There is no summer ritual quite like unwrapping a bundle of fish and chips on the beach. But this season, a North Shore favourite is raising the bar on the classic Kiwi takeaway.

Takapuna Beach Café’s popular Fish & Chip Shop has made a highly anticipated return for the warmer months. Back for its third season, the beachside pop-up is doubling down on its commitment to premium, sustainable seafood. 

Responsibly caught and delivered fresh

Since launching in 2024, Fish & Chip Shop has set itself apart by offering fish that’s always fresh – not frozen – and sustainably caught through methods like longline. This year, the team is going a step further by broadening the menu to showcase a greater variety of underutilised fish alongside traditional favourites.

“We’ve worked closely with sustainable fishers Kiwifish since 2020, and we’re really proud of that relationship,” says Takapuna Beach Café director James Bryant. “Through working with Kiwifish, we’ve discovered that some of the freshest and most abundant fish are species that many people aren’t familiar with. This summer, we’re putting a spotlight on varieties that are oftentimes overlooked but eat spectacularly well.”

A catch for every palate

The daily catch is now structured into three categories – Simple, Classic and Premium – with the fish changing based on what has come off the boats. Every order is cooked to order with a choice of battered, crumbed or pan-fried. The categories are:

• Simple: Underutilised, good eating fish like gemfish and black snapper starting at $10/piece.

• Classic: Familiar favourites like tarakihi, porae and blue moki.

• Premium: Sought-after fish like hapuka, snapper and bluenose.

Even the calamari gets an upgrade, featuring 100% sustainably jig-caught New Zealand arrow squid. And for those with a sweet tooth, dessert offers a distinctly Kiwi nod: a pineapple-flavoured chocolate fish in a crisp batter. 

A summer fixture at Takapuna Beach

A staple of the warmer months, Fish & Chip Shop is open now, operating daily through to King’s Birthday weekend.

“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 James. “That starts with knowing where the fish has come from and serving it fresh, while still keeping things simple and delicious.” 

Visit the pop-up Fish & Chip Shop
22 The Promenade, Takapuna 
Open 7 days, 3pm-8pm, including public holidays with a 15% surcharge. Closed Christmas Day. 
Online ordering available at takapunabeachcafe.com 
@fishchipshop