Best Fish'n'Chips in Sydney

Warm, sunny days call for fish’n’chips. Good thing we get a bunch of those in Sydney. What could be better than a golden fillet of fish on a bed of crisp, salty chips? All that’s left is a few (sometimes contentious) decisions. Regular salt or chicken salt – or both? A squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar? Grilled or fried? Flake, rockling or whiting?

Fish’n’chip shops are a bit like pubs: everyone think their suburb's one is the best. So in this guide, we want to show you some places that are worth crossing town for. These spots pay homage to the classic shops we all went to growing up, with an added focus on sustainable sourcing and catching practices.

So keep going to your local for all of your potato scallop, dim sim and burger-with-the-lot needs – but consider adding one or two of these new-wave spots to your roster as well.

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Words by Dan Cunningham And Holly Bodeker-smith
Updated on 17 August 2023

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Fish Butchery Waterloo

It’s strange to say out loud, but Saint Peter's retail concept might be the sexiest fish’n’chipper you’ll ever encounter. Sure, they do a classic serve with chips and lemon. But that might be a whole Yellow Eye Mullet from Coorong, charcoal-grilled to perfection. Never tried a Yellowfin Tuna double cheeseburger with swordfish bacon? You can here, and at the sleek Paddington original.

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Fich

Another addition to Sydney’s scene of fancy fish’n’chippers. This one is by two former Bennelong chefs, and they’ve split the business in half: a takeaway counter on one side doing upmarket renditions of fish shop classics, and a cosy restaurant on the other with an expanded dine-in menu and Grifter beer on tap.

Restaurant

North Bondi Fish

There’s something about the fish ’n’ chip format that lures top chefs. Matt Moran’s North Bondi Fish – located under the North Bondi RSL – is one of many examples. But none other enjoys a spectacular ocean view quite like this. It’s the perfect complement to Moran’s tight, seafood-focussed menu.

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Cafe

The Boathouse Balmoral Beach

The Boathouse group sure knows how to nail a great seaside venue. A huge part of that comes down to the coastal-inspired menu, which would be remiss without a stellar fish and chips (beer-battered flathead, in this case). Add rosé and you’ve got a little sea change on your hands.

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Fish Shop

We have the team behind takeaway giant Fish Bowl to thank for this elevated fish ’n’ chipper in Bondi. Think classic suburban takeaway joint meets mediterranean wine bar and you’re somewhere in the ballpark. Speaking of parks – there’s a really nice one across the street, and everything on the menu here is picnic-ready (the shop will even give you a blanket to sit on).

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The Newport

Whether it’s a wood-fired slice from Vinnie’s pizza, or a decadent meal at Bert’s Bar and Brasserie, you’re utterly spoilt for choice at this Newport mainstay – in the way that only Merivale can spoil you. For something casual and fitting for the locale, grab a fish ’n’ chips from The Shack.

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Harbord Hotel

This Freshwater icon had a major facelift a little while back. And though its classic, salt-licked vibe was pretty great before, now it’s a world-class seaside venue. The biggest improvement? It’s definitely the bistro. Head here for tricked-up pub fare, including that famous post-swim classic.

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Coogee Pavilion

The most famous of Merivale’s seaside establishments is an epic all-in-one. There are many places eat, drink and be merry across its three levels. But it’s the family friendly downstairs zone where you’ll find a fish and chips worthy of the group’s high-benchmark. That, and wood-fired pizza, good coffee, and plenty of other earthly delights.

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Mosman Rowers

One of Sydney’s oldest rowing clubs is also home to a little all-day diner called Archie Bear. Head here for a crisp-fried fish and beer-battered chips, and enjoy those uninterrupted water views from the charming timber deck like an opulent local.

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Bathers’ Pavilion

Sydney’s other famous seaside pavilion is also equipped with multiple dining options with varying degrees of opulence in mind. But it also has a humble little kiosk smack-bang on Balmoral beach, where you can snag fish and chips, gourmet sandwiches and artisan ice-pops to-go.

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love.fish Barangaroo

Alpine salmon “pastrami” served with rye bread and house pickles. Salt-and-pepper calamari with chorizo powder and wasabi mayo. Seafood with style is what love.fish in Barangaroo does best. It’s worth a visit just to see what they can do with the humble fish ’n’ chips.

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Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

You could hop on the ferry from Circular Quay to make a full day of it at this seaside playground. And when the Hamptons chic is this spot on, you can bet the seafood is still jumping when it hits the kitchen. Grab your beer-battered fillet of New Zealand gurnard and chips from the terrace kiosk.

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The Sailor Bar & Kitchen

Where there’s a nautical theme, there’s usually seafood on the menu. Head here for flame-grilled or traditional beer-battered fish (batter is made with Mountain Goat beer straight off the tap), as well as tapas plates and a who’s who of small batch Australian gin distilleries on the shelf.

Cafe

The Navy Bear

Inside the Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association’s boathouse at Darling Point, you’ll find Navy Bear – an unpretentious cafe by the same team behind Archie Bear at the Mosman Rowers. It’s designed to fit right in among the boathouse’s heritage charms, with a simple menu to match: sandwiches, salad bowls, and the day’s catch battered and fried to perfection.

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Out of the Blue, Clovelly
You’d barely know that Out of the Blue is actually a fish’n’chip shop. Word got out that the burgers here are actually damn good, and it’s been going gangbusters ever since. But at the end of the day, it’s a fish’n’chipper par excellence. We recommend calling up to pre-order well ahead – just make sure you queue to pay when you arrive though, as the team here only call out orders that have been paid for.

Mohr Fish, Surry Hills
Much like its old neighbour the Shakespeare Hotel, this neighbourhood seafood diner is one of Surry Hills' long-running institutions. It does things simply, no bones about it: oysters natural, bouillabaisse and a selection of beautifully prepared fish.

Bottom of the Harbour, Balmoral
This beachside staple is in league with the Marine Stewardship Council, which means everything on the menu is sustainably sourced – and tastes all the better for it. Devour your catch on the adjacent sands, or splay out on the grass at one of Balmoral’s gorgeous parks.

Fat Fish, Annandale
Brothers Manny and Jon Notaras helm the deep-fryers at this neighbourhood takeaway spot, claimed to be part of a fish’n’chip shop dynasty stretching back multiple generations. Head here for nostalgic burgers with the lot, fresh salads and fat boxes of fish and fries.

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