CHOW!

CHOW! is a South Vietnamese restaurant in the Darwin Waterfront precinct, bringing together quick lunches, relaxed dinners and a drinks-led evening setting. Its lunch service is designed for busy office workers, with a counter-order system intended to keep things moving, while visitors can settle in for a slower meal at the Waterfront. The kitchen uses local produce in fresh, colourful dishes inspired by South Vietnamese and broader Southeast Asian cooking.

The most prominent names on the menu are banh mi, pho and laksa. The restaurant’s laksa has won the Golden Bowl at the Darwin International Laksa Festival three times and is now in the festival’s Hall of Fame. Pho is also a central part of the offering, described as an aromatic dish with rice noodles, fresh herbs and a rich broth. At dinner, the à la carte menu expands into a larger selection of Southeast Asian dishes, with shareable plates suited to ordering for the table.

Inside, CHOW! has a lively, casual atmosphere, while its covered patio gives diners the option of eating outdoors with views across the Darwin Waterfront. The restaurant also puts considerable attention into drinks, with a curated wine list and a selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails. It has been named Best Cocktail Bar, and the back bar and cocktail programme are clearly a significant part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

The venue suits several types of visit: a speedy lunch between work commitments, a relaxed meal for visitors to Darwin, or a more social dinner with shared food and drinks. The dinner menu is specifically positioned for groups, date nights and special occasions, and the restaurant recommends booking, particularly on weekends. With its central Waterfront location, quick daytime format and energetic evening trade, CHOW! offers a flexible option for eating and drinking in Darwin City.