Sun, sand and summer Sydney days mean fish and chips are on the menu
It’s a dish as iconic as our golden sands and here’s where you should indulge, says Victoria Hannaford.
- The truth about 2016’s hot new health food trends
- What’s hot (food wise) in 2016
- Sydney’s 11 best hidden bars
IT MIGHT be claimed as a British specialty, but the Australian take on fish and chips has helped evolve it into a modern, local classic. Whether it’s from a takeaway shop, a club or a top-tier restaurant, there’s now a focus on using fresh, locally caught fish in the fryer.
While once it was flake that was battered and fried, it’s now more usual to have a choice of market-fresh catches and seafood. Con Dedes, proprietor of Woolwich waterfront venue Deckhouse, among several others, says customers have driven the changes.
“People are asking more about provenance. Our guests are a lot smarter and can pick a lower grade as opposed to a great grade of fish,” he says.
The Boathouse Shelly Beach offers Peroni beer-battered flathead and chips, with a housemade tartare to dine in and take away. Head chef Jonathan Berry says that even with simple elements, the kitchen adheres to a high standard.
“It’s got to be consistent — we use fresh Australian flathead. It keeps the texture good and the flavour good,” Berry says. “It’s something simple, done really well, that people seem to love.”
Dedes says that while the Deckhouse use quality ingredients, they don’t stray too far from the traditional elements of the dish.
“Whether it’s a beautiful piece of mulloway steamed with some lovely seasonal accompaniments, or a fantastic piece of flathead and beer batter, it’s still fish and chips,” he says.
Berry says it’s one of his best-selling dishes, with an even split between customers dining in at The Boathouse or ordering takeaway.
OTHER NEWS: FOLEY DENIES IGNORING JAMIE CLEMENTS SCANDAL
“People are straight onto the beach, and it’s pretty quick and easy, so they love it,” he says.
“If you’re on the water, you have fish and chips on the menu,” Dedes agrees. “We’re blessed in Australia to have some beautiful waterfront restaurants, and that screams of having local fish done with local produce. It’s within the DNA of our culture.”
By the way, don’t expect expect the big guns to always make our list of top fish and chips. Instead, these are some old faves and new wavers...
The Boathouse Shelly Beach
You can choose to dine-in on their top-notch beer battered flathead and chips, or grab a take away box and head to the beach — that’s what we call a win-win.
1 Marine Pde, Manly, 9934 9977, theboathousesb.com.au
Deckhouse
What could pair with the stunning Harbour vista on the historic Woolwich Dock? Try a serve of the Deckhouse signature dish of flathead fillet, chips and salad — it’s a perfect match.
End of Clarke Rd, Woolwich Dock, 1300 309 743 deckhouse.com.au
Watsons Bay Hotel
Tucked away in a serene harbourside nook, this is the spot to settle in with beer-battered fish, a bottle of pinot gris and unwind on a Sunday afternoon.
1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay,
9337 5444, watsonsbayhotel.com.au
Bottom of the Harbour
A Balmoral Beach favourite, locals and visitors clamour for their deep fried wares, often with queues out the door.
21 The Esplanade, Balmoral, 9969 7911
Out of the Blue
If you want to keep it strictly old school, this is your place. It’s also a footy players favourite, so you can star spot as you wait for a generous serve of piping hot fish and chips.
272 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly, 9315 8380
Surry Gills
Fast, fresh and driven by a love of seafood, Emmanuel Karpathios’ inner city haunt offers a range of fish fillets as well as a catch of the day, chunky chips and a great range of healthy sides.
90-92 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, 9211 9117, surrygills.com.au
The Avalon on the Beach
Location, location, location. Fish and chips here is as beachy as it gets, with the beachside venue taking prime position.
Avalon Beach SLSC on Avalon Beach, 8023 7685, theavalononthebeach.com
The Fish Shop
While a focus on seafood sees everything from catch of the day dishes to sashimi and fish burgers on head chef Zac Syke’s menu, there’s still room for an old-school favourite with their battered fish and chips.
22 Challis Ave, Potts Point, 9326 9000, merivale.com.au/thefishshop
Foys Kirribilli
The once tired clubhouse has been revamped into a cool and casual eatery at the Sydney Flying Squadron, serving up seafood and classic fish and chips with fantastic views.
76 McDougall St, Kirribilli, 9955 8350, sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au
Cronulla RSL
Absolutely pumping on weekends, this local’s favourite serves up club classics, and you can’t go past their flathead fillets and fries.
38 Gerrale St, Cronulla, 9523 6833, cronullarsl.com.au
Mohr Fish
This Surry Hills institution has been serving up seafood for more than two decades. Their bijou dine-in space is regularly packed with devotees to their fish and chips, with a variety of fish to choose from daily.
202 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, 9318 1326, mohrfish.com.au
Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf
A family-run venue in a stunning location — what’s not to like? Add in fish and chips with a choice of snapper, flathead and salmon, and it’s a winning combo.
The Boulevard, Woy Woy, 4341 1171, woywoyfishermenswharf.com.au
JP McCaffrey’s
If you’re from the mother country and have hankering for home-style comfort food, this Irish and British fish and chip joint should satisfy your craving — curry sauce, cheesy chips and mushy peas optional.
Ground Floor, 143-145 Dolphin St, Coogee, 9315 7250, jpmccaffreys.com.au
A Fish Called Coogee
It’s the choice offered that makes this a stand-out option. Take your pick from the window display of fresh seafood and fish with mouth-watering marinades.
229 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee, 9664 7700
Manly 16ft Skiff Club
A bright, breezy spot on Manly’s harbour side, this club offers a contemporary menu and cider-battered fish with fries.
Cnr Stuart St and East Esplanade, Manly, 9977 3322, manlyskiff.com.au
Mongers
A hit with the health-conscious crowd, Mongers offers a few twists on the standard deep-fried fish and chips and garnish with their delicious signature crispy kumera.
Shop 4, 11-27 Wentworth St, Manly, 9977 1777, mongers.com.au
Olde Fashioned Fish and Chips
Naremburn’s chippy is a local’s favourite. With a relaxed outdoor dining area, there’s a usually a steady stream of happy customers tucking into the daily specials, fresh from the market.
288 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn, 9438 4260, oldfashionedfishnchips.com.au
Manly Ocean Foods
Roll in from the beach and head straight to this take away joint, but beware if you’re heading back to the water; the local seagulls are just as keen on fish and chips as the humans are.
108 The Corso, Manly, 9977 1059
The Waterfront Cafe & General Store
Don’t fight it; just breathe in the serenity at this rustic venue overlooking Pittwater and relax. Their flathead fillets come with chips, Caesar salad, homemade tartare and incredible views.
Church Point, 9979 6633, waterfrontstore.com.au
Bondi’s Best
Seafood by Bondi? It’s a winning combination and there are two venues to choose from offering restaurant quality, fresh fish from the fryer. You can dine in or take away to eat with a sea view.
Shop 8, 75-79 Hall St, Bondi, 9130 8565; 39-53 Campbell Pde, North Bondi, 9300 9886, bondisbest.com.au
‘Beyond a fire sale’: Criniti’s stores sold for staggering price
Despite its whopping $19 million debt, the remaining Criniti’s stores, including Parramatta and Darling Harbour, have sold for a staggeringly low price in what one broker has described as ‘beyond a fire sale’.
‘I like big buns’: Wacky burgers with a difference
Parramatta’s very own Eat Street is as exciting and diverse as the city itself. Take BL Burgers for example, which brought its premium burgers — including the Blame Canada, Blame Indian and Mac Daddy burgers — to western Sydney.