10 Must-Try Restaurants In Port Douglas For The Best Dining Experience
If you're looking for a multi-cultural culinary experience combined with an Australian twist, Port Douglas is the perfect resort getaway, an hour drive from Cairns. Being a beach town, tropical cuisine and seafood remain the highlight of the culinary experience you enjoy in Port Douglas.
Whether you're on a romantic escapade or going for a friend or family reunion, rest assured, Port Douglas offers tons of activities to keep you engaged and entertained while giving you enough space to relax and unwind. And, when it comes to food, the town is dotted with some world-class restaurants that will not only treat your taste buds magically but tie you with a string of memories that will bring you back for more.
Best Port Douglas Restaurants You Need To Know About when on holidays
Let us briefly cover the top ten restaurants in Port Douglas you can't miss visiting when here.
Watergate Port Douglas
Located behind the Rotary Park on the corner of Macrossan and Grant Street, Watergate Port Douglas is a pleasant restaurant with a nice ambience and decor where you'll certainly feel at home as soon as you enter. The welcoming vibes are furthered when you get into the restaurant as it is surrounded by lush tropical greenery all around.
The Australian cuisine and seafood are the Watergate mainstay, and they do have a well-stocked bar too. Apart from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they have a separate lounge menu available all day till late in the evenings. No matter what you order here, you'll feel the freshness of the ingredients always sourced locally, with even their cheese made in-house from local produce.
Address: Shop 5/31 Macrossan St, Port Douglas
Zinc Port Douglas
It is an award-winning alfresco Port Douglas restaurant you can't miss visiting. It is a contemporary chic restaurant with an elaborate all-day menu with its bar menu consisting of over 70 cocktails and a range of finger foods. It is a perfect venue for a romantic dinner or a fun-filled time with friends and family.
Whether you're looking for freshly sourced seafood dishes or authentic Australian cuisine, Zinc would certainly not disappoint. Some of its famous dishes include Garlic and Rosemary Gnocchi, Slow-braised lamb shoulder, Charcoal-grilled Swordfish, and more. Do visit, or you'll be missing out!
Address: Portico 3, 53-61 Macrossan St, Port Douglas
The Mexican
If your heart longs for some authentic Mexican food while in Port Douglas, The Mexican is the only place you need to go. Here you'll find not only the typical burritos, fajitas, tacos, nachos, and Churros, but also see the Chef offering some unique dishes, combining the essence of traditional Mexican and Australian cuisine.
Apart from the usual beef, chicken and pork, you can enjoy unique treats made from Kangaroo, Soft Shell Crab, Crocodile, and Barramundi. And, when it comes to drinks, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the range of mocktails, cocktails, wines, and hard liquor available here. You can choose to sit on the side-walk outdoors or indoors, playing lively music.
Address: 43 Macrossan St, Port Douglas
Melaleuca
It won't be wrong to say that North Queensland's dining scene got revitalised with the addition of Melaleuca. Located on Wharf Street, alongside some other popular eateries and restaurants, it won the "Best New Restaurant" award in 2020. It also won Queensland Savour Australia Award, and for a reason.
The husband-wife owners have gone to lengths to emphasise fresh local produce and locally sourced proteins and seafood to resonate with the customers' expectations. Melaleuca serves contemporary Australian cuisine with a pinch of Asian spices thrown into the mix, arguably a match made in heaven, won't you agree?
Address: 22 Wharf St, Port Douglas
Salsa Bar & Grill
Salsa Bar & Grill is one of the best and one of the oldest restaurants in Port Douglas. It has stood the test of time, which signifies quality, consistency, and keeping up with time in the restaurant business. Salsa has been a local favourite for a long-time and is highly popular among tourists.
One of the top reasons why Salsa remains a favourite of many is its ability never to disappoint. It is like, when in doubt choose black! Similarly, when you're hungry and not in the mood to experiment, choose Salsa Bar & Grill in Port Douglas. Their day menu and seasonal specials are a hit with the customers, and the Chef aims to surprise the guests with something unique with Day Specials, which never fails to impress.
Here, some of the top choices include Mushroom & Truffle Oil Gnocchi, Tempura Bug Tails, King Prawns, Arancini Balls, Tiger Prawns, Pig Ears, and more. Couple your meal with a range of cocktails, mocktails, local draught beer, wines, and more, and if you've got a sweet tooth, you'll fall in love with their desserts selection.
