17 Restaurants in SA that serve the classic good ol’ fish and chips

(Image by Kalky’s)

Cape Town

Kalky’s, Kalk Bay
This spot sits right in the Kalk Bay harbour and is a Cape Town icon. For years the little seaside shack has been serving families and friends from all walks of life, on their plastic red tablecloths. Sitting right by the sea, next to bobbing fishing boats, the whole experience is as authentic as it could possibly get. You can order crispy battered hake or snoek in a big portion of two fillets or the single portion, both served with chips.

Snoekies, Hout Bay
After the second World War, prior owner, Hans, bought an old bus and converted it into a takeaway fish and chip shop right in the Hout Bay harbour. From then on the business expanded with the help of Hans’ popular smoked snoek recipe, which led to the purchase of a factory. The café has since changed ownership but it still sits proudly as one of Hout Bay’s landmarks. Enjoy their light and crispy hake or snoek fillets served in different portion sizes. Last year they extended their seating area with catering for over 60 diners.

Lusitania Fisheries, CBD
This is a small takeaway outlet serving office workers for lunch. The set-up is basic, with a simple menu, the most popular item being their battered hake and slap chip parcel. This is wrapped up in wax paper just as a traditional fish and chips should be. They only serve takeaways but they do have a small outdoor seating area just in front of the shop.

Salty Sea Dog Fisheries, Simon’s Town
This is a Simon’s Town institution famous for its classic fish and chips and smoersnoek. The quaint white cottage sits right near the quayside with a slightly rustic interior with plastic blue tablecloths, the suitable aesthetic for enjoying fish and chips. They also have a sort-of conservatory type room with a lovely view of the sea, while allowing rays of sunshine to splash the table.

Lighthouse Café, Simon’s Town
This lovely café is owned by a husband and wife duo, Heleen and Brett, who bring a culinary passion to the table in the form of fresh sea food and other French-inspired meals. Prior cooking in the South of France has enabled Brett to bring that quintessential Provençal flair, and combine it with a homey beach house feel. The bright and airy space is very relaxed and welcoming. A speciality on the menu is their Jamie Oliver beer-battered hake and chips served with homemade tartar sauce and salad.

Live Bait, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg
Part of the Harbour House group, Live Bait find that balance between upmarket and casual in a comfortable zone of chic. Each restaurant is bright and airy, with an overflowing of natural light, making the space feel as fresh as the seafood they serve. They are also both right on the sea, the waves lapping while you enjoy seafood served in a Mediterranean. yet local style. The hake and chips are served with their signature green sauce, crispy fries and Summer salad.

Durban

The Fish Plaice, Berea
When it comes to classic battered fish and chips, the simpler the better, and these guys get it right. The Fish Plaice caters to all your fish and chip needs: you can order online, eat-in and they are open daily with daily specials. Order a classic fish and chips or mix things up with a combo.

Skippers, Broadway
A rustic, down-to-earth fish and chips joint serving the real deal in traditional fish and chips right by the Durban boardwalk. The meals are great value for money, with Skippers being primarily a takeaway joint, however they do have casual seating. So skip on over for a walk on the promenade and enjoy Skipper’s hake fillet fish and chips, which can also be ordered as a combo meal.

Fish on Florida
This might be a more upmarket establishment, but Fish On Florida keep it simple when it comes to their battered fish and chips. They serve two beer-battered fillets with chips and tartar sauce either as a main or the pub version which is a smaller plate for more casual bar-style dining.

Fish, Umhlanga
The name of this restaurant indicates their dedication to serving tasty, quality fish. Fish is a vibey spot in Umhlanga’s restaurant and bar hub. They strive to keep things simple, by focusing on quality fresh seafood, prepared with traditional techniques. Battered hake and chips come in a large portion or a junior portion for the kids, and you can get those mushy peas just like you’re at a British chippy.

Neo, North beach
Neo’s is your classic, low key Mozambican taverna, serving up traditional peri peri chicken and seafood. The space is simple and unpretentious, with a focus on authentic flavourful food. Enjoy classic fish and chips, with a side of peri peri sauce, besides the high rise beach front hotels.

Johannesburg and Pretoria

George’s Fish and Chips, Roodepoort
Inspired by the traditional British chip shop, George’s serves traditional battered hake fillets with chips. The little takeaway and sit-down joint bring a slice of the seaside to a very much inland town, with a blue and white, ocean-themed interior.

Toni’s Fish and Chips, Villieria
Toni’s is a restaurant that combines convenience with fresh, high-quality food. After opening Toni’s pizzeria, the owners went on to perfect their method of preparing fresh fish and calamari. Today this has materialised into their uncomplicated and unpretentious eatery and you simply cannot go wrong with their traditional fish and chips.

Fish Hook, Cresta Darrenwood
A simple fish and chip takeaway focused on British traditions, except when to comes to the slap chips. They serve a variety of dishes like calamari and fish cakes, but do not miss the mammoth Hake fillet, battered until golden and served on top of a pile of chips with tartar and mushy peas.

Port Elizabeth

Fish Finder
This is your go-to fish and chip spot in PE. Fish is always fresh, changing daily depending on what is caught. The beach house-style restaurant is filled with charm, with its captivating blue and white exterior drawing you in. Hake is coated in their ‘unique batter’ and served with golden chips, either for eating in or takeaway.

Fishtales
Open 7 days a week, this fish and chip shop with two outlets in Summerstrand and Sunridge Village. The menu is nicely arranged for customers to order precisely what they feel like, sides and fish items served separately. Battered Hake is always on the menu but find out what the catch of the day is. Meals are also reasonably prices.

Have we left any out? Please let us know which is your favourite fish and chip joint by commenting below or emailing us!

See last week’s guide: