There’s nothing that compares to a great fish and chip shop with a water view, and that’s exactly what you get at The Fish Shak.
The latest venture of Liz and Justin Allie, (also co-owners of Longboards Laidback Eatery), the former Café Rockpool has been transformed into an upmarket yet casual licensed ‘dine in or take away’ seafood restaurant.
Broadwater Parklands is a favourite spot for family days out, making Fish Shak well placed to draw a crowd. With no expense spared in the fitout, the vibrant nautical murals by graphic artists Frank & Mimi, spotlessly clean surfaces and crisp food presentation means that The Fish Shak holds great appeal to tourists and locals alike.
This is the place to bring visiting family or friends for fish and chips – a place to show off our local seafood at family-friendly prices!
The huge counter-topped refrigerated display shows off the glistening seafood: fish, prawns, oysters and bugs, delivered daily to ensure freshness.
For us, the final measure of any restaurant is the food.
‘Fresh, local and sustainable’ is The Fish Shak’s mantra, championing Australian seafood at its best. No basa in sight, the team work hard to achieve their motto.
We order at the counter and, as we wait for our seafood to be cooked to order, look in through glass at fishmongers preparing our fish in the 6-degree-cold dedicated filleting room.
Panko-crumbed, Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and sparkling water battered, grilled dry or in garlic butter, fish is available either solo or in a family pack. Oysters are shucked daily, joining a diverse menu of ‘everything seafood’ created by Longboards’ Head Chef Laurence Bowers: fish burgers, tender calamari, prawns, fish cakes and scallops, with greenery added by fresh salads. Popcorn shrimp po’ boy gives us the fusion cuisine of the Orient, France and the Deep South served in a brioche bun with avo, Kewpie mayo and sirracha ($13.90); a similar presentation to the Softshell crab burger ($16.90).
Salmon, whiting and swordfish were all on offer on the day we visited, the fish of the day being local snapper.
There’s a separate Shak Espresso window facing out to the Broadwater and rock pools that serves coffee, cold drinks, ice creams and snacks, streamlining the sometimes busy service. Uncooked seafood is also available for purchase.
Pitched at just the right market level – casual, fresh and vibrant, Fish Shak’s great food and efficient service make for great family dining.
While we sit inside to eat, gobbling down our catch while it’s hot, you could also take your drinks and meal down to the water’s edge and dangle your feet in the sand.
Fresh seafood with a view? There’s nothing better!
Broadwater Parklands, 56 Marine Parade, Southport Ph: 07 5532 0109
Open: Mon – Sun 11am – 8pm