnic on the beach.
Having taken out the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2022 and with a slew of 5-star reviews, Epicurean deserves a place on your list of Port Douglas restaurants to try.
Whilst the name of this extremely popular eatery may be humble, the outlook certainly isn’t.
The Tin Shed sits all alone, right on the front of Dickson’s Inlet, with nothing between it and the tropical beauty of the Coral Sea. And it’s this position, combined with a large covered deck offering great views of the bay and a crowd-pleasing menu, that really makes this restaurant such a winner.
During the busy winter season, if you want to join the throngs for sunset, it’s best to get there early and pop your name on the list at the door. With that, you’ll be given a buzzer and can go get a drink, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be ‘buzzed’ when you’re table is ready.
The food is exactly what you’d expect from a community social club – and that means generous portions of good, honest grub.
Lunchtime Burgers come in at just over $20 and come with Chips. The Chowder ($35) – a rich, creamy soup perfumed with Saffron – is packed full of Prawns, Mussels, Pipis, Calamari, & Fish and comes with a Sourdough Cob. If you feel like something lighter, the Thai Beef Salad ($25) does that wonderful sweet, sour, salty and hot thing that all good Thai dishes do.
Bar prices are also very reasonable.
But the Tin Shed restaurant’s biggest attraction becomes clear as soon as the sun starts to dip. As you sit with a glass of something cold and look out at the sun slipping below the horizon, casting the sky in oranges and pinks which are reflected back in the sea, you’ll be glad you grabbed yourself a table!
The Watergate Restaurant and Lounge Bar is another of those lush, open-air Port Douglas restaurants that are the best kind of reminder that you’re holidaying in the tropics.
With a menu focusing on beautifully presented Modern Australian cuisine, this is a great place for an intimate romantic dinner. Or even a celebratory night out with a group of friends.
Amongst the Starters, the Yellow Fin Tuna Bao Buns ($26.9) with their Nori & Ginger Dressing are the kind of thing we can eat all day. Similarly, the Scallops ($26.9) – with Blue Swimmer Crab, Garlic Butter, and a Chorizo & Parmesan Crumble is clever play on flavours that go well together.
That sweet Blue Swimmer Crab also has a starring role in one of the out-stand Mains. Only this time, it’s paired with Snapper in a smart seafood-based twist on Cannelloni ($41.9).
Another great option is the Herb Marinated Kangaroo Loin ($39.9).
Unless you want your ‘roo to be tough, you have to keep its cooking to the minimum. Thankfully, the kitchen at Watergate Port Douglas are well aware of this. What’s more, they have the smarts to serve it with a Pearl Cous Cous Salad packed with Seasonal Vegetables. The starchy spheres and bright veggies go exceptionally well with the rich, gamey meat.
However, it’s not all seafood and meat at this Port Douglas restaurant. Pleasingly, Watergate offers a full Vegetarian Menu and the Sesame Crusted Tofu ($34.9) is delicious whether you follow a plant-based diet, or not.
The Wine List is filled with Aussie bottles – with some French bubble for good measure. There are also a number of drops available by the glass.
Whilst the food at Watergate Port Douglas is refined, the vibe is very relaxed. But then if you’re eating here, the chances are you’re on holiday. So make the most of the attentive service, order a glass of something cold and settle in for a delicious meal.
Honestly, we can think of few places better to sip sunset cocktail than Melaleuca Port Douglas.
Whilst the Modern Australian food conjured in the kitchen at this swish, but relaxed, restaurant is divine, for us, it’s all about the glorious open courtyard. Fronting Wharf Street with its stunning views out over the water, Melaleuca restaurant features an al fresco sitting area that resembles a tropical oasis. Kicking back here as you wait for a table is absolutely no inconvenience at all.
The menu plays to the strengths of locally sourced produce. And once again, the influence of our Asian neighbours plays a big part in flavouring dishes.
There’s Flame Grilled Beef Tataki ($28), where the char on the meat is enhanced by a lively Nahm Jim Dressing. Meanwhile, on the Mains, the Whole Baby Barramundi ($48) is Panko Crumbed with Asian Spices and Melaleuca’s Thai Caramel and the Pan Roasted Moreton Bay Bugs ($48) are sweet against a Red Thai Curry Sauce.
If pan-Asian fare doesn’t float your boat, no worries. The Confit Duck Leg ($42) speaks of classic European cookery with Parsnip Puree, Cabbage and more as accompaniments.
But whatever you eat, we recommend getting there early and enjoying a drink outside on the resort-style furniture. We guarantee you’ll get envious looks from those walking past on the street! And our tipple of choice? A fruity cocktail with a kick of heat.
Ideally positioned on the corner of Macrossan and Davidson street, only a short stroll from Four Mile Beach, Zinc Port Douglas has loads of curb appeal. With white-clothed tables set out onto the pavement and a light, airy interior visible from the road, it looks like a sophisticated spot for a classy lunch and a chic venue for an evening meal. And it is.
Apart from the great location and attractive, chilled decor, Zinc restaurant serves beautiful food. With a focus on the finest local ingredients, the menu showcases Modern Australian fare, treated with respect and flare.
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Choose from Cold or Hot Starters, to begin your meal. One of our friends raved about the Sake + Soy Marinated Black Tiger Prawns with Wasabi Mayo and Sesame ($26). Another – a total oyster fiend – gave the Pacific Oyster with Kaffir Lime Mignonette & Lemon ($26 for 6) a big thumbs up.
