Moorish bites, dreamy sunsets + chilled vibes
The Dry Season has arrived! It's the time of year to get out and about and enjoy the glorious weather - take the kids camping, head off for a weekend getaway or to a Top End Festival. There's no better place in Australia right now for outdoor dining than Darwin! Whether you are catching up with friends, heading out with the family, or on a date with that special person in your life - breakfast, lunch or dinner at a Pop-Up Food Truck on the Darwin foreshore has got to be one of the best ways to eat out in these parts. The atmosphere is chilled, the sunsets are always glorious and for families there's oodles of space for kids to play. It's such an awesome initiative of the City of Darwin! So, here's the lowdown on what, where, and when - be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.
By Libby Larsen xox
PS - Check out my other article on the "Best Places to Eat with Kids in Darwin - An Insiders Guide"
*PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GUIDE ONLY.
Check the Facebook pages of the food trucks for last minute cancellations or changes before you head out. Things change lots!
* The Food Truck Program is run by the City of Darwin
The following list is in no particular order or ranking. They are all fabulous in my book!
Darwin parents rejoice..hooray! Savvy Darwin mum of two Alexia is bringing coffee, snacks and other refreshments to one of Darwin's best playgrounds - Bicentennial Park Playground on the Darwin Esplanade. As a mum I don't know how many times I've wished for a coffee when I've been there. Let's just say lots! And I'm sure I'm not alone. Lets support Alexia and her awesome new venture.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 4pm onwards at Bicentennial Park, Darwin Esplanade in the city
New to the Nightcliff foreshore Pop Up scene this year is Taco Daze, and I'm super excited! Who doesn't love tacos? Delicious and historic, the humble taco forms part of the cultural and gastronomic diversity of Mexico. Lucy adds her own unique Territory Twist. Ever heard of pulled spiced jackfruit tacos? Me neither. There's a fab different menu each week sure to please everyone. Lucy does vegan, vege and gluten free options. So, there's really no excuse - Taco Tuesdays it is!
Tuesday - 5.30pm - 9.00 pm, Nightcliff Jetty (approx.)
The famed Potato Man has been around since 1987 serving up tasty tucker to loyal Darwin locals. Something that's been around for that long has to be good, right? Sunday evenings at the foreshore with family, friends and a spud at this iconic food truck is a longstanding Darwin tradition. Their menu is gluten free, the packaging biodegradable and you'll get a discount if you BYO your own container. If you haven't been tried their moorish hot baked potatoes with heaps of tempting topping options you don't know what you're missing. :)
Sunday - 5pm - 7.30pm, near Nightcliff Pool
Erica and Anthony totally get what makes for an easy outdoor dinner with kids because they have two of their own. These guys are "Off The Grid" with solar panels and a wind turbine which is pretty cool. They create a lovely ambience with picnic rugs, chairs and tables. Their crepes are totally moorish - sweet and savoury, the choice is endless. You'll find them at two top notch locations this Dry - the Nightcliff foreshore and the lovely East Point Reserve. I'm in!
Saturday - 8am - 1pm - East Point Reserve, Sunday - 8am - 9am - East Point Reserve, Wednesday 5pm - 8.30pm - Kite Surfers Corner, Rapid Creek, near Aralia Street
You can't beat the location of the Salty Plum Cafe overlooking Fannie Bay. It's the perfect place to catch up with friends on the weekend for breaky, lunch or anywhere in between! They do bacon and egg rolls, hamburgers, milkshakes and the like. There are bean bags to lounge on under the trees and festive umbrellas on the beach. It's the kind of joint you end up spending way longer than you intended because it's such a chilled place to hang.
Saturday & Sunday 7.30am - 2pm - Southern Coastal Car Park, East Point Reserve
How about Greek food from Irene and Yianni Kitsos, a Territory born and bred duo. With a strong Greek background and a passion for cooking these guys aim to deliver authentic Greek street food. Here you will find souvlaki that is marinated with Yianni's secret blend of Greek herbs and spices. Their coconut cake in syrup with fresh cream and lemon curd sounds heavenly. You'll find these guys dishing up their fare at the Nightcliff Pool on Fridays. The long tables with blue checked table cloths add a nice touch. Vόστιμο!
Friday 5.30pm - 8pm, near Nightcliff Pool
We are huge fans of Ken's Crepes. My boys could eat their nutella crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Head down to Windsurfers Corner on a Friday night for a chilled evening. I can totally vouch for the cajun chicken and avocado, and the ham and cheese crepes are always a winning combo.
