Melbourne’s best fish and chips shops: south east edition

WHO would have thought that one steaming-hot, paper-wrapped parcel could bring so much joy to so many people?

Because a summer without fish and chips doesn’t feel like summer at all. Picture: Matt Turner

IF YOU had to pick one food that was synonymous with the Australian summer, it would be fish and chips.

Growing up, you couldn’t wait for summer to start because you knew that as soon as there was a nice enough night, you’d end up trekking bayside for a beachside feast of fresh fish, steamed dimmies and minimum chips.

Those nights spent gathered around on beach towels or picnic blankets, trying to pick out the crispiest chips (and throwing the soggy ones to the seagulls) or fighting over who gets the last potato cake (because, like always, the guys behind the counter threw in a couple of extras #straya), will forever be some of our best childhood memories.

Fish and chips is a summer staple in Victoria.

Clearly, not much has changed.

As soon as there’s a beautiful, balmy day, we Melburnians pack our collective picnic bags and flock to the beach for a day of fun, frolicking and feasting by the water. (Who are we kidding, any excuse will do, really.)

RELATED:

RESEARCH FINDS MOST FISH AND CHIP LOVERS LIVE IN VICTORIA

MAKO’S FISH AND CHIPS IN LINE TO BE NAMED AUSTRALIA’S BEST

10 TASTES OF SUMMER: FROM FISH ‘N’ CHIPS TO STRAWBERRIES

Because nothing beats a piece of crispy, lightly battered flake, fresh-grilled barramundi or a good old sausage in batter. Bunnings, eat your heart out.

And with more than 2500 kilometres of coastline, it’s no surprise that some of Victoria’s best fish and chipperies can be found near the coast.

Be the envy of all the seagulls with our guide to the top fish and chip shops in the south east.

MELBOURNE’S BEST FISH AND CHIPS: SOUTH-EAST EDITION

BAYSIDE

Fish Tank in Brighton is a popular joint for fish and chips enthusiasts. Picture: Nicole Cleary

1. BELVGA FISH AND CHIPPERY
61 Bay St, Port Melbourne | 39 Toorak Rd, South Yarra
Sure, you’ve got all your classic staples (hello, pineapple fritters), but it’s all about the chargrilled fish at this contemporary fish and chip shop favourite. Opt for a healthy grill pack with a fillet of fish or grilled seafood, skewers, house-made salads and brown rice.

2. HEADS AND TAILS
112 Ormond Rd, Elwood
Mixing old school and new, you can get everything from corn dogs, Chiko rolls and homemade dim sims to fresh grilled fish, house made salads and hella delicious souvas.

3. OLD SALT
246 Bay St, Port Melbourne
Much like its name suggests, this bayside local is worth its salt. No frills, not too fancy, just good, old-fashioned fish and chips.

4. TOMMY RUFF FISH BAR
121 Chapel St, Windsor | Shop 3, 1-3 Carr St, Elsternwick | 574A Main St, Mordialloc
Tommy Ruff knows seafood. With a family history that extends back to the fishing villages of Greece, this fish and chip shop is using years of tradition and knowledge to cultivate a new dining ethos.

5. SEAFOOD ON MALVERN
553 Malvern Rd, Toorak
Fresh fish, friendly service and generous portions. What more could you want? Plus, this chips are always bang on.

Tommy Ruff knows a thing or two about delicious seafood fare.

Fish and chips comes with a pretty sweet view at St Kilda Kiosk.

6. PINK FLAKE
92A Acland St, St Kilda
Trust us, you’ll want to get the calamari and some sweet potato chips. The lunch special is a steal — fish, chips (or rice) and a salad for $10. Get around it.

7. ST KILDA KIOSK
Pier Road, St Kilda
It’s all about location, location, location for this St Kilda institution. What’s not to love about eating fish and chips at the end of a pier, looking back over the beach?

8. SOUTH MELBOURNE FISH AND CHIPS
360 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Unpretentious fish and chip joint doing classic fish and chip fare, and doing it beautifully.

9. RIPPONLEA FISH SUPPLY
49 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick
The word institution gets thrown around a lot, but if ever there was a place deserving of being referred to as one, this humble fish and chip shop would be it. Having opened in the early ‘70s, this family-run third-generation fishmonger has been baiting locals with unbeatable fresh seafood and mouth-watering takeaway meals for decades. Worth going out of your way for.

At Seafood on Malvern they know that winning fish and chips comes down to one, simple thing: fresh fish.

10. CAPTAIN AND CO FISH BAR
310 Bay St, Brighton
If you like your fish and chips on the healthy side, this place is for you. The local calamari, soft-shell crab and Aussie prawns are, simply, delish.

11. FISH TANK
20 Church St, Brighton
If you’re after more traditional fish and chips, Fish Tank is your go-to. They use fresh, locally sourced seafood and are even happy to clean it for you if you’d prefer to BBQ it yourself at home. Winning.

12. LUXE FISH
80 Station Street, Sandringham
Burgers, tacos, grilled fish and fresh twists on old favourites. Try the Thai-style grilled snapper.

13. FLAKED OUT FISH AND CHIPPERY
4/271 Centre Rd, Bentleigh
Whether you like your fish fried or grilled, this local family favourite rarely disappoints. They also do a pretty mean steak sandwich.

