• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
Happy Hour on the Inlet
Probably 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/

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
Best place for breakfast/brunch
Soul n' Pepper is a fabulous caf 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!

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Restaurants

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
Tin shack by the harbour
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 faade 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 : )

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
Best Souffles in town
The 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!

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Port Douglas 4871

coathanger said
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.

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Restaurants

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
A meal by the harbour
Located 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 ; )

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
Healthy Cafe near the Inlet
If you are looking for a place for breakfast, lunch or just a snack then you could do worse than heading to the Java Blue Caf. Located at the inlet end of Macrossan street, Java Blue is a colourful caf 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.

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Restaurants

Port Douglas 4877

coathanger said
Breakfast near the beach
Hi Tide Caf & 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 Caf.

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.

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Restaurants

Port Douglas 4871

coathanger said
Cool bar & restaurant
One 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.

• Added: 10th of June 2007
• Area: Port Douglas
• Category: Restaurants

Port Douglas 4871

coathanger said
Gourmet Pizza
One evening in Port Douglas we headed to Mango Jam for dinner. We were attracted to the place because of its colourful dcor 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.