Friday 5pm - 8.15pm, Windsurfers Corner, Rapid Creek near Aralia Street
Kerry's slogan for his new venture - Rescue Me Food Service's is "Good Mood Food". It's all about local wild caught seafood, but they also do burgers, deserts and salads. There's ample opportunities to try their cuisine this Dry around Darwin harbour in a variety of picturesque locations.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 5pm - 8pm - East Point, Saturday 5pm - 8pm at Nightcliff Pool, Sunday 12pm - 2pm and 5pm - 8pm at Chapman Road, Nightcliff Foreshore
Word on the grapevine is that Anthony of Speedy Gourmet makes the best Barra burgers in town. So make a beeline to this food truck and check them out for yourself. But, it's not all fish and chips, on the menu you'll find chicken and salads as well as a daily special. He has gluten free options as well. With lovely lights and tables, you cant go wrong really.
Saturdays & Sundays 5pm - 7.30pm (approx) East Point
Who doesn't like Thai food? It's a crowd pleaser with something that will keep everyone happy. You can dine on this tasty nosh out front of the Nightcliff Pool a few times a week this Dry - easy peasy. Khob khun ka
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday - 5pm - 8.30pm (approx) near Nightcliff Pool
*These guys don't seem to turn up all the time and don't really use Facebook so it's hard to double check whether they will be there in my experience.
This is definitely an "upmarket" gourmet food truck with an innovative menu that changes each week. Martin and Kelly, who hail from Manchester are massive foodies themselves and are passionate about what they do. The menu focuses on locally produced quality organic food. This Dry Season they've got some stuff amazing planned. Yum. They do vegan, vegetarian and a gluten free option. Love lots!
Wednesday & Thursday, 5 pm- 9.00pm (or when they sell out) Nightcliff Jetty, Friday 5.30pm - 9.30pm (or when they sell out) Nightcliff Jetty
Well established and well loved is Cucina Sotto le Stelle, aka Pop Up Pizza who do delicious wood fire pizzas and some fancy pants pasta. Benjamin's joint is super popular with local families, including ours! They set up long tables and chairs with homely checkered table cloths under the trees. When the sun sets the glow of the strings of lights they set up above the tables creates a cosy atmosphere. You've gotta try their panna cotta!
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Night, 5pm - 9pm - Chapman Rd car park, Nightcliff foreshore
Another new comer this year is The Mexican Standoff - a phrase which for me conjures up those classic scenes from an old western movie where all guns are drawn. I'm told these guys are passionate about bringing the best Mexican food to the streets of Darwin. They do fresh burritos, nachos, fish tacos and other Latin American delicacies! According to their website their nachos & burritos have a freakish ability to cure hangovers! Buen provecho.
Thursday - 5pm - 8.30pm, Chapman Rd car park, Nightcliff foreshore
Harrys has been a fixture at the Nightcliff Jetty for a long time and has paved the way for the rest of the pop ups on the Nightcliff Foreshore. Thanks heaps Harry! Yiros, burgers, fish and chips, hot dogs are just some of whats on the menu at this long standing Darwin food truck in a fab location. Harry operates most days and nights at the Nightcliff Jetty.
Weekdays - 6am - 9am and 5pm - 10pm, Nightcliff Jetty, Saturdays - 9am - 10pm, Nightcliff Jetty
If you're a regular at the Nightcliff Jetty, chances are you've had one of Jay's coffees because he has been there for around 10 years! He knows his stuff when it comes to coffee. He freshly roasts his Fair Trade coffee himself, uses biodegradable cups and gives a discount to people who use their own cups.
Saturday - 8am - 7pm & Sundays - 3pm - 7pm, Nightcliff Jetty
Wood fired pizza anyone? You'd think that having one Pop Up food van would be more than enough to keep you busy, but the talented Anthony of Speedy Gourmet is also a master chef when it comes to creating delectable authentic wood fired pizzas. They look seriously mouth watering with that kind of light airy dough that I love. So pencil Wednesday nights dinners at East Point.
Wednesday - 5pm - 7.30pm, East Point Reserve.
