Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 8 . THE TOP END
Cheap Eats & More!
If it’s Thursday, join the entire city (well, 8,000 locals) at the Mindil Beach
Sunset Market to feast at the 60 terrific (and cheap: Most dishes are
A$4–$6/US$2.60–$3.90 a serve!) Asian food stalls, listen to live bands,
wander 200 art and crafts stalls, and mingle with the masseurs, tarot
card readers, and street performers. The action runs from 5 to 10pm in
the Dry (May–Oct). A smaller market runs Sunday between June and
September from 4 to 9pm. The markets’ season changes from year to
year, so if you’re visiting Darwin on the seasonal cusp in April or September,
check whether they have started or ended by calling the organizers
(& 08/8981 3454). The beach is about a A$7.50 (US$4.85) cab ride
from town, or take bus no. 4, or call the Territory Shuttle (& 08/8928
1155), which charges A$2.50 (US$1.60) per person from downtown. The
Tour Tub’s last run of the day at 4pm (see “Getting Around” earlier in
the chapter) goes by the markets.
On Saturday mornings, head to suburban Parap Markets , which
transform a small street into a corner of Asia. The focus is on food, and
it’s a favorite place for locals to have breakfast or brunch, choosing
from southeast Asian soups, noodle dishes, and satays, washed down
with fresh-squeezed tropical fruit drinks. The markets are only about
a block long, on Parap Road, Parap (& 08/8948 2373).
Shenannigan’s Irish Pub, Restaurant & Bar IRISH PUB FARE Hearty
Irish stews and braised beef and Guinness pies (plus the odd pint of Guinness
itself) gets everyone in the mood for eating, talking, and dancing at this convivial
bar/restaurant. A friendly mix of solo travelers, families, seniors, and backpackers
eat and drink in atmospheric wooden booths, standing up at bar tables,
or by the fire. As well as hearty meat dishes, there is lighter stuff like salmon
salad or vegetarian brochettes, and nightly specials, such as chicken and chili
pasta or poached barramundi in white-wine sauce with fries and salad. Live
bands on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
69 Mitchell St. at Peel St. & 08/8981 2100. Reservations recommended. Daily specials A$9.50–A$14
(US$6.15–US$9.10). Main courses A$12–A$24 (US$7.80–US$16). AE, DC, MC, V. Weekdays 10am–2am;
from11am weekends.
Tim’s Surf ’n’ Turf Value STEAK/SEAFOOD Locals fairly bash down the
door to get into this unpretentious restaurant under a cheap motel on the city
fringe. The surroundings are not the attraction, so what is? Hearty, no-nonsense
food cooked well, and served in portions big enough to feed an army. No
namby-pamby steaks here—Tim’s are monsters up to 1kg (2.2 lb.), over an inch
thick, and grain-fed (a boon in Australia, where the beef is mostly grass-fed and
a little chewy). Garlic prawns, crocodile schnitzel, lasagna, oysters, barbecued
ribs, and roast of the day are typical menu items. There are meals for kids, who
eat free before 6:30pm (one kid for every adult in the party). You’ll get a complimentary
port after dinner, and free ice cream for dessert.
In the Asti Motel, Smith St. at Packard Place.& 08/8981 9979. Main courses A$10–A$21 (US$6.50–US$14);
seafood platter for 2 A$35 (US$23); crocodile from A$14 (US$9.10). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 5:30–9:30pm (except
Christmas). Bus: 4 or 6; bus stop within 100m (328 ft.).