There's nothing quite like checking out new restaurants when on holidays. But sometimes you want to grab a quick bite on the run, order a delivered meal or plan for a picnic. Darwin has so many pubs, restaurants and cafés - here's 10 of the best takeaway ideas for foodies.
Here are some hot tips on where to pick-up a great feed, or have it delivered.
1. Darwin Waterfront & Stokes Hill Wharf
There’s no denying an evening at the Darwin Waterfront is an evening well spent, wining and dining and kicking back in the tropical scenery or ordering take away to create your own picnic
Enjoy traditional pub fare with an Irish twist from Fiddlers Green, southeast Asian delights including spicy pho from CHOW, spiced salt and pepper NT crocodile from Snapper Rocks, Mexican tacos and margaritas from Hot Tamale, eggs benny and hot coffee from The Coffee Club and an extensive choice of fresh-shucked oysters any way you want them from the Oyster Bar.
Nearby, Stokes Hill Wharf has plenty of of take away or dine in options too. Enjoy grilled, battered or crumbed seafood from Kim’s Fish n Chips, Thai delights including curries, soups and entrees from Siam Thai, Tandoor treats, curries and seafood from Incredible India, and seafood, chicken and steak from Fusion on the Wharf.
No matter what culinary delights you’re in the mood for, Darwin Waterfront and Stokes Hill Wharf eateries have you covered.
2. Cocktails, beer and wine
With its balmy tropical climate Darwin is not short on places to enjoy a drink. Whether cocktails, beer or wine are your chosen beverage, you'll be spoilt for choice. Here's a few places serving great drinks to get you started:
3. Baked goodies
Hot crusty bread. Flaky croissants. Fresh cakes. These are just some of the baked goodies you can score at Darwin bakeries.
Alfonsino’s offers a range of Italian-inspired delights – their toasted cornettos with ham and cheese are to die for. You can also find sugared donuts, sweet pastries, handcrafted pasta and hot pizza on the menu. Ruby G’s Café and Canteen continues to offer sweet treats, catering to a range of dietary requirements. Their white chocolate and cranberry gluten free biscuits look delicious (and definitely warrant a taste test, just to be sure!) and their hot vegan pies continue to sell out.
Ray’s Patisserie and Café has some sweet and savoury bites to tantalise those taste buds, including pies, pastries, sandwiches and coffee, and The Trader Winnellie Road offers a wide selection of fresh-baked cakes, biscuits, rolls and wraps. This isn’t pie in the sky stuff – this is pie in your belly stuff.
4. Food trucks
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to mobile food trucks, serving up fresh feeds in some of the most picturesque locations in town.
Nightcliff Jetty and Foreshore continues to be a favourite, with hot tots from The Potato Man and fresh-brewed coffee from Jay’s Coffee Bar. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, authentic Italian pizza is served from one of Darwin’s most impressive pizza ovens, courtesy of Cucina sotto le stelle. Look for Needle in a Haystack by the Nightcliff jetty serving up divine dishes, where local produce takes centre stage. If their roast chicken with potatoes, fennel, salsa verde and burnt butter yoghurt is anything to go by, you’re in for a treat.
East Point also is also a popular hot spot, with Rescue Me Food Services dishing up hot fish and chips from Thursdays to Saturdays – the perfect seaside feast. Keen to discover more? Check out this street food map for more mobile meals.
5. Southeast Asian
Jimmy Shu’s much-loved restaurant, Hanuman, continues to offer a unique fusion of South East Asian cuisines for take away. Check out their lunch and dinner specials, including the Nasi Kuning – described as the distant cousin of Nasi Lemak, served with a fried drumstick, sambal and turmeric rice.
More favourites include sister venues Nirvana Restaurant and Lazy Susan’s Eating House, offering Thai and Malay food with some inspiration from Asian neighbours of India, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Darwin is famous for its signature dish of laksa, and there are plenty of restaurants dishing up their own delicious versions of this dish. There's even a laksa festival celebrating this spicy noodle soup. Don't miss the Darwin International Laksa Festival if you're visiting during October.
6. Pizza
A takeaway favourite since millennia, pizza is a popular whether you choose to eat at home or dine in at one of Darwin's favourite pizza joints.
The Last Supper is a trendy wine and cocktail bar with an eclectic vibe offering gourmet pizza. Try Fannie Bay Super Pizza for original Italian pizza and pasta - they've been a local's favourite for more than 30 years.
Hungry Joes Pizza & Ribs in Palmerston boasts an impressive range of hot tucker, with 20 pizza variations, slow-cooked ribs, fried chicken and a swag of sides.One Mile Brewing Company gives you the chance to pick up a six pack or two of locally-brewed beer with your pizza. Ah, pizza and beer. #couplegoals
Others to try include Alfonsino's in the city, pop-up pizza truck at Nightcliff foreshore Cucina Sotto Le Stelle, Lola's Pergola on the marina at Cullen Bay, or Bustard Town with a beer garden in downtown Darwin.
7. Coffee
Can’t function without your caffeine hit? You don’t have to! Just because Darwin is a tropical city doesn't mean we don't 'do coffee'. Quite the opposite in fact. Cafés all around town are satisfying caffeine fiends at all times of the day.
Get your caffeine fix from The Trader Bar, Eva’s Botanic Gardens Café, The Rabbit Hole, Roma Bar, Sweet Brew and Co., The Foreshore Restaurant & Café, Café Central, Fresh Point Co. Café and Cannons Kitchen.
8. Pub grub
Many of Darwin’s favourite pubs are a great option for eat in or take away meals.
The Cav is a long time locals favourite on Cavanagh St in the city.The Beachfront Hotel’s kitchen – Smokey J’s Brew and Cue – offers a wide range of pub fare including slow-cooked burger, hot chips and pickles. And Good Times Bar & Grill have you sorted with a diverse range of meals, from parmies to laksas – if you haven’t tried it yet, their pho is famous for good reason.
Other great places with pub-style or bistro meals include Hotel Darwin, Shenannigans, The Precinct Tavern,Noonamah Tavern, Darwin Trailer Boat Club and the Darwin Ski Club.
9. Eat-at-home meals
We’re spoilt for choices when it comes to heat and eat meals at home, with many local businesses offering meals requiring little to no preparation before serving. Pony + Sid’s delectable take-home menu includes meals like beef and red wine pie, Thai green chicken curry and eggplant parmigiana – why not throw in a couple of choc brownies for dessert?
Health fan favourite Eat at Martin’s is back offering vegan and vegetarian meals in five or 10 packs, their dishes include Bali curry, vegan salad and quiche. And if you’re keen to boost your immunity and stay fit and healthy, The Shredded Chef continues to offer balanced, healthy meals with pickup available or delivery to the Darwin, Palmerston and regional areas.
10. Graze away
We all deserve a little treat every now and again, and what better way to enjoy the surroundings of your home than with a grazing platter? Hilton Darwin offers a grazing box to share. Graze Australia has a range of grazing platter options, whether you're catering for a picnic for you and your bestie or large party. Soul Bites is another grazing plate option, or you could create your own from the fresh deli selection at Parap Fine Foods.
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