Port Douglas Restaurant Guide and Reviews

bel cibo

You will find the latest addition to the Port Douglas restaurant community, bel cibo conveniently located on the 'Mezzanine' level of the modern 'Saltwater' building in the heart of Port Douglas.  The lunch menu from 11.30am to 3pm offers pizza and pasta.  And the dinner menu from 5.30pm ‘til late simply enjoys the addition of an excellent selection of veal, lamb and seafood mains.  The friendly service is attentive and efficient.  bel cibo Head Chef/owner Andy Gray presents a classic Italian menu with modern influences and as he puts it, a bel cibo ‘twist’.   This is an enjoyable venue for a sunset drink to watch the town change as the day ends and the night takes charge.  bel cibo has quickly taken it’s place as a favorite for both locals and visitors.

On The Inlet Seafood Restaurant

The award winning On The Inlet Restaurant prides itself on offering a modern Australian menu designed to showcase the freshest local seafood and best quality locally grown produce. Open for lunch and dinner.  The wine list is impressive.  The floor and bar service is friendly and attentive.  This restaurant enjoys a long serving staff, which is always a sign of a settled restaurant structure.  On The Inlet has an excellent menu with daily specials but it also enjoys two major advantages over almost any other restaurant in Port Douglas.  Firstly the setting is spectacular.  Under high white shade sails, the main wooden decked dining area overlooks an unrivalled panorama across the Dickson Inlet creating an almost spiritual, certainly tranquil, experience as you sip a cold drink and enjoy Head Chef Dave Parry's exquisite culinary creations. Their second and most unique advantage also comes from the sea. George the 250kg Groper pays a daily visit to the viewing area within the Groper bar as he delights a crowd as he leaps and munches on his favourite tuna frames. A very special place, great food, excellently priced comprehensive wine list, family fun and breathtaking panoramic vistas.  Tropical lifestyle dining and some....

No booking necessary for the Groper show but bookings essential for dinner



Zinc Restaurant and lounge

The award winning Zinc Restaurant Port Douglas is located in the Portico building at the Four Mile Beach end of Macrossan Street.  Zinc is open all day, every day, from midday until late for lunch and dinner.  You can even have coffee and cakes or tapas at any time during opening hours.  Zinc is a unique combination of restaurant, café and lounge bar....café by day, restaurant and sophisticated lounge bar at night, offering casual al fresco all day dining.  The menu presents a fine selection of modern Australian cuisine at realistic prices and the excellent wine list boasts 40 different wines by the glass.  The owner Marco Piat has created a dining area layout that is both family friendly for lunch and early evening with a children’s menu until 6.30pm but as the evening draws in it easily transforms into a more sophisticated and stylish ambience for the quiet romantic dinner or supper party with friends. The restaurant also has the largest privately owned aquarium on the east coast of Australia!  Watching this wonderful collection of tropical fish enjoying an environment so close to their natural world is both fascinating and mesmerising and No, none of them are on the menu ! If you want to see the definition of tropical lifestyle dining, then Zinc is a must do for you.

Bookings are recommended

Finz Seafood Restaurant

Sister restaurant to Zinc Bar and Grill with a similar relaxed ambience but Finz is situated at the opposite end of the Portico Building at the beach end of Macrossan Street. Well deserved award Winner of the Best New Restaurant, Far North Queensland 2009,  you will enjoy casual Al fresco footpath dinning or indoor dining in comfortable modern surroundings. Open for lunch daily from midday until 4:30pm daily and dinner from 5.30pm. Finz Seafood Restaurant presents an innovative menu with Mediterranean & Asian influences, fresh local seafood and live Mud Crab, fresh from the tank. Non-seafood items also available and additional daily specials always available. The wine list has been carefully compiled to ensure any selection enhances the rich and delicate flavours from the menu.  You can even order your fresh or cooked food for take away if an evening in is the order of the day.

Booking is recommended


Sakinah House

Open daily for breakfast and dinner at Rydges Sabaya Resort, Port Douglas, the stylish Sakinah House restaurant offers a comprehensive breakfast menu with full healthy options plus a sumptuous dinner menu in a relaxed environment.  The dinner menu presents a clever range of Australian cuisine with an infusion of Asian influences.  Set amongst a beautiful water setting this airy, balcony style restaurant overlooks the Rydges Sabaya leisure area and Pool opposite the Lotus Lounge Bar.  Excellent and valued cuisine complemented by a well stocked wine menu.  A very stylish modern tropical restaurant adding something very special to the resort.

Locals and non resident visitors are welcomed. 


Salsa Restaurant and Bar

This 'Award Winning Restaurant' is located in the heart of Port Douglas' dining district.  The Salsa Bar & Grill is one of Port Douglas Premier Dining Restaurants & as the winner of numerous Restaurant & Catering awards including Best Restaurant, Best Alfresco Dining and Best Modern Australian, it is easy to see why Salsa Bar & Grill has developed a reputation for being a must do in Port Douglas. Head Chef Goran Zonai & his team are committed to serving mouth watering and eye-catching dishes. Ingredients are produced in house whenever possible, using only the best and freshest local produce. Situated in a traditional weatherboard Queenslander with louvered windows and table umbrellas creates a unique effect of an al fresco atmosphere whether you're under cover or on the popular outer deck. This relaxed tropical ambience is superbly complemented by a comprehensive modern Australian menu which changes slightly from lunch to dinner plus an assortment of daily specials.  This menu has proved so good that owners Rhys and Bill have had to publish their own cookbook which is available from the restaurant or mail order on line or at all good book shops if you don't want to fill up your suitcase. The wine list is almost exclusively Australian and New Zealand and is affordably priced.  Adding to the ambience of Salsa is the novel tradition for the rich and famous to sign a dinner plate for  exhibition on the walls and ceiling.  These autographed plates include sports, television and movie stars but two highlights are of course the Aussie icon, Kylie and the then US President, Bill Clinton.

This restaurant is a favourite for the locals so regardless of the period, booking is essential for both lunch and dinner.

Sheraton Mirage Hotel

The Sheraton offers two 5 star tropical opportunities to experience a world of cuisine in their two world class restaurants. Il Pescatore presents an Alfresco dining experience where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the evening lights over the sparkling blue lagoons merged beautifully with cascading waterfalls, backlit palm trees, and the soft sounds of the Coral Sea echo across from the incomparable Four Mile Beach. The Sheraton still holds up the beacon of quality for fine dining in Port Douglas and many could learn a lesson from this proud heritage venue.  You will savour exquisite Mediterranean cuisine with a tropical twist complemented by the finest vintage wines. For an evening of quality silver service and old fashioned values you should include a visit to Il Pescatore, you will not be disappointed but do not expect it to be cheap ! Open from 6.00pm each evening. A completely different culinary experience can also be enjoyed at the Lagoons Restaurant located opposite Il Pescatore in the Sheraton Hotel main building.  Lagoons Restaurant is an all day venue but in the evenings from 6.30pm will tempt you with its truly extravagant, internationally themed seafood buffet. Watch the chef prepare a selection of dishes for you at the live cooking station. Gather with friends and family to enjoy the all-day dining with an elaborate buffet breakfast, superb á la carte lunch, and magnificent buffet dinner.  It is 'eat as much as you like', so prepare yourself for a feast of excellent seafood that you will find difficult to resist.  The buffet is complemented by the excellent Sheraton wine list.

To avoid disappointment for both Il Pescatore and The Lagoons restaurant you are well advised to book in advance especially if you have a large party.



