Latest reviews by coathanger

On the Inlet

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:28:38 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 3 Inlet Street, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: relaxed, george the groper, fish feeding, mature, seafood, family & home feel, good value, friendly

Happy Hour on the InletProbably my favourite place to hang out at in Port Douglas is at On the Inlet. It is a bar and seafood restaurant in a fabulous setting by the water. The whole place has an alfresco feel, and offers the best views over the inlet, especially at sunset time.

On the Inlet is 'the' place to go late afternoon for the 'Sunset special' - a bucket of prawns and a beer, wine or champagne, while you watch the boats returning to the harbour and the stunning sunsets.

But it gets better! At 5.30pm every day you can watch them feed George, the resident Groper. If you don't know, a Groper is a huge fish, and George is a hungry one that lives under the pier and looks forward to his daily snack.

We loved seeing George so much (not to mention those prawns and wine) that we went several times to enjoy the sunset special. Getting there extra early ensures you can get a prime position on the bench above where George is fed. If you want to see what all the fuss is about you can check out a video of the fish feeding on their website.

http://www.portdouglasseafood.com/

Soul n' Pepper

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:24:30 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 8/2 Dixie St, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: lively, top food, amazing brew, brunch, breakfast, friendly

Best place for breakfast/brunchSoul n' Pepper is a fabulous café located on the edge of the Dickson Inlet, by the small sandy beach (where you shouldn't swim cause there might be crocs!). It is a rustic looking place, with wooden tables shaded by coconut palms and sails. The vibe is very relaxed, and the laid-back service is friendly and cheeky.

My parents are regulars here and have gotten to know the owners, so a visit to Soul n' Pepper was a must for me. The best time of day to go is for breakfast or brunch, though you may have to wait for a table - especially on Sunday when everyone from the market wants to dine here.

They make excellent coffee and food is great too. Check out the big breakfasts which are served in a fry pan - very cool!

Combined Club

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:20:16 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 7 Ashford Ave, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: good value, harbour views, international, family & home feel, traditional pub

Tin shack by the harbourThe 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 façade put you off.

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 : )

Salsa Bar & Grill

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:16:42 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: 26 Wharf St, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: cool, international, friendly, lively

Best Souffles in townThe best meal we have had in Port Douglas to date was at Salsa Bar & Grill. This is a stylish looking restaurant located in a traditional 'weatherboard Queenslander' with inside and outside dining, located across the road from the inlet.

We took my parents there for a meal one night and all had a great evening. Service was a little more upmarket than other places we had dined in the area, though still friendly and helpful.

The good quality food was fresh and well presented. The highlight of the meal was an amazing chocolate souffle - worth going back for!

Breakfast with the birds at Rainforest Habitat

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:13:08 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: Port Douglas Road, 4871, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: lively, birds, child friendly, average brew, quick bite

Breakfast with the birds The Rainforest Habitat is a lovely place to visit while staying in Port Douglas. If you really want to become 'one with nature', why not head there early in the day and have 'Breakfast with the Birds' at the Rainforest Habitat restaurant.

Breakfast runs from 8am to 11am daily and is a great place to take the kids&.and even big kids like us enjoyed it too. Basically you just order and pay for your breakfast, then pick a table and relax.

Before you know it a variety of birds will stop by to check you (and your breakfast) out. One word of warning though - the tables are pre-set with cutlery and serviettes and whilst we were eating we watched numerous birds walking all over this stuff on the neighbouring tables. Perhaps not the most hygenic of places for brekkie but it is fun.

Corner of Captain Cook Highway and Port Douglas Road, just 6 kilometres from the heart of Port Douglas, and 30 minutes from Cairns' Northern Beaches.

La Marina Ristorante Italiano

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:10:23 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: Marina Mirage, 4 Wharf Road, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: breakfast, harbour views, international, family & home feel, good value

A meal by the harbourLocated by the harbour in the Marina Mirage complex is La Marina Ristorante Italiano. This large restaurant has some great tables by the harbour side for a relaxing alfresco meal. We have only ever been here for breakfast.

My parents like to go to La Marina occasionally as it offers good value with its all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. There is a large buffet table with a full range of breakfast treats - breads, cereals, fruits, eggs, bacon, pancakes etc etc

Just keep going in to load up your plate until you can't eat anymore. Not glamorous, but it has to be done occasionally ; )

Java Blue Cafe

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:05:47 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 2 Macrossan St, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: lively, average brew, quick bite

Healthy Cafe near the InletIf you are looking for a place for breakfast, lunch or just a snack then you could do worse than heading to the Java Blue Café. Located at the inlet end of Macrossan street, Java Blue is a colourful café with a few prime-position tables on the footpath for people watching.

They serve up great looking smoothies, juices and shakes, and plenty of fresh, healthy looking meals.

We stopped in for a light breakfast one morning, just having some coffee and some Turkish toast with jam. Service was a bit dipsy, but well meaning, and we did manage to nab one of those tables out the front so all was forgiven.

Hi Tide Cafe & Seafood Restaurant

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:02:23 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 9-13 The Esplanade, 4877, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: friendly, average brew, seafood, family & home feel

Breakfast near the beachHi Tide Café & Seafood Restaurant is the only place to eat which looks over the lovely Four Mile Beach. It is part of the Peninsula Boutique Hotel, though is open to the public throughout the day.

One day we went for an early morning walk to the beach and climbed up to the headland to check out the view. Afterwards we were keen for some brekkie so we headed to the inviting looking Hi Tide Café.

