Eat & drink · hours read 29 October 2026
Eating and drinking under one roof
Breakfast from 6:30 am, a two-hat dinner room, Asian street food in a heritage building, and bars that run late. Here is what each place is, when it opens, and who can go in.
The restaurants
The hotel's fine-dining room: a menu that it says blends global influences with seasonal local produce, a softly lit room with white linen and timber, two chef hats and a World Luxury Restaurant Awards continental title for fusion cuisine. A five-course Taste of Tamarind degustation is offered. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5:30–9:30 pm, last orders 9:15 pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Book online through the link on the restaurant's page.
Asian dishes in the restored 1930s Customs House — laksa, fried rice, wok-tossed tofu and crispy squid appear among its pictured dishes — with old timberwork, street-art murals and small private rooms. It has its own street entrance on Abbott Street and another beside BAR36. Sunday–Thursday 4–10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30 am–10 pm, last orders 9:30 pm. Children welcome, with a children's menu.
À la carte breakfast that the hotel calls full of Far North Queensland flavour, coffee from Blackbird Local Coffee Roasters, pastries and cakes. On the walkway between the hotel lobby and the casino. Daily 6:30 am–12 pm, last orders 11:30 am. No booking needed; highchairs available. Accor lists it as Merchant Artisan Food & Coffee.
Australian pub classics — the hotel names a wagyu burger and a chicken parmigiana with Tablelands salad. Because it sits inside the casino gaming area it is an 18+ venue: no children. Sunday–Thursday 10 am–midnight, Friday and Saturday 10 am–3 am; closed Good Friday.
The bars
A lounge in the main foyer with industrial art-deco styling, cocktails and Asian-influenced food from Soy Kitchen, and live music each week from national and local acts. Shows are free and unticketed, but seating is limited. Sunday–Thursday 4–11 pm, Friday and Saturday 4 pm until late. Minors may attend with a responsible adult; house policy allows them until 9 pm.
Cocktails, craft beer, Australian and international wine and barista coffee, with service across the gaming floor. Its page gives daily hours of 10 am–3:30 am. Because it is on the gaming floor, the 18+ rule applies.
The whole second level of the casino: a large LED screen, multiple HD screens, a TAB and keno. The hotel says it will screen any sport it can access, within casino hours. Adults only.
Opening hours at a glance
| Venue | Sun | Mon | Tue–Thu | Fri–Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Cafe | 6:30–12 | 6:30–12 | 6:30–12 | 6:30–12 |
| Soy Kitchen | 4–10 pm | 4–10 pm | 4–10 pm | 11:30 am–10 pm |
| Tamarind | closed | closed | 5:30–9:30 pm | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Flinders (18+) | 10 am–12 am | 10 am–12 am | 10 am–12 am | 10 am–3 am |
| BAR36 | 4–11 pm | 4–11 pm | 4–11 pm | 4 pm–late |
On Good Friday the hotel lists Merchant Cafe from 6 am to noon, Soy Kitchen 4–10 pm and Tamarind 5–10 pm, with Flinders and BAR36 closed.
Eating with children
The hotel's family list is Soy Kitchen, Merchant Cafe and Tamarind; Tamarind and Soy Kitchen have children's menus. Flinders, Lihou Bar and the Sports Arena are inside the adults-only gaming area. BAR36 lets minors in with an adult until 9 pm, but the hotel itself says the evening atmosphere is aimed at adults.
Dietary needs
Tamarind says vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free options are available — tell the waiter when ordering. Merchant Cafe asks guests to raise needs with staff. If allergies shape your trip, add them to your room request and we will pass them on.
Private dining
Tamarind's private dining room seats up to 24 for a sit-down meal and can be themed; an upgrade includes a visit from the executive chef. Soy Kitchen also has small private rooms inside the Customs House.
Sources for this page — read on 23–29 October 2026; where a source disagrees with another, the page says so.