Restaurants in Darwin

Darwin's large Asian-born population means there is a good choice of spicy food around. Head to the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, held every Thursday and Sunday from May to October, where you’ll find some superb food carts as well as arts stalls, musicians and street performers. As for a trendy eatery precinct, try the Cullen Bay Marina, around a 25-minute walk (or a short taxi ride) from the city centre.

The restaurants below have been grouped into three different pricing categories:
Expensive (over A$30)
Moderate (A$15 to A$29)
Cheap (up to A$15)

These prices are for a three-course meal for one with a half bottle of house wine or equivalent.

Pee Wee's Beachfront Café

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Darwin's premier beachside eatery, located 4km (2.5 miles) from the city centre, is a great place to watch the sunset, with just about every table having a sea view, whether it's inside or out on the terrace. This special place to dine out has everything from scallops to crab and crocodile tail on the menu.

Address: Lot 5775, Alec Fong Lim Drive, East Point, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8981 6868.

YOTS Greek Taverna

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Seafood

Expect champagne and freshly shucked oysters at this upmarket Greek eatery in the heart of Cullen Bay. Fresh seafood is the speciality here – appropriate given its waterside location. Opt for a table on the lower deck and tuck into substantial portions of mezze, fried cheeses and moussaka. Dessert is equally impressive.

Address: 54 Marina Boulevard, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8981 4433.
Website:

EVOO

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: Fine dining

The city’s best known fine dining restaurant occupies a lofty perch three floors above the casino at SkyCity. There’s a degustation menu, while the a la carte option features the likes of beef cheek tortellini and venison carpaccio. The name? It stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Smart casual dress required.

Address: Skycity Darwin, Gilruth Avenue, The Gardens, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8943 8940.

Crustaceans

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Seafood

This is a high-quality seafood restaurant that sits at the far end of the Darwin Wharf, beyond the more standard fish and chips outlets. Barramundi, calamari, lobster and prawns feature on the menu (ask staff for what’s in season), alongside a range of juicy steaks. It also offers a great kid's menu.

Address: Darwin Wharf Precinct, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8981 8658.

Blue Water Bistro

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Seafood

Serving fresh and locally sourced seafood, this cute bistro serves good, reliable grub. Located on the seafront and forming part of Darwin Trailer Boat Club, it's a friendly, informal place with a kid's playground and swimming pool. If you’re really hungry, go for the Trailer Boat Trash basket with breaded prawns, calamari and tempura fish and chips.

Address: 8 Atkins Drive, Fannie Bay, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8981 6749.
Website:

Hanuman

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Asian

Classy chain Hanuman has some of the best Asian food in town with a wide selection of dishes from Thai to tandoori. The oysters are a must-try, and the wine list is much improved. The restaurant is part of the Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade and features a beautiful deck dining area and stylish cocktail bar.

Address: 93 Mitchell Street, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8941 3500.

Speaker’s Corner Cafe

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Sandwiches, salads and cakes

Set within Parliament House, and open only on weekdays from breakfast until 4pm, Speaker’s Corner Café is a solid budget option for cakes, sandwiches and more substantial lunches such as lasagne. But that isn’t its biggest selling point - the magnificent garden-view terrace is bestowed with that honour.

Address: Mitchell Street and Bennett Street, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8946 1439.

Oishi-Ya

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Japanese

This popular Japanese spot on Mitchell Street offer a well-priced menu and a good range of ramen noodle dishes. Bento boxes, curries and sushi are all available as chefs work their magic in an open kitchen. Try the delicious beef yakiniku (stir fry beef) or the kimchi ramen with roast pork.

Address: Mitchell Centre, 55-59 Mitchell Street, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8942 2906.

Tim's Surf & Turf

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Steak and seafood

This no-frills spot offers huge portions, giant steaks, and no-nonsense fill-up food served in an unpretentious restaurant on the edge of town. Don’t fret if you haven’t got a big appetite, they can downsize their portions to suit. If the weather is good, grab a seat outside or on the terrace.

Address: 10 Litchfield Street, City Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8981 1024.
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