The best fish and chips in Melbourne and Victoria

What is it? A coastal fish and chippie gem on the Great Ocean Road renowned for its laser focus on quality and freshness.

Why we love it: Few places in Melbourne manage to elevate fish and chips from humble to refined like Fish by Moonlite do. Although the venue changed owners in June 2022, the quality has persisted. The menu is considered and brief, with a focus on sticking to the basics (no deep-fried Mars Bars here). 

Time Out tip: When you visit, make sure you try the potato cakes. Potatoes are hand-cut and blanched in salted water and bay leaves, then battered and fried to order. The result is a snack so earth-shatteringly crunchy, they must get noise complaints. 

Address: Shop 4, Anglesea Shopping village, 87/89 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea VIC 3230

Expect to pay: $18 for fish and chips

What is it? This UK-style chippie in St Kilda run by a Mancunian duo is a godsend for British expats desperate for the golden-fried comfort foods from back home.

Why we love it: The fish and chips are a winner, better yet with the shop’s authentic British sides like housemade chippy gravy, real malt vinegar and salty ‘tato scallops – some of the best in Victoria, I reckon. Better yet, it's stationed in St Kilda, meaning you can enjoy it on the beach. Just make sure you dodge the seagulls. 

Time Out tip: Try the fish and chips first, but on your second visit (and there will likely be a second visit) you should opt for Northern Soul's famous spice bag. In the box is a fragrant mix of fried chicken and chips tossed in Sichuan spices, served with a moreish curry sauce and prawn crackers – in other words, the perfect hangover cure of your hungriest dreams.

Address: 6 Inkerman St, St Kilda VIC 3182

Expect to pay: $26 for fish and chips (includes your choice of an extra side)

What is it? Editas is a proud family-owned shop in Carlton North for fish and chips with a Pacific Islander twist. 

Why we love it: All the fish here is delivered and hand-battered daily, the chips are hand-cut and fried well for that extra crunch, and social media is going crazy for their delicious fried eats. Check out their Insta page and drool.

Time Out tip: This shop is home to one of the best fish burgers in Melbourne, but we're also a little bit in love with the buttery coconut prawn roll. 

Address: 382 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054

Expect to pay: $19 for fish and chips (includes a potato cake, dim sim and can of coke)

What is it? Pipi's is a contemporary kiosk in Albert Park serving world-class fish and chips, backed up by some serious hospo pedigree (chef Jordan Clay worked in Paris' Le Chateaubriand).

Why we love it: Pipi's champions sustainable and locally sourced seafood, done simply and done well. Delicate fresh fish with crispy batter and chips dusted in saltbush powder elevate a humble classic with cheffy prowess. 

Time Out tip: Make sure you order the homemade tartare – trust us, it's good.  

Address: 129a Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park VIC 3206

Expect to pay: $24 for fish and chips

What is it? Scalable in Essendon oozes passion and aims to educate its customer on food wastage and responsible fish consumption.

Why we love it: Take, for instance, its fish wings, which many venues throw away as a by-product of filleting. Not here! Scalable serves them fried and crispy with a zesty glaze – a perfect compadre to your chips. The batter is layered and crunchy with delightful crevices and holes perfect for catching sauce and juices (people with trypophobia, be warned). Scalable also has potato cakes as big as your hand, so it's smiles all around. 

Time Out tip: Did you know that Scalable is from the 300 Grams crew? Yep, that's right – the folks who we reckon make some of Melbourne's most delish cheeseburgers.

Address: 1041 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon VIC 3040

Expect to pay: $18-21 for fish and chips

What is it? What's better than fish and chips? Fish and chips with an ocean view. D'Lish Fish takes you right to the source at its Port Melbourne location.

Why we love it: This joint serves up all the greats, including fried dimmies, potato cakes and battered hot dogs. For purists, there's a wide variety of seafood available, which can be cooked in your preferred style. Enjoy it at the inside or outside tables, or get it takeaway and eat it right on the sand. Sometimes the simplest seaside chippie is the chippie that steals your heart.

Time Out tip: Not that you'll be hungry after a feed, but they do ice cream here too so you may as well treat yourself to dessert!

Address: 105 Beach St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207

Expect to pay: $18 for fish and chips 

What is it? Owners and long-time friends Luke Edwards and Luke Dalton spent years working in bars and restaurants out in Victoria's ski fields, before the bright idea to open a fresh seafood joint in their hometown was born. Locals and tourists alike are big fans.

