Where to Eat in Port Douglas 2021

Last Updated on September 10, 2021 by Chef

Where to eat in Port Douglas? That depends on the time of day, your budget, and what type of food you’d like to eat. Port Douglas has pub food, relaxed dining and quite a few top-end restaurants. You can feast on prawns, steaks, seafood platters, real Italian pasta or Asian dishes. In this post we aim to cover every restaurant in Port Douglas, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our reviews of Port Douglas restaurants and dining are from recent first-hand experience.

I’ve spent about 10 years total living and working in Port Douglas as a chef. Port is a beautiful tropical holiday destination, one of the best places to visit in Queensland and, of course, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. A boat trip to the reef must be on your holiday itinerary! After that visit some of the best restaurants in Port Douglas to enhance your holiday.

The pandemic lockdowns brought changes to the Port Douglas local restaurant, take-away, and cafe scene, there have been closures, lack of chefs and other staff, and reduced opening hours. You now normally need to book a table in Port Douglas.

Most weekends and nearly all holidays used to see me working at possibly the nicest resort in town. On rare days or evenings off, I loved nothing better than heading out with my family to sample other great Port Douglas eateries.

I managed to eat at nearly all of the local restaurants and other establishments. From breakfast to brunch or lunch right through to the formal dinner or maybe just prawns and beer on the deck. A guide of where to eat in Port Douglas from a Port Douglas chef.

Where To Eat in Port Douglas

Your budget, time of day, your tastes, and expectations will obviously be individual and my best Port Douglas restaurant may not be yours. There is casual dining, fast food, limited Asian, plenty of chips-with-everything, along with very good European, and, of course, sea food. Best for breakfast won’t be best for dinner. Best with your kids won’t be best for a romantic dinner. We talk about most places to eat in Port Douglas below.

Wet Season Restaurant Operating Hours Port Douglas

While the ‘wet’ season starts back in December you won’t notice much of a difference until the end of January. Both February and March are very quiet months in Port Douglas. February is when numerous restaurants will close up and give their staff a break.

It is worth checking out with restaurants directly as to their hours over the wet season months. Even if they stay open operating hours will be greatly reduced in most cases.

The Best Restaurants in Port Douglas

The best restaurants in Port Douglas are widely considered to be the following top places to eat. Most I would agree with, one we had a bad experience at. I’ll talk more about each one further down the page.

• Nautilus
• Watergate
• Melaleuca
• Sassi
• Salsa
• Zinc

These are also probably the most expensive restaurants in Port Douglas, along with the hotels. My personal favourite places to eat are Sassi, for Italian and good seafood, along with St Crispin’s cafe (out of town) for breakfast and Toast, near Cole’s.

Salsa is also very good and a reliable option. I’ve never eaten at Nautilus, but we’ll be putting that right soon. Zinc get a special mention for keeping us well fed with home deliveries during lockdown.

Watergate are serving some of the best food in Port Douglas currently. We visited last in July 2021 and this often-overlooked Macrossan St restaurant really did deliver for all three courses. I think this is my new favorite, unfortunately, it doesn’t have a view, which is why we often end up dining at cheaper places that overlook the water. However it is romantic, secluded, and shady.

Not many restaurants in Port Douglas have aircon, most are partially, or fully outdoors, but look for shade, it’s hot here.

For cheaper meals we always liked The Beach Shack, but that has now been sold. When it re-opens we’ll check it out. If you want a burger go to N17, for take-away fish and chips or chicken, try Dave’s.

Breakfast and Coffee In Port Douglas

Possibly my favourite time of the day to head out and grab a bite to eat. The resorts in town all (used to, pre-Covid) offer buffet-style breakfast which suits some people, and if you have kids or are staying in resorts, this may be perfect for you.

Hi-Tide Cafe

One of my personal favourites is the breakfast served up at Hi Tide, a great little restaurant located on the esplanade, overlooking Four Mile beach. The full cooked breakfast is delicious and cooked to perfection. Few things beat sitting here over breakfast and a coffee watching the world go by.

St. Crispins Cafe & Events

9 St Crispins Ave, Port Douglas 0400652906

My new favourite place for breakfast and coffee, sitting on the deck overlooking the golf course and lake hoping to spot a saltwater croc. The food is very brunch/breakfast orientated and they’re not open in the evenings. Check, as they do sometimes host special events.

Coffee is also great at St Crispins and it is very easy to spend a quiet morning here with breakfast & coffee. They are the best place, we think, for smashed avo on toast, or French toast with bacon and syrup.

Grant Street Kitchen

shop 4/5 Cnr Grant St and Macrossan, 0478769987

This locally owned and run bakery has really lifted and now delivers outstanding bakery items from traditional croissants to full family-size lasagna to heat and serve

The coffee is great here too. Usually open for both takeaway and eat in from 6 am, you’ll be sure to find something here you like. I highly recommend their pies, cakes, or lasagna. Expect huge portions, we usually split a pie or cake between two.

