Melbourne’s top five spots for fish ‘n’ chips

From the best humble take-out shops to fine dining dens, here are the top five places to reel in delicious fish ‘n’ chips in Melbourne.

Fish and chips at Cerbereus Beach House in Blackrock.

Fish and chips. A simple concept but a big subject. There’s no shortage of fryers bubbling the batter across Melbourne, from humble take-out shops to fine dining dens. Here’s our top catch.

Pipis Kiosk, Albert Park

Let’s be clear: you won’t find fish and chips on the menu at this smart foreshore restaurant (although you won’t be sorry taking a seat instead for elevated seafood dishes like grilled octopus in ink sauce). To scratch your F&C itch, head around to the kiosk window where fat packets of crunchy goodness are perfect for enjoying on the beach. The KPIs? Rockling, for its sustainability and cooking consistency, a personality-packed beer batter made with Melbourne Bitter, super crunchy fat chips, pickled cabbage and house tartare. Add a Moon Dog lager, Pipi’s Spritz or Adelaide Hills Arneis and don’t forget the picnic rug. 129a Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park; pipiskiosk.com.au

Fish and chips at Pipi’s.

Northern Soul Chip Shop, St Kilda

A British chippy transplanted to Inkerman Street, Northern Soul is pure backpacker bait. The nostalgia-drenched home of fried fish in all its shapeshifting glory sees Manchester-hailing duo Jessica Tosh and Joe Grimshaw tick all the boxes with aplomb, including a fat fish finger butty and salt and pepper fried fish bites, perhaps jazzed up with hot honey sauce. All the sides a homesick Brit could desire are on offer too, including house made gravy, velvety mushy peas, nostril-tickling malt vinegar, buttered barms and curry sauce to drench the handcut chips. 6 Inkerman St, St Kilda; northernsoulchipshop.com

Fish and chips at Northern Soul Chip Shop.

Daughters Arms, Melbourne

You can trust Jessi Singh to mess with the formula. The pioneer of “unauthentic” Indian at the likes of Daughter In Law has given the genre a British pub twist at his latest venture, Daughters Arms. Settle into the extroverted dining room for a cross-cultural take on the fish and chip oeuvre. Mild flavoured hake rules this top-of-Little Bourke roost (Singh extols its virtues in achieving a perfectly crisp coating for his beer batter, subtly spiced with turmeric, fennel and coriander seed). Round it off with beer-battered chips, curried peas and a nostalgic `60s soundtrack rocking the Beatles and the Kinks. 19-25 Little Bourke St, Melbourne; daughtersarms.com.au

Fish and chips at Richmond Oysters.

Richmond Oysters, Richmond

The oysters get top billing at this impressive operation that doubles as a restaurant wholesaler and retail shop, but the eye-popping display of seafood on ice at the central counter ought to get your synapses zinging for fish and chips. The day’s market visit dictates the species on offer, but you might find yourself in a welter of indecision between Australian-caught wild barramundi, flathead, snapper, whiting and rockling. Grab a bunch of mates to justify the fish and chips platter, a golden symphony of fried fish, calamari rings scallops and prawn cutlets, with a rocket and pear salad for balance. 437 Church St, Richmond; richmondoysters.com.au

Cerberus Beach House, Black Rock

Choose your speed at this Black Rock institution. The refined upstairs restaurant with a seagull’s-eye-view of Half Moon Bay has a mature take on the fish and chip genre thanks to rock flathead served with fries, zucchini and almond slaw and the house tartare (families take note: they also do a more straight-up kids’ version). On the ground floor of the century old boatshed, you’ll find a kiosk serving the golden-fried catch of the day along with ridgy-dish add-ons like pineapple fritters, dim sims and battered sausages. Kick off your shoes and find a stretch of sand to enjoy. Boat shed, 16 Cerberus Way, 212 Half Moon Bay, Black Rock; cerberusbeachhouse.com.au

Originally published as Melbourne’s top five spots for fish ‘n’ chips