Growing Up Troppo – September
From the Esplanade to Fannie Bay to Nightcliff, there’s something abuzz on the Darwin foreshore. You may have noticed the explosion of new pop-up food vans this Dry season – with their special, low-key, relaxed and friendly vibe, they’ve been warmly embraced by Darwin locals.
By Libby Larsen.
Their harbour locations are top notch – plus the owners set up charming tables and chairs, bean bags, ambient lighting, mats, chilled tunes and more. The range of cuisines on offer is mind-boggling, from Thai, Syrian, German, Russian, Greek and Italian, there’s something to please even the fussiest of little eaters.
For parents sick of cooking the evening meal (like myself), I’m sure you’ll agree that a family dinner at a pop-up food truck on the foreshore has got to be one of the easiest and most fabulous ways to eat out with kids in these parts. You don't have to cook, the kids can play and the sunsets are always glorious.
Heading to a pop-up is a unique and personal experience. You meet the owners – from Benjamin shouting “Number 45 Pizza” at Cucina Sotto le Stelle (aka Pop up Pizza), to long-term locals Yianna and Irene of Yummy Yianna’s Greek Cuisine serving their home made Greek fare. There’s crepes from Ken and Susi at Ken’s Crepes, and schnitzel from Ben and Kamala at Hänsel und Gretel.
Kit from Mitch and Mario BBQ Smokehouse, who hails from Texas, told me he marinates the pork for 24 hours and then smokes it for another 14! Now that’s dedication. The Potato Man, Jay’s Coffee and Harry’s Mobile Kitchen are all trail blazers of the Nightcliff Foreshore and Harry celebrates 20 years at Nightcliff Jetty this year.
Make the most of the rest of the Dry season, as some wind down over the Wet, and head to a pop-up for a family brekkie, lunch or dinner. There’s further details on the Growing Up Troppo blog and don’t forget to check the Facebook pages of the food trucks for any last- minute changes.
See you there!
Travel is, and has always been, Libby’s passion and she believes that this shouldn’t stop when you have kids. Libby knows that the best travel advice and tips come from other parents and so she started Growing up Troppo. It has loads of inspiration about hip places to stay, play and eat with kids that importantly parents love too.
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