Port Moresby is one of those cities that can be a bit shit unless you find out where to go from locals. Case in point here being Alibi Bar and Grill, which I have somehow only just discovered. This being despite the fact expats have since told me it was the “default choice for dining”.
Technically a steak house, in actuality it offers a whole heap of different dishes. Most importantly though its waterside location, speed and vibe make it the perfect antidote to another slow night at Port Moresby Yacht Club.
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What the Alibi Bar & Grill?
Alibi Bar & Grill opened in 2020 and is operated by Alibi Limited. It is part of the Harbourside precinct, with the restaurant sitting directly on the waterfront and having a large outdoor dining area.
Since opening it has built up a reputation around Port Moresby for steaks, a big menu and a proper bar atmosphere, while the business now also promotes private events and customised food and drink packages. They even had popup market when I was there!
The Menu At Alibi Bar & Grill
There’s actually a huge menu at Alibi Bar & Grill particularly compared to the Yacht Club, although the main draw is of course the steaks. They are I can confirm very good though, with a great selection of sauces. Our group pretty much went through the whole menu, with the chicken and chips (classic) as well as the cheeseburgers going down a storm.
The menu covers steaks, burgers, seafood, pasta, platters and plenty of other stuff. Published prices have included main courses from K40 ($9), steaks from K105 ($24), a 250g eye fillet for K115 ($26), and the tomahawk at K120 ($27) for 500g or K220 ($49) for 1kg. The steaks come with two sides, making them particularly good value by Port Moresby standards.
Main menu items include:
• Steaks – from K105 ($24)
• 250g Eye Fillet – K115 ($26)
• 500g Tomahawk – K120 ($27)
• 1kg Tomahawk – K220 ($49)
• Chicken and chips – from K40 ($9)
• Cheeseburger – from K40 ($9)
• Seafood – from K40 ($9)
• Pasta – from K40 ($9)
• Surf & Turf platter – price varies
• Meat Lovers platter – price varies
• Fisherman’s Basket – price varies
Oh and there’s also a branch of the famous Enzos Pizza chain on site, so that is an option too.
Drinking at Alibi Bar & Grill
Alibi Bar & Grill is honestly one of the best places for drinking in Port Moresby, although it is fair to say that is not really saying all that much. Basically there’s a huge drinks menu, there’s draft beer, cocktails, but most importantly an atmosphere. Did I mention this was better than the Yacht Club?
Sample drinks:
• Watermelon & Raspberry Mojito – K24 ($5.40)
• Coconut Mojito – K24 ($5.40)
• Vodka Mojito – K24 ($5.40)
• Cucumber Mojito – K24 ($5.40)
• Absinthe Mojito – K24 ($5.40)
• Clover Club – K20 ($4.50)
• Toasted Almond – K20 ($4.50)
• Hazelnut Mimosa – K20 ($4.50)
• Americano – K20 ($4.50)
• Pineapple Coconut Mimosa – K20 ($4.50)
• SP Export – draft – K24 ($5.40)
The Vibe and the Speed at Alibi Bar & Grill
This is waterside dining in the same style as the Yacht Club, with it being not all that far away. There’s a decent side area, but most importantly a huge alfresco dining part which is covered and connected to a stage. This was particularly great on the night we came as it was during the PNG National Day celebrations and they had live local music.
There’s also an actual bar area, justifying the bar part, the aforementioned Enzo Pizza, as well as a whole dessert section. This is a well laid out beast, BUT it is the service that sets it apart. Basically you order, you pay and your food comes quickly. You can also leave your card behind the bar and run a tab. These may not seem like revolutionary things, but for anyone who has spent any time in Pom, it really is.
Where is Alibi Bar & Grill?
Alibi Bar & Grill
Portion 771 & 1158, Portion 773 Gradv Harbourside West
Ground Floor, Unit 3
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea
Phone: +675 7320 7777 / 320 7777
Email: alibi@alibigroup.com.pg
Opening Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11am–10pm
Friday–Saturday 11am–late
So, yeah, best restaurant and dare I say almost night out in Port Moresby, particularly if you don’t want to be in a hotel complex.
Click to see my tours to Papua New Guinea with YPT.