Broome dining update

A recent visit to Broome found the town brimming with sunburned visitors and a growing sophistication in the dining-out department.

The cost and reliability of sourcing ingredients continues to be a problem for restaurateurs in this remote community.

Noosa it still ain’t, but the town’s chefs are beginning to wise up and learn how to make the most of what’s grown and produced locally.

Someone has just started flying in Pacific oysters from South Australia, so you’ll now find fresh oysters on the menu at many a Broome establishment.

One of my favourite new spots is Azuki (Shop 1, 15 Napier Terrace, Broome, ph 9193 7266), where chef Scott Thorpe’s intriguing fare melds Nippon finesse with hearty Western technique. If this sounds a little worrying, fear not. In Thorpe’s safe hands, what’s on offer actually works really, really well.

In the centre of town, Ra Ra's (26 Dampier Tce, Broome, ph 9192 1395) is a modest little daytime-only joint offering seriously good breakfasts with a Turkish bent and own-made everything, from breads to chutneys and mayo.

For classy fish and chips it’s hard to beat The Wharf (Port of Broome, ph 9192 5700) a friendly seafood cafe with views over Broome jetty. The staff are some of the friendliest in town and the wine list is surprisingly large and impressive. Take along a handline and factor in time for a spot of fishing off the jetty afterwards. Takeaways are also available.

Two of the town’s best diners sit side-by-side opposite the town’s famous Courthouse. At Noodlefish (cnr Hamersley and Frederick streets, Broome, ph 9192 1697), you eat in an open-air dining room overlooking the main road. The service is average to middling and you drink your wine out of water tumblers, but it’s worth it for owner-chef Stephan Mitchell’s mod-Asian fare, which is very good indeed.

Next door at The Aarli Bar (cnr Frederick and Hamersley streets, Broome, ph 9192 5529), ex-Stokehouse chef-owner Nick Wendland offers funky, well-crafted tapas and great breakfasts. Diners sit beneath the buttermilk blossoms of a spreading frangipani tree, screened from passing traffic by palms, crotons and other exotic greenery.

Cafe Carlotta is still the friendliest and most consistent place to go for quality Italian fare, in an atmospheric al fresco courtyard screened from the road by loads of lush tropical foliage. Wood-fired pizza and own-made pasta specials are particular highlights.

Broome’s newest dining room is Cafe at the Pearle (14 Millington Road, Cable Beach. 08 9194 0900), where chef Trent Scarr offers carefully-made, well-honed mod-oz fare (the tea-smoked oysters featured on the home page of this blog are Trent's work) and own-made pastries.

For wine hounds, the newly-opened Zeebar (4 Sanctuary Rd, Cable Beach, 08 9193 6511) is a big, friendly wine bar off the main drag at Cable Beach. Chef Tustra de Souza-Pinto’s wine-friendly menu includes various share plates and tapas. Fridays after work are noisy and fun, while sundays feature live music. Local musos to watch out for include Steve Pigram and the boys from Desert Child.

Must-eats in Broome
Coconut ice cream in a waffle cone at The Ice Creamery.
Mango and banana slushies at the Courthouse Market.
Funky bento box offerings which change daily at Azuki
Weekly pearl meat tastings at Pearl Luggers
The tea-smoked oysters at Cafe at the Pearle.
Battered whiting, chips and own-made mayo at The Wharf
Twice-cooked duck and spicy green paw paw salad at Noodlefish
Whole baked fish specials at The Aarli Bar
The Turkish breakfast at Ra Ra’s
Long slabs of gooey wood-fired pizza at Cafe Carlotta
Barramundi croquettas and a glass of bubbles at Zeebar