Pelican Rocks Cafe, Greenwell Point

A few weeks ago we had a night in Greenwell Point, a town of just 1,200 people in a fairly unknown part of the NSW South Coast.  After waking up in the caravan park we looked for somewhere to have breakfast.  Being in such a small town our expectations were low however, we were very pleasantly surprised.

Sandwich board outside the cafe

Sandwich board outside the cafe

Pelican Rocks Cafe is a very short stroll from where we stayed at Angler’s Rest.  It is basically a takeaway fish and chip shop that has an ‘out-the-back’ dining area so is also a cafe.  The business certainly looks very ordinary and unassuming from the outside, (and even from the interior), however, what impresses you immediately is the friendliness of the owner and his staff, and how you’re greeted like you’re part of the family.

Pelican Rocks Cafe

Pelican Rocks Cafe

The owner’s parents bought the property when he was just a few days old and a few years ago he took it over and began a takeaway business specialising in fish and chips.  But it is so much more than fish and chips as this is quality seafood cooked expertly.  The business has a regular trade of people from Sydney who have discovered this hidden gem who drive the two hours it takes to get there to have lunch, then turn around and head back to Sydney.

Cafe

Cafe

The owner even told us about an elderly lady from Sydney who for many years took all her children and grandchildren to lunch on her birthday at Sydney’s iconic and very expensive and well-known seafood restaurant.  However, having accidentally found this very unassuming cafe, she now brings her family down to Greenwell Point where they stay for two nights in the motel across the road, and celebrate her birthday with a seafood lunch at the cafe.  The weekend away with accommodation and lunch ends up costing less than having lunch in the iconic seafood restaurant in Sydney.

New outdoor dining area

New outdoor dining area

But sadly, we weren’t there for the seafood lunch, we were there for breakfast.  We sat in the newly extended outdoor courtyard of the cafe that is pet friendly.  Due to the overcast weather there weren’t many people in the cafe that morning however, the owner told us that normally, the cafe is bursting at the seams and definitely, if wanting to come for the seafood lunch, you need to book.

Cafe dining area

Cafe dining area

Breakfast is available until noon and the menu has everything you would expect.  Service is speedy and all the portions, generous.  The little guy started with an iced chocolate that when presented, reminded me of a step-back in time; like a nostalgic touch from a retro milk bar.

Iced chocolate: $6.00

Iced chocolate: $6.00

I had a hot chocolate that was so good I was thinking how wonderful it is when you come across a place that far outweighs your expectations.

Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate

Alfie ordered the Belgian waffles with mixed berries, maple syrup and ice cream however, with eyes bigger than his stomach and a strong urge for a sugar fix, he asked for chocolate topping as well.  It arrived piled up to the sky with plenty of ice cream and topping and a bowl of berries and cream.

Belgian waffles: $13.00

Belgian waffles: $13.00

I ordered the Eggs Benedict with bacon.  It was well presented, the poached eggs were runny and there was plenty of hollandaise sauce.  The amount of bacon was also overly generous and was shared around the table with little Rosie also enjoying a bacon breakfast as well.

Eggs Benedict with bacon: $17.00

Eggs Benedict with bacon: $17.00

Drew ordered the Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon.  He complimented the owner on what a wonderful breakfast it was and what a delightful surprise it was to find such a great cafe in such a tiny, off-the-map town.

Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon: $17.00

Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon: $17.00

Next thing the owner brought to the table a complimentary plate of his very famous crumbed calamari.  He said we couldn’t go back to Sydney without trying it.  It is very well known for being extremely tender and the owner said that is because he employs girls from the local high school to come to the cafe after school where, with their fingernails, they peel the transparent outer layer from the calamari.  He said it’s very time-consuming but makes a world of difference as to how tender the calamari is.

Calamari with aioli

Calamari with aioli

Drew and Alfie tried the calamari that was dipped in a homemade aioli and wedges of lemon.  They both agreed it was the best and most tender calamari they had ever eaten.  There were big regrets around the table that we couldn’t stay in Greenwell Point long enough to experience the seafood lunch.

The public swimming pool is directly across the road

The public swimming pool is directly across the road

Pelican Rocks Cafe is a classic small-town Aussie cafe that serves food at a standard over and above its humble setting.  Service is friendly, servings are generous and the prices very reasonable.  The cafe is also licensed with a limited range of beers and wines on offer.

