Tidal River General Store & Take Away

Erratic service & quality re the hot food. For example, the signage this week (January 2026) advertised burgers until 7pm & we planned our traditional takeaway dinner for the last night camping; arrived at 6pm to be told burgers finished at 6pm & only fried food is for sale. The hot chips were pretty good; fried fish was awful (batter was thick & overcooked, fish was gluggy, had been sitting in the bain marie for a while). On the other hand, the selection of drinks was pretty good for our tastes (multiple sugar free options including kombucha). Ten years ago the food here was lovely and we often skipped cooking during a visit so we could have burgers and relax/shelter from the wind in the dining room; the current state is so sad in comparison & I hope to see the quality and relaxed vibe return. The general store has obviously had its stock reduced by half from previous years; we didn’t shop the groceries so can’t comment on the selection, but it does make me wonder if we can rely on the store to supplement our packed groceries like we have in the past. The souvenir selection made us raise our eyebrows. We typically get something every trip. This year pickings were slim & frankly mostly ugly. The plush wombats look like a different species to the ones at the prom. The souvenir shirts look like AI art of a generic kids story book with no connection to the Prom. The kids scavenger hunt book also looks like garish AI art. The hat pins with various colourful scenes from the prom were the only thing that seemed worth having as a memento.

Been coming here for many many years with family and friends this year has been the worst by far. From the actual booking site and almost missing out cause the site can’t cope to the general store with terrible food for what they charge is a disgrace.store closes at 4pm now. we used to get fish and chips for dinner a few nights a week when we used to stay here eat down on the beach those days are long gone now. After all that you walk around the campsites and for a place that is supposed to be fully booked there are atleast 100 sites still free not being used absolutel joke.

Update: Bring cash with you, they are in a remote location. Buy: Alcohol, Smokes and Petrol at Yanakie General Store, as it's not sold at Tidal River. Edit: General Store will be under new management in November 2025. Coffee $6.50 - one size, with one shot. Extra charge for Almond & Soy milk. (I prefer 2 shots). Oasis products now in stock. Incl: salads, breads baked daily, cakes, variety of gluten free snacks and lollies. Fried food (salt and vinegar located on counter for your convenience) & burgers, all made to order, salads - Fruit salad. Salads also vary at times. A variety of rolls, falafel wraps, focaccias (made daily), Fruit - banana, apple, orange, lemon. Limited vegies tomato, cucumber, potatoes & onions. Cold drinks, Nippy flavoured milk, souvenirs may vary at times. Maps (all online now), ice, gas swap. Queues and wait times can be long, (the staff are helpful and friendly) but the food is worth the wait.

Best calamari rings I had! Very fresh and tasty! Quite stocked up and staff are friendly. But beware of the seagulls waiting for you outside when you are having your lunch, especially your chips 🍟

Coffee was good. No lactose free milk available so I had oat. The milk was steamed to volcanic so I waited 5 mins before I could drink it. Croissant was excellent. Great selection of healthy and fried food options.

Don't generally give poor review but almost $30 for a cup of tea, small coffee and 2 scalding hot pies is extortion even out here. Then there's the dining room with a 3pm shut note on the windows...2.20 pm whilst trying to consume scalding food along with several other tables asked to exit so they could pack up 🤔 really? Could have easily told us that 5 minutes earlier at the counter and given those eating small time to finish lunch . You can do better !

It doesn't look very big at first glance from the outside but it's actually quite big inside, had more items than I initially expected, especially considering its location. In addition to your everyday groceries, they also have souvenirs, clothing, toys, souvenirs, hot and cold cafe style food, some hiking and camping equipment. Friendly staff.

I miss the old shop. The shop where they made you a triple scoop ice cream or a milkshake. The shop where you could find 30 different magazines, and 4 or 5 newspapers. The shop where you could refuel your car. The shop that sold fresh fruit and vegetables. And every type of camping item. It used to be an entire supermarket, ice creamery and takeaway food store. You could also feed the rosellas. At least we have our memories.