Port Douglas Restaurants

Ever walked or driven past a bakery or pie shop and smelt that fresh delicious aroma of pies baking? Yum, perhaps one of the best aromas that leads your nose into the shop and the rest of the body sort of follows in the wake – well that’s what happened to me when I nearly passed Mocks’s Pies of Port Douglas.

There was a great range but as it was still before noon, in my view it was still breakfast time and so I settled on one of the house specialties – a breakfast pie that promised it contained meat, cheese, bacon and an egg. “Do you want to eat in (meaning at the outside tables under the huge umbrella) or take away?” Having done a bit of travelling and been ripped off, I asked if there was a price difference. I was pleasantly surprised to be told by the very cheerful lady that it was the same price. The pie was placed on a heavy duty plastic plate together with a knife and fork and away I went drooling at the thought of the pie. “Do you want sauce,” I was asked. Now this is where the men of the pie world get separated from the boys. If a pie needs sauce, then, in my opinion, it cannot be a true pie.

I am happy to report that the pie was one of the best I’ve ever tasted and no it didn’t need sauce. Judging from the satisfied smiles from other diners, I was not alone in my appreciation of a great pie shop. They are only a little dearer than the rest, but worth every cent and have been in business since 1969. They have a variety of hot and cold drinks and I must admit my eyes were only on the pies, but I just think there was sweet treats as well.

Now I should reiterate a little question – what is a near death experience? Answer; walking into a pie shop like Mocka’s and buying the last pie in front of a hungry tradesperson (called tradies for short).

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The Combined Club does not look like much from outside. It is just a big silver shed sitting in a prime position by the inlet. Even when you get inside it doesn't look much. But walk on through, past the pokies and through the bar and you see what the attraction is - that shaded balcony right on the inlet!

This is the place for a drink or a meal, and is always packed full of locals who know when to get there to secure a prime position (or when to book ahead). Ideal for lunch or sunset drinks, I highly recommend a visit to the club - don't let the facade put you off.

Favorite Dish: Once you manage to get a table, you will need to pop back inside to order at the bistro counter. Your meal will be delivered to you when it's ready. To save constant trips inside to the bar, best buy a nice bottle of something white and cold to drink - don't worry, they will give you a wine cooler, and prices are very reasonable.

Ok, the food isn't the best in town, just honest pub grub - like fish & chips, but it is really all about relaxing and enjoying the view here : )

If you are looking for a fun, good value place for a meal in Port Douglas then check out the Port O'Call Bar & Bistro. The Port O'Call is actually a backpackers hostel, an it has a great bistro which is open to the public.

Ok, it can get a bit rowdy later in the evening, but for an earlier meal you will get a big serve at backpackers prices.

Favorite Dish: You dine amid the palms, by the pool. Order and pay at the counter and then collect your meal once ready. They have regular pasta, curry and roast nights, along with daily specials.

My parents pop here on occasion with their friends and always have a good meal, so one evening we joined them. The food was 'honest' and the serves were generous. Cheap beer too ; )

This is my favourite Restaurant in Port, again I was not disappointed. The setting is of an open tropical theme ( as all restaurants in the area are) There is a smoking and non smoking area.
The service is excellent and the floor staff will help you with any questions you have.

The Bar people will make the best cocktails and the wine menu is extensive.

Favorite Dish: All the food is great. My friends had Sword Fish and Burramundi. They are still raving about it. I chose the Duck dish, it was fantastic.

They have a* to die for Chocolate Souffle*. This is served with homemade chocolate icecream on the side.
You have to try this to believe how fantastic it is....

This is the place indeed! Incredible fusion food!
We later find out it is the hottest bar/restaurant in town. Former US president Bill Clinton was having his dinner here on september 11 last year, when he was informed about the terrorist attacks. Also Aussie pop queen (love her or hate her) Kylie likes the Salsa's cuisine and the Port's relaxed atmosphere ...

Favorite Dish: We are treated to: smoked barramundi spring-rolls, grilled tuna fillet, seven spices kangaroo, mango and Macadamia Parfait, chocolate mousse and praline tart.

A beautiful restaurant located near Macrossan St. in Port Douglas. It's near the center of town but once you enter the patio dining area it feels like you've walked into a garden paradise.

Favorite Dish: Everything was prepared perfectly. The seafood, especially the whole coral trout, was excellant and the crispy skinned duck was tender and delicious.

Funky little cafe at the top end of Macrossan St. Perfect place to stop off for a simple lunch - good coffee, filled ciabbatta, lots of excellent looking cakes and ice-cream (didn't try them). Place to hang out - inside or out. Lots of laptops on show, large magazine rack, a few 2nd-hand books for sale, internet booths, artwork for sale.

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It was only on returning home that we found out the pedigree of this place, even though we had already decided that it was one of the best meals that we had ever eaten.

The food, ambience and service were basically sensational. Having wondered along Macrossan St and spotted a couple of possibles, turning left into Wharf Street provided a number of interesting options, but the welcoming open-fronted, split-level Harrisons, with its relaxed looking courtyard and more formal but contemporary dining area won out by a very long way. And the gods were with us as, having made no reservation, we were shown to the last available table.

Whilst young waiters (obviously in training) abounded, pouring water as if there was no tomorrow, we were lucky to have an older woman and she was the perfect foil to the formal dining - friendly, talkative, knowledgeable about the menu without any pretentions. Asked about the wine and knowing it was the sommelier's night off, she gave us a couple of anecdotes in helping us to choose (as well as the tasting of one of the wines - interestingly the very one she knew the sommelier raved about: we did not share that opinion! The one we chose – Pikes 'Eastside' Shiraz from Clare Valley – was perfect for our tastes.

But the menu... Half a dozen oysters to share – a dash of lemon the only accompaniment. Perfect.
But the mains. Straight from the menu:–

Lacquered duck ($36.00)
Spiced quince, caramelised shallots, cannellini & white chocolate puree, cinnamon jus

Herb crusted lamb ($35.00)
Tarte fine of confit shoulder, sauce Soubise, pea & mint veloute, rosemary jus

Along with –
Steamed green beans, toasted almonds $8.5
Truffle mash $9.5

And fear not if you do not understand the culinary references - there's a glossary at the back of the menu (veloute = velvet: so a pea and mint puree with the lamb: Soubise = a puree of white onion finished with cream were the two we were unfamiliar with).

Also on the menu was a chateaubriand (the next table to us took that - it also looked wonderful).

The ingredients speak for themselves as far as the food was concerned: white chocolate and cannellini puree served alongside duck that had the confidence to be served pink. The tarte fine of confit shoulder with the lamb truly inspiring. And the truffle mash - words fail me.

And then we discover on our return home that chef (and co-owner) Spencer Patrick worked with Marco Pierre White and Raymond Blanc in the UK and was voted the third best chef in London in 1998. No wonder the food was so fine....

And while the bill at the end of the day was not cheap - $A200 for two mains, two sides, a shared starter, two coffees and a bottle of wine – we did not see this as expensive for what we received. And having looked at menus at other Port restaurants, it was probably not that much more than we would have paid elsewhere.

End of the day - this place is an incredible place to eat and I cannot recommend it enough.

Favorite Dish: Everything we ate - and probably some of what we didn't!!