Seafood and eat it: Your Wellington fish and chips guide

There are plenty of fish to fry in Wellington, but these fish and chip spots stand out for different reasons:   

• For classic summer fish and chips: Seaview Takeaways 
• For a seafood dining experience on the waterfront: Shed 5 
• For a great legacy and all-round seafood feast: Wellington Seamarket

These stores will satisfy your craving for classic fish and chips, plus other fried goodies. Family-owned Wellington Seamarket has been operating as a fish and chips store and seafood retailer since 1947. Today, it has three locations across the city: on Cuba Street, Lambton Quay, and in Lower Hutt. Their slogan ‘no one goes hungry in our family’ is no joke. Browse the fresh seafood cabinets before deciding whether to take fish home or have it battered on the spot. 

Another longstanding institution, Starfish Fish & Chips To Go in Thorndon serves hungry public servants and locals on the go. Be sure to add a few paua fritters to your order. Corfu Seafoods in Karori can be trusted to make some of the city’s best deep-fried calamari. Plus, it’s a great pit stop on the way to the Mākara coastline. Leo’s Seafood keeps customers coming back thanks to value-for-money portions and speedy service. You can’t miss their iconic blue-and-white exterior on Constable Street in Newtown. Are you a sucker for dim sims? Join the loyal Aro Valley locals at Te Aro Fish Supplies.

Battered fish is a staple, but there comes a time for an elevated dining experience and the finest quality seafood. At Ortega Fish Shack, you will find creative flavour combinations worthy of a Michelin star. By the harbour, Shed 5 offers a premium dine-in experience, featuring their experienced in-house fishmonger. Watch the boats come and go as you sample their seafood risotto or perfectly prepared market fish. The wine list ties it all together. 

Next to Shed 5, The Crab Shack is a seafood restaurant the whole family will love. You’ll be gawking as they deliver mega seafood platters to the table, chock-full of shellfish. For something lighter, sample the creamy seafood chowder. Coene’s offers one of Wellington’s best waterfront dining locations. The ceviche and oysters are perfect for a long lunch.

Relive your childhood memories and add some sand for extra crunchy fish and chips. Seaview Takeaways in Lyall Bay is a seaside dairy established in 1991. The menu includes Indian and Chinese cuisine, complemented by an impressive drinks and ice cream range. The highlights, however, are the crumbed chicken burger and classic fish and chips. Kudos to them; the batter doesn’t overwhelm the generous hunk of fish. 

On the nearby Miramar Peninsula, Huckle & Co might win the prize for the biggest fish burger in the country. Fish of the day options could include trevally, moki, snapper, and hāpuku. Take your order down to Seatoun Beach, but watch out for seagulls eyeing up the golden batter. The Chippery in Mount Victoria is a long-time favourite thanks to hand-cut chips and fresh fish that feels a little bit fancy. Choose your fish, fries, and batter from the mix and match menu, then dig in at nearby Oriental Bay.

There’s always room on the market for another local fish and chip store, but can they do it justice? Island Bay Seafood and Newtown Seafood are both up-and-comers in the fried fish business. Rave reviews from their respective local communities suggest a bright future. Meanwhile, Johnsonville Mall Fish Supply has customers travelling from the other side of the city for its Chinese fritters and chicken wings.