FOOD REVIEW: The Kiosk, at Newcastle Beach

Arriving on the scene in late October and just in time for the warm weather is the Kiosk at Newcastle Beach. 

OK, so there’s always been a kiosk at the beach, but this isn’t your average takeaway shop. It’s been transformed by the kitchen team from Moor along with their partners and another couple; it’s a team effort.

These days you’ll find green bowls sitting alongside fat juicy beef burgers, kombucha next to a vanilla milkshake and great coffee to wash down your bacon and egg roll. 

The blackboard menu is divided into two: cafe (6am to 2pm) and kiosk (11am til sunset). The cafe term is applied loosely. While there has been a bench with seats installed (offering top views of the beach), this is a very relaxed affair and all ordering is done in the same place for ‘eat in’ or takeaway. 

You can start your day with a melt-in-your-mouth bacon and egg roll. Freshly sizzled bacon and egg sits on a sweet brioche bun with melted cheese and sauce. Perfect. Or try one of the toasties on offer, served on thick white bread: double smoked ham and cheese with rocket and relish; piripiri chicken with spinach, cheese, paprika and mayo; or the three cheese and chutney option that just oozes into your mouth. 

If you want something a little lighter, you could opt for a Greenroom bowl. There’s the ‘superfood’ with acai, berries, banana, coconut and toasted muesli; a ‘sunrise’ with granola, fruit, almond milk, chia and agave; or a ‘yogi’ bowl with quinoa, tomatoes, greens, sprouts, avocado, carrot, seeds and kale pesto. It’s fresh and light, but surprisingly filling. A tahini dressing gives a zing, but watch out – that tasty kale pesto is a garlicky way to start the day. 

The Marvell Street coffee is pretty good and can hold its own against any cafe. The Golden Goodness smoothie however, with avocado, banana, oats, honey, almond milk and tumeric, is gluggy and odd tasting due to the avocado, which would probably work better in a cacao-flavoured version. 

If you’re around at lunchtime, it’s traditional all the way. A selection of burgers take on familiar names: think the Cowrie Hole (classic), King Eddy (works), Shark Ally (fish, chilli and slaw), Wounded Gull (chicken schnitzel, lettuce, tomato and mango chutney) and the Bogey Hole (a wrap with falafel, yoghurt, harissa, tomato and lettuce). 

If you’ve got a big hole to fill, try the King Eddy. On the same sweet toasted bun as the bacon and egg roll, it has a thick juicy wagyu pattie, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce and plenty of mustard. It’s fresh and good quality and not overly oily. 

Of course there are also fish and chips and they are of the beach-lunch-worthy variety. The battered fillet is thick, firm and moist. The chips are chunky and cooked well, no soggy specimens here. Try some crumbed calamari or a tub of Tabasco-battered scallops which come with a bite of heat. 

The food is made to order – it’s fresh and firm. It hasn’t been sitting in a bain-marie for a couple of hours. This busy little kiosk still gives due diligence to the beach essentials – they’ve just added a modern flair to brighten your plate.