If you’re visiting the Top End (or even if you’re a local), it’s the perfect time to expand your tastebuds to some local delights. Darwin restaurants, like any other in the world, really know how to make the most of the local produce and ingredients available to them, offering some unique tastes.
We’ve explored some of the best, most popular and most interesting ingredients being used in restaurants throughout the Top End and served them up here to you. And if you’re looking for somewhere to try them, we have a surprise for you at the end.
Other Darwin & food-related articles:
- Best fishing hotspots in Darwin.
- Prepare for the wet season in Darwin.
- Vegan foods that definitely aren’t vegan.
The Top 3 Ingredients You’ll Find in Darwin Restaurants Right Now
Seafood
“But everywhere in Australia is pretty much known for seafood,” we hear you saying. Yeah, but everywhere also claims to have the best and Darwin is no different.
It seems like every menu in the Top End has octopus, but the prawns, barramundi and mud crabs are also ‘some of the best’ you’ll find in the country. Even if you’re not a big fan of seafood, Darwin restaurants know how to entice almost anyone. When its united with fragrant curry leaves, powders and pastes, grilled, smoked, baked, fried…we could go on and on, but the end premise is this—it’s delicious!
Crocodile
According to the Northern Territory tourism website, there are more than 250,000 crocodiles across the northern end of Australia. However, don’t expect to find them in every Darwin restaurant.
We’ve seen crocodile skewers, curries, burgers, steaks and more on menus, but if you have your heart set on trying the meat, call ahead.
What does crocodile taste like?
Some people say crocodile meat tastes like chicken or fish, while some say it’s quite gamey. It actually depends on which part of the crocodile you’re eating and how it’s prepared.
The tail meat comes in both light and dark meat, with the dark being tougher to eat. On the other hand, the light tail meat is quite tender, almost in comparison to veal. Then there is the meat from the body, which is a little tougher than the tail with a stronger ‘croc’ flavour.
Crocodile skewers are available at a few restaurants in Darwin, so it may be worth sharing one with a companion or group if you’re new to the meat.
Bush Tucker
More and more chefs are embracing and using bush tucker ingredients in their cooking.
Some popular bush tucker ingredients include:
- Finger limes
- Saltbush
- Lemongrass
- Mountain pepper
- Quandongs
- Wattleseed (acacia)
Feature image source: Austin Ban on Unsplash.
More from Sarah 
