Watergate Port Douglas

Had an amazing dinner here tonight — definitely a five-star experience. The Tuna Tartare and Duck Pancakes were delicious starters. For mains, we had the poached market fish and the kangaroo — both cooked perfectly and full of flavour. The Geisha Girl cocktail was a standout too — fresh, smooth, and really well balanced. Service was excellent. The staff were not only friendly and attentive but also really knowledgeable about the menu and happy to offer great suggestions. You can tell they love what they do. Highly recommend!

We arrived for our reservation at 6:30, and didn’t get our first round of drinks until 7:01 and didn’t get our mains until 7:57 - so nearly an hour and a half wait; and we didn’t have starters, just one serve of bread for the table. I have no idea what went so wrong with the wait time. However it was a beautiful venue, gorgeous natural tree lined deck.. and the waitress we had was lovely. We then ordered dessert and a coffee was forgotten, or didn’t come with the desserts, as it was intended.. not sure! It showed up once we’d all long finished when it wasn’t really wanted anymore. If this venue could get drinks and food coming out in reasonable time frames it would be much better!

Outstanding food & unforgettable service! My partner and I had an amazing dinner at Watergate in Port Douglas, but the real highlight was Julia, our lovely French waitress. She was warm, attentive, and made the whole night feel special with her charm and genuine care. Fantastic food, stunning setting, and service that makes you want to come back. Ask for Julia

We have walked past this place numerous times so decided to try it. Unfortunately didn't live up to our expectations. Beautiful setting not matched to beautiful food. My eye fillet was not on par with any other restaurants in PD, my wife's pasta was tasteless and the entree tart base seemed to be bought from a supermarket. The brussel sprouts side was also disappointing. No love given to anything put on the table. May have been a bad night for the chef or the chef had a night off, I'm not sure, however I'd struggle to go back even after 2 bottles of French wine at $126 a pop that helped me get through the experience. Very disappointed.

4 to 4.5 stars I walked past the entrance twice the same day without realising Watergate existed. It's a green Oasys hidden down a lane way thats been providing fine dining pleasure in Port Douglass for over 20 years. Its a really interesting space that I suspect vopes well with the summer heat. The food is very good without being cutting edge. It undoubtedly straddles the difficult divide between bistro and fine dining that's so hard to navigate. I expect we might have been more excited by choosing other items on the menu. Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls (GF) (DF) with a green pawpaw salad, crispy shallots and a lemon grass & palm sugar sticky glaze. Well balanced and enjoyable. Eggplant Nasu Dengaku (GF) V Miso glazed eggplant with a coconut & sweet potato puree, pickled red radish and a watercress salad with mustard dressing, sesame & parsley. The presentation needed work although the dish itself worked well. Pork Belly★ (DF) Crispy pork belly with a five spice, soy & garlic glaze, kimchi salad with gochujang dressing and toasted peanuts. This was very good. I was hesitant the kitchen salad would overwhelmed my palate but it was delightfully balanced and the por belly was well cooked and flavoursome. Lamb Ribs (GF) (DF) Twice cooked lamb ribs with a green papaya salad, crispy shallots and a lemongrass & palm sugar sticky glaze. There just wasn't enough balance. The Lamb ribs were very very fatty and the lamb flavour too strong with not nearly enough input from the glaze. The salad was again perfectly balanced. I regretted choosing this dish. Tableland Roasted Potatoes (GF) (DF) V with confit garlic & rosemary. It's difficult to deliver crunchy potatoes but these had obviously waited a long time before serving. No crispness and under seasoned, really disappointing as I went with two entrees to be able to fit in the potatoes. I might go back in the future but not this trip.

Amazing location and seating area. Lots of the food is very expensive for the amount that is there, although the steak was amazing. Dessert was disappointing, with the chocolate crème brûlée being 24 dollars and coming out more like a cheap chocolate mousse and in a small 3 inch diameter dish.

We rushed in at 9 PM without having read any reviews, and I’m so glad we did! We enjoyed an absolutely beautiful meal, along with awesome service. The atmosphere was lovely, and I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant.

We had a wonderful server from Spain, who was warm, friendly, very attentive and fantastic with the kids. She made us feel very like after. The food was on point and we didnt wait long for our order. There was a substantial and delicious vegetarian menu. Highly recommend!