Darwin... QF and restaurants

[pauly7]

Hi all...

Have a very brief trip to Darwin next week - and have a couple of questions for the locals and/or people who know the town

1) Good place for dinner (2 nights). Business dinners, corporate card paying so not too stressed about $. Any iconic locations - some people are saying on the harbour? Others say a place called Char?

2) Inflight entertainment on the flight (QF) its about 4hr30 I think, do they show movies? Or should I take some for my laptop?

Unfortunately accomodation has been decided by a supplier (Mantra on Esplanade) so can't change that but won't be spending any time there anyway!

Thanks in advance for the pointers

 

[Skoogle]

1) Good place for dinner (2 nights). Business dinners, corporate card paying so not too stressed about $. Any iconic locations - some people are saying on the harbour? Others say a place called Char?

Just checking my AMEX statement.

• Char is great. Home
• Hanuman - South East Asian food. Very nice. It is down the south end of the main street. http://www.hanuman.com.au/
• Dragon Court. The Chinese restaurant at the casino was nice. Menu - SKYCITY - Darwin
• Sushi Train around behind the Crowne Plaza.
• Monsoons Bar & Cafe in main street. Short-order meals at counter and separate bar. They will take a card on the bar for tab, putting it in some secure machine thingy.
• The Pier area, probably the harbour you mentioned, has a heap of take-away places and you eat outside. There is also a good restaurant at the end of the pier.
• Tims Please wait... Very good place, good prices, great staff.
• There is a market thing on Thursday nights, heaps of different foods. A drive out of town, not too far. Huge crowds. Just walk around and buy food a stick at a time.

I found it tricky to make a reservations at Char & Hanuman, however I call back and ask "Do you take corporate AMEX?" and they would accept any time.

 

[pauly7]

Just checking my AMEX statement.

• Char is great. Home
• Hanuman - South East Asian food. Very nice. It is down the south end of the main street. Hanuman Restaurant : Darwin, Alice Springs and Cairns
• Dragon Court. The Chinese restaurant at the casino was nice. Menu - SKYCITY - Darwin
• Sushi Train around behind the Crowne Plaza.
• Monsoons Bar & Cafe in main street. Short-order meals at counter and separate bar. They will take a card on the bar for tab, putting it in some secure machine thingy.
• The Pier area, probably the harbour you mentioned, has a heap of take-away places and you eat outside. There is also a good restaurant at the end of the pier.
• Tims Please wait... Very good place, good prices, great staff.
• There is a market thing on Thursday nights, heaps of different foods. A drive out of town, not too far. Huge crowds. Just walk around and buy food a stick at a time.

I found it tricky to make a reservations at Char & Hanuman, however I call back and ask "Do you take corporate AMEX?" and they would accept any time.

Great - thankyou very much for taking the time!

Someone else mentioned the markets.... Mindi (sic?) or something markets I think.... Maybe I'll get a hire car...

 

[davocns]

Mindil beach - thursday nights. Can be very entertaining, nice to get some food and a drink and sit on the beach and watch the sun go down. Next door to the Casino !

 

[moa999]

Also recommend Cullen Bay, which is a newish development about 10min out of town (similar distance to the Casino) and front the marina

Both
Schooners Bar & Grill, and
Buzz Cafe
were excellent.

Was told the restaurant at the end of the Pier is v. good, but closed on the weekday night I tried to go there.

Also note that the flight (despite the distance being similar to Perth) is not a CitiFlyer service so no free drinks. Would recommend the laptop

 

[markis10]

+1 for Char (it gets busy though).

 

[Warks]

Is Lewinsky's still there? Had a great meal of mud crab there a couple of years ago.
There's also a Thai place which is up a level but is in the Balinese style with the open walls and comfy chairs.

Stayed at the Mantra and Novotel which is next door isn't it? I'd pick the Mantra out of the two. I once checked out of the Novotel and they tried to hit me with a bill for the entire mini bar! Something I've never touched in all my years of travel. They fixed it up though.

 

[russ]

I agree, Char is excellent! Steaks are great, but even better: order a mix of entrees and you won't be disappointed!

Hanuman is my second favourite.

I also quite like La Beach and Peewee's. Lewinski's is a shocker as far I am concerned.

Sorry to hear about the Mantra...

 

[Warks]

Only went to Lewinsky's the once and it was pretty good. However, times change, would be interested to hear if anyone else thinks it sucks.

The Thai place was Thailicious - looked it up. Bit of a backpacker crowd around there as I recall.
Please wait...

Didn't know about Hanuman.
http://www.hanuman.com.au/

Can't say I've ever thought much of Darwin hotels - all very expensive for not much.

 

[Ms Lucy]

A former Darwin local recommended the Hanuman as THE place to eat before I went 2 years ago. I never did get there as the one time I had free, it wasn't open, but I heard good things about it... and as the name has cropped up here several times, it seems like a good choice.

The same person recommended Sammy's satays at the Mindil Beach Markets. Having got to the market I found numerous satay stalls and had no idea which was "Sammys" so gave up and bought from the one in the middle. Enjoying good satay on the beach while watching the Darwin sunset is pretty special!!

I stayed at the then Saville Park Suites on the Esplanade which I think is now a Mantra. If they still have the Barramundi in citrus butter sauce, I'd recommend it if you're staying there. Must confess to having ordered it twice from the room service menu during my week there! (after long day trips, I didn't feel like venturing out far).

