Darwin is fast becoming a foodie paradise.
Funky laneway cafes, trendy bars and hot new restaurants are the latest big hit with Darwin Foodies. Here are the best restaurants and bars stealing the scene in Darwin.
Do you need some tips to find the top restaurants when you next visit Darwin? Want to know where to eat, drink and be seen around Darwin? Let me share a few of our favourites to try.
Hidden cafes tucked away in city laneways, funky new bars and contemporary new restaurants are turning up in all the best locations in the city. I’ve researched them thoroughly for your reading pleasure.
Darwin’s Best Bars
Stone House Wine Bar
Darwin’s first wine bar. With select wines from around the world Stone House Wine Bar has hit the mark with locals for selection and atmosphere. This bar is a popular spot to catch up with friends, and if you book early, there’s an opportunity to attend one of their winemaker tasting events.
Located in the original stone Sue Wah Chin building of old Chinatown on Cavenagh Street in the heart of Darwin city.
The Loading Bay
The Loading Bay offers a place to meet up friends in an intimate environment. A very cool bar in the middle of Darwin city, showcasing a great selection of gins, creative cocktail options and delicious food offerings from Little Miss Korea (next door).
Located in Austin Lane in the heart of Darwin city.
Charlies of Darwin
Darwin’s newest addition is Charlies of Darwin. A fully-fledged cocktail and gin bar complete with it’s own Gin Still. Charlies is a very chic establishment offering gin tastings and, on occasion a delicious high tea. Step out onto the open terrace bar looking over Darwin city to enjoy the best out of this new bar.
Open into the wee hours of the morning, Charlies has great atmosphere so treat yourself to one of their fabulous desserts after a night on the town.
Entry into Charlie’s is via Austin Lane, Darwin city.
Best Restaurants in Darwin
Hanuman
Hanuman Darwin is one of the best Thai Indian style restaurants in Darwin (and there’s one in Alice Springs too) having a reputation for great food with authentic Asian flavours. One of my favourites for flavour and atmosphere.
Try the Hanuman oysters or mushrooms, if you don’t care for oysters and Whole Reef Fish for the amazing flavours.
Find Hanuman Restaurant in Mitchell Street, Darwin city.
Pee Wee’s on the Point
Locals Tip: Be there for Sunset!
Have you got a special occasion coming up? The place to go is Pee Wee’s on the Point.
With it’s stunning waterfront location and creative menu, this restaurant is known to have Darwin’s best views. Pee Wee’s on the Point is the perfect place to wine, dine and relax all year round.
A unique waterfront setting at East Point Nature Reserve.
Wharf One
Locals Tip: We recommend the Shared Tasting Menu.
Treat yourself to absolute waterfront dining, Wharf One Food & Wine offers a fun dining experience, specialising in wood grill cooking and seasonal local produce.
Its the perfect place for lunch, dinner, special occasions or go there for a drink or two.
At the Waterfront precinct, Wharf One is an easy 10 minute walk from Darwin CBD.
The Waterfront Bistro at Darwin Sailing Club
Locals tip: Arrive early to catch the sunset, the views are spectacular!
The Waterfront Bistro is a multi-award winning restaurant overlooking stunning Fannie Bay.
A diverse menu with flavours from south-east Asia, flame grilled steaks, pastas, a wide selection of fresh local seafood and home-made desserts.
This restaurant is located on the beachfront and has the best view in Darwin.
Little Miss Korea
Locals Tip: Monday nights for the best dumplings in Darwin!
LMK is one of my favourite restaurants in Darwin!
Little Miss Korea is a unique Korean Charcoal BBQ restaurant offering modern à la carte cuisine. Celebrity Chef, Chung Jae Lee, is the creator behind LMK’s clever menu and it’s funky industrial-styled restaurant is setting the pace in Darwin city.
Start your evening with my favourite Pork dumplings, oven-baked mushrooms and Ginger Pork Balls and then settle in for Chung Jae’s slow-cooked Beef Cheeks with pumpkin puree and wonton crisps. Delish!
Located in Austin Lane (aka Graffiti Lane) in Darwin city.
Saffrron
Reflecting Darwin’s rich diversity of cultures and laid back tropical lifestyle, Saffrron Darwin proudly combines traditional Indian flavours inspired by life in the tropics.
The menus are about fresher, tastier, healthier eating focused on getting people excited about eating Indian food and healthier living.
Located in Parap, Saffrron is truly a Top End culinary experience.
Yots Greek Taverna
One of Darwin’s leading restaurants located on the Waterfront Boardwalk at Cullen Bay. Yots Greek Taverna specialises in modern and traditional Greek cuisine with fresh seafood meals our specialty. A great wine list is available.
