Catch of the Day
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Crispy fish, salty chips, a dollop of sauce and a spot with a view — it’s hard to beat this family dinner ritual. Now the weather’s warming up, it’s the perfect time to throw a blanket down on a grassy headland at sunset and watch the whales spout their way south for the season. If the kids need some fresh air, or you just can’t be bothered cooking, here’s where to get your Northern Rivers fish and chips fix this spring.
FISHMONGERS, BYRON BAY
For a gourmet twist on a family favourite, head to Fishmongers on Bay Lane. Opt for tempura battered or grilled fish, accompanied by your choice of homemade chips, rice, tempura vegetables or signature salad and corn. There’s calamari too, grilled with soy and Cajun spices, or king prawns grilled with lemon and garlic herbs. Fish tacos and fish wraps also make an easy dinner while you watch the action – on the waves and out past them – at Belongil or Main Beach.
FISHHEADS, BYRON BAY
It’s all about eating local at this Byron Bay institution with a fabulous setting overlooking Main Beach. Dine in and there are kid-friendly options on the menu alongside the seafood or keep it easy with the takeaway – built for grabbing dinner on the run. The classic fish and chips are a family favourite, with burgers and fries for the fussier eaters. Once your order’s up, let the kids run around Apex Park, framed by pandanus palms and sparkling ocean.
THE STUNNED MULLET, CABARITA
If fresh barramundi grilled with garlic butter, a generous array of salads and an icy fruit smoothie sounds good, The Stunned Mullet in cruisy Cabarita is the go-to. Fresh fish is filleted daily, salads are made with local ingredients, and sauces are whipped up in house – though the kids will likely still ask for tomato sauce. Juicy coconut prawns are popular too, along with the famous fish burrito and crispy fish tacos loaded with coleslaw and guac. Bring the dog and grab a sidewalk table, or head up to Cabarita Hill and spread out the picnic rug for the easiest family dinner with a view.
NORTHERN RIVERS SEAFOOD, BALLINA
Once you’ve snapped the obligatory selfie at The Big Prawn in Ballina, hop across the road to Northern Rivers Seafood. As well as fresh fish and chips fried in a light and crispy batter, there’s an abundance of fresh seafood for sale, from big, sweet, juicy Ballina prawns cooked to order to lobster, snapper, Tasmanian salmon, crabs and tuna. Ballina Headland is the perfect spot for a family picnic dinner, with sweeping views of the lighthouse and ocean while the kids polish off their chips.
THE SALTY BEARDMAN, KINGSCLIFF
This friendly beachside cafe serves up fish of the day crumbed, grilled or battered, plus your pick of fat, skinny or sweet potato chips – the age-old family debate. Feeling extra hungry after a swim or surf? The Salty Fisherman’s Basket is packed with fish, crumbed calamari, prawns and battered sea scallops, with plenty to go around. The sheltered picnic tables on the foreshore are conveniently close, with dazzling ocean views and no fuss if a chip or two ends up in the sand.
SCALES SEAFOOD, TWEED HEADS
An award-winning family-run seafood market, you can pick up all kinds of ocean bounty at Scales. Think local Balmain bugs, spanner crab and whole local salmon, which can all be cooked to order (or taken home for the back yard barbecue). There’s also no-frills, super tasty local flake and chips, beer battered flathead, prawn rolls, calamari burgers and crumbed oysters – something for every kid at the table. The banks of the nearby Tweed River are just the spot to tuck into your takeaway feast.
SOUTH BANK FISH & CHIPS, COOLANGATTA
Perched right on Marine Parade, South Bank Fish & Chips is our favourite new kid on the block, serving up barramundi, blue grenadier or grilled fish with chips, coleslaw, tartare and your choice of sauce. There's a dedicated Kids Corner on the menu too, so little ones can pick their own basket without a fuss. Head to the grassy stretch by Snapper Rocks or Point Danger for a family dinner with a view, then round things off with a shared sticky date pudding.
@southbankfishnchipsaus
HASTINGS POINT GENERAL STORE
If you like your fish and chips served with a side of tropical oasis views, it’s hard to beat Hastings Point General Store. After working up an appetite on the waves or splashing in the shallows of Cudgera Creek, simply stroll across the road for classic fish and chips. More in the mood for a fish burger? The barramundi burger ticks all the right boxes. Enjoy the lot under the shade of your beach cabana or wander up to the grassy headland for a classic family sunset dinner.
@hastingspointgeneralstore
OKKY FISH CHIPS SALAD, POTTSVILLE
Kicking back with the kids on Mooball Creek or Pottsville Beach? Just fill in the online order form and pop over to collect dinner at Okky. As well as fish and chips (all gluten free), you will find a spicy marine burger made with prawns, calamari and whiting, delicious Japanese style karaage fish or chicken burgers and salads, plus bento boxes and tasty halloumi sticks the kids will devour.
@okkyallgf
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