The Treehouse Restaurant at Silky Oaks Lodge

The Treehouse Restaurant is one of the Douglas regions' top dining experiences.  It is set in the heart of the Silky Oaks Lodge deep in the hills above Mossman on the edge of the Daintree Rainforest.  The long open-sided balcony style restaurant overlooks the Mossman River and welcomes a gentle breeze to naturally cool diners for breakfast (7.00am to 10.00am), lunch ( 12.00 noon to 2.30pm ) and dinner (6.00pm to 9.00pm.). The tropical menu combines the influences of asia and the Mediterranean, whilst retaining a modern Australian style.  The menu proudly showcases the freshest local produce and fine Australian wines.  Recently refurbished by new owners Paul and Barbara Van Nim, the restaurant has a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.  The staff are attentive and since the change of ownership seem to have a smile on their face all the time.  Surrounded by nature, diners can enjoy a rich varied menu, fine wines and the perfect picturesque panorama to help diners appreciate mother nature's handy work. Special dietary requirements and picnic hampers are available by advance arrangement.  For a special occasion or romantic evening, private
riverside dining is available in a secluded setting on the Mossman Riverbank.  Enjoy a 3 course menu, with your selection of wines, by the glow of candlelight and with the sounds of the rainforest and river surrounding you.  Worth a little extra wouldn't you agree ?



Lure Restaurant and Bar

A true tropical lifestyle experience, Lure's outdoor decking dining area is suspended over the water and is considered one of the best water view dining venues in Port Douglas.  It certainly has quite a claim as one of, if not, the 'Best Breakfasts in Port Douglas' Lure Restaurant is open 7 days a week for Breakfast (8am - 11.30am), Lunch (11.30am - 4pm).  It achieved the finals of the 2009 Restaurant & Catering Queensland HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence Far North Queensland and with the attentive staff who seem to thoroughly enjoy their role in helping you appreciate the excellent food, wine and setting, it is not hard to see why they were singled out.   The backdrop off super yachts and cruisers adds a touch of class to a modern Australian menu that won't let you down. The restaurant is ideally situated for families with a children’s menu and a safe environment for the children to play on the marina boardwalk within easy sight of Mum and dad.

Under Wraps

This is a delightful streetfront cafe offering table and takeaway service for tourists and locals alike and specialising in freshly made wraps, gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, juices, smoothies, coffee, and curries.  Excellent fast and friendly service.  Situated on the main street on Macrossan Street in the very heart of Port Douglas directly across the street from the Port Village shopping complex.  If healthy options is your choice then Under Wraps will be a regular spot.

Tree Bar and Grill

Situated in the heart of the Mercure Treetops Resort, the Tree Bar and Grill is framed by ancient rainforest and overlooks the resort’s Lagoon Pool and waterfall.  It offers a comprehensive tropical buffet breakfast (7am to 11am), tempting lunches (Poolside snack menu available for lunch. (changes seasonally) and tasty in-between snacks are available all day.  At night (6pm to 10pm) the restaurant is transformed into an atmospheric a-la carte restaurant.  The ancient trees are lit and the reflection from the waterfall and Lagoon pool setting creates a unique tropical ambience.  The dining experience is enhanced by the menu changing every night to encompass a different culinary buffet theme.  If you're lucky you'll experience the Australian evening with crocodile and  kangaroo among the delicacies. The new owners of the resort have confirmed they will be making a few changes to the menu and restaurant so it may be an idea to contact them
before booking to confirm the latest menus and opening times.

Bistro 3

Bistro 3's a la carte restaurant offers an informal and vibrant alfresco dining experience.  Outside guests are presented with a stunning view of the Coral Sea whilst inside seating offers a welcome air conditioned stylish dining area. This award winning restaurant offers a modern Australian menu.  Popular menu favourites like the whole local baby Barramundi and taste of the sea are enhanced with daily specials to reflect the changing seasons. The comprehensive wine list caught the eye of the Gourmet Traveller Wine ‘Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards 2009 as 'smarter than your everyday wine selection".  It offers almost exclusively Australian and New Zealand wines to suit every pocket and generates a genuine passion and knowledge from the cellar master.  Head Chef Evan Seaward has targeted his menu to complement the time of day his diners decide to eat.  He offers a Brunch menu, a Bistro style lunch, an innovative Bistro inbetweens menu, Full Dinner menu  and of course a children’s menu.  There is an optional vegetarian menu and a selection of desserts to satisfy the sweetest tooth.