Origin Espresso

21-23 Warner Street, 07 4099 4586

From humble beginnings, Origin Espresso has gone from strength to strength. They roast their own beans locally and offer filter coffee and pour-overs as well as cold-drip coffee 

If coffee isn’t your thing they serve fresh-squeezed cane sugar juice. A weekend wouldn’t be complete without grabbing a coffee and watching the world go by at Origin.

Breakfast With the Birds

Editor Note: Due to Covid 19 restrictions buffet dining had to be cancelled but is now starting to return. We haven’t eaten at the Wildlife Habitat since our kids were small, so we really can’t give you much guidance on quality. It’s worth you taking a look though! They are currently building a really exciting new crocodile attraction at The Habitat.

Port Douglas Rd, 07 40993235

Breakfast with the birds is also a family favourite. Located at the Wildlife Habitat park, this buffet breakfast used to be held inside the bird enclosure.

Don’t worry, all the food is covered, but keep an eye on your bacon, birds have been known to swoop down and steal from unattended plates. Kids absolutely love this and adults have a similarly good time.

This is most popular with foreign tourists and we have taken all of our overseas visitors here. Breakfast includes the park entrance fee, meaning the kids can burn off that energy after filling their tummies. You can read more about Queensland wildlife here.

Lunch in Port Douglas

Being on holiday you may get up too late, skip breakfast and head straight out to lunch. Nothing wrong with that, isn’t that what holidays are for?

Numerous Port Douglas restaurants offer set menus for lunch at great prices. In fact, the best lunch places are also great for dinner. The clear favourite across town with most locals would have to be Salsa Bar and Grill although Watergate offers superb lunch (and dinner) too.

Salsa Bar and Grill

26 Wharf Street, 07 4099 4922

This local institution has been around for years and even had to move to bigger premises, first on the high street then wharf street, its current location. Lunchtime sees taster plates served, they are different every day. Traditional favourites and a seasonal menu are also there in this relaxed restaurant.

N17 Burger Co

22 Macrossan St, Port Douglas 07 42234704

N17 is both a sports bar and a burger bar. Playing a huge variety of sports from ALF, NRL right across to Premier League and MMA action there is always something on.

Their burgers are brilliant and have many varieties to suit everyone from meat lovers to vegetarians. They also stock a wide variety of beers including international and some locally brewed varieties that will really hit the spot. Not just open for lunch but also dinner and late into the night, especially if sports are playing.

Menu Thai 

10 Grant St, Port Douglas, 07 4099 6880

Menu Thai on Grant Street offers quick and relaxed OK Thai. I regularly come here if we are in town. Both of my kids like the food on offer and it’s one of the cheaper eats in Port Douglas. Worth noting it is normally only open at lunch and dinner and closed between 3 pm – 5 pm.

There are several Asian restaurants in Port Douglas, including Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Chinese. I’m not really able to rave about any of them, sorry. We’ve spent a lot of time in all of those countries and what’s on offer in Port has often been disappointing. But we keep on trying!

Afternoon Drinks and Nibbles

A few places come to mind for lazy afternoon beers and people watching. Because the reef boats arrive back in Port Douglas in the afternoon, a lot of visitors go straight from boat to bar or restaurant. They tend to choose the marina where you’ll find Hemmingway’s, Lure, and Barbados.

Others will head to the Tin Shed (check their dining times, outside of these they serve very little food) or to the Courthouse Pub. The Ironbar, another Macrossan St pub, is now specialising in steak.

Don’t expect late-night dining in Port as you would see in London. As a chef, I’m grateful for that, but you may find the early closing times surprising. Dinner is often early in Port Douglas.

Lure Restaurant

Super Yacht Marina, Port Douglas, 07 40995201

The first is Lure restaurant down at the marina. Here you can order a serving of prawns with beers and wine and watch the reef boats come in. They also have a wide variety of items on their menu, it’s a big menu and we last ate there very recently.

This place always used to be our Sunday afternoon favourite after the markets, the kids used to like hanging out here with the boats and fish. Beer and wine are plentiful and during happy hour, well priced. Grab a seat on the deck for the best view across the marina. Currently, they are closing quite early.

My son was very enthusiastic about their jumbo steak sandwich with the works, I had a simple prawn sandwich, my other son the coral trout and chips. Look out for daily specials.

Hemingway’s Brewery

Super Yacht Marina, Port Douglas, 07 40996663

Port Douglas now has its very own brewery located on the marina’s waterfront. With reduced opening times you can still enjoy your weekends here with great local craft beers and decent food.

They brew a number of their own craft beers to suit most tastes but if you want wine or spirits, they have you covered too. Great views out over the marina and to the hills behind. We like their salt and pepper squid, there are also burgers, pizzas, and so on.

