Flavour Report with Derek Goforth: ‘Cheap and cheerful’ Cafe Aquarena knows its customers and serves them well

My flavour reports have taken me all over Geraldton, from upmarket bistro-style cafes to cooking my own gourmet steaks from Queens IGA. In a change of pace, it’s now taken me swimming. Geraldton Aquarena is a well-loved and well used resource in the city. At just $5 for kids entry it makes for a fun and cheap day out with the family. The cafe is what I would describe, in a nice way, as cheap and cheerful, but with a few trimmings and surprises. Myself and my eating partner opted for a cappuccino, strawberry milkshake and a big box of hot chips. At just $18 it made for a reasonable mid-afternoon feed. Cafe Aquarena’s menu is more extensive with homemade lasagne, apricot chicken and dozens of rolls and sandwiches also on offer. The service as always was quick and with a smile, the ladies really do offer great customer service and have the patience of a saint when dealing with some rather “excitable children”. The food and drinks were brought out to us within 10 minutes. For a little cafe in a swimming pool complex, their coffee is top notch. I don’t think I have ever had a bad coffee from the Aquarena cafe — smooth and full of flavour — just what I needed while supervising hyper children. The milkshake was packed with flavour and actually tasted of strawberries, which is not something many cafes manage in Geraldton. And the chips were exactly how they should be — hot, crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. For $7 for a box the portion size was more than generous. The Aquarena cafe is not upmarket, it’s not out to top any other business with its range of dishes or quality of ingredients (although it does a good job at home made dishes). It knows its customers and serves them very well. If you want a easy, cheap day out with all the family, the Aquarena is the place to go. If you want good quality, convenient and tasty food while you are there, the cafe is well worth a visit.