The best of Darwin

Standing in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin recently I was asked by a group of Belgian visitors if I knew the best restaurant in town. I am used to being asked the cheapest, but it's not so often that I am asked to point visitors in the direction of the best, which usually means more expensive: but the Belgians it seems are league leaders when it comes to enjoying good food.

A few years ago it would have been almost impossible to recommend a truly good restaurant in Darwin, but times have changed and Darwin is now blessed with an array of restaurants that make great use of the excellent local produce, particularly seafood: succulent mud crabs, fresh barramundi and massive prawns, as well as other popular fish, such as snapper and salmon.

Add to this the fact that Darwin boasts a population made up of more than 60 nationalities and you are guaranteed a wide choice of cuisines. And the final ingredient that makes Darwin a great place to dine out is its temperature, which rarely falls below 20 Celsius – meaning alfresco dining with some amazing settings – such as being surrounded by tropical gardens, or overlooking the boardwalk and the yachts at Cullen Bay.

One place I enjoy when in Darwin is Crustaceans on the Wharf , located at the bustling Stokes Hill Wharf, and offering a wonderful selection of freshly caught seafood. My own preferences are the garlic mussels (which, of course, would appeal to those Belgian visitors), the steamed mud cakes, Moreton Bay Bugs (prepared in a spicy Thai style) and the excellent barramundi, prepared in a variety of ways. The wine list at Crustaceans on the Wharf is also top class, though a little pricey maybe, which seems to be a fact of life in the Northern Territory.

Yots at Cullen Bay is a favourite with visitors and locals alike. Owner Evan Papodonakis says the oysters are the freshest in Darwin, which I will not disagree with. This modern and breezy Greek inspired eatery overlooks the marina where many of Darwin's fishing and sunset cruise charter boats are based, with alfresco seating on the boardwalk. Service is laid back (or very ordinary) but the food makes up for this.

The marina is also surrounded by some of Darwin's most exclusive private homes and self-serviced holiday apartments such as the popular Cullen Bay Apartments, a great accommodation option when visiting the Northern Territory’s Top End.

Buzz Café, perched on the water's edge at Cullen Bay, lives up to its name, especially at weekends, when the Darwin in-crowd descend on the area for brunch. Buzz has an extensive list of wines and boutique beers. The barramundi is a popular choice and there is the usual array of steaks, salads and noodle dishes on offer -- and the best mango daiquiris in town.

Looking for a stylish night out in Darwin? Multi-award winning Pee Wee’s at the Point is a secluded restaurant overlooking Darwin Harbour. High quality modern Australian cuisine, perfect for that special occasion or late night dinner. Nestled among tropical palms in Darwin’s East Point, Pee Wee’s at the Point overlooks the ocean and provides the closest to a five-star dining experience likely to be found in town.

Pee Wee’s menu is highlighted with wild, ocean-caught barramundi, king prawns, local mud crabs and, for something different, kangaroo. Guests can dine al fresco on the patio and enjoy sunset views across Fannie Bay, or remain inside the architecturally-designed restaurant.

Another must while in Darwin is award-winning Hanuman, where owner and local celebrity Jimmy Shu capitalises on his hybrid Thai cuisine. And visitors will also enjoy an evening at the Darwin Sailing Club at Fannie Bay -- the food (take a number and wait to be called to pick up your choice) may not be exactly gourmet, but it’s inexpensive and the sunset views are the best in town.