Tav restaurant open for business, deck on the way
Shire entertainment
The Barrier Reef Tavern has opened up new restaurant the Tav Bistro after a “massive renovation” across the past year at the local institution.
The pub, on Reef Street in Port Douglas, has also recently reopened its poker machine area where the old kitchen was and plans to open up the front deck in about two-to-three weeks, which will complete the full renovation program.
Tavern owner Paul McMahon says it was “absolutely fantastic” to have the restaurant doors open before last weekend.
“We had a great outpouring of love from the community,” Mr McMahon says.
“All weekend they kept on coming back and it was just absolutely outstanding.”
The menu style is “pub classics with a twist”, with former Seabean and current Hughie’s Wine Bar chef Damien Burke in charge of the kitchen - the restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner and Friday to Sunday for lunch.
The beach-themed interior design is by Susie McMahon and Melinda Andreassen.
Mr McMahon says he is grateful for the community being so tolerant while the renovations took place.
“I want to say a personal thank you to the neighbours who’ve put up with a lot of noise over the last year or so while we’ve been renovating, and also to the locals while they’ve come in and had their drinks.”
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