Grab a Mezze platter and a nice bottle of wine to watch the sun set over the marina.
Located in the Cullen Bay Marina.
The Oyster Bar
Locals tip: Wednesday is Oyster Day with discounts oysters all day.
Just a five-minute stroll towards the Waterfront from Darwin city centre is The Oyster Bar.
A great place to chill out and enjoy the waterfront views with a glass of bubbles and a dozen or two of your favourites.
Located at the Waterfront Precinct.
Moorish Cafe
Locals tip: Their Spanish seafood hotpot is to die for.
Moorish Cafe is one of Darwin’s best restaurants, in the heart of Darwin city.
Moorish Cafe has a great tapas and shared-plates menu inspired by flavours of Spain, the Mediterranean and Northern Africa. If you’re not interested in sharing, they’re happy for that too!
Start with the freshly made pate and pickled vegetables for a special treat, before sampling the other delicacies on the menu.
Located in Knuckey Street in Darwin city.
Il Piatto Restaurant
Locals tip: Try their lobster Ravioli!
One of our favourites, iL Piatto is an Italian style restaurant with a classic selection of favourite Italian dishes.
Soak up the ocean views while enjoying fresh pasta and your perfect wine.
Located at Sky City Darwin overlooking the ocean.
Oka Teppenyaki
Oka Teppanyaki offers a traditional style of Japanese cuisine creating a fun, lively and exciting dining experience.
Watch as highly skilled chefs create dishes with unique flavours right in front of you. Menus are varied and can include your choice of tiger prawns, beef or fresh lobsters to your taste. Teppanyaki is a fabulous fun experience for a birthdays or other celebrations providing a memorable dining experience.
Located in the trendy Parap Village.
Yogi’s Way
Modern Australian cuisine influenced be Nepalese flavours, Yogi’s Way is in the inner suburb of Stuart Park in Darwin.
Yogi’s offer a broad menu and after much debate we started with chicken mimosa and smashed samovar. Taste the traditional flavours of their goat curry and mushroom masala. You’re in for a treat!
Located in Westralia Street, Stuart Park.
The Precinct
Locals tip: Check the daily specials, you may find a gem!
The Precinct is one of the favourite place to go. The Precinct at the Darwin Waterfront, boasts 46 taps of craft beers and cider, quality wines and modern pub food or for something different pick up an antipasto picnic basket.
Located at the Waterfront, beside the wave pool.
Six Tanks Brew Company
Locals tip: Order the Charcuterie Board!
You can’t miss the 6 big copper tanks at the front of house!
SixTanks is a micro-brewery, bar, and kitchen located in the heart of Darwin. With 26 taps of its own brewed on site and a selection of beers from guest breweries.
Offering a selection of delicious eats from wood-fired camembert to a classic chicken parmy – the perfect night out.
Located in Mitchell Street, Darwin City, its a great place to catch up with friends.
The Cavenagh
Locals tip: Nam Jim Oyster Shots – consistently great!
This long standing pub is one of Darwin’s favourites.
The Cavenagh or ‘the Cav’ as its affectionately known, is touted as the best steakhouse in town. With a great menu, The Cav is one of the few restaurants in town to serve Beef Wellington.
Located at the top end of Cavenagh Street in the City and well worth a visit.
Seafood on Cullen
With ocean front views Seafood on Cullen is an all-you-can-eat seafood smorgasbord restaurant offering fresh shellfish, and hot and cold buffet-style dining. A large restaurant venue with magnificent views over Darwin harbour and a casual atmosphere.
Located at Cullen Bay overlooking Darwin Harbour.
Sweetbrew & Co
Locals tip: Great coffee but often very busy but so worth the wait!
A funky modern cafe serving a new age menu with delicious house-cooked pies and other treats as well as other freshly baked delicacies.
Found in Stuart Park, on the main highway.
Needle in a Haystack
Pop up restaurants are the hot new dining experiences in Darwin and Needle in a Haystack Bistro has gained a great following. A perfect location with the best outlook across the Arafura Sea, Needle in a Haystack Bistro is an open-air dining venue on the Nightcliff foreshore in Darwin.
Great seasonal menu including beautiful Stuffed Zucchini Flowers, Golden Snapper and other sensational specialties.
Weekly menus are posted on FaceBook and Instagram and reservations to be made online. Get in early for this magical dining experience.
Nightcliff: A unique location serving a menu of difference.
Smokey J’s Brew & Que
Locals tip: Kick back and watch the sun set as you settle into an icy cold beer.
The Beachfront Hotel on the foreshore at Nightcliff, is home to Smokey J’s Brew & Que.
Get yourself one of the smokehouse cuts, barbeque or burgers available for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Located on the foreshore at Nightcliff.
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