Best of Tasmania: The Fish Van at Triabunna named the winner of the fish and chips category

More than 600 Tasmanians have had their say on who cooks the best fish and chips in the state. SEE WHO CAME OUT ON TOP

A LITTLE food van on the East Coast has netted the title of Tasmania’s best fish and chips.

The Fish Van at Triabunna reeled in 20 per cent of the 622 votes cast by Mercury readers in our online poll.

The business sits just a few metres from a fleet of fishing vessels and has access to the freshest seafood available, most of which is caught only a stone’s throw away in the pristine waters off Maria Island.

MEET OUR TOP 10 FISH AND CHIP FINALISTS

The Fish Van first opened in 2013 and has shown no signs of slowing down, with owner Cara Wilson telling the Mercury it gets “busier and busier” every year.

Chloe Todd and Lauren Pennicott with a tasty feed at The Fish Van in Triabunna.

Despite being a stunning success, Ms Wilson said she was surprised to take out the top spot.

“We didn’t expect to be in it, let alone win it,” she said.

“It’s definitely given us a bit of a boost.

“From November until the end of Easter, there’s up to an hour and half wait but people say it’s worth it.”

The Fish Van sits just a few metres from the fleet of East Coast fishing vessels that call Triabunna home. Picture: SUPPLIED

The Fish Van is open every day from 11am to 6.30pm from May to November and 11am to 8pm from December to April.

The seafood basket is perfect for a hungry couple, boasting three pieces of flathead, two squid rings, two salt and pepper squid, two prawn cutlets, two scallops and chips for just $20.

But it is the gummy shark and chip cones that fly out the door.

“I would like to thank all the locals and visitors for supporting me, the teams I buy my fresh produce from, and all my workers,” Ms Wilson said.

“We actually cook our fish fresh while you wait and you can have it crumbed, battered or grilled.

“Our chips are gluten-free and you always get a free tartare sauce and lemon wedge.”

Such is The Fish Van’s popularity, customers can face a wait of up to 90 minutes during the summer season.

The Dunalley Fish Market took home second place, securing 18 per cent of the votes.

Fish Frenzy on Elizabeth Street Pier and Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods at Cambridge were in equal third-place with 14 per cent each.

Rounding out the top five on 9 per cent was Mures Lower Deck at Victoria Dock.

The search for the state’s best fish and chips was part of the Mercury’s new Best of Tasmania series.

We cast the net wide and our readers helped us reel in the state’s top 10 fish and chips through more than 500 comments on our website and Facebook page.