Fish Cafe

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  9      Service  3      Value  3     

The take out is awful, especially for the price but the eat in experience is lovely with harbour views and markets across the road, takes your mind off the unhelpful staff.

I have found that the food you order whilst dining in is completely different to the take away. Its not as bad but no way near the greatest.

Apr 26, 2011 

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  2     

Overall a pretty dismal experience, better off at the cheaper priced, better serviced, Cuttlefish Cafe just down the Esplanade. Their seafood quality for sure matches Fish Cafe. After being ignored for some time I was about to leave with my partner, before someone got around to noticing us. Although the waitress was in good spirits and apologized, the first impression was not there. What really turned us off was the overpriced food. However, the location is great, right next to the market. Won't return to this restaurant though.

Jul 09, 2010 

2 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  1     

Worst take away fish and chips in a long time. Part of the order missing when opened, the chips we received were disgusting, they were only just warm and hard and dry and the potato scallops were like cardboard, obviously again cooked a number of times before we arrived, oily, brittle and hard to chew. Lucky there are other options on the Esplanade. Pending.

Jan 17, 2010 

3.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  2     

Tried this place last night with friends who had just moved to the area, and I doubt they will be returning anytime soon. The food, bruschetta and garlic bread was very nice.

The mains, in short are overpriced. If I'm paying $44 for a bugs tail risotto, or $30 for fish and chips, I expect them to be spectacular, and they were just ok. My partner ordered the mussles, which was a big disappointment. One third of them were unopened, how they even made it to the plate is beyond me.

The service was terrible for a restaurant that is in this price range. The waitstaff were uninformed, and seemed to be more interested in the gossip in the kitchen rather than serving us. Give this place a miss.

Jan 03, 2010 

3.3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  1     

Have given up on this local eatery. Service has regularly been less than friendly and food is average. This is a big let down as location is great. Have had breakfast a few times which has generally been better in terms of service and food quality. Hopefully the owners can turn the culture back in a positive direction.

Sep 04, 2009 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  6     

We dined here last Sat night and the place was full. Entree was fine mains were good (not sea food though) and the desserts were fine. Service was good for us the only negatives, the coffees arrived before the desserts and the main meals were a bit over priced for what they were.

Mar 03, 2009 

6.3 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  7     

MM dined here alone last Tuesday. He made the mistake of ordering the beef cheek pie (in a seafood restaurant)! We went together on Saturday night. We started with crisp, tasty garlic bread. MM had the grilled fish special super fresh red emperor fillets, perfectly cooked, with plenty of excellent chips.

I had the seafood stew plenty of clams, prawns, scallops, pieces of fish fillet, small and tender kipfler potatoes and other veggies in a flavourful broth infused with saffron and paprika, with a small toasted roll to sop up the juices. MM finished with sticky date pudding a little on the heavy side, but well presented and flavoursome. I had the rest of our bottle of wine for dessert.

The prices were fair for the quality of the seafood. It is a shame the service is haphazard. Also another couple nearby seemed less than thrilled with their meals (beef lasagne and a fish pie of some description). My suggestion is to stick with straightforward fish dishes, avoid anything involving meat and/or pastry and skip dessert.

Jul 09, 2008 

4.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  4     

Once again great food, bad service. Moody waitress kind of ruined the evening. Menu was nice, the chicken dish was delicious.

Apr 26, 2008 

4.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  3     

Obviously I didn't enjoy this visit. Definitely overpriced for mediocre food.

Dec 13, 2006