Captain Gummy's Fish & Chips in Frankston is a fish and chip lover’s dream. Picture: Eugene Hyland

14. ONE FISH TWO FISH
99 Orrong Cres, Caulfield North
Friendly service, reasonable prices and a good selection of healthy options.

15. SEAVIEW FISH AND CHIPS
339 Balcombe Rd, Beaumaris
Traditional fish and chip shop dishing up classic, well-cooked beach faves.

16. CHELTENHAM FISH AND CHIPS
228 Charman Rd, Cheltenham
Fresh thick-cut fish fillets coated in light, even, crispy batter and the crunchiest potato cakes going round.

17. THAT 70S FISH N CHIP SHOP
298 Highett Road, Highett
Inexpensive, fuss-free fish and chip shop that is rumoured to have Melbourne’s best chips (according to locals, anyway). The homemade tartare sauce is worth the extra.

18. CHIPS AHOY
198 Lower Dandenong Rd, Mordialloc
The fish is always fresh and tasty and the chips are never too oily.

19. SEASIDE FISH & CHIPS
111A Nepean Hwy, Seaford
When it comes to fish and chips by the beach, this is family-owned fish and chippery is about as good as it gets. Grab your takeaway back and within a few short steps you’re on the sand. You won’t want to miss their banana or pumpkin fritters. The homemade potato cakes are also hard to pass up.

20. CAPTAIN GUMMY’S
145 Beach St, Frankston
This fresh fish and crispy chip haven, run by brothers Andrew and Harry Gavalas, is a five-minute walk from the beach, and is known for its gluten-free menu.

SOUTH EAST

If it doesn’t come wrapped in paper, is it even proper fish and chips?

21. NORTH ROAD FISH AND CHIPS
559 North Rd, Ormond
Great taste and value for money? You betchya.

22. OAKLEIGH FISH AND CHIPPERY
45 Chester St, Oakleigh
Crispy chips, fresh grilled fish and delicious dimmies. What more is there in life?

23. GILLS AND GRILLS
Wellington Village, 1100 Wellington Rd, Rowville
Make Friday nights great again with delicious burgers, fresh fish and crispy chips from this friendly, family-run business that takes pride in both its food and its service.

24. SCORESBY VILLAGE TRADITIONAL FISH & CHIPS
7 Lynton Pl, Scoresby
Fantastic food, friendly staff, and great prices. They also make a mean chicken burger.

Pink Flake in St Kilda has long been a local beach haunt. Picture: Stuart Milligan

25. THE STADIUM FISH & CHIPPERY
1/2 Stadium Circuit, Mulgrave
Not near the beach? Never fear. Grab some fresh fish and delicious chips and enjoy a picnic on the oval at Waverley Park.

26. FLAKE SHACK
126 Police Rd, Springvale
The secret to Flack Shack’s fabulous fish and chips is the fresh quality fish sourced direct from the markets, daily. Oh, and handmade potato cakes. Yaaaasssssss.

27. DANDY WEST FISH AND CHIPS
108 Hemmings St, Dandenong
Clean shop, great food and the owners are friendly and welcoming. Try the scallops.

28. HEATHERTON VILLAGE FISH AND CHIPS
59/5 Heatherton Rd, Endeavour Hills
Who needs fancy when you can have delicious, no-frills fish and chips without the trendy price tag?

Sure, fancy fish and chips is great. But nothing beats traditional, thick-cut chips and battered fish.

Lightly battered and full of flavour is the key to yummy

29. FLASHY CHAPS FISH & CHIPPERY
7/1-7 Belgrave-Hallam Rd, Hallam
Try the onion rings. The burgers also come highly recommended.

30. PAKENHAM FISH AND CHIPS
158 Main St, Pakenham
Crispy, melt-in-the-mouth fish, friendly service and top-quality everything. This is classic fish and chip fare at its finest.

31. ARENA FISH AND CHIPS
Damon St, Officer
Fresh fish, crispy chips, crunchy potato cakes and service with a smile. Happy days.

32. SILVER MERMAID FISH AND CHIPS
4 Lurline Street, Cranbourne
This shop has been around for decades and is still one of the most popular in the area. Not too oily, generous portions, crunchy chips and superb steamed dimmies.

OUT OF TOWN

Near, far, wherever you are. I believe that the flake does go on

If you’re looking for some seafood inspo around your favourite summer holiday hot spots, these grillmasters are a great catch.

1. MANUEL’S VIC FISH ‘N’ CHIPS: 143 Warrandyte Rd, Langwarrin

2. LILY’S FISH & CHIPs: 28 Robertson Dr, Mornington

3. GO FISH: 1/1A Main St, Mornington

4. DROMANA FISH SUPPLIES: 187-189 Point Nepean Road, Dromana

5. FISH FETISH: 27 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento

6. DAVID PROSSER SEAFOODS: 2383 Point Nepean Rd, Rye

7. BEACH BOX FISH AND CHIPS: 4 Lochiel Ave, Mount Martha

8. FLINDERS FISH AND CHIPS: 5/33 Cook St, Flinders

9. SAN REMO FISHERMAN'S CO-OP: 170 Marine Parade, San Rem

10. TIDES OF RHYLL: 11 Beach Rd, Rhyll, Phillip Island

11. DEZZY & NICS TAKE AWAY: 10 Station Rd, Foster

12. AGAPI FISH & CHIPS: 112 Jupiter Blvd, Venus Bay

KNOW A PLACE THAT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE LIST?

LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.