Wellington’s 12 Absolute Best Fish and Chips
David Harris
| Last Updated: March 2024 The first time I had New Zealand’s infamous fish and chips was as a child with my family. We sat by the waterfront, indulging in golden, crispy fish paired with hot, salty chips.
As I took my first bite, I knew that this was a dish I would never forget. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to find the best fish and chips in Wellington.
This means that if you’re hankering for some amazing fish and chips in the city, I’ve got you covered. Below are my top picks!
1. Starfish Fish & Chips to Go
Address: 138 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6444999992
Forget fancy tablecloths—this is grab-and-go goodness at its finest. The queue can be out the door sometimes, but trust us, it’s worth the wait.
Their hoki bites are legendary—light, fluffy batter clinging to perfectly cooked, flaky fish. Dunk them in that homemade tartare sauce, and you’ll be doing a happy jig.
Pro Tip: They do a mean feed of mussels too. These are plump, juicy mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, and a touch of cream. Grab a half-dozen (or a cheeky dozen, no judgement) and watch the sunset over Te Papa.
2. Wellington Trawling
Address: 220 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday – 8 AM to 8 PM
- Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday – 8 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday – 8 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6443844056
This is the OG, the granddaddy of fish and chips in Wellington. They’ve been hauling in the freshest seafood since 1932, and their batter is a thing of legend—light, crispy, and without a hint of grease.
Grab a scoop of their chips (hand-cut, of course) and head down to the waterfront for a classic Kiwi feed with a view. You won’t regret it.
Pro Tip: Ask for your fish to be deep-fried. It’s best that way!
3. Leo’s Seafood
Address: 83 Constable Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 1 PM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +6449396830
When it comes to fish and chips in this fine city, you can’t go wrong with a classic like Leo’s. This place has been reelin’ in the locals for years with their legendary battered fish and golden, fluffy chips.
Their hot chips are a thing of beauty—thick-cut and perfectly seasoned—so they’re the ideal partner for any fish you choose.
And speaking of fish, the options are endless! From snapper and gurnard to hake and terakihi, Leo’s has something for everyone.
Pro Tip: Be sure to go early on Fridays, because this place gets packed with Wellingtonians hankering for their Leo fix.
4. Ortega
Address: 16 Majoribanks Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 11:30 PM
Phone: +6443829559
Ortega’s fish is always fresh and flaky, the batter’s light and crispy, and the chips are golden perfection. Plus, the atmosphere is cool and casual, perfect for a laid-back feed.
Pro Tip: Ortega’s can get packed, especially on weekends. So, get there early.
5. Fresko Fish & Chips
Address: 53 Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 7 PM
Phone: +64 04 2139179
Don’t let the unassuming storefront fool you, because this place is a local legend. Their batter’s light and crispy. The fish? Flaky, juicy, and always fresh as a daisy straight out of the harbour.
Chips? Golden nuggets of perfection, cooked in that good ol’ peanut oil for maximum flavour.
Pro Tip: Grab a scoop of their homemade potato salad on the side.
6. Alasia Seafood
Address: 37 Miramar Avenue, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday – 4 PM to 9:30 PM
- Wednesday & Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +6442100310
Alasia’s got that light, tempura-style batter that shatters with the gentlest bite, revealing perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth fish underneath.
They rotate their catch daily, so you’re always getting the freshest of the fresh—think snapper, gurnard, hake, or even the occasional whitebait fritter if you’re lucky.
And the chips? Golden, chunky, and never greasy.
Pro Tip: Skip the line (it can get gnarly, especially on Friday evenings) and order over the phone.
7. Shed 5
Address: Queens Wharf, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +6444999069
This joint’s got harbour views that could melt butter (pun intended). It’s housed in a cute lil’ wharf shed. But the real star of the show? Their fish and chips.
The fish is flaky enough to make angels weep. Chips?
Hand-cut, triple-cooked beauties, each one a crunchy nugget of potato heaven, dipped in that golden elixir they call “beer batter.” Forget your stodgy excuses for fries.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip out on the sides. They have pickled onions that bite back just right, homemade tartare sauce with a tarragon tang that’ll knock your socks off, and a green goddess dressing that’s so good, we wouldn’t blame you for licking the bowl (but maybe don’t do that in public, eh?)
8. Huckle & Co.
Address: 31A Dundas Street, Seatoun, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +6443881786
They have fresh, seasonal seafood battered so light it practically levitates, and chips like crunchy golden pillows of joy. They even do fancy stuff like oysters and whitebait fritters if you’re feeling flashy.
Pro Tip: Skip the line and snag a picnic table down by the beach. Soak up the harbour views, listen to the seagulls screech, and devour your fish and chips with the sand between your toes. But be warned—the seagulls might try to steal your chips.
9. Seaview Takeway
Address: 92 Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11 AM to 9 AM
Phone: +6443878928
This place is right smack bang on the beach! You can practically smell the salty air and hear the seagulls squawking while you wait for your order.
The grub itself isn’t messing around. Their fish is always fresh, never that sad, frozen nonsense. Chips? Golden perfection, every single one.
Pro Tip: Grab your chips, head down to the rocks, and watch the sunset over the harbour. It’s fish and chip nirvana.
10. Brooklyn Fish Supply
Address: 56 Cleveland Street, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6443856510
Brooklyn Fish Supply has the golden trifecta of perfect fish and chips down pat. Batter that’s light and crispy, not greasy or soggy.
Fish that’s fresh, cooked to perfection, and doesn’t skimp on the portions. Whether you’re a fan of gurnard, snapper, or something else, Brooklyn Fish Supply hooks you up.
Chips that are hot, golden, and just the right amount of salty. They’re the kind you can’t stop popping until the entire paper bag is a sad, delicious memory.
Pro Tip: Their homemade tartare sauce is tangy, creamy, and the perfect complement to the fish. They also have a mean lemon aioli that’s worth trying.
11. Kilbirnie Fish & Chips
Address: 41 Coutts Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours: Sunday to Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6443872282
You can’t go wrong with Kilbirnie Fish & Chips. The fish is always fresh and flaky, the batter’s light and crispy, and the chips are golden perfection.
Plus, the portions are huge, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Pro Tip: Grab your fish and chips and head down to the Kilbirnie waterfront. Find a sunny spot on the grass and watch the boats bobbing in the harbour.
12. Strathmore Fish Shop
Address: 506-A Broadway, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday – 12:30 PM to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 1:30 PM to
Phone: +6443883205
Forget fancy schmancy harbour views. Strathmore’s all about good vibes and greasy fingers. It’s classic Kiwi chippies, tucked away in a wee corner.
The queue might snake out the door, but trust us, it’s worth the wait. Haddock, gurnard, snapper—whatever swims your way, it’ll arrive cooked to golden perfection.
And the chips are doused in just the right amount of salty magic.
Pro Tip: They’ve got some fancy pants options too, like fish tacos and chowder.