For the main event, who doesn’t love a Tasmanian Salmon Fillet? The one at Zinc Port Douglas comes on a bed of Du Puy Lentils with Mirin & Black Garlic ($45). Alternatively, there are a number of options From The Grill. We are always a sucker for a Lamb Fillet. Especially when it’s accompanied by Kipfler Potatoes, Citrus Labneh, Macadamia and Rosemary Jus ($44).
However, if you really want to sample the best of what Zinc has to offer, go for the Seafood Tasting Menu. For $110 pp (there are additional Matching Wine options), you get a run through the greatest fishy-hits from the kitchen. This includes those glorious Tiger Prawns and Barramundi paired a very fine Malaysian Curry Emulsion.
Of course, Zinc is also a great place to simply grab a drink and people-watch as the sun goes down. The bar has a generous selection of beers – both on tap and bottled – and mixes some interesting cocktails. We’re fans of the Daintree Ship ($19) – a winning blend of local Devils Thumb Rainforest Gin, St Germain, Melon, Lime & Mint.
Always popular, it pays to book Zinc Port Douglas well ahead of time. After all, you really don’t want to miss out on one of the best restaurants in Port Douglas.
Now we love a spot of fine dining when we’re on holiday. However, we also appreciate a good feed in a more casual environment.
And the best part? This very chilled restaurant, pizza joint and bar is one of the few places to eat on the glorious Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas.
As the name says, The Beach Shack CO-OP is a co-operative with a number of shared dining experiences under the one (sun) umbrella. At the time of updating this, eating options include tasty small plates and sharing platters from Mother Tucker and pizza from Slice Slice Baby. If you simply wish to unwind with a Cocktail or cold beer, then the Hula Girl Bar has you covered.
Whether you pop in for a snack, a meal or one of their fabulous Ice Creams, you’re sure to find the service wonderful and the friendly, laidback atmosphere infectious.
Finally, if you’re looking for a take away meal, a pizza from here is a great option.
A stylish Modern Thai restaurant with water views? Yes please!
Apart from the knock-out location on thriving Wharf Street, Jungle Fowl has lots going for it. Not least former Longrain Chef Ben Wallace rattling the pans. As you would expect, this means plate after plate of zingy, vibrant food that dances on the palette.
Why not open with the pretty-as-can-be Prawn, Betel Leaf, Coconut, Peanuts & Pomelo (3 for $24)? We guarantee this will kick your taste buds into roaring life. To follow, the Mushroom Larb, Aromatic Thai Salad & Rice Cracker ($24) is earthy and yet bright – quite a balancing act.
Another winner is the Pork Belly, Sticky Caramel & Coriander ($29). The menu points out that ‘kids love this dish’ and offers plain Bao Buns ($4.5) on the side for DIY sandwiches. Well we’re hear to tell you that adults are big fans of this plateful too!
With so many expertly balanced morsels to choose from, the kitchen smartly offers a Seasonal Thai Banquet from $72 pp.
Lastly, a further reason why this is one of the go-to restaurants in Port Douglas is the Cocktail List. Invention doesn’t just run to the food at Jungle Fowl, wth many of the concoctions including house-made syrups for a touch of originality.
And as the sun dips and you’re looking for somewhere to chill and eat, Jungle Fowl with its laid-back ambience is a hard to beat.
Location: Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, 44 Wharf St, Port Douglas , QLD, 4877 Ph: 0482 173 337
If you book a sailing or fishing trip whilst you are in Port Douglas, the chance are you’ll depart from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. This is doubly lucky for you. For not only will you have a (no doubt) fabulous day on the water, but you’ll also have an opportunity to see another dynamic pocket of PD. Namely, the bars and eateries of this glamorous Marina.
And choice amongst them is Hemingway’s Brewery FNQ.
Hemingway’s is a gastropub with million dollar views. Honestly, after a hard day’s island hopping, few things are more appealing than kicking back on the deck here, ordering a couple of share plates and knocking back a cold, locally brewed beer.
The food at Hemingway’s Brewery is a selection of tried and tested crowd-pleasers. The Fish ‘n’ Chips ($30) feature Battered Reef Fish, whilst The Sticky Wings ($21) come with either Bourbon BBQ or Hemingway’s Hot Sauce. If you want to feed a group, the Pizzas are a great way to go. You can never go wrong with a Margherita ($22), but we recommend the Prawn & Chorizo ($28) if you want something different.
But this is a Brewery, first and foremost, so the Craft Beers are a huge attraction. From Lager’s like the light Canecutter ($6/8.5) to their 7th Heaven ($9/11.5) Tropical Ale and on to the Coral Cay ($13.5) IPA, there’s something for everyone. In fact, one of the best ways to test drive the range is by ordering one of their Beer Paddles. This gives you a satisfying 120ml of 5 brews for you to try.
Alternatively, you can go all-out with the Hemingway’s Beer Tower ($39 – 48). This gives you 2 litres of whichever beer you prefer, please the novelty of tapping it yourself at your table.
Yes, whether you start the evening here for sun-downers, or finish up your night with a last drink by the water before heading to bed, Hemingway’s Brewery FNQ should be on your list of the top restaurants in Port Douglas.
