In Port Douglas there are a lot of restaurants, but none with a better view and more peaceful surrounds as Ospreys, at the Thala Beach Lodge. Perched up high in the trees, overlooking a stretch of beach, with sweeping ocean views and wildlife in abundance.
We arrived in time to watch the sunset, and enjoy the scenery at its finest.
The restaurant focuses on seasonal produce, and leans towards experimentation with native flavours. For example the bread comes with freshly pressed coconut oil, rather than the standard olive. It makes for an interesting culinary trip.
I opted for the mussels, scallops and prawns in a garlic, coriander, peppercorn oil sauce, served with a jasmine rice. It is delicious but very strong flavours, so may not be for all palates.
My partner went with the more conservative oregano lamb shank with tomato gravy, roast garlic and sebago potato mash and gremolata.
Another of our party ordered the local barramundi fillet in a tomato and lemongrass broth, with steamed bok choi, fine egg noodles and a prawn kebab. This was deemed by all the finest selection of the night, with the fish cooked to perfection.
While the menu is priced on the high end, the children were welcome and their kids menu was extremely good value. It included a choice of meals and an ice cream for dessert, which was stylishly served with a cone, that the kids could put together themselves. My young one ordered the chicken schnitzel, which was huge.
Our highlight of the evening, exceeding the food and the views, however, was a massive 2 metre rainbow python arriving in the downstairs foyer. The staff moved him on, where he found a resting place until later in the evening when he could return to his home outside.
Thala Beach Lodge is an eco resort, and its proximity to nature is one of the appealing aspects of this restaurant. It is worth visiting for a meal or even just for a coffee. The views are stunning and the ambience is wonderfully relaxing yet refined. Easily one of the highlights of Port Douglas.
