Fresh from the ocean not the freezer, Takapuna Beach Cafe’s Fish & Chip Shop returns with its most diverse catch yet.
On Thursday 15 October, Takapuna Beach Cafe’s Fish & Chip Shop makes its highly anticipated return. This season, the beachside pop-up is doubling down on what it does best: taking one of New Zealand’s favourite summer rituals and making it better.
Since it first started, Fish & Chip Shop has served fish that’s fresh rather than frozen and sustainably longline caught. For season three, it’s going a step further by putting a greater variety of lesser-known, underutilised local species on the menu alongside the classics.
“We’ve worked closely with sustainable fishers Kiwifish since 2020, and we’re really proud of that relationship,” says Takapuna Beach Cafe owner James Bryant. “This summer, we want to encourage people to try something other than their usual. Some of the best fish in our waters are species people haven’t heard of, and they eat spectacularly well. Giving people more variety is great for the plate and better for our oceans too.”
Fish of the day is now divided into three categories: Simple, Classic and Premium, with the catch changing daily depending on what’s available. Starting at $10 a piece, the new Simple category puts underutilised species like Gemfish and Black Snapper in the spotlight, while Classic options include Tarakihi, Porae and Blue Moki.
The Premium category features Hapuka, Snapper and Bluenose. Every fish is available battered, crumbed or pan-fried.
Plenty of the playful touches that have made the summertime pop-up a consistent hit are returning, including the crumbed buffalo halloumi, fish sliders, and the chip butty with buttery brioche, housemade aioli and tomato sauce.
Fish & Chip Shop uses line-caught fish from sustainable fishers, Kiwifish
The calamari on offer is sustainably jig-caught New Zealand Arrow Squid and, for dessert, you can’t go past the pineapple-flavoured chocolate fish – battered and deep-fried, of course.
“Fish and chips on the beach is about as Kiwi as summer gets, and we love being able to take something so familiar and make every part of it as good as we possibly can,” says Bryant. “That starts with knowing where the fish has come from and serving it fresh, while still keeping it fun and delicious.”
Now in its third season, the Fish & Chip Shop has become a summer fixture at Takapuna Beach Cafe.
Its popularity proves that a Kiwi classic can be made better with fresher fish, a more considered catch and a little more variety on the menu.
Fish & Chip Shop
Thursday 15 October 2026 – King’s Birthday Monday 7 June 2027
Available 7 days a week at Takapuna Beach Cafe from 3pm to 8pm including public holidays (with a 15% surcharge)