Chilly's Pizza & Trattoria — Restaurant in Port Douglas

DO NOT EAT HERE, I would put zero stars if google let me. I have never reviewed a restaurant before but we had such a bad experience I feel I have to warn anyone considering going to Chilli's Pizza to reconsider. I wish I had looked at the reviews before we went too! We booked months in advance as we were a large group with young children. We were really excited to see the cane toad show but it was cancelled due to rain as the restaurant wanted the shelter for the bookings. They chose not to put our table under the shelter though and refused to move us under the shelter during our one and a half hour wait for our food order despite torrential rain. Also they had space under the shelter the whole time. We asked several times to move from the moment we arrived and the girl in charge said she had no authority to move us but she would try, however, I don't think she even planned to. It was a complete power game by her. We tried to move ourselves undercover which she did not like and asked us to move into the rain and refused to let us get out of the rain. We were crowded under the bar and the poor customers there were trying to share their tables and food with us! She ended up calling the owner who was so rude, swore in front of our children and said we had to have take away and would not accomodate us under cover. It was completely ridiculous and traumatising for the adults and children alike. It was the most incompetent, unprofessional and unaccomodating restaurant I have ever experienced, nothing even comes close to how bad this experience was. I felt sorry for the other customers, and poor staff who included under age children serving the pizzas. Although most tables had no food as service was really slow. We ended up getting a refund and eating at the pub, where the atmosphere and food was fantastic, so the evening was...

This is kind of two different experiences, the cane toad racing and the restaurant.

The cane toad racing is another $6pp if you want to go, not $5 as their own website says. But the host was not too friendly upon hearing that, so we paid $6. The host is entertaining and keeps the crowd engaged, it’s rare to still get a chaotic experience like this where anything can happen, and feels like a throwback to the 80s. Compared to prices of other activities in Port Douglas it’s worth the price of admission. Oh the second race (2 in 45 minutes) auctions off toads. Going rate was about $60. Feels a little grifty.

For the restaurant here’s the facts. The pizza dough gave my jaw quite a workout at the crust but the middle was soggy and wet. Toppings were a little sparse, and the Greek Lemon Chicken didn’t have a lot of flavour. Pizza was cut erratically, with some large pieces and some thin. You’d would think with the time it took and the cost they could have taken a bit more care. The chips were cold, maybe because the pizza took so long. You’ve really got to be able to get a small bowl of basic chips right. If the chips were ready early they could have brought them out, like we saw happen for another table. You have to get your food all at once on a buzzer, so make multiple trips or bring an extra set of hands, and watch your footing on the dusty gravel floor. So for the cost, quality and lack of service, we get three stars. Backpacker staff all very friendly though.

The atmosphere is that of someone’s home backyard with some lights strung around. Which is fine. This is the experience. Music on the night sounded like a backpacker singing karaoke. It was decent karaoke through.

Don’t get me wrong, everything was “pretty good”, which is 3 stars. Set your expectation and you’ll...

Mixed reviews about this place! Pizzas were lovely and tasty (recommend the seafood pizza) and it’s a very relaxed, informal atmosphere with a good vibe! Unfortunately for us the service was very arrogant! (Like they were doing us a favour) Upon arrival we were greeted by a very unfriendly female wait person who was happy to take our money for the cane toad racing and then proceeded to point to our table at the back of the restaurant and said over there! No taking us to our table, no menus, no explanation on the ordering process (table service or go up and order)….and they were not busy! My wife then stood at the bar for 20 mins as there was only one bar person who was doing her very best (and was very friendly) to keep up whilst 3 other members of staff stood arms folded across the other side of the restaurant watching her get slammed…...what happened to team work! No wonder she was leaving the business! Cane toad racing, although fun was a complete scam! You pay $5 for a ticket to be in the 1st race (we purchased 2 tickets) to then realise your only in the race if your ticket gets pulled from a hat! (surely this should be explained when u purchase the tickets) Maybe they could of done more races so everyone that purchased tickets got a chance. The second race was then a bidding auction of who wanted to pay additionally for a toad to be in the race! Can’t help but think it was all about scamming the tourist! I would recommend a visit for the pizzas but please remind your staff of the essence of good, friendly customer service…especially in the current climate where customers are few and...