Sweet, yummy and decadent is Melli Queen the vision of Kathy and her lovely family. Kathy bakes mouth watering Greek donuts also known as honey puffs - in Greek Loukoumades. She also makes other Greek sweets and has coffee Frappes on offer. For a treat head down to Windsurfers Corner. Once you've tried a Loukoumades, I reckon you'll be back. Yum
Saturday & Sunday - From 5pm at Windsurfers Corner, end of Aralia Street, Rapid Creek
Pop Up Weekly Schedule
THINGS CHANGE...SO PLEASE USE THIS SCHEDULE AS A GUIDE ONLY
Make sure you take a look at the Facebook pages of food trucks individually before you head there to see if there are any last minute changes or cancellations!
POP UP FOOD MAP - Click here for the City of Darwin Food Truck Map!
MONDAY
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 9am & 5pm - 10pm (approx)
Noi's Pad Thai - Nightcliff Pool, 5pm - 8pm (approx.)
TUESDAY
Taco Daze - Nightcliff Jetty, 5.30pm - 9pm (approx)
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 9am & 5pm - 10pm (approx)
Noi's Pad Thai - Nightcliff Pool, 5pm - 8pm (approx)
WEDNESDAY
Ken's Crepes Mindil - Windsurfers Corner (Nightcliff foreshore, near Aralia Street), 5.30pm - 8.00pm
Needle in a Haystack - Nightcliff Jetty, 5.00pm- 9.00pm (approx)
Cucina Sotto le Stelle - Chapman Rd Car Park, Nightcliff Foreshore 5pm - 9pm
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 9am & 5pm - 10pm (approx)
Pizza Pompeii - East Point Reserve, 5pm - 7.30pm (approx)
THURSDAY
The Mexican Stand Off - Chapman Rd car park, Nightcliff foreshore, 5.00pm - 8.30pm (approx)
Needle in a Haystack - Nightcliff Jetty, 5.00pm- 9.00pm (approx)
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 9am & 5pm - 10pm (approx)
FRIDAY
Needle in a Haystack - Nightcliff Jetty, 5.30pm- 9.30pm (approx)
Kens Crepes - Windsurfers Corner (Nightcliff foreshore, near Aralia Street) 5pm - 8.30pm
Cucina Sotto le Stelle - Chapman Rd Car Park, Nightcliff Foreshore, 5pm - 9pm
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 9am & 5pm - 10pm (approx)
Yummy Yianni's Greek Cuisine - Nightcliff Pool, 5.30pm - 9pm
Artopolis - Bicentennial Park, Darwin Esplanade in the city from 4pm
SATURDAY
Kens Crepes Mindil - 8am - 1pm - East Point Reserve
The Salty Plum - East Point Reserve southern carpark, 7.30am - 2pm
Cucina Sotto le Stelle - Chapman Rd Car Park, Nightcliff Foreshore 5pm - 9pm
Jay's Coffee Bar - Nightcliff Jetty, 8am - 7pm
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 10pm (approx)
Melli Queen - From 5pm at Windsurfers Corner, end of Aralia Street, Rapid Creek
Artopolis - Bicentennial Park, Darwin Esplanade in the city from 4pm
SUNDAY
Kens Crepes Mindil - 8am - 9am (approx) East Point Reserve
The Potato Man - Near Nightcliff Pool, 5pm - 7.30pm
The Salty Plum - East Point Reserve Southern Car Park, 7.30am - 2pm
Jay's Coffee Bar - Nightcliff Jetty, 3pm - 7pm
Noi's Pad Thai - Nightcliff Pool, 5pm - 8pm (approx)
Harry's Mobile Kitchen - Nightcliff Jetty, 6am - 10pm (approx)
Melli Queen - From 5pm at Windsurfers Corner, end of Aralia Street, Rapid Creek
Artopolis - Bicentennial Park, Darwin Esplanade in the city from 4pm
*Help me keep the article up to date. If you know of any changes that are happening with any of the food trucks - new days, times, locations etc., please let me know so we can keep this weekly schedule as up to date as possible. In my experience things change quite a bit with the food trucks and it's hard to keep on top of it. So any help with whats happening would be greatly appreciated.
*Sorry to mention it again, but please remember to double check with the food truck on their Facebook Page to see if there are any changes before you head out to avoid dissapointment.
* If you use information from this article for any stories or articles I'd love for you to credit Growing Up Troppo and touch base with me.
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Libby Larsen - Growing up Troppo
I'm not sure about you but when I'm heading somewhere a good friend has been to, I always ask, "Where did you stay? What are your tips? I trust their advice and insights. Growing up Troppo is about providing honest and independent travel advice.
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