Tasmania's Tastiest Fish and Chips

Fast, affordable and delicious, fish ‘n’ chips are a holiday favourite, especially in the island state where you’re never far from the coast. From finger-lickin’ fun on a pier or beach, to seaside restaurants’ fancier fare, we’ve found some of the best places in Tasmania to savour this classic combo.

No trip to Tassie’s complete without fish ‘n’ chips at Hobart’s historic waterfront. Keep things cheap and cheerful by ordering from floating chippies like Flippers or The Fish Man, then chowing down with your legs dangling over the quay. It’s even more memorable when you’re floating too. Roaring 40s Kayaking’s easy Hobart paddle includes fish ‘n’ chips fresh from the Fishy Business punt, enjoyed in the middle of Constitution Dock.

Or kick back at this lively district’s restaurants, such as Mures, loved by locals and visitors since it opened in 1973. At their casual Lower Deck, try chips with blue grenadier or blue eye trevalla, or get extra treats including prawns with the fisherman’s basket. Another waterfront favourite for fish, chips and a wine or beer is Fish Frenzy. Choose from all sorts of seafood, crumbed, battered or grilled. Can’t decide? Share the big Pier Platter.

North Hobart’s Kraken Fish and Chips takes the classic chippy to the next level – especially for Coeliac sufferers, who appreciate the gluten-free menu options cooked in a dedicated fryer. On the city’s fringe by Barilla Bay, Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods keeps mum, dad and everyone else happy with family packs and kids-size fish ‘n’ chips. Psst! They catch their own lobster so consider treating yourself to lobster ‘n’ chips.

In the Huon Valley town of Franklin, where the Huon River starts mingling with the sea, look for the unassuming shed-like Aqua Grill Cafe. Bite into their fresh, flaky fish and crunchy, golden chips and you’ll almost smell the salty sea air. On your way to or from Tasman Peninsula attractions like Port Arthur, don’t miss the popular Doo-lishus seafood van (except when it’s closed late autumn to early spring).

Fraggle's Fish and Chips is in Tassie’s second city, so some way from the sea, but it still scooped the People’s Choice gong in the most recent Australian Fish & Chips Awards. Join the queue for their fresh, local fish and house-cut chips made from Tasmanian potatoes.

Prospect Fish Shop is another favourite Lonny chippy, while further along the Tamar River near the coast, George Town Seafoods has been reeling them in since 1993. Not only fish, including sea bream and king dory, but also customers, who buy it fresh or settle in for the best just-cooked lunch in town.

In Triabunna on the east coast, The Fish Van is just metres from the fleet that catches their menu’s bounty including flathead and flake. Further up the coast in Bicheno, enjoy postcard views of the Tasman Sea with your tucker at Tasmanian Coastal Seafoods. Keep going and head straight for Skippers, a big blue boat permanently floating by the wharf in St Helens.

On the north-west coast you’ll find Fish on the Edge overlooking Bass Strait. With the option of gluten-free batter and a dedicated gluten-free fryer, it’s also a magnet for Coeliacs. But first, drive straight off Spirit of Tasmania to Devonport’s Strait Off the Boat. It lives up to the name, because much of the menu, including gummy and thrasher, is literally straight off their own boat.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.