Fish and chips on the Sapphire Coast

FISH & CHIPS ON THE SAPPHIRE COAST

Crumbed, battered, grilled or fried: fish and chips are a rite of summer. There are some summers you will always remember, like the summer spent on the pristine beaches of the Sapphire Coast, unwrapping a hot and salty pile of chips and crispy battered fish to be shared out near the sea, while on vigilant watch for seagulls… It’s a tradition! 



WHEELERS TAKEAWAY, MERIMBULA

Fabulous locally sourced fish, and oysters from the family shed next door… cakes made by a local baker, coffee, ice creams and a load of local gourmet provisions, all with a view over the green fairways of Pambula Merimbula Golf Course.

Battered flathead? Yes please. Sweet potato chips, sea scallops, hand crumbed calamari, indeed, plus panko crumbed prawn skewers. Gluten free batter available and oysters open or unopened, straight from the local leases. Little packs of oysters and prawns with a classic seafood sauce should satisfy every post-lockdown hankering.

You can order convenient hot packs of traditional fish and chips for all tastes and numbers and dine at an indoor or outdoor table. But of course you can abscond to the nearby beach which stretches from Merimbula to Pambula, with plenty of room to get lost.

BLUE WAVE SEAFOOD BERMAGUI

What better way to enjoy your fish and chips than with a view of the colourful boats of the Bermagui fishing fleet? At Blue Wave Seafood on Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf you get super friendly service and delicious fish and chips, and not just your traditional fish ‘n’ chips, but burgers, drinks and fresh locally caught seafood to take back to camp.

You can watch the boats head out in the mornings and see the catch unloaded in the afternoons and evenings, ready to send off to market. You can chat to professional fisherpeople and watch the local cormorants do their fishing also. All fresh fish sold at Blue Wave is from the clear waters off Bermagui.

AQUA PAMBULA BEACH

Under new management and just a hop, skip and a jump away from spectacular Pambula Beach, Aqua is one of our favourite go-to haunts for crispy-delish seafood after days spent in the salty sea. Only a short wander from Pambula's golden sands and sparkling ocean, there's no need to change out of your togs or even need a towel.

Grab a fish and chips pack, crumbed calamari rings and potato cakes, or mix it up with a whole roast chicken and gravy. They've got burgers, pies and toasties too, plus ice creams, drinks and everything you need for an afternoon with family and friends on the Sapphire Coast.

CRANKY CAFE, MERIMBULA

They’re all pretty friendly at Cranky Cafe, and if you like your fish in crispy, crunchy and light beer batter the colour of actual beer? This is your jam. Cranky’s have been refining their offerings over the years and they have it down pat. House-made batter, panko crumbs on their Calamari and Scallops, good golden colour on the chips, salt from South Australia – this is non-greasy food served up pretty fast for your post-surf hunger.

A day exploring Merimbula Lake or Main Beach is easy when you have family food like this and the green lawns of Ford Park to settle on to if you’d like a break from the sand. There are tables under cover and dogs are welcome. Or for those golden afternoons, wander down to Mitchies Jetty for a serene picnic setting. Every summer, Cranky’s open up their evening fish and chips only shop from the rear entry of the cafe.

WHERE FRESH IS BEST

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