A feed of fish and chips
It's not a beach holiday without at least one feed of fish and chips by the water. Torquay has four places for it, all within a kilometre of each other and about five minutes' drive from north Torquay. Three are in the town centre, a few minutes' walk from the foreshore, and one is up on the Surf Coast Highway.
Two have changed names recently, which confuses the maps. The Gilbert Street shop is now Captain's Catch, and Flippin' Fresh on the highway is now Lucia's. Same addresses, same phone numbers.
At a glance
Hours from each shop's website or online ordering, October 2026.
| Shop | Where | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fisho's | 36 The Esplanade | Daily, 12-3pm and 5-8pm | Eat in or take away |
| Captain's Catch | 34 Gilbert Street | Wed-Mon, 11.30am-3pm and 4-7.30pm | Closed Tuesdays |
| Bell Street Fish and Chips | 32A Bell Street | Tue-Sun, 12-8pm | Closed Mondays |
| Lucia's | 33 Surf Coast Highway | Evenings from 4.30pm, weekend lunch | Ring first Mon-Wed |
The shops
Fisho's
On The Esplanade, right across the road from the beach, and the only one of the four where you can sit down with a margarita or a local beer. It's a step up from a takeaway: the day's fish, grilled or fried, with hand-cut chips and dill tartare, plus fish tacos and salads. The fish and chips were $26 on the spring menu. It's open every day, but closes between lunch and dinner.
Captain's Catch
The old Gilbert Street fish and chip shop, on the main shopping street a couple of minutes from Front Beach. The shop says there's been fish and chips on this spot since 1954. A classic takeaway menu, with a flake pack at $19.40 and a family pack for four at $69.99. Closed Tuesdays.
Bell Street Fish and Chips Host favourite
Next to the Torquay Hotel, a few minutes' walk from The Esplanade. The Classic Pack ($18.50) is flake, a potato cake, a dim sim and chips, and there's a long list of fish to choose from, including King George whiting and flathead tails. It's open straight through from midday to 8pm, which makes it the one for a late lunch. Closed Mondays.
Lucia's
The former Flippin' Fresh, on the Surf Coast Highway about a kilometre from the beach. It's an easy pickup on the way back to where you're staying. The chips are cooked in their own fryers, so it's the best bet for anyone avoiding gluten, though the shop calls them low gluten rather than gluten free. A wood-fired pizza shop and bar were "opening soon" in October 2026.
Which one?
For a table, a drink and a view of the water, it's Fisho's. For the classic paper-wrapped pack to carry to the beach, Captain's Catch is the closest to the foreshore and Bell Street is the one that's open mid-afternoon. If you're driving back after a day out, Lucia's is on the way in from the highway.
Watch the days. Bell Street is shut on Mondays, Captain's Catch on Tuesdays, and Lucia's wasn't taking online orders from Monday to Wednesday when we checked, so early in the week Fisho's is the safest bet. The takeaways also finish early, by 7.30pm or 8pm, which can catch you out on a long summer evening.
All four will grill your fish instead of battering it. It costs a dollar or less extra at the takeaways, and it's the same price at Fisho's.
Ordering
All four take orders online for pickup, through the links on their own websites. On a summer evening that's the way to go: Bell Street and Lucia's both say they can't always answer the phone when they're busy, and Fisho's says it may pause online orders at peak times. Pick a collection time, then head to the beach when it's nearly ready.
For a family, the family packs are good value and save you counting potato cakes. They run from about $70 to $84 for four. Most packs can't be changed, so order grilled fish or extras separately.
Where to eat by the water
The foreshore lawns above Front Beach are the obvious spot. They're across the road from Fisho's and a short walk from Captain's Catch and Bell Street, with the playground close by for the kids. Front Beach is on the sheltered side of Point Danger, so the water's usually calm enough for a paddle after tea.
For something quieter, drive up to Fishermans Beach at the north end of the foreshore, or eat first and then do the short walk out to Point Danger for the view. Our Torquay beaches guide has all of them.
The wind can be rude in spring, and the seagulls are bold all year. Keep an eye on the chips. For a cone afterwards, our ice cream guide has the shops, including Nordenfine next to Bell Street Fish and Chips.
Fish and chips in Torquay FAQ
Where can I get fish and chips in Torquay?
Fisho's on The Esplanade, Captain's Catch on Gilbert Street, Bell Street Fish and Chips, and Lucia's on the Surf Coast Highway.
What happened to Gilbert Street Fish and Chips and Flippin' Fresh?
They've been renamed. Gilbert Street is now Captain's Catch, and Flippin' Fresh is now Lucia's, at the same addresses.
Which fish and chip shop is open on a Monday?
Fisho's and Captain's Catch. Bell Street is closed, and Lucia's wasn't taking online orders on Mondays when we checked.
Can I get gluten-free fish and chips?
Lucia's cooks its chips in separate fryers and uses chickpea flour on grilled fish, but calls it low gluten, not gluten free. Every shop will grill fish instead of battering it.
Where's the best place to eat them?
The foreshore lawns above Front Beach, a short walk from three of the four shops.
For a sit-down dinner, see our Torquay restaurants guide. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 21 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Fisho's Torquay — Fisho's (official)
- Bell St Fish and Chips — Bell St Fish and Chips (official)
- Menu — Bell St Fish and Chips (official)
- Captain's Catch Torquay — Captain's Catch (official)
- Takeaway menu — Captain's Catch (official)
- Online ordering — Captain's Catch (official ordering system)
- Lucia's Torquay — Lucia's (official)
- Online ordering — Lucia's (official ordering system)
- Low-gluten information — Lucia's (official)