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 six to net your catch next Friday:
Expect stunning views of Port Phillip Bay at any time of the year at Beachcomber Café on Jacka Boulevard in St Kilda. Located in the Sea Baths Complex, this beachfront restaurant boasts a spacious indoor dining area along with alfresco dining by the beach for sunny Melbourne days, best spent with family and friends.
From great breakfast options to leisurely lunches and romantic dinners, there is something here for everyone – think fresh fish and seafood options along with pizza, salads and cheeky cocktails. Dive right in with grilled prawns, hummus and lemon; before netting a classic serve of beer-battered rockling, garden salad and tartar sauce.
Those seeking a local live music and dive bar in the heart of Ripponlea with a beautiful beer garden at the back, head down Glen Eira Road to find Lyrebird Lounge. On balmy Melbourne nights chill out under trailing vines with a cheeky cocktail in hand as you catch up with friends over a bite to eat, or head indoors and toe tap to the latest music on offer in rustic surrounds of polished concrete, vibrant artwork and moody lighting.
Get your Friday evening started with crispy fried calamari and a mixed salad, or fried chicken wings and BBQ sauce, then cast your net over mains such as battered fresh fish and chips, or pick up a slice of wood-fired pizza topped with Napoli, ham, salami, pork sausage, mozzarella and BBQ sauce.
Celebrate exceptional seafood at Adelaide’s Fish Out of Water on King William Road in Hyde Park. Fish and chips equal pure happiness at this fun eatery where blue leather banquette seating, red stools and cosy tables nestle under a mural of an octopus and tantalising aromas waft from the kitchen.
The finest tasting food begins with fresh ingredients; think fish such as char-grilled Atlantic salmon and housemade mustard dill sauce, or crumbed King George Whiting, with chips and salad; while burger lovers opt for a battered butterfish fillet burger, with tomato, crispy lettuce and tartar, on a ciabatta roll.
Take a trip down to Toronto’s waterfront for a meal at Tinto Espresso Bar, a lively neighbourhood café perched by the edge of Lake Macquarie. In balmy weather, the alfresco area is the place to be, soaking up sunshine over drinks with friends and lingering for brunch, or retreating inside on cool days for a warm hot chocolate and meal.
Named after the Colombian word for coffee, Tinto takes pride in hand-roasting aromatic beans to tantalise the senses, available alongside gourmet dishes crafted from local produce; crispy beer battered flathead fillets, fresh garden salad, chips, lemon and tartar tempt as an ideal Friday meal or devour a seafood medley of fish, salt and pepper squid and Panko prawns.
Enjoy an authentic dining experience with all the flavours of Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Wollongong at Litani’s restaurant on Corrimal Street. This family-owned and operated dining destination projects a charming, homely vibe ideal for families and friends to catch up over a coffee, midweek lunch or Friday fish and chips.
Relax street side with a brew and bite or head indoors to find a vibe of exposed brick, twinkling fairy lights, wine barrels and Greek statues; there are always great lunch specials like beer-battered flathead with a garden salad, chips and tartar, or reel in a plate of pan-fried salmon, with creamy dill sauce and seasonal vegetables.
Ocean and Paddock on Middleton Road in Albany is the humble Aussie fish and chip shop re-imagined offering a daily changing seasonal menu showcasing the best local, sustainable produce. You can’t miss the bright blue façade giving way to a shabby chic interior vibe of blue and white tiled floors, recycled timber tables and whitewashed walls, covered in an eclectic mix of artwork; settle in to check out a menu voted Western Australia’s Best Fish and Chips, along with three WA Fisheries Industry Council Awards.
Perhaps share a fisherman’s basket for two with fish, squid, prawns and chips, or throw your net over the catch of the day such as Albany hammerhead shark and nannygai, with sweet potato wedges.