We chose one of the tables out the front so we could enjoy the sunny morning. Service was friendly and relaxed, and within no time we had a coffee I hand and a cooked breakfast on our plates.

I hear it is a good place for a few drinks or a meal in the evening too.

Michaelangelo's

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 14:58:12 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 26 Macrossan St, 4871, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: cool, stylish, relaxed, italian

Cool bar & restaurantOne evening we headed to Michaelangelo's for a drink before dinner. We had walked by it earlier in the day and were intrigued by some very funky bar stools we could see inside. Michaelangelo's is a modern bar and restaurant which serves up Wood fired pizzas and pasta.

We ordered some drinks and sat on some of the aforementioned stools and chatted about where we should go for dinner. Another drink later we decided that we were so comfortable at Michaelangelo's that we may as well eat here too.

We moved to a table out on the balcony and ordered some pizzas. Not cheap, but tasty.

Mango Jam

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:05:06 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 24 Macrossan Street, 4871, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: italian, child friendly, family & home feel, pizza, good value, lively

Gourmet PizzaOne evening in Port Douglas we headed to Mango Jam for dinner. We were attracted to the place because of its colourful décor and alfresco dining. Mango Jam specialises in Gourmet Wood fired pizzas, though they also serve a selection of pastas, salads, grills and more.

It is a great place for all the family as they are very welcoming of kids and have a children's menu too. They also do take away, and home delivery to home and hotels in the area.

When we dined there we ordered a selection of pizza's to share. They were pretty good - not the best ever - but hit the spot, and went well with a glass or two of Aussie shiraz.

Port O'Call Bar & Bistro

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:03:10 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: Cnr Port Street & Craven Close, 4871, Port Douglas, Australia

Tags: lively, international, young and fun, good value

Backpacker Bistro & PubIf 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.

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 ; )

Silky Oaks Lodge Restaurant

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:00:29 +0000

Rating: 4.0

Location: Finlayvale Road, 4873, Mossman, Australia

Tags: romantic, rainforest, international, expensive

A meal in the rainforestAfter a visit to the stunning Mossman Gorge we headed to the Silky Oaks Lodge for lunch. The lodge is located on the northern bank of the Mossman River Gorge, on the edge of the Daintree Rainforest. It is an eco-friendly resort and has been constructed into the rainforest, making you feel at one with nature.

The restaurant is open to the public, and its lovely open air balcony has views down into the river gorge. It was a beautiful day when we visited and, having booked ahead, we were lucky to get one of the best tables so we could enjoy the rainforest views.

Relaxed but stylish, and a bit pricy, this is a beautiful place for a meal. Service was friendly but professional, and we very much enjoyed our meal here.

Silky Oaks Lodge is located on the northern bank of the Mossman River Gorge, 7 kilometres from Mossman and 25 km from Port Douglas

Botanic Gardens Cafe

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 10:56:22 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: Collins Avenue, Edgehill, 4870, Cairns, Australia

Tags: quick bite, leafy, quiet & relaxed

Lunch in the Botanic GardensLocated in the suburb of Edgehill are the Flecker Botanic Gardens. Admission is free to the gardens, and during a visit you may happen across the Botanic Gardens Restaurant/Café. It is open daily from 8.30am4.30pm, and is a handy place for a snack or light meal.

The Botanic Gardens are located very close to Cairns airport, and therefore were a handy place to visit for a few hours before flying to Sydney. After a quick wander through part of the gardens we headed to the café for lunch. It is hidden away amongst some tall plants, but there are signs to guide you to it.

It has a very relaxed feel, with laid-back service. The menu consists mainly of salads and open grilled sandwiches, though there is a specials board with some hot meals as well.

We ordered a couple of different 'Open Focaccia Grills', though they weren't really on focaccia, and the serving was quite small for the cost. Oh well, the food tasted ok, and filled the gap.

Palmer Kates Restaurant & Bar

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 10:52:06 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: Corner of Cook & Kennedy Highways, Smithfield, 4878, Cairns, Australia

Tags: lively, international, family & home feel, beer garden, traditional pub, good value

Friendly pub & bistroOne evening during a stay in Cairns my parents and I headed to Palmer Kates for dinner. It is a relaxed bistro style restaurant located in the Smithfield Tavern, about 15 minutes drive from central Cairns.

This is a friendly place, with decent food and an ok wine list. Find a table, peruse the menu, and then go and order and pay at the bar. You meal will be bought over to you when ready.

We all had the Rack of Lamb, served with roast vegetables. It was the most expensive thing on the menu, but worth it, it was really tasty. We had a good bottle of Aussie shiraz to wash it down. No room for dessert unfortunately.

After your meal, make sure you say G'day to the life-size dummy of Palmer Kate - 'the notorious first lady of Smithfield'.

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club

coathanger — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 10:47:48 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: Half Moon Bay Marina, 25-29 Buckley Street, Yorkeys Knob, 4878, Cairns, Australia

Tags: good value, harbour views, international, independent pub

A Meal & Drink at the Boating ClubYorkeys Knob is a quiet haven just north of Cairns. It is home to a friendly boating club which is a popular place for locals to meet up day and night. The club has a bar and restaurant/bistro and the usual poker machine area.

My parents had been to the club several times before and suggested it as a relaxing lunch venue. They were spot on - the boating club has a large, covered deck area which is the perfect place to have a meal and check out the boats in the pretty harbour.

Once you have decided what you want to order, you just need to pop up to the bar and order your food. While there, why not buy a chilled bottle of something white - the perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon.