Salsa Bar and Grill

10 November 2025 Salsa Bar & Grill [26 Wharf St, Port Douglas QLD 4877] Salsa is currently boasting 30 years – it deserves to. My wife and I were residents of the Douglas Shire from 1997 until 2018 and frequented this establishment along with most of the many others in the Shire [mostly in Port Douglas]. We now live the other side of the Dividing Range just over one hour away in Mareeba Shire. Douglas Shire is still a favourite stomping ground for entertainment and our friends. Recently my wife and I have visited Salsa twice for lunch, once this Saturday past and once five weeks prior. Both times we were in a party of about 25 comprising locals and interstate visitors for two separate birthday celebrations. All were well-seasoned diners! Groups can be difficult for eating houses but Salsa showed their 30 years’ experience handling the birthday group and other diners alike very well and seamlessly with meals from it’s a la carte menu. It is difficult to find fault as one would expect with the reputation Salsa has and quietly boasts. Having said that my first of two recent visits left me disappointed – I am a celiac meaning my gluten free diet is for health and not fashion. The waiter of the day was far from helpful giving me virtually no choice in meals. I held back from commenting as I did not want to embarrass my host and knowing I was coming back in a few weeks! My second visit here matched my earlier prior personal experiences and understanding of Salsa’s quest to satisfy their guests’ culinary needs. I could have almost anything on the menu instead of the previous choice of one – and ate in complete confidence that my food was indeed gluten free (ingredients and without cross-contamination worries). The waiter this time went to great lengths in helping me choose offering options including choices not on the menu. On this occasion I did take aside the waiter of the day, who turned out to be the manager, to proffer my thanks and praise. My wife and I will return and continue to recommend Salsa as one of the few most excellent restaurants in town. For those who do not know Salsa is housed in a very well maintained and appointed Queenslander style building in a great location with privileged views over Dickson Inlet at the edge of the high street – it’s perfect for both the tropical summer and winter. Staff appear to be trained to a very good standard, even with the glitch I experienced, and generally carry a positive happy demeanour. My wife and I are really pleased that our little disappointment for me and my gluten free limited choice was just a glitch – we think everyone is entitled to a glitch now and then! Thank you, Salsa team, see you again before too long - we still give you 5 stars. John White, Mareeba, FNQ. [C:\Apps-data\MS.Word\Salsa-251109.docx]

Excellent service from all the staff and lovely atmosphere in the restaurant. We chose to go to Salsa as a friend had recommended the restaurant for gluten free food, as my husband is a non symptomatic coeliac. Unfortunately salad was the only entree he could have (as he doesn’t like seafood) and steak was the only option for main. The food was good though, but extremely limited choices.