The Tin Shed

7 Ashford Ave, 07 4099 5553

The Tin Shed or Combined Club is another spot for a cold one and a snack, or indeed, full meal. This is really the only place in Port Douglas with a view out to sea, other than the restaurants on the marina.

The Tin Shed is a club, expect club food. They have a new deck overlooking Dickson Inlet which is a beautiful spot to watch the boats coming back from the reef at the end of the day. They serve both lunch and dinner with a fully serviced bar where you can just order drinks.

Outside of set dining times, you can usually order cold, cooked prawns with cocktail sauce on the side. This is usually how prawns are served in this part of Queensland.

Dinner in Port Douglas

This one is open to all sorts of establishments. Simply put, it depends on what you want. Sassi, Watergate, The Tin Shed, The Courthouse, Ironbar and, of course, Barbados, are great choices for dinner, depending on what you’d like to eat and your budget.

Sassi La Cucina and Bar

Cnr. Wharf & Macrossan Street, 07 40996744

Authentic Italian cuisine, Sassi is run and owned by Tony and Di Sassi. Tony can still be found in the kitchens producing real Italian food with fresh tropical ingredients. Their seafood platter is a particular highlight of the Port Douglas dining scene. Either indoor or outdoor seating available, pizzas are also available. Bookings recommended during the holiday season.

Update: Very sadly, Tony Sassi passed away recently.

Barbados

This Port Douglas bar/restaurant is very popular for the early to late afternoon crowd. Doors open usually at 3pm, that’s the perfect time for returning reef boats, and it’s advisable to book. You can sometimes get a walk-in table, but it does get booked out weeks in advance.

Barbados has very relaxed dining, ideal for groups, with indirect views of the inlet and marina. Cocktails and speciality drinks are very popular and the food is above average for bar food.

Barbados dishes to try, include pulled brisket sliders, tuna tataki, and their seafood sharing plate. My son enthuses profusely about the truffle-scented fries.

In the interests of full disclosure, I’ve been the chef here in recent months, after being head chef at one of the biggest 5-star resorts in town years ago. Prior to that, I was a Chef in top London hotels. Because of Covid and lack of tourists opening hours here are very short, currently just Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Rattle and Hum

38 Macrossan St, 07 40995641

At the other end of the scale, you have Rattle and Hum pub doing great pizza and steak. Casual atmosphere with an open wood-fired pizza kitchen. Pool tables and sports channels are scattered around the pub.

The Court House

18-20 Wharf St, 07 4099 5181

The Court House hotel offers pub grub to a reasonable standard. This is a bit of a family favourite of ours if we want something cheaper, often early evening or late afternoon. My kids love their nachos, chicken parmie, and fish tacos.

This historic Queenslander oozes old-world tropical charm and the bar refurbishments are really pretty stunning.

On the weekends The Courthouse Hotel (pub) often have live bands playing which adds to the atmosphere. Good views over to the Port Douglas Sunday Markets makes for a great corner for people-watching at the end of Port Douglas’s main street.

Watergate

My family visited Watergate for a mid-week birthday meal recently and were delighted by the food, cocktails, and wine. It really was good food along with great friendly service.

Watergate is just off Macrossan Street, tucked away from passing crowds and surrounded by tropical greenery.

We ordered a dozen dishes between us and all of them were good, particularly the reef fish of the day and the unusual crab lasagna.

Zinc Restaurant

Portico, 3/53-61 Macrossan Street, 07 40996860

Zinc is a great restaurant at the Four Mile beach end of Macrossan Street that offers fantastic food. Modern Australian and seafood. A family-friendly restaurant that requires booking an advance table in the busy season. A great atmosphere and the aquarium in the restrooms need to be seen to be believed.

Bel Cibo

30 Macrossan St, 07 40996330

Bel Cibo, an Italian restaurant serves great food with a view over Macrossan Street. Located on the second floor of the Saltwater building you can look down and watch the world go by.

Unfortunately due to a leak in an apartment above Bel Cibo, it has been closed until further notice while they repair the restaurant. With Covid hitting hard Bel Cibo is still shuttered up and there is talk of moving to a new location.

Where to Eat in Port Douglas

That is my take on where to eat. Restaurants are always changing, staff, menus, suppliers, and expectation never remain constant. I’ve eaten in nearly all the restaurants in Port Douglas, some good, some bad. There are now a few new ones and some old ones have passed. Take what I’ve said with a grain of salt, as a chef, public expectation is everything and it isn’t uncommon to get your best and worst comments on the same night. The restaurant scene in Port Douglas is vibrant, that is one of the best things about the town. Being able to eat at a different place, for each meal on a 10 day holiday isn’t normally easy in a town this size.

Have you got a favourite Port Douglas restaurant? Where would you or have you eaten in Port Douglas? Could you hit the red Pinterest button for us please? You’ll probably want to see our post on Things to Do in Port Douglas too!

Happy Eating

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