Copper Bar and Grill: New restaurant opening on Cairns Esplanade

A businessman who once worked with the Gordon Ramsay Group in London is taking his passion for food to the next level at the city’s newest restaurant in a prime location.

AN acclaimed businessman that once worked with the Gordon Ramsay Group in London is taking his passion for food to the next level at the city’s newest restaurant set to open on the Cairns Esplanade.

From Friday Far North lovers of good food can enjoy a multicultural menu at Copper Bar and Grill set to trade from the former Ala Turka Turkish premises.

Featuring a multicultural menu that includes Jamaican-inspired chicken, kale and halloumi salad, a delicious selection of burgers and steaks plus desserts such as pina colada pie, Copper Bar and Grill is the realisation of a lifelong dream for Mazhar Ahmed.

Mazhar Ahmed has branched out on his own to create a new restaurant called Copper Bar and Grill which is set to open this Friday.

Having worked in the United Kingdom Mr Ahmed made the move to Dubai to work in highly regarded Japanese and Italian restaurants before heading Down Under.

The former Waterbar and Grill Steakhouse manager was excited to bring his own style to the new CBD venture.

“Working in Cairns for the past one-and-a-half years, I’ve managed to understand a little bit of the demographics of the local clientele and their expectations. For us, the most important things are the quality of food and the customer service,” he said.

Copper Bar and Grill will open on the Cairns Esplanade this Friday. It will operate in the site formerly occupied by Ala Turka Turkish.

“It’s simple food and simple beverages but done in our own unique and crafty Copper way, which stands different from the other establishments in Cairns.

“This is my own venture, where I have full freedom to do what I want. I sometimes think in a very unconventional way as well. Out-of-the-box strategies is one of my key mantras.”

Ensuring not to exclude any potential clients Mr Ahmed said walk-ins wearing singlets and thongs were as welcome as diners all dressed up for celebrations and functions.

Mazhar Ahmed in his former role as general manager of the Waterbar and Grill Steakhouse. Picture: Stewart McLean

“We want to create an atmosphere that caters to all age groups where people feel comfortable. It is casual, but also chic and quirky and more contemporary in a way,” he said.

“It’s not going to be focused only on families, it’s also not going to be focused only on young crowds.”

Kirby Fowler enjoys a waterfront meal at Cairns newest restaurant Copper Bar and Grill. Picture: Supplied

Former Waterbar sous chef Abdul Dumbuya has joined the Copper Bar and Grill team and has been promoted to head chef. Mr Ahmed said creations in the kitchen would be a collaborative effort using locally sourced produce.

“(About) 90 per cent of our menu is sourced locally. All our sauces and salad dressings are going to be made in-house, focusing mostly on incorporating local ingredients,” he said.

Copper will open from November 5. Lunch service runs from 11:30am to 3pm and dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm.

Originally published as Copper Bar and Grill: New restaurant opening on Cairns Esplanade