Best Real Fish and Chips in Melbourne?

eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 15:13
Last edited 17/09/2023 - 23:09

I'm interested to know of any fish and chip shops in Melbourne that actually buy fresh fish from the fish market,
As it stands most suburban fish and chip shops buy frozen imported farmed fish, eg pellet fed from Viet Nam.

If the average price for fish and chips is now around $15-19, surely there's some places that are buying and cooking local fresh catch?
Even if the price is upwards of $20+ I'm sure it's worth the extra $.

https://www.theurbanlist.com/melbourne/a-list/melbournes-bes…

This list is very recent (less than a week old) and the top one in the list, (Off the Pier in Willy) which I've been to recently, is (probably) cooking frozen imported fish. It's not BAD but it's certainly not anywhere near the best fish and chips in Melbourne, (and there is no fresh fish on display, which you tend to see in the really good places)

I went to Claypots at South Melbourne Market recently and that is near the top of my list. But it's not fish and chips. It's a seafood restaurant.

Any recommendations for the best quality ?

(Not looking for bog standard $15 flake… Those places are everywhere)

Food & Grocery Fish and Chips

Comments

  • simplystu on 17/09/2023 - 15:58

    As opposed to fake fish and chips?

    not from Melb, but visit twice a year (family) … Off the Pier Williamstown rated very highly out of the 5 or so times been there for F&C. Why do you say that they are cooking frozen imported fish - do you have insider knowledge???

    Gummy flake - yeah certainly possible … but their "fish of the day" specials are (or atleast were) 100% fresh … from memory, they used to even advertise it on the whiteboard as being local/freshly caught.

    Perhaps you need to make better choices - it terms what sort of fish you order as well.

  • JimmyF on 17/09/2023 - 16:04

    Not looking for bog standard $15 flake… Those places are everywhere

    LOL but Flake isn't fish…. cough cough gummy shark anyone.

    As it stands most suburban fish and chip shops buy frozen imported farmed fish, eg pellet fed from Viet Nam.

    For the prices you list, you won't be getting 'fresh' hand picked market fish that is then prepared and cooked for you.

    You'll be looking in the $30 range for 'fish and chips' if you want ti fresh.

  • Mechz on 17/09/2023 - 16:05
    +2

    This one is pretty popular https://maps.app.goo.gl/AZcAwnh7W1iMFpKY9

  • simplystu on 17/09/2023 - 17:34

    Just to add to what I wrote before ..

    1.) look for F&C places that advertise "fish of the day" (eg. what "off the pier" do) + order said items.
    2.) stop ordering "bog standard flake" (as OP put it).
    3.) traditionally/historically … F&C's around fishing ports have always been a good way to ensure you get local/fresh fish.

    4.) OP have you tried Hunky Dory … personally I haven't - but they do specifically say in their speil about their history + specifically state "Our fresh fish is hand filleted in-store each morning." … in terms of taste/quality though perhaps that is why they don't rate soo highly???

    but fresh + local fish it does tick those boxes that OP is after.

    Am currently writing all this, while tucking into some F&C leftovers from last night.
    A F&C store here in WA (with NZ born owners + NZ based menu == everything very much NZ) … now that is certainly a different F&C experience !

    • eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 19:03

      Yes I have been to the Hunky in South Melb and it's pretty good. They do have fresh fish in the window

    • eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 19:27
      +2

      When I was in NZ I found the standard of fish C chips to be a WHOLE lot better, the fish were different species and I got the sense it was fresh catch

      • Rahonui on 18/09/2023 - 09:31

        I miss a good blue cod and kumara chip feed

    • Baysew on 17/09/2023 - 20:41

      but they do specifically say in their speil about their history

      Other details in their history - Mongol bikies linked to fish-and-chip chain

  • simplystu on 17/09/2023 - 17:57

    further digging …

    "off the pier" specifically have (or atleast did have) on their board …. "Local gummy flake" + "All fish from Australian waters" … If you check out the photos on google maps - it will prove this.

    I'm calling you out OP.

    • eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 19:00

      Mate I've eaten there in person numerous times over the last few years and it was ok but I can't remember seeing them mention the fish being local

      There is another joint about 100m on Gem Pier which is a lot more expensive which promotes the fact it's local catch

    • eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 19:00

      How old are the photos? I have a feeling they got new management

  • Ocker on 17/09/2023 - 18:11
    +4

    I wonder how many fish n chips shops sell Basa fish (real name Catfish) in the normal fish n chip offering?
    Basa sell locally for about $8.00 kg, and given the average fish shop serve is around 200gm, this means the input cost is only around $1.60 per serve.
    Basa is better known as catfish and farmed in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. they are raised in cages where nearby farms discharge wastewater to the river, which likely cause localised pollution.
    Globally the health authorities generally warn against eating Basa.
    No thanks !!

