Darwin had better be careful: if places like this keep appearing, it'll lose its reputation for gruff, frontier 'charm'. Lucky Bat would be at home in Melbourne's Fitzroy, with an arty atmosphere, orange blossom sodas and all manner of exotic teas. The food has the lightest touch (spanakopita, baba ganoush...), while the back courtyard has a lively, intimate feel.

Combine it with a morning at Nightcliff Market.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Darwin attractions

1. East Point Reserve

2.51 MILES

North of Fannie Bay, this spit of land is particularly attractive in the late afternoon when wallabies emerge to feed and you can watch the sun set over…

2. Darwin Military Museum

2.55 MILES

At this innovative museum and multimedia experience, you can hear personal accounts of those affected by, and those who actively participated in,…

3. Fannie Bay Gaol Museum

2.87 MILES

This interesting (if slightly grim) museum represents almost 100 years of solitude. Serving as Darwin's main jail from 1883 to 1979, the solid cells…

5. Northern Centre for Contemporary Art

3.13 MILES

The NCCA is a really small space that shows some changing and challenging exhibitions. It's worth checking out while doing the Parap Village Market.

7. Darwin Aviation Museum

4.03 MILES

If you like aircraft and you like 'em big, you're going to love this place. Darwin's aviation museum, about 10km from the centre, has a mammoth B52 bomber…

8. George Brown Botanic Gardens

4.11 MILES

These 42-hectare gardens showcase plants from the Top End and around the world − monsoon vine forest, the mangroves and coastal plants habitat, baobabs,…