There’s no denying that Kiwis love their fish ‘n’ chips. It may not have been invented here but New Zealand has perfected it (don’t @ me UK!).
There are thousands upon thousands of places to get your feed from, with every dot on the map home to a fryer and a fresh slice of kaimoana.
With passions always high about where the best places to go are, we decided to have a straw poll here at Stuff of our favourite establishments.
Our choices range from the top of Northland to the shores of Stewart Island/Rakiura. But we also want to hear from you on the ones we have missed. Email us at travel@stuff.co.nz or simply comment below and we will compile a list from your choices.
READ MORE:
* Tarakihi or snapper, fried or grilled: Where to find Auckland’s best fish and chips
* The scoop on Christchurch’s best fish and chip shops
* Weird foods you can get at the fish and chip shop
Haast-Jackson Bay Road, Jackson Bay thecraypotnz.com
Jackson Bay is home to an exceptional beachfront fish and chip shop.
You’ll find this little piece of wild paradise on the South Island’s West Coast; it is the southernmost village before the road stops. The restaurant is famous for crayfish. However, the fish and chips, whitebait and seafood chowder are also legendary – Brook Sabin, Stuff Travel Reporter
7 Ayr Street, Oban facebook.com/kaikartSI
Sometimes it’s the food that makes a place; sometimes it’s the location, and just on occasion, it’s a combination of both. The Kai Kart is an institution in Oban offering the freshest and tastiest kaimoana while the gentle waves of Halfmoon Bay echo through the settlement at the end of the world. Unforgettable – Alan Granville, Stuff Travel Reporter
6 Gibson Quay, Hokitika dulcies.co.nz
A must-visit when in Hokitika with warm a West Coast welcome, quick service and a great location.
Dulcie’s has a reasonably priced menu with thick crunchy chips, and decent size fresh fillets of fish. It’s a favourite amongst the locals. Grab your kai on the riverside and watch the beautiful sunset – Kristie Boland, Christchurch Reporter
51 Weld Street, Hokitika facebook.com/PorkysHokitikaTownchip
Locals and visitors are spoilt for choice of good fish and chip shops in Hokitika. Porky’s is located next door to the local pool and is a favourite for families after a swim. Fresh West Coast whitebait patties are on offer, and they don’t skimp on the size – Kristie Boland, Christchurch Reporter
145 Haven Street, Moeraki facebook.com/MoerakiFishWife
Down by the wharf in the Otago village of Moeraki (not far from the famous boulders) is my new favourite fish and chip destination. The FishWife serves up the freshest fish and chips from its rustic but charming shack, with a side of stunning views. For a real local treat, go for the blue cod or crayfish – Siobhan Downes, Stuff Travel Reporter
53 Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai freskosupplies.co.nz
This stylish wee shipping container churns out fish and chip feasts of a top quality – they’re not at all greasy, so you don’t feel too yuck afterwards. Take them down to Lyall Bay Beach and eat them as you watch the planes land at Wellington Airport – Siobhan Downes, Stuff Travel Reporter
5 Majoribanks Street, Mount Victoria thechippery.co.nz
As someone with coeliac disease, I value places like the Mt Vic Chippery in Wellington which not only have great fish ‘n’ chips, but also cook them in a separate fryer and prepare them in a separate space to avoid cross contamination. Coeliacs around the country share amazing foodie places like this with great fervour (on our Facebook page) – Tina Morrison, Stuff Business Reporter
357 Te Rapa Road, Beerescourt facebook.com/wackoburgerbar
When in Hamilton, you should not go past the Wacko Burger Bar in Te Rapa Rd. This is an old school fish and chippery – golden, crispy chips, and nice big hunks of fishy flesh inside the batter. The brave are encouraged to try the titular Wacko Burger, an apocalyptically great mix of fish and meat and lettuce and beetroot and egg and possibly some other ingredients, all squished between two buns. They also do a mean chocolate milkshake – Mike Mather, Senior Waikato Reporter
11 Wainui Road, Ohakana Island whakatane.info/business/ohiwa-oyster-farm
A large selection of seafood, including their own oysters when in season. Nestled on the edge of the Ohiwa Harbour, it boasts beautiful views from the scattering of picnic benches at the water’s edge. At high tide the owner can sometimes be seen hand-feeding sting-rays with off-cuts – Edward Gay, Auckland Senior Reporter.
If you’re staying at the glorious Ohope beach, it’s a short drive but if you’re feeling adventurous and the tides are right, you can paddle across Ohiwa Harbour to place your order at the fish ’n ’chip shop. Take care as you pull up to the shore though as oysters shells underfoot abound – Kim Griggs, Wellington News Director.
1 Dive Crescent, Tauranga bobbysfreshfishmarket.business.site
An institution in Tauranga that features in many of my childhood and teenage memories. Perched on a wharf and overlooking the ocean, the portions are huge and the seafood is as fresh as can be. The queue often snakes outside and around the corner at peak lunch and dinner times, but the benefit is you get more time to choose what fish you want for your kai – and there are HEAPS to choose from. I’d recommend adding on a punnet of raw fish and a slice or two of their rēwana bread – Alex Liu, Senior Audiovisual Editor
If fresh fish is what you’re after, Bobby’s on Tauranga’s waterfront has got you covered. Local trawlers berth right alongside the chippy, meaning the fish in the fryer is as fresh as you can get. Big portions, great prices and lovely views all add up to Bobby’s being one of the busiest takeaways in town, but the wait is absolutely worth it. A big Bay of Plenty favourite – Dan Sheridan, Tauranga Bureau Chief
2286 State Highway 2, Maramarua facebook.com/maramarua1
Don’t be put off by it not being at a seaside, this is stop you need to make if you’re travelling between the Coromandel or Bay of Plenty and Auckland. Delicious fish and chips that thinking about while writing this has made me so hungry, smoked fish, and chowder, Fish Faze has got everything you’d need or want to make it a must-stop – Anon
137 Waterfront Road, Mangonui mangonuifishshop.com
Regarded as one of the best fish and chip shops in Aotearoa this little eatery definitely lives up to the hype. If you’re heading back from Cape Reigna you have to stop in here. The chips are crispy and the fish is fresh and can be battered or crumbed and somehow doesn’t leave you feeling bloated or greasy. An extra bonus is its right next to the wharf so you can enjoy a gorgeous sea view while chowing down – Melanie Earley, Auckland reporter
47 Mayfair Place, Glen Innes marsicfishshop.business.site
Glen Innes locals know that Marsic’s is the best spot for fish in Tāmaki Makaurau. As well as stocking standard hot chips and battered fish, mussels and crab, Marsic Bros also offers fresh kina, Bluff oysters and whitebait. They’ll even smoke your freshly-caught fish for you if you ask them nicely. The highlight of their menu is the fish burger – it’s not to be missed! – Ella Morgan, Stuff reporter
19 Esplanade, Whitianga getstoked.co.nz
I love good old fish and chips, but they can be hard work. The delicacy of the fish can be overtaken by a heavy, oily, salted batter. While delicious, I never feel great afterwards. And as a result, I very rarely would ever order them at a restaurant.
However, the gurnard dish at Stoked has changed the way I think about battered fish and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find anything like it again. It was encased in the lightest, most delightful batter I have ever tried in a restaurant. It was crispy not crunchy, not in the slightest bit greasy, and light in both colour and in texture – Juliette Sivertsen, Stuff Travel News Director
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