PROFILE Goran Zonai

EXECUTIVE CHEF SALSA BAR & GRILL

Salsa Bar & Grill is a much-loved Port Douglas institution and key to its success is consistency, according to head chef Goran Zonai.

Goran knew from a young age he wanted to be a chef and started his training in classical French gastronomy in Switzerland as a teenager. After achieving his Masters in Cookery, he moved to Australia in 2000 and has led the Salsa kitchen team for over 20 years

“We are spoilt when it comes to the quality of the food here – there is fresh caught fish and a bounty of fruit and vegetable crops grown on the Atherton Tablelands and around Port Douglas.”

Goran says cooking at Salsa is primarily about three things – texture, taste and vibrancy He nominates the restaurant's two signature dishes as linguini pepperincino and passionfruit souffle. “Guests keep coming back for these dishes as they showcase local ingredients, look fantastic on the plate and are consistently good, every time,” he says.

Farmers Markets

Whether it grows on trees, under the soil, or comes from the sea, you can find it at a local farmers market. The Sunday Port Douglas Markets is a traditional Cotter's market where stalls are all run by the people who make the goods. The Saturday morning Mossman Markets under the raintrees has an excellent selection of local produce and homemade treats. Scommazon's Farm Store sells produce grown locally on their farm, with the addition of delicious artisan products like Duke's Doughnuts, Kefir Queen and Gallo Cheese.

Restaurant Eats

For a fishing town, Port Douglas does seafood extremely well with Zinc and La Cucina + Bar being notable stops. Caught your own? Head to Seabean Tapas Bar Restaurant and the chefs will cook your catch for you. Salsa Bar & Grill, Harrisons at the Sheraton, and Osprey's Restaurant at Thala Beach are ones for the taste memory bank. If you are still hungry don't miss Kai, The Tin Shed, and Koko Poolside Bar + Kitchen or Barbados and Hemingway's Brewery at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina

Food Trails

If you love to eat, wander, talk and travel, these trips are made for you. Be guided around the region with Brett's Outback Tasting Adventures. If you prefer to discover deliciousness at your own speed, head to the Daintree Food Trail website and download its map, guiding you through gelato to microgreens, barramundi to breadfruit and chocolate to chorizo

For a liquid flight, the Brewers and Distillers Trail showcases locally crafted tipples inspired by our unique region.

Caf Culture

Port Douglas has been dubbed the most “northern suburb of Melbourne”, so it seems fitting that good coffee is basically a religion. Kai, St Crispins Café, Sparrow, and Captain & Co will sort your caffeine hit right out, while Choo Choos at the Marina offers a breakfast menu so good you will be there until dinner. Mocka's Pies will satisfy your hunger with its famous crocodile laksa pie and delicious pastry treats