The Fish House

Fish and seafood, unsurprisingly, are the main reasons for coming here - the surprising part is that they are left to speak entirely for themselves. Simplicity, purity and freshness are evident in every beautifully plated dish, with olive oil, lemon, butter and herbs often the only sauces. Wooden tables are set with quality linen and cutlery; the window tables, practically oceanfront, are the ones to snare. Submit to fat chargrilled octopus, or meaty roasted eagle ray, which arrives, skin upright like a sail, in a salty, burnt-butter puddle dotted with tiny capers. Or an entire baby snapper sweet-fleshed with a dollop of creamy tartare sauce. It's all impeccable, as is the ever-attentive service, with a light jazzy soundtrack providing a relaxed background. Desserts are the playful - there's a 'spider' plus 'My Mum's Caramel Slice' - and the stunning rhubarb and strawberry crumble-warm pureed fruits topped by the most buttery pastry crumbs; sheer heaven. Lucky Burleigh Heads!