The tradition of buying and sharing paper-wrapped bundles of battered fish and fried chips is deep-rooted in Australian culture – for many, it is part of growing up and a Friday night institution.
Greek migrant Athanasias Comino is often credited with introducing the takeaway meal in Australia, opening our first fish and chip shop in 1879 on Sydney’s Oxford Street. Last year, there were an estimated more than 4000 fish and chips shops across the country.
Whether you are looking for a takeaway fix or to dine in at your favourite seafood restaurant, there is a fish and chip option to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are five to net your catch on Friday:
Sustainable, Quality Seafood
Quality, sustainability and community are what you’ll get on the plate at Out of the Blue on Clovelly Road in Coogee. This classic fish and chip café with a French twist attracts more and more diners each Summer as they discover the delectable fare on the menu after a swim at beautiful Clovelly Beach.
Join the lively buzz of conversation as you peruse a menu of gourmet burgers, seafood and salads, casting your net over sustainably sourced battered or grilled NZ hoki with chips, tartar sauce and housemade coleslaw, or a mixed salad.
Tasmanian Favourites on the Menu
Tasmanian favourites and international flavours meet at Dalton Café on Victoria Street in Ulverstone. This Devonport eatery exudes a charming vibe of concrete flooring, timber table settings, Edison bulb lighting and shelves stacked with produce; while on balmy days the alfresco dining area and deck beckon to soak up the sun with a coffee and slice of cake.
From café classics of chicken parmigiana and a seafood basket to pasta dishes, there is something to tempt all appetites from an ever-evolving menu; stop in for battered, crumbed or grilled flathead fillets, chips and salad to satisfy Friday fish and chip cravings.
Old School Fish & Chip Takeaway
Just a short stroll from Murrumbidgee golf course in the tranquil outskirts of Canberra is classic pizza and burger bar Little Theo’s. An interior decorated with furniture created from wooden pallets, along with polished concrete floors and trendy hanging lights, sets a relaxed vibe enjoyed by returning locals and hungry newcomers.
Owner Anthony Ferraro’s menu focuses on fresh fish, handmade potato scallops and award-winning burgers – throw out a line for battered, crumbed or grilled Blue Grenadier cooked to order, or devour a chilli fish burger with lettuce, tomato and housemade spicy mayo.
Fresh Seafood Dining Experience
Wheelers Seafood Restaurant offers a dining experience full of fresh seafood, swift service and serene views of Merimbula Lake, where their quality oysters are nurtured and grown. Wheelers carefully presents dishes with a signature touch of delicacy, reflected in the flavours of each meal and a seasonal menu showcasing local produce.
Specialties include tempura Queensland prawns, crispy noodle salad and sweet chilli sauce, then anchor your meal with beer-battered Lakes Entrance flathead, mixed leaf salad and tartar sauce, with gluten-free options available for those with dietary requirements.
Stroll Up From The Sand
Shoes are optional when starting your day with salt water, breakfast and a sunrise overlooking Forster’s Main Beach at Beach Bums Café on the corner of Beach and North Streets. Stroll up from the sand to replenish and recharge at this well-loved local café, where fabulous ocean views and friendly service complement a seasonal breakfast and lunch menu.
The lunch crowd dives into dishes like beer-battered fish or crumbed calamari, served with Asian-style slaw, crispy thick-cut chips, lemon and tartar sauce; or a grilled fish salad with baby potatoes, fennel, zucchini, asparagus and citrus dressing.
