In the beautiful Port Douglas, Salsa Bar and Grill is a tropical dining experience not to be missed! Their beautiful alfresco dining area enjoys the best of the warmer months, and during winter you can cosy up inside their modernly decorated restaurant. Using a huge range of fresh and local produce, the talented chefs at Salsa Bar and Grill serve up delectable dishes to suit any taste.
If you’re visiting for the impressive beverage menu, we can recommend two cocktails perfect for these winter months. Try the morning sun that’s as bright as it’s name, with Appleton Estate rum, Amaretto and orange liqueur served with fresh pineapple and orange. If this doesn’t do the trick, their chilli passion will heat you up for sure! Made from Absolut Citron, Alize Red and served with passionfruit, orange and spicy chilli, this cocktail will warm you from the inside out.
Where: 26 Wharf Street, Port Douglas QLD 4877
As part of the Bay Village Tropical Retreat, the Bayleaf Balinese Restaurant aims to take you to another tropical world during your visit. Whether you’re a guest of the retreat, or just popping in for dinner and drinks, this restaurant will transport you from the cold shores of Australia to the always-sunny beaches of Bali! Order a range of delicious warm dishes to share, and then skip straight to their drinks menu for a real treat.
To fully immerse you in the illusion, order a pacific cocktail made from Malibu, peach liqueur, blue curacao liqueur, pineapple juice and orange juice. Not tricking you into thinking it’s warm? Then maybe you’d prefer to indulge in some traditional winter comfort food (like chocolate), try the Balinese Toblerone that is a sumptuous mixture of frangelico, chocolate liqueur, kahlua and a twist of coconut ice cream and palm sugar.
Where: Bay Village Tropical Retreat, Gatton Street, Cairns North QLD 4870
If nothing else can tempt you out of the house, check out Tamarind Restaurant located inside the Reef Hotel Casino. This Asian-fusion restaurant is loved for its delicious mixture of hot and spicy dishes, using fresh seafood and regional produce to bring you mouthwatering dishes. Once you’ve tried the black kingfish fillet served with spanner crab, quail egg and smoked caviar, move on to the beverage list to be truly impressed.
Their Asian-inspired drinks list uses a range of ingredients to create delicious tropical concoctions. One example is the kaffir and coconut caprioska made with Malibu, vodka, kaffir leaves, brown sugar, lime and soda. If you’d prefer something to match your lotus root curry, try the Thai melon cocktail with with lime, ginger, pineapple and a slightly spicy lemongrass-chilli vodka to heat things up. You’ll love your visit to the Tamarind Restaurant.
Where: Reef Hotel Casino, 35-41 Wharf Street, Cairns City QLD 4870
Do you need cosy accommodation in Cairns this winter? Check out our recommendations here!
