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The 12 Best Fish and Chips in Johannesburg to Sink Your Teeth In
While fish and chips were popularized in England, did you know they owe their existence to 16th-century Spanish and Portuguese refugees? These refugees introduced the method of frying fish in batter, which became a staple in English cuisine.
When European immigrants flocked to Johannesburg during the early gold rush, they brought fish and chips with them. Today, it’s a beloved local favorite, with eateries putting their own spin on this classic dish. Quite the tasty legacy!
We’ve searched all the local restaurants to find the best fish and chips, so you can enjoy them, hot and ready!
The Fish & Chip Shop
Media From: thefishandchipshop_sa
Address: Shop 9A, Green Valley Shopping Centre
Phone: +27 632 542 348
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website: https://thefishandchipshop.co.za/menu/
Price: $
The Fish & Chip Shop is a cozy, family-run favorite serving up authentic British-style fish and chips. Since opening in 2018, they’ve built a loyal following by using fresh ingredients and perfecting their signature golden batter.
If you go, don’t miss the hake and chips! I loved how the fish was flaky and sweet, wrapped in perfectly crispy batter. The chips were spot on—crispy outside and fluffy inside. Portions are generous too, making it great for sharing!
| Pro Tips: Every Monday, you can get the medium-size hake and chips for only R56 instead of R85.Bring your family or friends here every Wednesday and Sunday to enjoy a group meal for a discounted price of R345. |
Akhalwaya’s Bree Street
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Address: Newtown
Phone: +27 118 383 573
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Akhalwayas-Bree-Street-100028127389105/
Price: $$
Are you looking for variety? Akhalwaya’s Bree Street has you covered! Alongside their authentic British-style fish and chips, they offer steaks, sandwiches, burgers, and fresh salads.
As a spice lover, I was thrilled that their fish and chips came with a South African twist—a hint of chili that added just the right amount of heat. It perfectly complemented the flaky, tender hake and the crispy, golden chips.
| Pro Tip: Order their Combo 3 for R130. You’ll get the classic fish and chips along with three pieces of polony. |
Sollys Corner
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Address: 30 Lilian Ngoyi St
Phone: +27 699 275 733
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sollys-Corner-Original-100054466929506/
Price: $
If you’re after quick and tasty fish and chips, Solly’s Corner is the spot. Known as an authentic South African fast food, they dish out everything from rolls and fish masala to their classic fish and chips.
Their fish and chips might be one of the best I’ve ever had. The homemade spicy masala seasoning, with its blend of coriander, cumin, fennel, and mustard seeds, perfectly enhanced the tender, flaky hake. And the best part? It’s super affordable—just R100!
| Pro Tip: You can customize your fish and chips by creating your own parcel. Add either polony, Russian sausages, Vienna sausages, shish kebab, frikkadels, or rolls to make your meal even more delicious. |
Fishmonger Illovo
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Address: Thrupps Centre, 204 Oxford Rd
Phone: +27 112 680 068
Opening Hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Website: https://fishmongerillovo.co.za/
Price: $$$
For a seafood delight, Fishmonger Illovo is one of the best places to dine. Their menu highlights fresh, high-quality seafood, featuring everything from shellfish and line fish to expertly crafted sushi.
I rarely eat vegetables, but I made an exception with Fishmonger Illovo’s fish and chips. The hake was incredibly fresh, the chips perfectly crispy, and the side of veggies tied it all together. It was a balanced meal that was nutritious and delicious!
| Pro Tip: Pair the fish and chips with Fishmonger Illovo’s chocolate mousse. The contrast of savory hake and sweet chocolate creates the perfect ending for your meal at the restaurant. |
The Big Mouth
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Address: Shop No 13 & 14 of Nelson Mandela Square Corner Maude &, 5th St
Phone: +27 106 342 890
Opening Hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Website: https://www.thebigmouth.co.za/
Price: $$$
The Big Mouth is a new concept diner that offers a diverse menu, ranging from charcoal-grilled dishes to gourmet sushi.
As a new concept restaurant, The Big Mouth puts a modern twist on fish and chips. Their flash-fry method was something I’d never seen before, and the result surprised me. The fish had a lighter, crunchier texture, offering a truly fresh take on this classic dish.
| Pro Tip: Order Dijon mustard sauce to add a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the crispy, savory fish and chips. |
Ocean Basket
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Address: Sandton City, Food Court, L4
Phone: +27 102 269 133
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Website: https://oceanbasket.co.za/
Price: $$
Indulge in a Mediterranean-style dining experience at Ocean Basket. Popular for their generous portions, they serve up a variety of fresh seafood, including fish, calamari, prawns, and mussels.
