Five to Try | Where to catch five of the best fish and chips in Adelaide and beyond
As any South Aussie will tell you, when it comes to delicious fish and chips, it’s what’s beneath the batter that matters. Here’s five you’ll want to visit.
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Fish and chips. A simple concept but a big subject often debated about where to find the best.
There’s no shortage of fryers bubbling the batter across Adelaide and beyond, from humble takeaway shops to top dining dens.
Here’s five worth catching …
Coorong Cafe
Locals and visitors to the Fleurieu Peninsula are hooked on this fish and chippery so get in line knowing it will be worth the wait. Parked at the Sugars Beach End of the island, with the mighty Murray for a backdrop, this bright blue van serves up richly flavoured Coorong mullet and the chunkiest of chips. With musos in the mix, it’s the perfect eating and meeting place. It also gets a shout out for offering Bleasdale Wines by the glass, along with cocktails of the day such as Coorong Cosmopolitan and Hindmarsh Island Tea. And what’s not to love about a menu that includes mushy peas during the cooler months.
118 Sugars Ave, Hindmarsh Island
The Stunned Mullet
This beloved beachside eatery is acclaimed for its local, sustainable seafood, which has secured several industry awards in recent years including SA’s best fish and chips shop in the 2023 delicious. 100 awards.
While new owners Bhoomi and Viren Rane have since taken over the family-run business, the dedication to fresh seafood cooked to perfection remains.
Their eight fish varieties are all sourced locally – from blue grenadier, garfish and flake to barramundi and flathead – which are lightly battered, crumbed or grilled on the premises.
A personal favourite is the delicate and slightly sweet coral perch, which pairs nicely with their crispy, generously-portioned chips. And it’s all just a five-minute stroll from one of Adelaide’s most popular beaches.
8 East Terrace, Henley Beach
Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips
Just 200m from the local beach you’ll find this gem in Adelaide’s south, which has been serving up some of the state’s best fish and chips since the 1950s.
The Leonardo family took over the business just over 30 years ago and there’s been queues ever since, thanks to their melt-in-your mouth, hand cut chips – double cooked every day – and super fresh fish options.
Start with their “entry-level” butterfish, then graduate up to the delectable King George Whiting, all covered in a light batter that still delivers a nice crunch.
Made to order, their fish are frozen instantly out of the water, preserving their quality for longer.
22 Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga
Fish Out of Water
When it comes to fish in the ’burbs, there are few better than this spot, conveniently located on one of the city’s main shopping and dining strips.
Kate Symons and Chris Thompson run this award-winning fish-and-chipper, offering a wide range of delicious seafood options including their popular garfish from the Fleurieu Peninsula, North Atlantic cod, Kangaroo Island King George Whiting and a big barramundi, grilled and served in foil with parsley, lemon juice, sea salt and cracked pepper. Delish.
There’s also plenty of calamari and prawns dishes plus a salt and pepper soft shell crab that’s worth the visit alone.
Coeliacs are also taken care of with a full gluten-free menu available to order.
117 King William Rd, Hyde Park
Flying Fish Cafe
With views of Horseshoe Bay, this must-visit fish and chip lovers’ paradise – named after a schooner wrecked there in 1860 – caters to all tastes. There’s a kiosk – where you can dine in or take away – where beer battered hake, crumbed flathead and grilled garfish, served with chips and lemon, are all up for grabs. For fancy fish and chip connoisseurs, the restaurant offers King George whiting and flathead. Both are gluten-free and come with garden salad, chips and tartare sauce on the side.
The Cutting, Port Elliot
Five to Try is a new weekly food section starting in the Sunday Mail on February 2.