Why we love it: There are plenty of reasons to pay Fisho's a visit next time you're down in Torquay: stunning beach views, fresh (and frozen, if you like) Margaritas and frosty pints of local craft brews – and last but not least, some of the freshest, best-cooked seafood you can find on the Great Ocean Road.  From the scallops and oysters to crispy traditional-style fish and chips, expect high quality, locally sourced seafood that's best enjoyed out in the sun. 

Time Out tip: Go for a swim at Torquay Beach before you eat – the fish and chips taste even better when you've worked up an appetite!

Address: 36 The Esplanade, Torquay VIC 3228

Expect to pay: $25 for fish and chips

What is it? This bright, split-level space bustles with tradies grabbing fish burgers, couples cooing over grilled prawns and families sharing gargantuan oval platters laden with fried things.

Why we love it: Coburg’s industrial streets are an unlikely location for a fish and chip shop, though the grim concrete view doesn’t deter the crowds, who have good reasons for their loyalty to Blu. The fried fish tastes fresh and is armoured in a thick, golden batter with reinforcements from crisp and bountiful chips. 

Time Out tip: You definitely want to add a few calamari rings – these supersized beauties are big enough to lasso a shark. 

Address: 146 Gaffney St, Coburg North VIC 3058

Expect to pay: $20 for fish and chips

What is it? This old-school fish and chip shop is perfect for family get-togethers by the beach.

Why we love it: What's not to love? Aside from the picturesque Williamstown location, you've got cheesy potato cakes, a fresh battered or grilled fish of your choise and chips loaded with chicken salt. Bring a large group and make a feast of it.

Time Out tip: If you want a bit of heat, try enjoying your fish and chips with some peri peri sauce ($2).

Address: 1 Syme St, Williamstown VIC 3016

Expect to pay: $18 for fish and chips

What is it? Oakleigh Fish and Chips is a light on fuss, straight to the point, old-school purveyor of fish and chips.

Why we love it: Its menu contains Australian classics (like a burger with the lot and steak sandwich), but you'll come, and stay, for the fish and chips. Fried goodies come clad in batter, and the chips are cut fresh daily with four seasonings to pick from: chicken salt, pepper, oregano and vinegar. Fish of the day is typically flake, which is consistently firm, juicy and sweet. This is an unpretentious chippy at its deep-fried best. 

Time Out tip: Keen to kick on for a few drinks after a date night fish and chips? Try this lovely Greek-inspired rooftop wine bar – it's just a 4-minute walk away.

Address: 45 Chester St, Oakleigh VIC 3166

Expect to pay: $20 for fish and chips (comes in a pack with a potato cake, a dim sim and your choice of drink)

What is it? A friendly neighbourhood gastropub set within an impressive 150-year old building (one of Melbourne's oldest hotels).

Time Out tip: Wash it down with a frosty pint or two and your Sunday lunch is a winner.

Address: 43 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052

Expect to pay: $39 for (very good) fish and chips

What is it? Number 844 High Street Thornbury has been a purveyor of fish and chips in Melbourne for so long they remember when rock was young and Elvis was thin.

Time Out tip: Feeling a nostalgic chippie snack? Try a Chiko Roll, a Corn Jack, a pineapple fritter or a big, juicy pickled onion.

Address: 844 High St, Thornbury VIC 3071

Expect to pay: $20 for fish and chips (includes a dim sim and potato cake)

What is it? This fishmonger and seafood eatery on Queens Parade replaced the former Parade Seafoods, which served hungry flocks for over a century. 

Time Out tip: Feeling a nostalgic chippie snack? Try a Chiko Roll, a Corn Jack, a pineapple fritter or a big, juicy pickled onion.

Address: 318 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North VIC 3068

Expect to pay: Around $27 for fish and chips (pack includes a calamari ring, potato cake, dim sim and Argo's sauce)

What is it? This Richmond favourite is an inner-city institution that serves decadent seafood platters of the highest quality.

Why we love it: Unassuming fish and chips might not be your first thought when dining in this light-filled bistro, but we implore you to reconsider. First, pick your fish from the extensive range, then choose from one of four preparation styles. The result is a well-cooked piece of fish with perfect chippies (you can pick salad as a side, but that's not why we're here). 

Time Out tip: After your lunch, grab some fish from the wholesale section and try to recreate the glory at home.

Address: 437 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121

Expect to pay: $28 for fish and chips