There’s nothing better than finishing a day at the beach with some fish and chips on the sand. A good selection of fish, a handful of heavily salted chips, a potato scallop and some calamari, all spread out on the white paper you’ve turned up at the sides to keep out the stray grains of sand that might get blown your way.
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As the seagulls gather, in the hope you’re feeling generous, you stare out across the water, your shoulders already tingling from too much sun.
I sampled a few fish and chip selections over the break, as the kids and I road-tripped regularly. Here are some of our favourites.
Grey Dolphins, Mollymook
Grey Dolphins sits, somewhat inconspicuously, between a bottle shop (handy) and a butcher, in the retro Mollymook shops. The fancy Bannister’s Pavilion is across the road, its luminous blue pool shining brightly, with cool people sipping champagne on the balcony. But the Mollymook shops are all hot asphalt, with a '70s feel.
The fish is excellent, with a good batter ratio, the chips and scallops full of soft potato. There’s a great range of burgers and pizzas too. Save room for ice cream - there’s a thousand flavours (or so it seems). The choc-mint milkshake was a highlight of the summer. The staff are super-friendly.
Sandy Foot Pizza Cafe, Malua Bay
The best thing about the Sandy Foot is heading across the road to the park. There’s no need to get sand on your feet again after you’ve packed up and are heading home. The food is great too. There’s a good selection of fish - the crumbed fish is especially good. Throw in a garden salad and you’ll feel almost healthy. The pizzas are a great option too. Try a flying pig (olive oil, smoked garlic, bacon and parsley) or a funghi goat (smoked garlic, olive oil, mushroom, goat’s cheese and parsley) for something a little more upmarket. There's a handy bottle shop next door too. But it’s all about crossing the road.
Bawley Takeaway, Bawley Point
Another good old-fashioned place, serving traditional fare. A good selection of fish, burgers and pizza, and they don’t do a bad coffee either. The calamari was a highlight of our visit, and there are proper potato scallops with minimal grease. Service is friendly and quick, and the place always seems busy. There’s a grassed area at the shops, or you can head back over to the beach, where there’s a large park with a playground and easy access to the sand. Lash out and eat on the gantry as the sun sets.
Innes’ Boatshed, Bateman’s Bay
Forget the seagulls, this is where the pelicans come to play. Innes’ is all about position - right on the Clyde river, yet in the middle of town - and there’s options to eat outside and in. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see the fishing boats come in. Is your fish at home that fresh? The kids' pack here is a good option, their eyes are always bigger than their bellicans. Or something like that. Get in early to avoid the crowds. It can get busy.
For land-lubbers
We might be back in Canberra and back at work, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop sampling the delights of the sea.
There’s plenty of places in Canberra with a water view serving excellent fare. Try Snapper at the Lake, at the Yacht Club on Lake Burley Griffin, or That Fish and Chip Place on the Foreshore.
Suburbia offers up Flatheads in O’Connor and Catch in Braddon.
And don’t forget Bree Element’s yarns on the search for Canberra’s best scallop.
What’s your favourite place for fish and chips, home and away? Let us know.
