Wild Orchid is Tathra’s it-cafe. Across the road from the town’s beautiful white sand beach, it employs sandy blonde wood and fishing basket lights to create a natural yet minimalist space. It’s well-patronised during daylight hours, with coffee service kicking off just as pale yellow light paints the outdoor umbrellas golden. Wild Rye's coffee beans, roasted down the road in Pambula goes alright in a cappuccino ($4.50) or a double shot flat white ($5). There’s also a good range of alternatives—from almond smoothies to chai and freshly squeezed apple, carrot, ginger and orange juice ($9)—to tide early risers over until 7.30am when you can order food.
To my palate the menu—which tends toward healthy, simple food—performs better at lunch than breakfast. A pair of “Korean” pork skewers ($24) sit on lightly seasoned white rice and undressed wombok under sticky Korean chilli sauce, sesame seeds and an apple and cucumber pickle. Earlier in the day, “Turkish” eggs ($18) sit on dill yoghurt with chilli butter, flatbread and a dusting of dukkah. Bacon ($3) makes them more substantial. You can also add it to sourdough toast ($7.50) and not quite set fried eggs ($3/each) to build your own breakfast. The locals clearly love this venue, and are all greeted by name at the counter.
