Hanuman Restaurant Darwin — Restaurant in Northern Territory

Hanuman Darwin – Exceptional Food, Abysmal Service

My family and I (five in total) dined at Hanuman on Saturday, 3 May, for a birthday celebration. While the food was outstanding, the service was so poor it overshadowed the entire experience.

The Good: The food was truly to die for—highlights included the succulent BBQ pork, rich butter chicken, and fragrant Thai green curry. The flavors were vibrant, and the dishes were clearly crafted with skill. If the rating were based on food alone, this would be a 5-star review.

The Bad (and There Was a Lot): -Seating & Atmosphere: Despite booking (and paying a $20pp deposit), we were crammed onto a table for four, barely 2m from the entrance. When we asked to move, we were told it was "here or outside"—hardly accommodating for a high-end restaurant. The restaurant was so loud we almost had to yell to soak to one another, the table was even too small for 4 people, the room was so dimly lit we had to use the table light to read the menus (and we were abruptly told of for doing so as "the light had to go in the middle") -Unprofessional Touches: A staff member abruptly dropped off a pile of menus and room-temperature tap water (no pouring, no bottled option) with a dismissive "here’s that tap water you wanted"—despite us never asking for tap water, we simple wanted table water (potentially filtered/bottled/sparkling). -Rushed & Impersonal Service: Within minutes of being seated, staff repeatedly pressured us to order drinks before we’d even read the menu. The interactions felt transactional, not welcoming. -Intrusive Clearing: Servers reached over us to grab plates mid-meal without so much as an "excuse me." For a restaurant charging premium prices, this felt more like a chaotic café than fine dining.

The Verdict: The food is spectacular, but the service was shockingly bad for a restaurant of this caliber. At nearly $450 for five people, expectations were high—unfortunately, Hanuman fell far short. Until they address their service issues, I can’t justify returning or recommending it to anyone for...

Our journey with Jimmy Shu's culinary skills began in Melbourne way back in the 1990s when he owned Near East in South Melb. We stumbled upon it accidentally one evening and continued to dine there regularly till he moved to Darwin. We have since had the Hanuman experience more than a dozen times. It is located in the Doubletree Hilton Esplanade in central Darwin city.

Your culinary experience begins the moment you step through the front doors. A gorgeous Hanuman statue greets you, followed quickly by a polite staff member. You are led to your table either in the more intimate space near the LED strip lit bar or the slightly brighter area on the other side. You will served big glasses of still or sparkling water that never runs dry. The menu comprises of selection of dishes - Thai, Indian, Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Nyonya - it speaks volumes. Many describe this restaurant as fusion but I believe their dishes are about as authentic as they come. Perhaps fusion refers to the variety available.

Food We've tried just over 60% of their entree and small plates selection and more of their mains. Our favourites are the Hanuman oysters, trumpet mushrooms, punjabi lamb, eggplant Pacchadi, meen moolie, butter chicken, crispy thai whole snapper or steamed thai Barramundi, goat curry, goanese prawns and black pepper or malay curry mudcrabs to name a few. Each dish is different in terms of flavour, texture, tone and visual appearance - a real feast for all the senses. His signature creme brulee with black glutinuous rice is definitely a fusion dish but a stunning one!

The staff are well trained, efficient but not intrusive. Our glasses were never empty but we never saw them refilled. Every dish was served with all its condiments, serving spoons, bone bowls - every detail carefully thought through.

Cost - very reasonable for what you get. There were about 8 prawns per mains dish for...

My partner and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Hanuman Restaurant in Darwin last night for my birthday dinner and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with an elegant blend of contemporary design and traditional touches that set the perfect tone for a memorable meal.

The menu at Hanuman is a true fusion of Thai, Indian, and nonya flavors, offering a wide variety of dishes that are both bold and beautifully balanced. We ordered the package which includes 3 entrees, 4 mains, and 2 desserts. All are very palatable. The standout dishes for us was the Butter Chicken which was perfectly spiced and packed with flavor. It reminds me of authentic Satay Chicken original from my country. I liked the Trumpet Mushrooms for entree and my partner liked the Money Bags. The portion sizes are generous, and the quality of ingredients is evident in every bite. Both of us are in love with their signature dessert, Creme Brulee with black glutinuous rice. Should be back for it!

The service provided by Nita was attentive and knowledgeable, she always ready to offer recommendations and ensure we had everything we needed. The wine and cocktail list was also impressive, with a great selection to complement the diverse menu.

Overall, Hanuman is a fantastic dining experience in Darwin, offering a unique and flavorful take on Asian and Indian fusion cuisine. Whether you're a local or just visiting, it’s definitely...