Outdoor dining

Outdoor dining

Very definitely, we have a plan to return to the Pelican Rocks Cafe to experience the seafood lunch – and following the owner’s advice, we will be sure to book.

Verdict:  A wonderful surprise

Takeaway section

Takeaway section

Pelican Rocks Cafe:  115 Greenwell Point Road, Greenwell Point, NSW

Ph:  (02) 4447 1471

Comments

  1. It’s always a joy to find a new food treasure, isn’t it? Those eggs Benny looked delicious.

  2. So many great dishes … love the calamari but the eggs benny with bacon or smoked salmon are tempting too. And the waffles. Wow!!

  3. So fun to find little gems like this especially when your expectations were quite low to start. Those eggs bene both look so delicious!

  4. I love it when you find an unexpected jam!! YAY! I might stop in on my way to Sydney in October 🙂 Liz xx

  5. I think those breakfasts look incredibly tasty and certain generously portioned! How nice that you How lovely that it came as such a surprise, Charlie. I love seeing a family relax together and enjoy new surroundings. Lovely time, I’m sure!

  6. those waffles!!! What a meal 🙂 Love finding a hidden gem. I often go into places with low expectations, and am then pleasantly surprised.

  7. What a glorious find!!! If that doesn’t put some weight on Alfie, I don’t know what will 😉

  8. Don’t you love when you discover places like this? Great review of what sounds like an all-around outstanding place. Great food and great service are what diners seek. And you got both.

  9. What generous servings they are, & I love the sound of tender calamari – I’ve always thought of that as a contradiction! How clever to employ the local high school girls and make good use of their long fingernails!

  10. Hi Charlie, sounds like a wonderful place, love surprises like this.

  11. Great find – I don’t eat fish but was having a discussion about fish and chip shops with friends who were espousing the superiority of the ones that have fresh fish and how it is worth paying a little more. But for me I would devour Alfie’s s pile of waffles

  12. What a great discovery and like you say, a wonderful surprise. I’m glad you reviewed them. It sounds like they have plenty of custom but it’s always nice when you can highlight and reward these sorts of places.

  13. WOW.
    What a pleasant, lovely surprise.
    And the presentation! WOW.
    I just looooooooove the details!
    You hit the jack pot. x

  14. I love finding surprising places like this! Sounds like a delicious breakfast.

  15. Pelican Rocks Cafe sure sounds like a gem, hope you have the opportunity to experience the seafood lunch soon.

  16. Love exploring new places like this one!

  17. What a lovely surprise! It’s great when you can have a perfectly cooked meal in an unassuming place!

  18. It’s the best isn’t it when you go in with low expectations and come away wonderfully surprised. You feel like you’ve found a real treasure – which you obviously did.

  19. How wonderful to find such a treasure!
    Have a wonderful week Charlie.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  20. I love that they gave you a little sample of their seafood. So sweet! Discovering places like this is what travelling is all about. I just love stumbling on an unassuming place that turns out to be spectacular. Cheers!

  21. Oh so glad there was something nice about your stay here Charlie and i am glad it was food. So good to be pleasantly surprised.

  22. That’s great that you found somewhere nice to eat. Well good food anyway. I don’t care much about decor I just want great food:)

  23. Calamari rings made from fresh calamari is a rare treat indeed! As you say, it’s always a pleasant surprise when your expectations are exceeded!

  24. Charlie, you deserved a wonderful surprise after all you’ve been through this year. So glad it turned out to be this!

  25. Eggs Benedict are just my absolute favorite if done right – those look RIGHT and even righteous! lol. I am so glad that you had a wonderful time and wishing you many many more!

  26. Sounds like a great find! If they served it at that hour, I’d have been tempted to order the seafood lunch! Why not? I eat breakfast for dinner all the time. No reason not to have dinner for breakfast. 🙂

  27. That is great to find such a gem in a small town. You have eaten a lot! All of the shown dishes look excellent & so inviting too! Yum!

  28. I love to find little restaurants like that that will surprise you with their friendliness and wonderful food. What a treat!

  29. What fun food! Down home casual, with love eggs Benedict, a personal favorite. But all of that seafood beckons.

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