The restaurant is open for Lunch and dinner 7 days and Sunday breakfast (seasonal).


Swish Restaurant and Bar

Situated at the very heart of the Rendezvous Resort, the Swish Restaurant and bar has recently undergone a full refurbishment. Once you've come up their front steps through the stylish front portal you realise you've entered a whole different world.  This very family friendly restaurant is actually situated poolside on the Resort, offering a relaxed and chilled vibe with a great atmosphere for alfresco dining. The restaurant serves breakfast from 7.30am to 10am seven days a week, with Tapas, cocktails and full bar service from 4:00pm daily. Dinner is served from 6pm and last orders at 9:00pm, 7 days during the season.  Since refurbishment, Swish Restaurant and Bar has a new menu presenting an infusion of traditional and tropical flavours created by Executive Chef Lloyd Johnson including a speciality of the house - Paella of local seafood, smoked crocodile, chorizo and saffron.  You really shouldn't leave town without that experience !

There is a childrens menu and with pool and recreational areas just outside the restaurant, Mums and Dads can relax with the kids quite safely within view.


2Fish Restaurant

This stylish award winning seafood establishment has heavily influenced the definition of Tropical lifestyle dining in Port Douglas.  You have the choice of either dining in the footpath table area, where the people watching is unrivalled or enjoying the air-conditioned comfort inside while  professional welcoming and attentive staff spoil you with friendly attention. Praise for owner Jeff Gales' innovative and creative approach to modern seafood cuisine is well deserved.  Along with his Head Chef, he invites you to savour the freshest seafood, cooked the way you want it. The unique menu offers a selection of fresh caught local fish but here's the clever twist.  You are offered the choice of firstly how you would like your fish cooked and secondly which sauce, from a menu selection, you would like to have it with.  This superb innovation gives diners the opportunity to enjoy their favourite fish  as a different culinary delight every time they visit 2Fish. The quality of the preparation and selection of seafood is of the very highest standard and the knowledgeable staff are always on hand to advise with your choices.  The wine list has been carefully put together and has been very affordably priced.  The staff are well trained and on most nights you will find Jeff working as part of the 'floor crew' ensuring all customers get the best possible level of service and attention.

2Fish should be on your list of must do's.  Bookings are essential.


The Beach Shack

This award winning family restaurant is open for dinner only everyday. Many visitors to Port Douglas dream of enjoying a great meal on Four Mile Beach.  Well at the Beach Shack that's exactly what you can have, almost! The floor of this al fresco style venue has a rich covering layer of soft sand to give you that beach experience.  The kids love it and with a children’s menu available, Mum and Dad reckon it's pretty good too.  With Pool table and traditional bar available, it has a welcoming 'locals' feel.  The shade sails protect diners from the elements but don't detract from the cool and airy atmosphere of the sandy dining area. The Beach shack is tucked away out of town on the corner of Triton Close and Barrier Street near Four Mile shops opposite Four Mile Beach.  But the short journey from town is well worth it.  The menu is a varied mix of seafood, meat and poultry and they have a sensational pizza section with a great selection of daily specials to ensure you can choose just what you fancy. The Pizza's are also available as take away.  The wine list has a nice selection of  affordable Australian and New Zealand wines.  Staff are attentive and efficient. 

Booking is suggested but essential on Fridays and at weekends 'cos the locals like this one and it can get quite crowded, but hey, that's a good sign !


The Wildlife Habitat

Experience Breakfast with the Birds immersed within the Wetlands environment of the Wildlife Habitat wildlife sanctuary located out near the Cook Highway at the entry to Port Douglas.  As you enjoy your buffet breakfast you will be surrounded by a symphony of sounds and colours of wildlife as they wander freely amongst the tables.  The buffet breakfast has wonderful selection of tropical and exotic fruits, pastries and locally made breads plus Eggs, bacon & hot foods from the BBQ washed down with bottomless cups of tea & coffee and juices.  You will never have experienced anything like this before, it really is great fun and the photo opportunities to record your brekkie and share the fun with your friends back home are priceless.