    • cookie2 on 17/09/2023 - 21:50

      So true regarding avoiding basa if you can help it.

    • mbck on 17/09/2023 - 22:44

      Had no idea. These include the basa fish in colesworth?

      • Pelicannn on 17/09/2023 - 23:34
        +1

        Yep definitely avoid. Better off going frozen fillets over basa in the deli (which is also frozen then thawed for sale)

    • Dslrfirst on 18/09/2023 - 09:04

      Basa is also available from Lake Argyle (WA).

  • sharkyoz on 17/09/2023 - 20:24
    +1

    Mermaids Fish and Chips……111 South Rd, Braybrook

  • meong on 17/09/2023 - 20:59
    +2

    I dunno man, i've been to fancy fish and chips shops and always disappointed.

    I'm always a fan of those dodgy and dirty looking suburban fish and chips shops…

  • cookie2 on 17/09/2023 - 21:52

    Ebj fine food. Lovely staff and delicious food. Perfect combo!

    • eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 21:57

      Where's that one located cookie?

      • cookie2 on 18/09/2023 - 07:01
        +1

        West Footscray on Essex St. Grab your food and chill at Maribyrnong river park area. They do Bento boxes with fish options too and the rotate the diff choices of fish.

        • eckorock on 18/09/2023 - 10:05

          Thanks will try it out.

  • SydStrand on 17/09/2023 - 22:30

    Unless you're buying somewhere where there's actually a local commercial fishing industry (precious few of those in Australia), as opposed to a seaside town for hobbyists, virtually everything is frozen. If there's no fishing boat parked out back, that authentic 'locally-sourced' fish and chip shop is selling the same frozen fish as everyone else. At that stage, you're splitting hairs over something fished 500km away and transported on a truck vs imported in a freezer container.

    • eckorock on 17/09/2023 - 23:08

      What I'm trying to distinguish between is a shop that buys fish that's been sitting on ice in a local fish market , caught that day or the night before,
      vs
      A shop that buys wholesale frozen overseas imported farmed fish that arrives in shipping containers.

      I have seen a few fish and chip shops that actually display the raw fish in the shop window , so you know what you're eating.
      versus the ones that reach into a freezer bag of fish fillets.

    • saltypete on 18/09/2023 - 09:58
      +1

      Have looked for fresh fish and chips, even just fresh fish in places where there is a clearly thriving commercial fishery. Nup - frozen stuff only and ‘Hoki’ or some such thing on offer.
      Aussies seem to not care about fresh local fish - at least judging from the choices the fish shops make. Most restaurants sell old, frozen fillets as ‘fresh’ as well. I have given up and generally try to catch my own and care for it properly.
      As another mentioned NZ seems to be much better…..

      • eckorock on 18/09/2023 - 10:04
        +1

        Yeah exactly what I reckon
        NZ much better

  • FareEvader on 17/09/2023 - 22:32
    +3

    Blu By Australian Seafood Group in Coburg North

    • chrislinke on 18/09/2023 - 08:40

      also on Bell St near St George’s rd - elite and started from their warehouse for fresh fish (distributors) in Coburg

  • tabitha731 on 18/09/2023 - 09:23
    -1

    Melbourne doesn't do good fish & chips. you're best to find it interstate.

    • Baysew on 18/09/2023 - 09:30
      +5

      Melbourne is undisputedly the best place for Potato Cakes.

    • DazMon on 18/09/2023 - 14:05

      its because all the Greek owners sold up.

  • Rob-4x4 on 18/09/2023 - 10:09
    +1

    Having been forced to move to Victoria from Queensland for work one of the first things I noticed was the number of Bait and Chips shops in Victoria compared to the fish and chip shops in Queensland.

    Most of the so called fish in fish and chip shops in Victoria was only sold in bait shops in Queensland & NT :)
    My local fish and chip shop menu in Queensland had stuff like Coral Trout , Red Emperor, caught not farmed Barramundi , tiger prawns etc

    Potato cake vs scallops ?
    Potato scallops are scalloped potato's fried in batter
    Potato cakes are reconstituted potato stuff & spices fried in batter, very different from scalloped potato's but still yummy..

    Also fish and chip shops in Victoria have no idea about what is sold as a Steak Burger in northern NSW and QLD….

    • eckorock on 18/09/2023 - 18:02
      +1

      Yeah mate I have to agree, you are spot on

      I think the fish and chip shops in Melbourne need a wake up call

      There are some (not many) higher end places that started doing better quality fish and chips and the rest of the bog standard places decided to put up their prices just because they realised that people would pay.

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