12 of The Best Fish and Chips on The Central Coast

We reckon fish and chips on the Central Coast are pretty much seasonless. They’re an obvious choice for long summer days at the beach, but they’re also perfect in winter if you’re rugged up and watching the sunset. And actually, they’re a good takeaway option for a Friday night at home with a wine or two, when cooking feels like too much effort. It all works. And with incredible fish & chip shops scattered right across the region, we’re spoilt for choice.

So if you’re wondering where to find the best fish and chips on the Central Coast, keep reading. New, old, local faves – these are the spots we keep coming back to.

Central Coast’s Best Fish and Chips

1. The Salty Cod, Bateau Bay

When it comes to fish and chips on the Central Coast, The Salty Cod is an absolute must. This unassuming little seafood takeaway shop is doing the classics properly, with regular specials and gourmet options to keep you coming back. Try their namesake cod for $18, or the NZ hoki is just $11 if you’re after something simple that still delivers.

Feeling fancy? Squid and chorizo skewers, prawn tacos and a seafood hot pot push The Salty Cod beyond your average fish & chip joint. Grab your order to go and head down to the water, or take it up to Crackneck and enjoy the view. Whatever you do, make sure thick-cut calamari’s in the mix – skipping it would be a rookie error.

2/103 Bateau Bay Rd, Bateau Bay

2. Avoca Beach Seafoods, Avoca Beach

Picture this: it’s a balmy evening in Avoca. The beach and adjacent park are full of groups enjoying award-winning fish and chips; BYO drinks tucked under arms and kids running barefoot. It’s a classic Coastie setup, and the iconic Avoca Beach Seafoods is right at the centre of it.

Everything’s cooked fresh to order, which is exactly what you want from beachside fish and chips, with a thin crispy batter that’s hard to go past. The range is huge here, from mussels and prawns to fresh-cut potato scallops made daily, plus a gluten-free menu that includes crispy coated steak cut chips. Kids’ fish and chips come in under $10, or you can comfortably feed a family of four for under $60, which is no small feat these days. The coveted outdoor seats go quickly, but spreading out on the grass overlooking the beach is half the appeal anyway.

1/85 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach

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3. Darrons Seafood, Wamberal

Darrons is one of those places locals talk about like it’s common knowledge – you’re either already going there, or you’re about to be told you should be. It’s a proper fishmonger setup with takeaway attached, which means the fish is fresh and the menu keeps things simple. Fish, chips, prawns, oysters if you want to add a little extra. Darrons Seafood has built its rep on long-running quality and solid value.

It’s a popular stop before heading down to Wamberal Beach, or for an easy dinner that doesn’t involve cooking. The prices are fair, the serves are generous, and it’s exactly the kind of satisfying, no-nonsense seafood shop you want in your local area.

6/666 The Entrance Rd, Wamberal

4. The Swordfish Co, Budgewoi

Over at Budgewoi, The Swordfish Co is a casual seafood spot with a great seating area overlooking the water. You can grab your fish and chips to go, or settle in on the deck with a drink in hand.

Food-wise, there’s plenty to love. Grilled barra that melts apart, prawn cutlets drenched in garlic herb butter, hand-cut potato scallops, and a seafood platter that takes all the decision-making out of date night. It’s family-owned and run, licensed if you feel like a bevvy, kid-friendly with a dedicated play area, they even cater for vegans with their ‘phish’ and chips, so no one misses out! And whatever you do, save room – they handmake their own gelato so you can finish on a sweet note.

1 Budgewoi Circle, Budgewoi

5. The Pelican, Long Jetty

If you’re after classic fish and chips – simple but satisfying – The Pelican delivers. Fresh fish, calamari rings, potato scallops and skin-on chips made on site daily. There’s a bit of variety here too, so if someone in your crew isn’t feeling fish and chips, they can try a poké, burger or salad instead. It’s well placed if you’re wandering Long Jetty’s strip and want to grab something without overthinking it. There’s indoor seating if you want to take a breather, or grab your order and stroll down to the lake.