 

[drron]

Were there in June.Thought Hanuman overrated.You have to like chilli.Service slow.Removed our second bottle of wine after 1 drink each(4 pax) then manager swore she had personally poured out the last drinks and hadnt been near our table.
Yots-greek place at Cullen Bay-very good food.
Duck's Nuts was good for a casual lunch.
The Deck over from parliament house also OK for a casual lunch.
The Pier was good-restaurant expensive,take away places had reasonable food.
I would forget the Mindil markets-crowded,food expensive for the quality served.Great for the sunset which is much better seen on a non-market night.

 

[medhead]

I had a v good dinner in cullen bay back in 1996, excellent really. When we asked for the bill they only charged for the drinks.

 

[neiljw]

Hi all...

Have a very brief trip to Darwin next week - and have a couple of questions for the locals and/or people who know the town

1) Good place for dinner (2 nights). Business dinners, corporate card paying so not too stressed about $. Any iconic locations - some people are saying on the harbour? Others say a place called Char?

2) Inflight entertainment on the flight (QF) its about 4hr30 I think, do they show movies? Or should I take some for my laptop?

Unfortunately accomodation has been decided by a supplier (Mantra on Esplanade) so can't change that but won't be spending any time there anyway!

Thanks in advance for the pointers

G'day Pauly.
I uset to live in Darwin and still get there often on business.
Darwin is a great place to visit. The Smith Street Mall right in the middle of town has a lot to offer with shopping, food and the oldest pub in town, the Victoria Hotel. (just ask where the Vic is, everybody will know.)
Mitchell Street is another great area with pubs, markets and good quality restaraunts. It's where all the backpackers hostels are so it's a very busy area with lot's to see. (pretty girls)
Just out of the city near the MGM Casino is the Mindil Beach Markets. Huge outdoor market with more stalls food etc. than a lot of Royal shows in the big cities. They're only open in the dry season (now) and only open certain days of the week so check it out.

I'm sure you'll enjoy Darwin.

Neil.

 

[MDC]

I've been heading up to Darwin regularly in the last 6 months. Unfortunately most of my trips were solo so not a lot of restaurant dining.

Hunuman: Excellent. Nice fresh location with decent service and tasty food.
Char: Wasn't my favourite. It's just me though, I have issues paying for steaks I can easily cook at home.
Tims Surf & Turf: I didn't get there but most locals I spoke to thought highly of it.
Jetty: One of my favourite places but not really suitable for a business dinner. Buffet restaurant right on the water at Stokes Wharf- seafood, steaks, roasts and asian. Cheap ($32), very fresh, high quality food and great service. You won't be disappointed if you are a seafood lover

 

[Wannabee]

I work two weeks on two weeks off in Darwin (am there at the moment). So have eaten at many places in and around town.

I can recommend both Yots and Char as previously mentioned. For a pub type meal I recommend Wisdom which is next to Monsoons. A bit noisy with music but a great place to watch the people passing by on Mitchell St.

Mindil beach markets are on both Thursday and Sunday nights and a great for a sunset and a quick bite to eat. Be aware they are pretty crowded. In a post above someone mentions satays, this would be a red trailer that you will see heaps of smoke coming from, yum!

If you are into market food and snacks there is Parap markets on Saturdays until about 2pm. Go for a Mango smoothie from the stand where the staff wear 'yum' tshirts. Try a laksa from the stand near where they make paw paw salad in a mortar and pestle (paw paw salad is also good). You can also get tropical fruits here for cheap like rambutans and dragon fruit

Nightcliffe markets are on a Sunday with less offerings than Mindil Beach but you can try a lime and honey juice from the 'yum' stand as well as many other types of food.

As for the flight, take your laptop. You get one movie and a few other shows such as Two and a Half Men.

Hope this helps and leave the jumpers at home... Beautiful weather up here at the moment

 

[pauly7]

Thanks all so much for the feedback!

Markets are a go for sure, will post back what I end up doing

Thanks again.

 

[medhead]

Another thing to do in Darwin is the power boat club, or maybe the yacht club.

 

[bronson]

All QF mainline (short haul) flights offer inflight entertainment, generally however it is not on-demand unless operated by A330...

I've travelled BNE-DRW-SYD before in J and was on 767, had time for two movies and had inseat laptop power. It is noted that inseat power is only offered on some 767's and A330's in my short haul flying experience.

 

[pauly7]

Again thanks to everyone for the tips.

- Mantra on Esplanade wasn't that bad, didn't spend any time in my room anyway and didn't eat there!

- Mindel Markets was great fun, food, lights, sunset - thanks to all the people who recommended that. (Walked into next door casino and out again in 10 seconds.... now that was gross)

- Ended up for dinner in Cullens Bay in a big outdoor restaurant on the water, the supplier wanted to go there (mates rates I'm sure). Was great... can't remember name, may have been 'Seadogs'

- QF upgrade to J on the way up so a nice 4.5 hr sleep!

- JQ exit row and AVOD unit on the way back so a nice 2 X movie and a packed b/fast/brunch from the hotel for catering (Not a fan of JQ or DJ food efforts esp after the DJ food posioning disasters!)

Def going back to the NT with more personal time.... not in the build up or wet season though!