Char restaurant, Darwin: Menu, location and prices

The Char restaurant in Darwin specialises in steaks, but the majority of the appeal comes from the historic setting in Admirality House.

The Char restaurant in Darwin, Northern Territory, has a reputation of being a great place to eat steak. Realistically, however, it is more than just a steakhouse.

The setting plays a big part in making Char seem like a special occasion joint. It is inside Admiralty House, which was originally built in 1937, serving as the residence of the District Naval Officer.

Now Admiralty House is home to two restaurants – the Darwin Club and Char. Of these, Char is the most impressive, with glass walls and extensive outdoor seating lit by fairy lights.

7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving

Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.

Char restaurant menu

Meat is clearly the speciality at the Char restaurant, but the menu is not entirely carnivorous. Similarly, while steaks are the speciality, there are several alternatives. These include chargrilled lam cutlets with goats curd, parsley and lemon gremolata or $51.

You can also try roast pork belly with salt and vinegar pork scratchings for $40.

On the steak side of the Char restaurant menu, there’s 600g of beef short rib twice cooked in house siu sauce for $59. There’s also a 500g T-bone for $52 and a 300g Wagyu rump for $42.

That’s at the cheaper end of the scale. A one kilogram tomahawk at Char costs $140, while some other option are listed as price on application.

Char restaurant prices

This borders on stunt pricing. There’s also a heavy focus on wagyu beef on the menu, which feels like it is aimed at men trying to look impressive by paying for something really expensive, rather than a thorough commitment to great food.

And the Char restaurant, alas, doesn’t provide great food. It is good food, but few people will leave feeling they’ve had a sensational meal. It’s an enjoyable, buzzy place to eat – but Char isn’t quite as good as it thinks it is. For more information, visit the Admiralty House website.

Other places to eat in Darwin include the all-you-can-eat Jetty restaurant, on a Charles Darwin sunset dinner cruise and the Asia-inspired Hanuman Darwin.

Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit

Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER

Things to do in Darwin before heading on a Litchfield National Park tour or Kakadu adventure include a hop-on, hop-off bus tour with Big Bus Darwin. You can also try an airboat adventure cruise, an art and food walking tour and a cruise focused on the WWII bombing of Darwin Harbour.

The best places to stay in Darwin

You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.

For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.