Address: 26 Wharf St, Port Douglas
San-ti Restaurant and Bar
Situated inside the Niramaya Villas and Spa, San-ti Restaurant and Bar is located in a picturesque setting by the poolside with lush tropical greenery all around. The restaurant's decor is inspired by Balinese architecture and theme. The culinary flavours are also Indonesian inspired.
The casual and relaxed ambience of the restaurant will put you at ease as soon as you enter. Located just five minutes from the heart of Port Douglas, San-ti offers a blissful dining experience with fresh ingredients and the essence of Indonesia.
Open Breakfast and Lunch Daily and Dinner Tuesday - Saturday.
Address: 1 Bale Dr, Port Douglas QLD 4877
Sabean Tapas Bar and Restaurant
This Spanish themed Tapas and restaurant can give Barcelona a run for its money when it comes to Mediterranean cuisine. If you're craving Paella, Pintxos, Champinones with blue cheese, Verdura, and other such delicacies, visiting Sabean Tapas Bar and Restaurant must be on your to-do list while in Port Douglas.
Moreover, for guests craving desserts, their highly popular Crema Catalana would get embedded in your memories of this resort town. One of the best things about Sabean Port Douglas Restaurant is the view you can enjoy from here while enjoying Sangria and Paella or many finger food selections.
They also allow you to bring your own catch fresh from the sea, and they will cook it the way you want (24 notice required). Now, do you need more reasons to visit here?
Address: 3/28 Wharf St, Port Douglas
Nautilus Restaurant
Nautilus has set a few benchmarks when it comes to the food scene of Port Douglas, which many of its counterparts find hard to overlap. Located on the scenic Island Point Hill, Nautilius has been operating for over six decades, making it one of Port Douglas's oldest and most cherished restaurants.
The fine dining experience you have here, sitting on a terrace area surrounded by palm trees, is simply priceless. The Chef, Jared Wandel, has curated the restaurant's menu to appeal to the guests' distinct choices, ensuring there's something for everyone while infusing the tropical essence Port Douglas boasts of. We can't recommend this place enough!
Address: 17 Murphy St, Port Douglas
Sassi La Cucina & Bar
Located on the corner of Macrossan Street, this wonderful restaurant and bar is dedicated to serving its guests with some of the best Italian and fresh seafood delicacies you can get in Port Douglas. The seafood platter available here is famous across Port Douglas. Enjoy the wide range of authentic Italian dishes from its contemporary and elaborate menu, crafted to perfection by Chef and coowner Tony Sassi.
Due to the rush often witnessed by Sassi La Cucina and Bar in Port Douglas, it is recommended to get the booking done before visiting, especially during the peak holiday season. It is one of the few Port Douglas Restaurants in the area, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Address: 4 Macrossan St, Port Douglas
Osprey's Restaurant
If you want to witness the beauty of Port Douglas and the Coral Sea while enjoying delicious Australian cuisine, nothing comes close to what Osprey's Restaurant offers. The nature lovers have all the more reason to visit Osprey's Restaurant as it is situated in Thala Beach Nature Reserve, which is hardly a 10-15 minutes drive from Port Douglas.
Enjoy sipping from the range of wine and cocktails available here with some delicious Australian appetisers while witnessing the sunset. The ambience, vibes, and food here is the highlight of the vacation for most of the tourists visiting Port Douglas.
Address: 5078 Captain Cook Hwy, Oak Beach
What is your favourite restaurant in Port Douglas when on vacation?
When looking for the best dining experience in Port Douglas, it is important to ascertain what you're looking for. Are you looking for authentic Australian cuisine or craving fresh seafood? Are you looking for Italian or Spanish cuisines with an Australian twist? Do you want to go somewhere that offers the best of both culinary and Tapas experience? Knowing what you're looking for would narrow down your search and help you pick a fine dining restaurant that caters to your specific needs.
The list of Port Douglas Restaurants mentioned above is curated after firsthand experience and visiting tons of eateries and restaurants in Port Douglas. Trust us! No matter which of the above Port Douglas restaurants you visit, rest assured you won't be disappointed.
Best accommodation in Port Douglas is found with Niramaya Villas & Spa
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