Whether you’re sipping cocktails by the water, indulging in a long lunch under the palms, or discovering a hidden wine lounge tucked off Macrossan Street, Port Douglas offers an unforgettable dining scene. The mix of modern Australian flavours, tropical produce, ocean-fresh seafood, and creative cocktails makes every meal feel like part of the holiday.
And when you stay at Cayman Villas, you’re just minutes from some of the best restaurants and bars in town. Here’s our guide to the venues that are setting the standard in Port Douglas right now.
Jungle Fowl
Tucked away on Wharf Street, Jungle Fowl serves modern Southeast Asian cuisine with a bold, tropical twist. The menu is designed for sharing, blending punchy flavours and locally sourced produce. Small plates like wagyu beef skewers with satay sauce, prawn betel leaves with pomelo, and crispy spring rolls set the tone, while larger dishes include tamarind tiger prawns, sticky caramel pork belly, and fragrant pumpkin curry with BBQ eggplant. The vibe is fun and vibrant, with colourful murals, friendly service, and a menu that leans seasonal and inventive. A standout experience is their Sunday Long Lunch—a curated chef’s table offering a nine-course tasting menu that celebrates flavour, freshness, and creativity. With happy hour from 5–6pm and takeaway available nightly, Jungle Fowl is perfect for everything from casual dinners with friends to special-occasion feasting.
Watergate Restaurant & Lounge Bar
Tucked behind Macrossan Street, Watergate is a hidden gem known for its refined yet welcoming atmosphere and beautifully balanced modern Australian menu. Settle into the lush garden courtyard or elegant lounge and start with house favourites like tuna tartare, crispy pork belly, or smoked seafood croquettes. Mains range from wild-caught barramundi and slow-cooked beef short rib to standout vegetarian dishes like chili Singapore tofu or miso-glazed eggplant. The cocktail menu is just as thoughtful—classic techniques meet tropical flair in creations like the Lychee Breeze and Elderflower Southside. Dessert lovers won’t want to miss the coconut-lime panna cotta or mango and passionfruit cheesecake. Whether you’re after a long lunch, romantic dinner, or stylish drink at the bar, Watergate delivers a polished dining experience with Port Douglas charm.
Barbados Port Douglas
Tucked along the marina with uninterrupted water views, Barbados is where barefoot luxury meets laid-back tropical style. The food menu is designed for grazing—share Peking duck spring rolls, crispy panko prawns, or settle in with luxe platters like the Harbour Board (charcuterie, brie, terrine, dried fruit, and pickles) or a trio of tacos, from slow-cooked beef brisket to jalapeño-battered local fish. Behind the bar, the cocktail list is a destination in itself: think coconut cream daiquiris, spicy margaritas, and signature tiki serves like the Mango Weis Bar-bados and Kraken Coco Ball. Whether you’re lounging on a daybed or watching the sunset with a spritz in hand, Barbados delivers island vibes in the best possible way.
Zinc Port Douglas
Just steps from Four Mile Beach, Zinc offers a refined yet relaxed dining experience celebrating fresh, local produce. The seasonal menu features standouts like Tasmanian salmon sashimi, coconut-curry barramundi, and wood-grilled wagyu, while the cocktail list shines with tropical favourites like the Banana Colada and Daintree Ship. With a strong focus on local gins, Australian wines, and Hemingway’s beers on tap, the bar is just as much a highlight as the food. Whether you’re in for a full dinner or oysters and cocktails at the bar, Zinc is a Port Douglas classic.
Hemingway’s Brewery
Right on the water at Crystalbrook Marina, Hemingway’s Brewery is the ultimate spot to relax with a locally brewed beer, great food, and a breezy view of the boats. Their craft beers are brewed onsite and served fresh from the tap—favourites include Pitchfork Betty’s Pale Ale, Tunnel 10 Lager, and 7th Heaven Tropical Ale. The menu goes beyond pub basics with dishes like beer-battered coral trout tacos, coconut prawns with curry sauce, sticky wings, and haloumi bites. There’s pizza, burgers, and hearty mains like a 400g T-bone steak or tajin-grilled chicken. Behind the bar, you’ll also find rum and gin paddles, summery cocktails (the frozen Weis Bar is a must-try), and a solid wine and spirit list. It’s family-friendly, relaxed, and a perfect post-recovery spot after a day on the reef.
Salsa Bar & Grill
Set in a breezy Queenslander with views over the park and chapel, Salsa Bar & Grill is a Port Douglas icon—known for vibrant modern Australian dishes with global inspiration. Think seared scallops with black rice, tempura bug tails with pineapple jam, lamb rack with truffled mash, and daily reef fish paired with zesty coconut curry or tomato butter sauce. The drinks list is just as exciting, offering a huge range of tropical cocktails like the Chilli Passion, Mango Nut, and Obama Mojito, alongside premium wines and FNQ-inspired martinis. Whether you’re settling in for a long lunch or indulging in dessert (the coconut panna cotta is a standout), Salsa is an experience—full of colour, creativity, and that unmistakable North Queensland energy.
