Planning a visit to Port Douglas, in Tropical North Queensland? Don't dining in these restaurants and tasing some of the best local delights.
1. Have dinner under the rainforest at Nautilus:
Enjoy an indulgent fine dining experience under the open air tropical forest at Nautilus. This restaurant has been in operation for over 65 years and has been a North Queensland icon since 1964. It is also known for being one of the few restaurants the Clinton's dined at during their only visit to Australia.
Follow the dimly lit hidden trail uphill from the main street and step into this quite oasis for dinner. Enjoy the warm tropical air while sitting under the stars and feasting on some of the regions best seafood. We recommend the 5 course tasting menu to sample the best dishes. Average prices are $100-$150 per person for the tasting menu.
2. Enjoy a sunset beer and burger overlooking Sugar Wharf at Hemingway's Brewery FNQ
Head down to Hemingway's Brewery located on the water at the Port Douglas Marina in the afternoon to taste the locally brewed beer (our favourite was the tropical ale) and enjoy the sunset over the docks.
3. Get your morning coffee fix from Sparrow Cafe
Start the day with a morning coffee fix Sparrow cafe,a little hole in the wall cafe along the main street of Port Douglas.
4. Taste the Crocodile Laksa Pies from Mocka's Bakery
Don't miss having a casual lunch at Mocka's pies. Their pies are award winning and include a range of unique local flavours. Our favourite was the Crocodile Laksa Pie, but we'd also recommend giving the Kangaroo meat pie a go too. Be sure to save room for dessert too as custard cronut is another must try.
5. Have sunset cocktails and dinner at Salsa Bar & Grill
Salsa Bar and Grill is the 'locals' favourite spot to eat in Port Douglas and it is always full so be sure to book in advance. We recommend booking a table for sunset as you can sit outdoors on the deck facing the marina to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails.
5. Take in the Ocean views with lunch at Osprey's in Thala Nature Reserve
Follow the Great Barrier Reef Scenic drive down the Captain Cook Highway, and about 15 minutes away from Port Douglas you'll find Thala Beach Nature Reserve Resort. As you enter their long driveway, you'll be surrounded by a tall green coconut tree plantation. At the very entrance to the driveway, there's a parking area to stop and take photos here.
Make your way up the driveway to the resort entrance and head for lunch at Osprey's to enjoy some of the best views over the ocean, while you sit and eat to the sound of the rainforest birds in the surrounding trees.
6. Have a 5 star meal at Melaleucas
Rated number 12 in the Australian Good Food Guide for 2020 is Melaleucas. If you want a table, best to book in advance as this one is very popular. Enjoy outdoor dining overlooking the water and Port Douglas Headland Park. Average price is around $100 per person with a drink, entree, main and dessert.
7. Attempt to eat 1kg of steak at the Iron Bar
IronBar is a classic stop which should be on your Port Douglas itinerary if you love steak. Their steaks are hard to beat, a must-try for any meat lover. We shared the 1kg option and it was cooked to perfection (enjoyed so much we forgot to take a picture of it).
Finally, if you are planning a trip to port Douglas and still looking for accomodation options, check out the Oaks Port Douglas Hotel and Resort, This well-priced option was clean and convenient, being only a short 5-minute drive from the beach, marina and main street. It featured a large pool area with a pool bar, perfect for relaxing quiet days.
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We hope you enjoyed guide to Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland. To see more of our other Australian destination guides click here.
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LITTLE SHERPAs
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