Menu, prices, waits and water views: First review of Tarte Beach House Currumbin

The Bulletin has reviewed Currumbin Beach’s newest venue, Tarte Beach House. Check out the full review of the food, prices and atmosphere

Anchored on the Currumbin Creek bank, it looks like the kind of location that couldn’t fail.

Surely any venue could coast on that blue view alone.

Yet – hamstrung by behind-the-scenes landlord drama – a succession of operators have struggled to stay afloat on the prime hospo site at 2-4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin.

It’s taken the owner of cult Burleigh cafe Tarte Chloe Watts to turn the tide.

In reality it was more of a tsunami when two-in-one venue Tarte Beach House opened last week.

While early online comments paint a picture of a venue choked by its own hype – from horror wait times to cold coffee – the team seem to be finding their feet when I visit a week later.

The venue – divided into a licensed counter-service restaurant and a more casual takeaway cafe with picnic tables – is so fresh two tradies are still plugging away with power tools.

Wander in and claim a waterfront picnic table in the more casual takeaway side of Tarte Beach House.

Not ideal in the middle of lunch service, but you can’t argue with the aesthetic.

Hamptons meets Parisian sidewalk cafe, it’s a trove of beautiful things, from the umbrellas that once fluttered in France to the pitchers perched on marble tables.

The walk-in only policy could be awkward for groups in peak periods, but we were led straight to a table for two when we visited on Thursday.

The split-level setup means most diners have a view of the water.

Split-level dining in the restaurant means almost every table has a water view. Picture: Glenn Campbell

There’s not a lot of elbow room in the lower section and an outside table is probably a better choice if you’re conscious of noise.

For the prices I’d prefer table service, but the chore of counter ordering is softened by the sweetest service from staff who take the time to engage with diners.

Our meals all arrive in under 20 minutes, albeit a few minutes apart.

The lobster “roll” is the most expensive dish at $38.90

A generous portion of sweet Australian southern rock lobster is served in the Connecticut style – warm and absolutely swimming in butter. So good.

Lobster? YES! Roll, no. But the butter content ensures the most expensive dish on Tarte’s menu is still a winner.

While it provides a plating point of difference, the toasted brioche that sandwiches it falls flat.

I’d rather a soft roll or bun to play off the crunch of its celery, chives and lettuce lining.

The all-day restaurant menu also includes wagyu steak and frites ($29.90), crab linguine ($34.90), a soft-shelled crab burger ($26.90), chicken sandwich ($19.90) and a vegetable medley $24.90).

For a bakery-based business, there are a good number of gluten-free options.

Chilli eggs ($22.90), roti canai ($18.90) avo toast ($16.90), pea fritters ($18.90) and a stacked salmon bagel ($21.90) feature on the breakfast portion.

Beef rendang on grilled roti is Tarte Beach House’s satisfying twist on a taco.

Slow-cooked housemade beef rendang ($22.90) is piled on grilled roti with a tangle of pickled red cabbage in a satisfying take on tacos.

An intriguing refreshment list sprawls from cocktails (I can see the Friesling, a frozen blend of riesling, vodka and lychees, becoming a summer staple) to drinks that could double as dessert.

The hot chocolate is Paris in a dainty duck-egg cup – a thick head of toasted marshmallow on a ridiculously rich triple-mix melted chocolate.

The Paris hot chocolate is so rich it might be illegal or try a cute shot of creme brulee.

The creme brulee – its custard based served unset so it can be sipped rather than spooned – hides a silky shot of vanilla underneath its torched cap.

While I’ll let the team bed in before I battle the masses for a seat in the restaurant on a weekend, I’d call in to its picnic portion for a fudgy, sea-salt sprinkled chocolate cookie any day of the week.

TARTE BEACH HOUSE

2- 4 Thrower Drive, Currumbin

Open daily 6.30am – 3pm

Walk-in only