Sheraton Mirage Resort - Davidson St, Port Douglas. Ph: 07 4099 5888

Sheraton Mirage Resort is Port Douglas. When it opened in 1987 it set the benchmark for Port’s redevelopment, ushering in a new era for the local economy, literally putting the town on the glamour map. These days, with its three in-house restaurants, Il Pescatore, Lagoons Buffet and Japanese Restaurant Zai, The Sheraton is front and centre in keeping the town on the foodie’s radar.

As befits an international resort playing host to visitors from around the world, Sheraton offer refined variety, from cool Japanese chic to a casual but nonetheless classy buffet. The other truly notable thing is that all three outlets represent the richness and quality of local sourced produce.

Which brings us to Il Pescatore, where the culinary journey is modern in style but with an accent on fresh North Queensland produce and an extensive, thoughtfully conceived wine list. The ambience is also worth noting; you can dine waterside or in airconditioned comfort. Either way, signature dishes like the baked southern crayfish with sautéed potato, asparagus and champagne butter sauce are a fantastic treat for the senses. There is an understated finesse here that speaks volumes about the Sheraton approach.

This ethos is also reflected at the family friendly but still stylish Lagoons Restaurant, where the superb buffet menu and live cooking station create an atmosphere of both fun and relaxed dining. The evenings focus a little more on seafood and there is always plenty of high quality buffet favourites in evidence; but at every turn the star here is fresh local produce.

Across the road, you come to the smartly designed and beautifully tasty Restaurant Zai, where authentic Japanese cuisine becomes something of an artform. The traditional ambience perhaps belies the often adventurous approach, with live seafood and an array of native Australian ingredients featuring on an extensive menu.

Zai truly takes you on an inventive and memorable gastronomic journey. For example, the kangaroo tataki, which blends Asian technique and Oz flavours to create a dish of adventure and luxury. The chefs also prepare sashimi and sushi at the bar and, as if that’s not enough, you can order take out too.

Naturally, you don’t have to be a Sheraton guest to partake and indeed many locals are now finding that out for themselves. It’s strange, because although Sheraton helped put Port on the map, their trio of restaurants are something of a closely protected little secret. Until now.

port douglas restaurant guide

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