Five Great Places for Fish and Chips in Joburg
It was a Monday and it was my birthday. I had a photography assignment in the morning and then I went to Cresta Mall to do some shopping. After shopping, I thought I should buy myself a birthday lunch. What could I treat myself to for lunch on a random winter Monday? Suddenly I had it: Fish and chips.
I drove to a fish and chip shop in Randburg that I had heard was good. I ordered a “small” fried hake and chips for R52 (about $3.50) and salivated during the 10-minute drive home. Once home I devoured half the fish and chips (it was way more than I could eat in one sitting) at my kitchen counter. It was the best birthday lunch imaginable.
At that moment I decided to do a Jozi Top Fives post on fish and chips.
Fish and chips has been a cheap, popular meal in Joburg since the early gold-mining days. (I touch on that history in this post about slap chips.) It’s not really possible to do a definitive “top five” ranking of fish and chip shops: Everyone has their own favorite for their own reasons – nostalgia or taste or a combination of both. But here are five fish and chip shops I’ve enjoyed. Thanks to everyone who provided their own fish and chip recommendations when I posted a question about this on Facebook.
1) Solly’s Corner (Fordsburg)
I’ve blogged about Solly’s Corner before and it appears in my #Gauteng52 book.
Solly’s serves many South African fast food specialties in addition to fish and chips – Russians, Viennas, fried polony, frikkadels, etc., all halal of course – but the fish and chips is notable for the Indian masala seasoning sprinkled on top. Solly’s gives fish and chips a particularly South African flair and that’s what I like about it. Plus Solly’s is such a fun place to go and absorb the vibe.
Solly’s Corner is at 30 Lilian Ngoyi Street in Fordsburg.
2) The Fish and Chip Shop (Victoria Yards)
Victoria Yards is a funky arts hub in Lorentsville. It’s not the kind of place you’d expect to find a fish and chip shop tucked among the organic vegetable gardens and art galleries. And yet there it is – the Fish and Chip Shop. (That’s its actual name.)
This shop is so pleasant and it has a very sweet origin story, which I just read about now on the Fish and Chip Shop website. I love the fact that the fish and chips are still about R50 even though the clientele is more affluent than that of an average fish and chip shop. Also these fish and chips are really, really good.
The Fish and Chip Shop is right inside Victoria Yards at 16 Viljoen Street, Lorentzville.
3) Tiberius Fish Emporium (Sandringham)
Tiberius Fish Emporium is in a shopping center in the heart of Joburg’s biggest Jewish neighborhood. Hence, this is probably one of the few places (maybe the only place?) in Joburg selling kosher fish and chips.
The fish and chips at Tiberius is a bit fancier than at the other shops – it’s the only place on this list where the fish is served on an actual plate and not in paper. Tiberius is also more expensive – R100 ($6.70) for a platter, while the others are all around R50 or slightly less. I thought my meal was worth the price though and after all, this fish is holy.
Tiberius is a deli and bakery as well as a fish shop, selling all kinds of kosher treats. I also love the people-watching in this part of Joburg.
Tiberius Fish Emporium is at 74 George Avenue, Sandringham.
4) MaxBox Fish and Chips (Sophiatown)
The other day I saw a post on the “I Love Melville” Facebook page asking for local fish and chip recommendations. Someone suggested MaxBox in Sophiatown (which is very close to Melville) and I was intrigued. “MaxBox” is such a cool name.
MaxBox is a franchise, with locations all over Gauteng province. I don’t normally blog about fast-food chains but I think this is a fun one so I’m making an exception. Also MaxBox wins the prize for cheapest fish and chips, at R34 ($2.35) for a generously sized portion.
I ordered my MaxBox fish and chips with salt and vinegar, as I always do. The salt and vinegar tasted so good that I didn’t even add ketchup. I’m so glad Sophiatown is close to my house because the smell nearly killed me on the way home.
MaxBox is in the Sophiatown Shoprite Centre on Gold Street.
5) Fish Hook (Darrenwood)
Fish Hook is the place I went on my birthday – the fish and chip shop that motivated me to write this post in the first place.
Fish Hook is tucked into a nondescript little building in Darrenwood, between Cresta and Linden. The owner is Welman Son, who was born in Joburg after his parents immigrated here from China in the 1940s.
I had a very brief conversation with Welman that day as we waited for my fish to fry. I’m not sure why but it had a big impact on me. Welman seems like such a kind, genuine man. I had been feeling melancholy when I came in, contemplating my advanced age, but I left Fish Hook with a spring in my step.
I mentioned offhand to Welman that it was my birthday. He refused to let me pay.
As I said, we all have our favorite fish and chip shops for our own reasons. Fish Hook is my favorite now, because of Welman.
Fish Hook is in Darrenwood Centre on Republic Road.
Read all of my Jozi Top Fives posts.
Comments
Thanks for the post! My birthday coming up soon and I’ve not had chips and fish (????) for ages….. xxxx
Perfect!
Nothing in Sandton :-(
I guess Sandton is too fancy for fish and chips. You’ll have to venture to Randburg ????
I guess so Heather. There actually used to be a nice Fish & Chips place here on 11th ave Parkmore but they just closed & vanished. But before closing you could see how badly managed it had become.
Oh that’s interesting. Yeah it seems like 11th Ave (much like 7th St in Melville) is always changing.
Happy happy birthday Heather! As for age, I’m having great conversations with young women, SO much younger than me, who say I inspire them with my gypsy lifestyle. It seems I’ve had to get old to be inspiring???? Truly, many of us old girls are enjoying life more as we get older.
I totally agree. By the way my birthday was two months ago - it just took me a long time to write this post ????
Ha! Every day is a birthday????
I love that you got a birthday gift! Very cool. Andy loves good fish and chips.
I just like the chips.
Ah yes you’re not a fish person.
Only sushi. Weird, right?
Well sushi is a different kind of fish.
Hope you had a fantastic birthday Heather! I always love your posts and photography. :)
Thanks so much Nicole!
I had fish and chips with friends last Saturday at Victoria Yards; was my suggestion. As usual it was fresh and tasty and too much to eat all at once. We sat at the picnic tables there. My only negative thought is that they use too much plastic - from cutlery to the containers for the salads and other ‘sides’. Next time there I’ll try to talk to them.
Captain Fish in Brixton PicknPay Centre. Watching the colourful clientele come and go if half the fun. Owned by a 2nd generation Lebanese lady with stories to tell. And yea, the further south in Joburg you go (think Rosettenville) the better the fish.
Ah, that sounds interesting! I never go to that center.
I’m sure that was the one we ate at after the marathon of a walk you lead us on Charl, it was very good.
Noooo! You’ve just spread the word too far and wide.
Fish Hook is my favourite local fish shop. Try going past on a Friday night it’s utter madness as us locals know it well. Still the best fish ‘n chips and awesome value for money.
Hahaha, sorry :)
Heather, Fish Hook is a few blocks from my office and I can vouch for your taste sensation. Sometimes we have to wait a bit since the shop is so popular but seeing that the potatoes are peeled in the back and freshly fried makes it worth the wait. Also, the “small” fish and chips is enormous and more than enough for two.
Exactly. I can’t imagine who orders the large!
I love a good fish and chips, even better when there is a story behind it.
Yes. And it’s interesting how every shop seems to tell a story!
My favourite has to be the one at Victoria Yards, as it’s close by but do also like Solly’s in Fordsburg.
I feel like Victoria Yards gets better and better.