Benny’s Restaurant CronullaCredit: Take Studios
Benny’s Cronulla is a hot spot in The Shire, known for its waterfront views.
There’s something about fish and chips that just feels like summer. Whether you’re fresh from a swim, exploring Sydney’s coastal suburbs, or looking for a casual bite with a view, this classic dish hits the spot every time. And in Sydney, you’re spoiled for choice. From beachside institutions to hidden gems in the city, here’s your ultimate guide to the best fish and chips in town.
Fish and Chips with a view
Nothing says summer in Sydney like fish and chips by the sea. These venues combine unbeatable locations with fresh, golden-fried goodness.
Bottom of the Harbour – Balmoral
A fixture since 1989, this beloved Mosman spot is perfect for a post-swim feed. Grab salt and pepper squid with garlic aioli or old-school potato scallops, and enjoy them under the shade of a tree by the water. Just watch out for seagulls—they know how good it is too.
Paris Seafood Café – Cronulla
Run by the Mavropoulos family since 1997, Paris Seafood Café is all about warm hospitality and generous servings. The batter is thin and crisp, letting the fish shine, and the chips are fluffy and crunchy. Everything is made to order, including the salads, and fresh oil is used daily—a detail that makes all the difference.
The Boathouse – Shelly Beach
Set in a refurbished 1920s beach shack, The Boathouse Palm Beach offers a relaxed dining experience with a side of homewares shopping. Their fish and chips are a standout, and the Shelly Beach location is equally charming.
Big Dave’s Chipper – Maroubra
Experience authentic Irish comfort food at Big Dave’s Chipper in Maroubra Junction. This casual dining spot brings a taste of Dublin to Sydney, with hearty portions and a friendly vibe.
Out Of The Blue – Clovelly
This tiny corner shop in Clovelly is always buzzing. The battered Pacific cod comes with a bubbly crust that snaps under your fingers, and the queue out the door is a testament to its cult following.
Benny’s – Cronulla
Only available for takeaway, Benny’s fish and chips come with mushy peas and tartare sauce. Grab your order and head to the grassy knoll outside for a quintessential bayside experience.
The Boat House, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
The Boat House, Manly on Shelly Beach.
The Boat House, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
The Boat House, Manly on Shelly Beach.
Fish and Chips near the city
If you’re staying in the CBD or exploring the city’s urban precincts, these venues offer top-tier fish and chips without needing to hit the beach.
love.fish – Barangaroo
This waterfront restaurant is all about sustainable, locally sourced seafood. The menu features oysters, raw fish, whole fish, and crustaceans, with plenty of gluten-free options. The drinks list showcases Australian spirits and eco-conscious wines, making it a great spot for lunch, dinner, or a lazy afternoon with champagne and oysters.
Hooked and Harvest – The Rocks
Fresh, flavourful, and fast—Hooked and Harvest is a vibrant seafood and salad bar that serves everything from classic crispy fish and chips to grilled seafood and build-your-own salad bowls. It’s modern Australian dining at its most accessible.
Costi’s Fish and Chips – Multiple CBD Locations and Coogee Beach
With prime real estate just steps from the sand, Costi’s at Coogee is a must-visit. Their Mixed Grill and Battered Flathead are local favourites, and the menu also includes gourmet salads, poke bowls, and hot chips. With additional locations in Barangaroo, Circular Quay, Martin Place and Australia Square, Costi’s is a reliable go-to wherever you are in the city.
Nag’s Head Hotel – Glebe
For a British-style twist, head to Nag’s Head Hotel. Their fish and chips feature fresh John Dory fillet battered in 4 Pines Japanese Lager, served with mushy peas, skin-on fries, and punchy house tartare—all wrapped in paper for that authentic chip shop feel.
Doyles on the Beach, Watsons Bay Credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW
Doyles on the Beach restaurant at Watsons Bay
Doyles on the Beach, Watsons Bay Credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW
Doyles on the Beach restaurant at Watsons Bay
Fish and Chips with a sophisticated twist
These venues offer elevated takes on the classic dish, perfect for those looking to pair their fish and chips with a glass of wine and a stunning view.
Felons Seafood – Manly Wharf
Felons Seafood is a vibrant dining room and bar showcasing Australia’s coastal produce. Choose from market fish like dusky flathead from Eden or Pink Ling from Hawkes Bay, NZ, paired with chef Luke Bourke’s tartare sauce and Felons IPA malt vinegar. The venue is relaxed yet refined, with a menu built on strong relationships with local fishers and growers.
Ripples – Manly & Mosman
Ripples Chowder Bay in Mosman is set in a renovated 19th-century submarine miners’ depot, offering a Modern Australian menu in a truly unique setting. The Manly location is equally picturesque, making both ideal for a leisurely lunch or sunset dinner.
Doyle’s on the Beach – Watsons Bay
A true Sydney institution, Doyle’s has been serving seafood since 1885. Located right on the sand, the restaurant offers stunning views of the harbour and city skyline. The menu includes fish and chips, seafood platters, snapper pie, and more. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay for a scenic journey to this iconic spot.
