King Tide Cafe

friendly counter, excellent food: we had various oysters and fish and chips, coffee and smoothies. and an idyllic location on a sunny day, overlooking the water. great place.

The Prince of Tides dad is aptly named for he serves up a king-​size tidal wave of tumultuous service, seating and seafood. Reservations here are about as solid as a sandcastle on a beach as the king tide rolls in to crash against it.
Having reserved 2 tables for a total of 16 people we were accosted by a procession of toolshops turning up and thinking the table was theirs. Literally 3 full groups wanted one of our reserved tables, despite our name being on the reservation card, in full view. Having to find people their tables wasn’t on my menu for the day, but I did it anyways — I won’t hold daft customers against King Tide, that ain’t their problem.
We all ordered different things at different times, so things came out higgledy-​piggledy — Again, I can’t fault King Tide here, we probably should have gone up all at once.
(Big Tip: There is a bistro style table service in effect here. What this means is that you go to the counter, order and pay, and are then given a number on a stand. One of the staff then brings your order over when it is ready.)
Where I *can* fault King Tide is on the seafood platter for 2 (The hot and cold for $ 120). First off it’s a $ 120 spend at what is tantamount to a fish and chip shop by a marina, replete with seagulls, plastic chairs, and a view of water and rundown ships. The platter comes with fresh prawns, lobster tail, oysters, smoked salmon, and an array of fried seafood items (plus dipping sauces), and chips.
It all sounds good till you try the food. My first item was the lobster tail. I’ve had really good lobster in Halifax, so I’m well versed in the fare. I took half and began to remove it from its shelled home. Unfortunately I could tell before I even tasted it that it was dry (overcooked) and somewhat rubbery (a symptom of frozen seafood). The flavour itself was fine (nothing exceptional) but it lacked wow factor. There was no buttery sweet goodness… It was dry.
The fresh prawns were next, and these were the best thing on the platter. Still in their complete shell you will have to de-​vein them as you peel and prepare them for your word hole.
I’m not the biggest oyster fan, but I tried one and found it far too briney to bother going back for a second. Even with the addition of lemon juice the salt water taste was overpowering. It’s not a flavour that screams «try me again!».
The smoked salmon (not the kind you buy at a deli, though the taste is similar) was also very dry. The flavour was very good and I had a few pieces but the dryness killed it for me.
The fried stuff was all pretty good. Clearly this is where King Tide can claim expertise. The calamari was al dente, the fish nicely fried, and the chips crunchy and fluffy. The crab leg was a nice surprise too.
Overall I found the platter to be way too expensive for what you are actually getting, and the skill of cooking employed. It was average, nothing stood out as exceptional. I will note however that 3 of us shared the platter, and it was enough for the 3 (we did have cake afterwards so maybe everyone was saving themselves for that).
Whilst the spot itself is quite nice and the staff friendly enough, the food doesn’t deliver on expectations. I would come here again but would probably stick to the standard fish and chips next time, because I’d be knowing what I was getting and be happy to have it.

Beautiful breakfast!
Perfect picturesque location on the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn.
Home smoked salmon with poached eggs. Yum!
Great coffee.