For me, the fresh hake and crispy chips weren’t the star of the show. Instead, it was the zesty lemon sauce. It offered a burst of tangy freshness that you don’t get with the classic tartar sauce.
| Pro Tip: Add halloumi cheese to your fish and chips. Halloumi’s firm, chewy texture complements the tender fish and crispy chips, creating a delightful contrast. |
Pata Pata
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Address: 286 Fox St, Jeppestown
Phone: +27 790 893 676
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/PataPataJazz/
Price: $$
Enjoy your fish and chips with lively jazz music at Pata Pata. This popular spot offers a diverse menu, blending African cuisine with American dishes, steakhouse classics, seafood, and street food.
I loved how Pata Pata took a lighter approach to the classic British-style fish and chips. Instead of deep-frying, they lightly grilled the hake, giving it a crispy exterior that melted the moment it entered my mouth. The chips were grilled alongside the fish, turning golden brown and perfectly crispy.
| Pro Tip: Pair Pata Pata’s fish and chips with an Appletiser for the perfect combo. The slightly sweet, non-alcoholic drink cleanses the palate, making every bite as refreshing and enjoyable as the first. |
Walnut Grove
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Address: B38, Sandton City Shopping Centre
Phone: +27 117 836 111
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website: https://walnutgrove.co.za/
Price: $$
Walnut Grove is a charming boutique restaurant, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy your meal under a towering walnut tree adorned with over 10,000 reclaimed antique crystals, while exploring a menu that offers a blend of Italian, Mediterranean, and South African flavors.
When it comes to fish and chips, you’ve got two tasty options: deep-fried or lightly grilled. Of course, I went with the deep-fried version for that classic experience, with its golden, crispy batter and tender fish inside. But if you’re after a healthier option, the lightly grilled fish offers a smoky, flavorful twist that pairs perfectly with a fresh squeeze of lemon.
| Pro Tip: For a different pairing, try combining fish and chips with Walnut Grove’s snowball. The sweetness and softness of the snowball complement the crispy fish and chips, creating a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. |
Old Fashioned Fish & Chips
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Address: Shop 80a, Glendower Place Centre
Phone: +27 645 511 302
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday – 10:15 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Old-Fashioned-Fish-And-Chips
Price: $
Another great spot for traditional fish and chips is Old Fashioned Fish & Chips at Glendower Shopping Centre. Their menu features a variety of seafood dishes, including snoek, kingklip, and fish cakes.
The restaurant’s signature fish and chips come with options for traditional batter, beer batter, or grilled fish. I was curious about the beer batter, so I opted for it. To my surprise, it had a rich, slightly malty flavor with the perfect balance of crispiness and lightness, which complemented the tender, flaky fish inside.
| Pro Tip: Opt for the Captain’s Large Basket combo when dining with a group. It comes with 4 large hake, medium chips, salad, and onion rings. |
Fishaways
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Address: Shop U55, Bedford Centre
Phone: +27 116 150 620
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Website: https://location.fishaways.co.za/bedford-centre
Price: $$
If you’re at Bedford Centre and craving fish and chips, Fishaways is the place to visit. Their menu includes classic fish and chips, calamari, and lighter options like grilled hake.
The hake in their fish and chips is coated in a crispy batter and deep-fried to golden perfection, creating a tender yet crunchy texture. The thick-cut chips are just as satisfying—crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.
| Pro Tip: Make your fish and chips more interesting with veggie pops! These tasty bites are made with a mix of vegetables like carrots, peas, and corn, coated in a crunchy batter, adding another layer of crispiness to your meal. |
The Fish & Chip Co.
Media From: fishandchipco_sa
Address: Shop 232 -233, Rosebank Mall Level 2
Phone: +27 694 708 020
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday – 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: https://fishandchipco.co.za/
Price: $
The Fish and Chips Co. is the spot if you’re craving a variety of fish and chips. They offer unique twists like New York fish and chips, Philadelphia fish and chips, and Swiss fish and chips.
I tried all the versions, and here’s what I found: The New York Fish and Chips featured battered cod, hand-cut chips, tartar sauce, and lemon. Next, the Philadelphia version had cheese-stuffed haddock, crispy chips, and mushy peas. Finally, the Swiss version had mozzarella-stuffed fish filets, crispy chips, and your choice of tartar sauce or lemon butter.
| Pro Tip: Get their Mad Buddie meal. For just R129.90, you’ll have two small hake filets, two large Russian sausages, and a serving of medium chips—great value for a hearty meal! |
The Chip Shop
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Address: Shop 6, Tiffani Centre C/o Alwen &
Phone: +27 114 962 888
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Friday to Saturday – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thechipshopormonde/
Price: $$
If you’re shopping at Tiffani Centre, why not grab some fish and chips at The Chip Shop?
You’ll have two options: hake or cod. They stick to the traditional method, deep-frying the fish and chips until golden brown. To finish it off, they add a lemon wedge, giving the dish a burst of citrus that perfectly complements the savory, crispy fish and chips.
Plus, they also have other dishes on the menu, like toasted sandwiches and dagwoods, giving you plenty of options to pair with your fish and chips.
| Pro Tip: Choose salt, vinegar, and masala as the seasoning for your fish and chips. The blend of savory, tangy, and spicy flavors takes the dish to a whole new level. |
