Poké Ola’s Cult Foodie Following in Darwin City
Since Poké Ola opened 5 years ago, Maxime has cemented a cult following, redefining Darwin’s food scene.
The CBD café on Smith Street is Darwin’s Original poke and ceviche bar – and offers the perfect respite in Darwin’s humidity.
The chef caters for everyone – from foodies, businesses, AFL and NRL teams, health professionals, and schools.
Growing up, Maxime discovered his foodie passion at a young age, during school holiday visits to his grandmother near the French Alps. “I would finish playing with my dinosaurs or come home from fishing. Then I would watch my grandmother cook traditional French food. I helped in her kitchen using regional market produce and my interest grew from there,” recalls Maxime.
Maxime embarked on his culinary career in French hospitality school. From there, he journeyed to kitchens across the Atlantic, including Montreal and Argentina.
“I lived in Argentina and had a great chef as a mentor. Argentina has strong-Italian influence and I have memories working in restaurants making house made pasta.”Maxime worked in sushi restaurants in Barcelona, Le Havre and London’s upmarket Marylebone frequented by A-listers. It was a high-end sashimi restaurant in London’s Covent Garden where the simplicity of sashimi sparked joy. “I love working with premium and sashimi-grade fish. The taste is so refined. It is an art,” shares Maxime.
Married to a Darwin born and raised woman with a 7-year-old – Maxime calls Darwin home.
“I’m lucky to have long-term customers who now are like my family, even since Poké Ola started as delivery only. I’m also grateful to have strong connections with excellent local business suppliers. They are also like family,” shares Maxime.
When you sit under Poké Ola’s striped blue and white umbrellas you can expect only the freshest produce from local fish shops. First timers shouldn’t miss the local golden Snapper ceviche cured in local calamansi. “Our chicken poke is one of our most popular dishes – but there is also the Coco Jumbo tofu bowl which is a hit for omnivores – not just vegetarians.”
You can order free delivery by 5pm the day before, or pick-up from the Darwin Central building on Smith Street, Darwin City.
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