Five delicious Fish and Chip shops near Sydney
There’s something about the tangy smell of salt air, the feeling of sand between the toes and the cry of seagulls that brings on a hunger for fish and chips.NSW obviously has a huge coastline and plenty of spots to stop for a crispy, salty feast of fish and fried spuds but where are some of the best places within striking distance of Sydney? Start warming your engines, ladies and gents, because we’ve found our favourite five.
The Boathouse Hotel Patonga, Patonga
The Boathouse Hotel Patonga is the kind of breezy, open seaside pub you dream about. The terrace sits opposite Patonga beach on the north side of the Hawkesbury River, there are heaps of tables and barstools to perch on and the ambience, courtesy of Palm Beach’s Boathouse group, is casual. The fish and chips are part of an elevated classic pub menu: fresh flathead coated in light and crispy batter is served at the pub or the adjoining fish and chippery. Either drive there the long way around across the Brooklyn Bridge or take the cute passenger ferry from Palm Beach.
The Fish Shop, Burrill Lake
The fish, oysters and other seafood around Mollymook are so good renowned British chef Rick Stein opened a restaurant in the south coast town. Just down the road at Burrill Lake, The Fish Shop is less glitzy but this hole-in-the-wall fish-and-chippery delivers the goods just as well. Join the queue for crunchy, golden battered fish that might be kingfish, mahi-mahi or flathead. Add chips, calamari, maybe a potato scallop/cake or two, or a dozen local oysters. This is ‘yum’ on a plate; or rather, a cardboard tray.
Pelican Rocks Cafe, Greenwell Point
This Shoalhaven spot near Nowra makes the most of its location across from where the fishing boats dock at Greenwell Point. Pelican Rocks Cafe doesn’t just do fish and chips (although it does them very well) but all types of seafood dishes culminating in a fresh and battered platter that really rocks. It is an unassuming place that does good food, with a few outdoor seats and, yes, the pelicans usually cruise by looking for their own fishy feast.
Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf
As the name says, Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf is where the boats come in delivering fresh seafood from around the central coast. The rambling building has a rustic simplicity: downstairs the takeaway does good value, wonderfully crispy fish and chips and other classic fried and grilled treats to be enjoyed in the waterfront gardens. The restaurant offers the sit-down option with beautiful views of sheltered Brisbane Water.
Lifeboat Seafood, Brooklyn
This colourful shack is the quintessential harbourside fish shop taking fish, prawns and bugs off the Brooklyn fishing fleet and either selling them fresh or turning them into delicious meals. Lifeboat’s fish and chips are pretty special: big serves of lovingly battered snapper, blackfish, flathead or the catch of the day, available for takeaway or grab an umbrella-shaded table. Grilled prawns, rock oysters or mussels are usually on the menu so if you’re taking the drive, make a feast of it!
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