Fish and chips may be a humble dish, but in Sydney, it’s elevated to an art form. Whether you’re dining with ocean views, grabbing a quick bite after a swim, or enjoying a long lunch with friends, these venues deliver the perfect combination of flavour, freshness and summer vibes.
So grab your sunnies, bring your appetite, and get ready to discover the best fish and chips Sydney has to offer.
Felons Brewing Co. Manly Wharf Credit: Destination NSW
Positioned along the iconic Manly Harbourfront, Felons Brewing Co. Manly is a place for the community to drop their shoulders & soak up the good life.
Felons Brewing Co. Manly Wharf Credit: Destination NSW
Positioned along the iconic Manly Harbourfront, Felons Brewing Co. Manly is a place for the community to drop their shoulders & soak up the good life.
More Inspirational Stories
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in BondiCredit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
A beloved café-bookstore that feels like stepping into a seasoned traveller’s living room, walls are lined with both second-hand and new books ready to be discovered.
From BookTok to Bookshelves: Discover Sydney's Best Bookshops
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in Bondi Credit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Craving your next read and the feel of a real book in hand? Sydney’s new and second-hand bookstores offer a mix of trending page-turners and vintage classics all through the city and beyond.
Step off your screen, wander the shelves, and let friendly staff help you uncover hidden gems while enjoying the atmosphere only a physical bookstore can provide.
Gertude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Where: Bondi
Named after literally figures Getrude Stein and Alice B Toklas, you wouldn’t expect to find a rustic gem like Gertrude & Alice tucked away in beachy Bondi. A beloved café-bookstore that feels like stepping into a seasoned traveller’s living room, walls are lined with both second-hand and new books ready to be discovered. Cozy corners, mismatched furniture, and a small menu make it perfect for a losing a few hours on a lazy day.
Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore
Where: Paddington
Set in a historic terrace on Oxford Street, Ampersand is an unassuming Eastern Suburbs favourite for literary lovers and brunch seekers alike. With shelves stacked with over 30,000 titles, it offers everything from rare finds to best sellers. Don’t sleep on the cafe though, the excellent coffee and menu is best enjoyed in the leafy courtyard while you start on your latest page-turner. The venue was also voted the sixth most beautiful book-cafe in the word by 1000 libraries.
Kinokuniya
Where: Sydney CBD
In the heart of the city, facing the Queen Victoria Building, Kinokuniya is a vast, light-filled bookstore that feels like a literary metropolis. Houses one of Australia’s most impressive collections of international, non-English titles, alongside art, design, and pop culture gems. Manga enthusiasts will find paradise here, while curated stationery and gifts add to the allure. Grab a seat in front of their many light filled windows and watch the hustle of Sydney CBD go by.
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in Bondi Credit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore in Bondi Credit: Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Girl reading a book inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Girl reading a book inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Better Read than Dead
Where: Newtown
A must-visit when exploring Newtown's vibrant King Street, Better Dead Than Read is a haven for unconventional book lovers. Spread across two floors, it specialises in cult classics, counterculture titles, and hard-to-find literary gems, offering a treasure trove for adventurous readers. Vintage posters, eclectic décor, and a quirky mix of furniture create a space that feels lived-in and distinctly rebellious.
Beyond books, the store hosts underground zines, rare editions, and occasional author events, making it a hub for Sydney’s alternative literary scene. Whether you’re hunting for obscure reads, seeking inspiration, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, BDTR rewards curiosity at every turn.
Potts Point Bookshop
Where: Potts Point
A favourite of many a discerning reader, including Nigella Lawson, Macleay Street’s Potts Point Bookshop is a refined haven for discerning readers. Though small, the collection is thoughtfully curated, with knowledgeable and helpful staff making each visit feel personal. Perfect for picking up a gift for a loved one or just yourself, it’s the kind of neighbourhood bookstore that invites lingering and rewards curiosity perfectly matching Potts Point’s stylish village vibe.
Hill of Content
Where: Balmain
Head to Sydney’s Inner West to experience Hill of Content. This independent bookstore feels authentic and has become a real centrepiece of the community and a short stroll from Balmain’s picture-perfect water views. Stacks of literary fiction, children’s books, art, non-fiction and beautifully bound gifts line its shelves. Whether for a thoughtful present or peaceful browse, it’s the kind of store you come away having discovered something special.
Bookoccino
Where: Avalon Beach
Prefer to drink some wine while deep in a novel? This Northern Beaches location is the place for you. Its shelves feature a mix of contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, chosen for quality rather than quantity. Owned by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ray Bonner and local bibliophile Sally Tabner, the store also hosts talks, community events, and small performances, making it a lively gathering spot.
Better Read Than Dead Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Better Read Than Dead Bookshop, King street, Newtown
Better Read Than Dead Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Better Read Than Dead Bookshop, King street, Newtown
Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing at Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach.
Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Couple relaxing at Noahs Bondi Backpackers, Bondi Beach.