Cosmos Lounge Port Douglas
Elegant yet playful, Cosmos Lounge is where elevated cocktails meet late-night snacks, banter, and a bit of friendly competition. Step inside and you’ll find plush booths, curated lighting, and a cocktail list full of invention—standouts include the Cosmic Cosmo (triple citrus vodka and Aperol), Drift & Dagger (coconut-washed tequila with pineapple gum), and a whole menu of margarita variations, sours, and house-made infusions. But there’s more than just drinks—Cosmos also offers a bar menu with serious flavour: from truffle tartare and wagyu sliders to kingfish crudo and grilled baby octopus. Tapas, pinsas, and build-your-own boards make this a foodie’s lounge, not just a bar. And with darts lanes tucked into the mix, it’s a social space where you can stay late, play, sip, snack, and settle into the night.
Jimmy Rum’s Mixing Lounge
If you’re after inventive cocktails in a moody, upscale setting, Jimmy Rum’s is the place to be. Tucked in off the main street, this intimate lounge is all about experimental mixology, premium spirits, and fun presentation—think cocktails in tiki mugs, skull glasses, and coupe classics with a twist. Highlights include the Flaming Zombie, served over crushed ice and literally on fire, and the Imperial Fizz, blending gin, mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit. The names are cheeky (Suggestive Emoji, Gin Lavender Thingy, The Famous Lava Chill), but the flavours are seriously good. Jimmy Rum’s is perfect for late-night drinks, date night, or starting the evening with something theatrical and unexpected. With ambient lighting, plush interiors, and a rotating menu of bold, flavour-packed cocktails, it’s a spirited escape in the heart of Port Douglas.
Nautilus Restaurant
Nestled in a lush tropical setting just off Macrossan Street, Nautilus offers an elevated, sensory dining experience with a meticulously crafted five-course degustation menu. Expect beautifully plated dishes like yellowfin tuna tartare with yuzu pearls, seared scallops drizzled in beurre blanc, and grilled wagyu fillet with truffle-infused eschalot cream. Signature standouts—like whole coral trout or live mud crab—can even be added as an optional course, making a special occasion feel deeply memorable. End on a sweet note with their ‘Eton mess’ or a signature mango soufflé. Every detail, from the tropical flavours to the wine and cocktail pairings, is designed to create an indulgent evening of culinary artistry.
Bam Pow
Playful, punchy, and unapologetically bold, Bam Pow brings Southeast Asian street-food flavours to the tropics with a fresh, all-vegan twist. The menu features standouts like miso-glazed eggplant tempura, sambal corn fritters, spring rolls with nuoc cham, and comforting noodle bowls in creamy corn broth. Cocktails like the Yuzu Sour and Monica’s Mistress add a creative edge, while the atmosphere stays upbeat and full of character. On Friday nights, the popular R&B special—Ramen & Beer for $20—draws a fun crowd for a casual, flavour-packed start to the weekend. With bold interiors and a menu that’s as fun as it is delicious, Bam Pow is one of Port Douglas’s most exciting places to eat and drink.
Sea Bean
Channeling the spirit of a lively Spanish tapas bar, Sea Bean is all about grazing, sipping, and sharing in good company. Open from 4pm, this Port Douglas gem offers a flavour-packed menu of traditional and contemporary tapas—think marinated olives, pan con tomate, jamón ibérico, charred chorizo, and seafood paella, paired with an impressive list of Spanish wines, vermouth, and sangria. The atmosphere is warm and sociable with rustic textures, a long bar, and the kind of friendly service that makes you feel like a regular. Whether you’re after a full tapas feast or just a few small plates and a glass of Tempranillo, Sea Bean brings a taste of Spain to the tropics in the most delicious way.
The Mexican – Port Douglas
A tropical celebration of colour, flavour, and good times, The Mexican brings modern, produce-driven Mexican dining to the heart of Port Douglas. The menu is bold and designed for sharing—think charred corn with Dorito crumb, watermelon tostaditas, crispy Baja fish tacos, slow-cooked cochinita pibil, and the now-iconic truffled mushroom enchilada. But the real party starts with the cocktail list: from the spicy jalapeño margarita and the peachy-mezcal-laced Just Peachy, to house creations like Daintree Dreaming (tequila, sherry, pineapple, kaffir lime), every drink is a vibe in a glass. With bright, breezy interiors, a fun courtyard, and warm, energetic service, The Mexican is the kind of place where lunch can turn into dinner—and one round quickly becomes three.
La Cucina + Bar Port Douglas
Located at the northern end of Macrossan Street, La Cucina + Bar brings a modern Italian flair to Port Douglas. The menu shines with standout dishes like coral trout crudo with sturgeon caviar, spicy yellowfin tuna tartare with stracciatella, and seafood linguine bursting with prawns, mussels, and barramundi. Elegant mains include braised beef cheek, sous‑vide duck leg, and locally poached coral trout in fragrant broth. Save room for traditional Italian desserts—think tiramisu, warm chocolate pudding, or affogato. With its fully licensed bar, you can also enjoy pizzas, cold beer, or a glass of wine and classic cocktails in the bar space. La Cucina is the perfect blend of refined dining and laid-back Port Douglas charm.
Stay Close to the Flavour of Port Douglas
From waterfront beers and sunset spritzes to candlelit dinners and creative fusion, Port Douglas delivers unforgettable dining experiences at every turn. And when you stay at Cayman Villas, you’re right in the heart of it all.
Walk to dinner, wander home under the palms, and let every meal become a memory.
Book your foodie escape today
Check availability and book online —your perfect base for tropical tastes, laid-back luxury, and dining worth writing home about.
