Tamarind Restaurant

Edit: Contrary to the manager's statements below, I was NOT offered the option to have the jus served on the side or omitted altogether. I would have 100% taken up this option if it was offered. Further to what was stated below, I was offered two or three gf main options by the waitress when I told her I was gf. I was also served by another waiter and neither of them told me that any of their other dishes were able to be modified. Shame on Tamarind and their staff for trying to change the story to make themselves look better. 1000% will never dine here and will tell everyone else visiting to avoid this place as well. Would give zero stars if I could. I am actually so surprised this restaurant is rated so highly - maybe their food is good (we left before we even ordered anything!) or maybe it used to be good a few years ago, but their customer service and atmosphere was terrible. The whole experience didn't start well, as we waited a very long time to be seated and were left standing right next to a noisy private function (that actually could be heard throughout the whole restaurant). When a waiter came to take our food and drink order, I mentioned I was gluten free and the waiter pointed out the (very limited!!!) gf options. I had looked at their menu beforehand, but there were no gf choices noted (although they did note vegan and vegetarian options). I didn't think this would be a problem as the descriptions of the meals didn't seem to indicate that they contained gluten. I have been gluten free for years and am pretty good at picking out what I can and can't eat, so this usually isn't an issue. Also most restaurants are really happy to adjust meals for dietaries. Unfortunately, Tamarind was not one of them. As I didn't feel like eating either of the gf options (duck or a root vegetable curry), I asked the waiter if something could be removed from one non gf option and was told the sauce also contained gluten and the waiter shrugged his shoulders and said 'so it's up to you'. At that point, where it was obvious that there was no desire to work with me (a paying customer!!), we got up and left to dine elsewhere. The next restaurant had several gf options and were happy to adjust anything I needed (even offering to boil gf pasta in a separate vat of water!). Basically, if you have any kind of dietary - but especially if you are gluten free or coealic - do not even bother going here. There are so many other nicer dining options in Cairns. Tamarind - the least you can do is at least display which meals are gluten free on your menu beforehand. So glad we didn't spend any of our money here!!

We usually go to the beaches as we live there and usually want the sea views... but we knew our dinner tonight would be later than sunset so thought we'd give Tamarind a try for our Anniversary... all I can say is WOW - the food was unbelievably delicious!! And so much Gluten Free for my coeliac partner. - we also take our 9 year old with us (we like her... and it's a Tuesday) - we really appreciated that there was a child's menu. 10 out of 10!! (My daughter said "a million out of 10" ... so there you go) Great food, excellent service... we will definitely be back!!