View restaurant reviews View our readers' reviews
Rate this restaurant

Watch Video

View Function Details

Char Restaurant

Address:

70 The Esplanade
Darwin NT 8000

Click here to view map

Contact:
Tel : + 61 8 8981 4544

Fax : +61 8 8942 2370

click for WEBSITE

Cuisine: Modern Australian, Seafood, Steakhouse

License: Fully Licensed (no BYO)

Not just your average steakhouse, Char Restaurant at Admiralty occupies a prime location overlooking Darwin’s green-lawned esplanade to the sea from the charming, heritage-listed Admiralty House. But aside from location, this restaurant also holds a prime spot in the Top End dining sense.

Share this page on Facebook

this page

LOCATION
On the corner of The Esplanade and Knuckey Street in Darwin.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Anything but your average steakhouse, Char Restaurant at Admiralty occupies a prime location overlooking Darwin’s green-lawned esplanade to the sea. It also holds a prime spot in the Top End dining sense; connoisseurs of steak come here for the finest cuts from the char grill. Situated in the elegant and historic Admiralty House, it boasts beautiful rooms and a bar which are available for private dinners and functions. It’s a treat to relax with a sparkling Dom Perignon beneath the courtyard’s magnificent trees, which look spectacular when lit up at night.

Char’s reputation rests chiefly in the skilled hands of restaurateur and nationally-renowned beef judge John Kilroy. With his passion for the diverse qualities and regional characteristics of beef, it’s no surprise that Char has won multiple awards including Best Steak Restaurant and Best Formal Dining in Australia. Each cut is directly sourced and MSA (Meat Standards Australia) graded. A char grill eye fillet isn’t just an eye fillet – it’s an Australian rare meat, aged 18–30 months, British cross Hereford, grass-fed from selected farms in Northern NSW and Central Queensland. Served with rocket, pear, walnuts, blue cheese dressing and steamed chat potatoes, and a recommendation of a velvety merlot, it makes quite an impression. The rest of the steak menu follows suit. Meanwhile non-meat lovers can enjoy dishes such as market fish, mud crab, seafood risotto, ricotta gnocchi and vegetarian handmade pasta. Tempting desserts include mango pannacotta and pavlova with seasonal fruits. A comprehensive wine list offers Australian, New Zealand and international wines.

Merridy Anne Pugh

Char Restaurant - User Reviews

Melissa:

Disappopinted I got a margarita with sugar around the rim instead of salt, everyone knows you use salt! Sitting outside, service not good, had to leave my table to get service for more sauce, served again in a little plastic take away container. Overpriced for what I got. review 22/03/2012

Was this review helpful to you? YES - NO

alphacentauri:

Winner in all disciplines! Best upper-class restaurant in Darwin. A real 'Wow!' experience. review 06/07/2011

Was this review helpful to you? YES - NO

Anonymous:

My wife and I had dinner on Saturday June 18 2011. We walked in off the street and got the last table - boy were we lucky. The food was wonderful, especially the oven roasted barramundi, the service was professional and friendly and the wine by the glass very good. I thought for the quality the bill was very reasonable. review 04/07/2011

Was this review helpful to you? YES - NO

Anonymous:

Wow,who knew Darwin had such a range of excellent restaurants!!! We ate here on the last night of our first stay in Darwin, at the recommendation of the front desk staff at our hotel. We were blown away by the quality of the food, the generous portions and the friendly, professional staff. We started with two entrees which were delicious and not as microscopic in size as in many eateries. Their barramundi is the best I have ever eaten, my son raved over the slow cooked ribs and then we moved on to dessert ; we really didn't have room but couldn't resist!!! Thank goodness we didn't - both desserts were exceptional. Well done Char, wish we lived closer so that we could dine with you on a regular basis. review 08/04/2009

Was this review helpful to you? YES - NO
107 user(s) have found this review helpful.

Anonymous:

My partner and I had dinner at Char on Saturday 21 July 2007. It was absolutely beautiful - perfect location, excellent service and superb food. Of course it does help that Darwin is beautiful at that time of year but it was honestly one of the highlights of our trip to the Top End. We highly reccommend Char to anyone who likes style, ambience and great food, all at less than you would expect to pay - we were pleasantly surprised by the bill, especially compared to an equivalent menu in Melbourne. review 24/08/2007

Was this review helpful to you? YES - NO
137 user(s) have found this review helpful.

Anonymous:

Char Restaurant Darwin has lifted the bar in service and meal quality.I cannot speak highly enough of this fine dinning establishment. review 16/08/2007

Was this review helpful to you? YES - NO
142 user(s) have found this review helpful.

Have you dined at Char Restaurant?

Best Restaurants of Australia invites your comments on your dining experience. You are welcome to share your views with our many readers under our conditions of use*

Display Name:*	(will be displayed on the site.)
Email*:	(will not be displayed on the site.)
Rate*:	Rating Saved! Please rate
Review*:	(150 words max)
Verification Code:
Enter Code:	(Verification is used to prevent spams. Please enter the code shown in the box above.)

* This is not a forum for rants and other unhappy patrons to complain. We invite not only those with a positive experience but also constructive criticism. We reserve the right to cut comments we estimate too long. Defamatory comments will not be published.

All views expressed are those of the writers and may not be the views of de Groots Media as publisher of Best Restaurants of Australia.

Restaurant Features

• Accessible by Wheelchair

• Award Winning/Hatted

• Bars / Wine Bars

• Function for 100-300

• Function for 50-100

• Historic Building

• Outdoor Dining

• Parking

• Private Dining Area

• Romantic/Intimate