What’s on the dinner menu when you hit the beach in summer? Yep, you bet it’s fish and chips for 9 out of 10 of us!
Whether it’s with the kids who just cannot help themselves to a chip without seasoning everyone’s dinner with sand, or the seagulls that understand that mateship is all about sharing your chips – someone will be on the nose by the end of the meal. Tears and all, it is absolutely worth every crunchy bite and we just love it.
We’ve made a list of the very best fish and chip shops by the sea in our region just for you! We’ve even given you the best ‘pairings’ for your beachy fish and chip dining location for each… and if the weather turns, not to worry – you can enjoy steamy car windows and fish and chips with a view.
Parker’s Fish & Chips hand cut the potatoes for their chips. Is there any more we need to say?
Okay – you’ll also find super-friendly service, a variety of delicious fish fillets and only the freshest ingredients from local seafood suppliers. Can’t decide? Go for the special seafood basket, it includes a seafood stick, a fish bite, calamari rings and crumbed prawns.
As you take the short drive down to the beach (we recommend Stingray Bay at low tide), just try not to tear off a corner to steal a few chips.
Renowned as Victoria’s crayfish capital, Apollo Bay’s working harbour is home to a co-operative of local fisherman. They own this business and supply it with the freshest of local catch. So, it goes without saying that the fish is super fresh! You can also get grilled half cray here — which is our recommendation.
Dine on the harbour deck out the front, taking in the view — or stroll down to protected Mothers Beach by the outer breakwater if you want some sand in your chips.
Amongst the take-away options in Portland, Henty Street Fish & Grill shines as a local favourite. They source the freshest locally caught seafood and do a roaring trade and you’ll soon understand why. The chips are superb and the batter is crispy and delicious — for Friday night or any night!
Best enjoyed on the Portland foreshore.
Tucked in next to the IGA is Fish by Moonlight, a little local gem where you will find locally sourced fresh seafood, along with the most delicious fish and chips with lighter than light batter, that will melt your heart and your tastebuds. The handmade potato cake is the stuff of dreams. Once you’ve tried it you’ll find it hard to drive past without stopping here.
Point Roadknight beach – just perfect on a warm summer night.
Aireys Inlet Fish & Chips is known as the ‘fresh and friendly fish and chip shop’ along the Surf Coast. Family-owned and operated, your freshly battered goodness is served with pride and a passion for using locally caught fish and Victorian produce. The word on the street is these are the best chips along the coast!
Stroll over the road along Painkalac Creek and find a grassy spot or picnic table with a view of Split Point Lighthouse and the sea.
Port Campbell Bay is heaven on a summer’s day and you’ll love that you literally step off the sand and over the road to grab your dinner and bring it back! The fish and chip game is high stakes here with a quick turnaround and clearly many local fans.
Grab a table overlooking the bay or find a spot on the grassy Port Campbell foreshore, or you can’t go past the lawn area to the south of the Norfolk pines overlooking Port Campbell Jetty.
Captain Hooked in Lorne will have you hooked – part of a lineup of banging takeaways dominating the centre of town, this seafood specialist not only provides the usual fish and chip takeaway menu, but also has a ‘Seafood Market’ where you can purchase seafood by the kilo. They also serve coconut water fresh from the shell!
Walk straight across the road and find a sandy spot along Loutit Bay.
White sand for miles leaves you wondering if you’re still in Victoria or have been whisked away to some tropical paradise. Cape Bridgewater is nothing short of stunning and what’s more, the Bridgewater Bay Cafe takes up pole position and offers a range of cuisine including fish and chips – which are essential in a location like this one.
Best enjoyed on the sand out the front.
Peterborough is one of those places where there is an ‘everything’ shop. Stay for a week and you can bet you’ll have stopped in here no less than 20 times and be on first name terms with the managers. Not only can you get a range of takeaway food including delicious battered fish and chips, here you’ll feel like one of the locals in no time at all.
Head to the Bay of Martyrs trailhead and find a private spot along the long stretch of beautiful beach.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
