Many say fish and chips are just for summer, but we believe the golden, crunchy, ocean morsels are good any time of the year, especially the colder months when comfort food cravings are in their prime.
From relieving the golden days of running down to the local shop barefoot to pick up your order in paper parcels, to enjoying them by the beach or in a restaurant, Australia knows fish and chips. We scoured the harbour city to reel in the shops selling the best fish and chips.
Fish Butchery
Paddington
Josh Niland is anything but ordinary, so don’t expect his fish and chips to be ordinary. Known for his innovative head to tail philosophy, Niland’s fish and chips are definitely one to add to the bucket list. His fish options are always changing, depending on what’s available that day, but the one constant is the flavour and quality. One day he might have a batter-fried Wollongong pink ling, with chips and yoghurt tartare sauce, the next day he might have buttermilk fried dory. It’s always a surprise when walking into Fish Butchery. His fish and chips are around $20 and $14 for kids size.
Fich Sustainable Fish and Chips
Petersham
This fish and chip shop is hailed by two former Bennelong chefs, so you know it’s going to be good. Available in snack-sized $10 packs, or as a dine-in meal for $15. Expect crunchy, golden, flakes of Ling served with hot, starchy chips. Their sustainable mindset has also earned them a loyal fan following, and we bet it will draw you in too.
North Bondi Fish
Bondi
Matt Moran knows good food, and his fish and chips at North Bondi Fish are no different. Although it’s a little pricier than most at $32, diners can expect a large plate of crunchy chips, and flaky fish blanketed by a crispy, golden batter served with homemade tartare sauce. Well worth the price tag. The view is also spectacular and brings new meaning to fish and chips by the beach.
Fish Shop
Bondi
Fish Shop is the new kid on the block, but they’re already taking over the Bondi dining scene as one of the best seafood destinations. While their Ocean trout is a standout and the calamari is to die for, their fish and chips are also a knockout. The best part, you can order them to go. As for the specifics, well, firstly, the fish is fresh, and the batter is fried to perfection—to the point it blisters and crackles. Then, hiding under the two sea cows, are a stack of thin-cut chips, served with lemon and tartare sauce.
Fin Fine Fish and Chips
St Leonards
This unassuming little fish and chip shop is slinging some of the best fish and chips in Sydney, and it seems as though not many know about it. Inside, you’ll find tables and chairs, decked out with rustic wood to remind you of the coast, even though they’re in the middle of a small urban area. For $16.50 you can get a giant piece of perfectly battered fish, with chips and mushy peas. It comes in a paper carton, with grease paper underneath, and people love it. They also have a grilled fish and chip option which is just as tasty, if not more. Their secret seasonings are what make it stand out. You can also self-serve little pots of vinegar for the chips, or try a few of their homemade sauces and go wild.
Bottom of the Harbour
Mosman
Located right by Balmoral Beach, Bottom of the Harbour is a fish and chip shop that’s been around for a long time, and they’re still consistently serving some of the crunchiest fish and chips in Sydney. Their fish is all Marine Stewardship Council approved, so have peace of mind that it’s sustainable. Their preference is New Zealand hake, battered to order, with a side of vinegar for that extra hit of flavour.
The Boathouse Balmoral Beach
Mosman
The Boathouse in Balmoral is on the water and packed with locals, hanging out on a Saturday morning, or munching on seafood at lunch. While you will find a lot of tasty options on the menu, opt-in for the fish and chips, either burger style or traditional. The fish is beer-battered and flaky inside, but it’s the chips that shine here. Think thick-cut, crunchy golden starchy fingers, soft on the inside, and sprinkled with a little seasoning—yum! Pair that with a housemade tartare sauce, and you have a good option for lunch with a view.
The Collaroy
Pittwater
Set right on the beach, this friendly local pub is a great spot to dig into some fish and chips. Like most, their fish is flaky, and beer-battered, served with a side of chips and tartare sauce. What makes this a popular spot is a location, views, and overall vibe of the place. Not to mention, the fish and chips are delicious. For $29, it’s a good option, worthy of a spot on the best fish and chips list.
Sea Cow
Paddington
Paddington has made a name for itself in the fish and chip world, and Sea Cow is its institution. They serve up the same fish and chips every time because you don’t mess with perfection. Choose from, hake, bream, or flathead, and pair it with a few different sauces from tartare to chilli jam, and squid sauce. It’s a little shop, but you can BYO and they have bottles of vinegar on every table, so there’s no limit.
The Newport
Newport
Fish and chips are synonymous with beach views, and it doesn’t get any better than The Newport. Home to a range of dining and drinking options, diners spend summer afternoons sipping on Aperol spritzes and long work lunches, digging into seafood. If you wander over to The Shack, you will find $29 fish and chips up for grabs. Here, the fish and chips are classic. Simple beer-battered and fried fish served with a mountain of crispy, golden chips, a lemon wedge and tartare sauce. If you’re looking for good fish and chips by the water, then this is it.
Out of The Blue
Clovelly
This fish and chip shop has a French twist. Mostly known for their deep-fried mars bar, and chicken sandwiches, Out of The Blue, also serves a classic Australian fish and chips, that comes with a side of OTB garlic mayo. We suggest getting the mayo because it’s not to be missed. The family-run business is a hit amongst the locals and draws in a line-up of visitors all the time. It’s also right by the beach, so what are you waiting for?
Costi’s
Multiple locations
Costi’s fish and chips are a classic. It’s one of those places that you need to try and will fall in love with. Regardless of which location you go to, their fish and chips are always a crowd-pleaser. At a very affordable, $8.90 you can get a box of beer-battered New Zealand Hoki, with salad and chips, or brown rice. They also do a crumbed calamari rings that are a great side to your box of fish and chips.
The Nielsen
Vaucluse
Located in Sydney’s boujee neighbourhood, also known as Vaucluse, is The Nielsen, a waterfront restaurant that’s been serving fish and chips in cones since the days before the celebrities moved in. Although now it comes on a plate, the fish and chips at The Nielsen are a decent serving, made even more desirable by the view. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the food.
Note: The Nielsen is currently closed apart from events and weddings, however, you can still get fish and chips from the kiosk.
Fat Fish
Annandale
Three generations of fish and chip makers have been at Fat Fish, so expect perfection here. After all, they’ve had a long time to get it down to a science. Get it to go, and enjoy your perfect fish and chips in the park, the nearest beach or in the comfort of your own home.
Mohr Fish
Surry Hills
Mohr Fish has ruled the fish and chip territory in Surry Hills since 1992. Today, they’re still serving the takeaway classic, and they’re serving it well. Expect crispy beer battered fish with equally crunchy chips. Although they have a menu full of great seafood options, you would miss out if you didn’t try the fish and chips for an old school shop such as Mohr Fish.
Love Fish
Barangaroo
Love Fish is passionate about sustainability which is why they use biodegradable packaging and locally sourced seafood. As for the taste, their fish nails the batter to fillet ratio, and the chips are crunchy. They also have a crumbed fish burger on the menu that’s always a hit, and the calamari rings are a crowd-pleaser any day of the week.
Sydney Fish Market
Pyrmont
No fish and chip list is complete without the Sydney Fish Market— a Sydney dweller’s right of passage. Every year, around the holidays, the fish markets are packed with people picking up fresh prawns, fish, and lobster for Christmas lunch. Every other day, you can usually walk right in and pick up a box of fish and chips to enjoy outside or at a nearby beach. It’s a classic, and one to experience in a lifetime.
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