Lousy Food Banished

Main Beach Carpark, Beach Road, Goolwa Beach

Nestled behind Goolwa’s sand dunes, Kuti Shack is a small but mighty eatery, punching well above its weight in fresh seafood, big flavours, and warm hospitality. Waterfront dining with a relaxed vibe? Check. Top-notch service? Check. Food so good you’ll consider moving closer just to eat here more often? Also check.

This place had been on my foodie bucket list since day one, and I have no excuse for why it took me this long to visit – other than sheer incompetence. We rocked up on a god-awfully windy day, but once we were tucked into a cozy beach-view corner, I forgot all about the weather. The team greeted us promptly, and despite the bustling atmosphere, the service was attentive and friendly – glasses stayed full, plates arrived at a perfect pace, and the staff somehow managed to balance efficiency with that laid-back, coastal charm.

The Feast: A Seafood Lover’s Dream

As someone who hates committing to just one dish, the decision was easy: Feed Me menu, please and thank you. Almost every dish showcased locally caught seafood, and every bite had me questioning why I don’t eat like this every day.

Starters:

• Kingfish Sashimi – Thinly sliced and dressed with pickled shallots and yuzu vinaigrette, this dish was delicate yet packed with punchy, fresh flavours. The kind of starter that makes you immediately regret having to share.

• Tempura Oysters – Now this was a revelation. Oysters in tempura form? Crispy, briny, absolute genius. I’ll be attempting these at home, but lets be honest- there’s no way I’ll pull it off this well.

• Anchovy Soldiers – I’ll admit, anchovies and i have never been best mates, but these? Served on a crisp focaccia-style base with creamy egg and jam, they were next-level good. Who knew anchovies just needed a glow-up?

• Caponata with Sourdough & Cashew Cream – A surprising addition to a seafood-heavy menu. For those unfamiliar, caponata is a Sicilian eggplant dish with a sweet-and-sour tang, and while unexpected, it worked well as palate refresher.

Main Course:

• Prawn Linguine – This dish felt like an ode to Australia, with warrigal greens, saltbush, lemon butter, and a cheeky hit of chilli, all topped with a generous snowfall of Parmesan. Creamy, salty, buttery – basically comfort food that still feels fancy.

Dessert:

• Tiramisu – Served in heavy crystal whiskey glasses, because apparently, Kuti Shack doesn’t do things by halves. Light, rich, and dangerously easy to inhale, this tiramisu was the perfect way to finish the meal – assuming you still have room (spoiler: I did).

Final Verdict:

Would i come back? Hell yes. Between its seasonally changing menu, stunning location, and service that makes you feel like a local, Kuti Shack is easily one of the best seafood spots I’ve visited. If you haven’t been yet, do yourself a favour and fix that mistake immediately.

And if you ever spot Kuti Shack’s pop-up stalls at food festivals and fairs, don’t walk-run-to order their Xo Pipis. Its their signature dish, featuring Goolwa Pipis tossed in butter, fresh herbs and Xo sauce, and trust me, its the kind of meal that’ll have you staring at the empty plate, contemplating whether ordering a second round is socially acceptable (it is).