Fishing is a national pastime up in the Northern Territory and, when it comes to dining out on nature's seafood bounty, they take their dining equally as seriously. So, if you've got a penchant for prawns or a craving for crab, here are our top tips to dining out on the Darwin Waterfront.
Seaside Alfresco Dining at Stokes Hill Wharf
Did you know that Darwin Harbour is Australia's biggest deep-water harbour and is five times bigger than Sydney Harbour? As the name suggests, the eateries on the end of Stokes Hill Wharf boasts amazing ocean breezes, stunning views and fish that couldn't get any fresher unless you dipped a line in over the wharf. This seaside alfresco setting, on a small working wharf, is a local's favourite. Take a slow stroll as the sun dips (or catch the courtesy bus near the Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront) to the Royal Flying Doctor's Darwin Tourist Facility, then wander to the end of the wharf. Whether you prefer your fish battered, fried or grilled, you won't be disappointed with the generous serves and the crispy chips with extra dipping sauces.
Insider Tip: Start your evening off with an afternoon cocktail or oyster shooter at the aptly named Oyster Bar on the Waterfront.
Crustaceans at the Wharf
Crustaceans is a bit of a seafoodie institution in these parts. Located a short way out along Stokes Hill Wharf (and a short walk from the Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront), this dining delight offers open-air tables - which are not only perfect with Darwin’s balmy tropical weather but also with social distancing - and the obligatory ocean views. Crustacean's signature Singaporean-style chilli mud crab, locally caught prawn platter or their wild-caught NT Barra with garlic butter make a visit here worth your while. For those with more adventurous tastebuds, the crocodile skewers will give you a great story to tell. With tender steak, vegetarian and children’s meals on the extensive menu, you'll find something for the whole family to enjoy.
Curve Cafe & Bar
With a big kitchen and a talented team behind him, Curve's Head Chef Albert Liusanto has carefully created a menu to suit everyone from seafood lovers to the fussiest of eaters. Chef serves fresh Australian flavours, in a vibrant, open restaurant that looks over the bustle of the Darwin Waterfront wave pool and makes the most of the cooling harbour breezes. With Humpty Doo Barra on the menu (it's the fish you'll find in all the fancy restaurants down south) as well as dukkah-crusted Atlantic salmon and lemon pepper calamari, Curve is not just a convenient place if you're staying in the Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront but a dining destination in itself.
Wharf One Food & Wine
Overlooking the Darwin Waterfront and nearby Recreational Lagoon, this fine-dining restaurant is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. With sweeping views of the harbour, the ambience alone will have you feeling you are in dining heaven. Using a wood grill and other trendy techniques to prepare dishes in the open-air kitchen, the mouth-watering meals include fresh local sashimi, local squid, whole local wood-grilled snapper or crispy Asian-style Barra wings. Well known for their vegetarian, gluten-free, kids' menu and housing a good variety of wines, be prepared to spend hours dining on Wharf One with great food, company and views.
Snapper Rocks is the Newish Kid on the Block
Snapper Rocks is built around the idea of fresh and tasty food and that's exactly what they deliver in true laidback style. Charred local prawns scream "pick me, pick me" on a seafood-laden menu that includes snapper ceviche, spicy tuna poke bowls, snapper sushi bowls, reef fish burgers and wild-caught local snapper. And for those that like a touch of sweet to follow the seafood, you can't go past their trademarked Rum Baba. Yummmm!
