Oh, My Cod – 5 Places to Net Friday Fish and Chips!

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 next Friday:

Splash Seafood Restaurant on the Esplanade in Cairns is the perfect place to enjoy the delightful marine cuisine of Tropical North Queensland. Overlooking the Coral Sea, this dining destination delivers food for sailors at heart whether an easy family lunch, romantic dinner or group celebration – it’s time to make a splash!

 

Dine alfresco and soak up balmy breezes with a cocktail in hand and dive right in with a starter of chowder with fish, prawns, potato, bacon, leek and crusty bread; then net a main like King threadfin with lemon butter sauce, rosemary roast potatoes and Parmesan green beans, or Szechuan barramundi, coconut and kaffir lime sauce, lemongrass rice, Asian greens and capsicum jam.

Omakase Kobayashi on Burnley Street in Richmond is a pop-up restaurant and catering service delivering an intimate and personalised dining experience. Chef Maro Kobayashi brings his expertise from both Japanese and Italian Michelin-starred restaurants to create cuisine with a touch of both cultures, made using fresh quality Australian ingredients.

 

Expect a 9-course menu with likes of slow-cooked abalone with sea urchin sauce, or nannygai, cabbage and lemon sauce to start; larger plates may present like white fish shabu shabu and dashi ponzu, along with crab and spinach chawanmushi and garfish bou-sushi with nori.

Fresh and tasty poké bowls made with love are on the menu at Fishwave Oxford on Oxford Street in Surry Hills. Take time out from retail therapy at Oxford Village Shopping Centre to refuel and recharge at this bright and breezy eatery, where trailing greenery, neon signage and blond wood furniture set the scene for building your own lunch from tantalising poké choices.

 

From a healthy, nutritious menu, think bowls such as salmon sashimi with coriander, carrot, cabbage, fresh chilli, shallots, cucumber, kale, seaweed salad, tobiko, spicy shoyu and chilli mayo; or devour crispy katsu chicken, beetroot, kale, cucumber, cabbage, carrot, edamame, spicy shoyu, crunchy shallots and chilli mayo. 

Soak up waterfront views and sea breezes at Rupert & Hound on Seaport Boulevard in Launceston. This seafood restaurant is committed to delivering simple, honest food created using the freshest, most sustainable produce with an emphasis on minimal waste and maximum flavour, from stunning surrounds where marina views blend seamlessly with creative cocktails and cuisine.

 

Take a seat on the deck to watch boats glide past, or indoors where full glass frontages bring the ocean to your table while pondering starters like grilled octopus, confit potato, roasted capsicum, garlic crumb, pickled onion and croutons; for the main throw your net over Atlantic salmon with tom yum broth, basmati rice, bok choy and charred lime, or locally sourced pan-seared fish with seasoned chips and house salad.

Take a trip back in time to find a classic old pub with great country food at the Bull & Barley Inn on Eton Street in Cambooya. Nestled in a quaint country town, enjoy good old-fashioned hospitality at this watering hole which has been restored to its former grandeur including comfortable accommodation.

 

Sit back on the open verandah and enjoy spectacular views across the Darling Downs, or head indoors and experience an authentic 1900s old-world atmosphere with displays of interesting historic photos; grab a cold one and devour starters like salt and pepper squid with lemon pepper and aioli, before grilled barramundi and chips, or crumbed hoki, lemon, tartar, salad and chips.