2/324 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty

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Waterfront Fish and Chips

6. Terrigal Beach Fish & Chip Co, Terrigal

Grabbing fish and chips after a swim at Terrigal Beach is pretty much a Coastie rite of passage. And Terrigal Beach Fish & Chip Co leans right into it, all mooring lines and weather-worn timber. Fish and chips are the main event, alongside easy meal deals and seafood platters plus tender squid and baby octopus. Don’t skip the homemade tartare sauce – it’s the real deal. Terrigal Beach Fish & Chips keeps things simple, with generous serves and quick turnaround when the beach crowds roll through.

108 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

7. The BOX on the Water Kiosk, Ettalong Beach

From the front it looks like a pretty slick Ettalong Beach waterfront restaurant, but head around the back of The BOX on the Water and you’ll find the beach kiosk. Fish and chips for under $20 – or popcorn prawn tacos are our reccy for something different – straight onto the grass or down to the water. It’s an easy option if you’ve got kids in tow, next to a park and cycle track with no pressure to rush.

The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach

8. Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf, Woy Woy

This one’s been feeding Coasties for generations and is a great option if you want fish and chips on the Central Coast with a bit of history behind them. Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf gives you the choice – grab fish and chips to go, or make a proper meal of it in their fine dining restaurant. Takeaway is cooked to order using fresh produce from their seafood market. You can order straight from the blackboard, or choose your seafood from the market and have it cooked up for you. Ask locals and you’ll hear stories about coming here back when it was just a hole in the wall, and it’s still known for serving some of the freshest seafood around.

The Boulevarde, Woy Woy

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9. Killcare Beach Kiosk, Killcare

On the ground floor of the surf club, Killcare Beach Kiosk is a popular stop for fish and chips, coffee and other beach-friendly eats (burgers, sandwiches, kebabs, you name it). Grab a table if you can, or take it straight down to the sand to stay fuelled for a long day at the beach.

A nice little bonus for families – the SLSC has set up a beach toy library, so if the kids have forgotten their bucket and spade, you’re covered. You can borrow a few bits to play with, or even donate a toy for others to enjoy.

81 Beach Dr, Killcare

Takeaway Fish & Chips on the Central Coast

10. Anthony’s Seafood & Burgers, Kincumber

Part fishmonger, part takeaway, Anthony’s been feeding locals for years. The menu sticks to what works, and the quality is consistent. You can grab takeaway fish and chips to enjoy now, or chat with the local seamongers and take fresh seafood home for later. Either way, it’s a solid option when you want a seafood feast without paying the big bucks.

37-41 Avoca Dr, Kincumber

11. K&J Takeaway, Umina

A classic takeaway that brings Kiwi-style fish and chips to the Central Coast. K&J has all the familiar favourites – fish, chips, burgers, battered oysters – alongside comforting Chinese cuisine and nostalgic treats like deep-fried mars bars and proper thickshakes. Good for an easy lunch or when dinner needs sorting without much thinking. Our tip: $10 fish & chips every Wednesday.

6/327 West St, Umina Beach (Previously Batty’s Takeaway)

12. Tom & Pam’s Takeaway, Kanwal

Old-school takeaway in the best sense, Tom & Pam’s have flaky fish, fresh hand-cut chips, burgers, quick meals and no unnecessary extras. It’s been a local go-to for a long time, especially for those living around Kanwal and Wyong. Located in a shopping strip on the main road, we’d recommend taking it down to Wallarah Point and eating with a view over the lake. If you’re after something fast, familiar and filling, this one ticks all the boxes for classic Central Coast fish and chips.

9/258 Wallarah Rd, Kanwal

There’s no denying it: the Central Coast does fish and chips properly. Grab it to go, eat it by the water, or turn it into a full afternoon out. And if you’re planning where to take it, our guides to the best Central Coast beaches for every mood and the prettiest rock pools on the Central Coast are the perfect place to start.

CONTINUE READING: How the Central Coast Turns a Summer Holiday into Your Forever Home