FICH at Petersham is widely regarded by many chefs in Sydney as serving up the best fish and chips in Sydney. So during the quiet period between Christmas and New Year when the roads and streets made it feel like everyone had left Sydney, we visited to find out for ourselves.
The restaurant features menus and sides: a takeaway menu with limited seating on three tables on the sidewalk, and a dining-in menu with table service to the right.
Ling FICH n’ Chips ($16.00 in December 2022, $19.00 in October 2023), 2 large pieces of beer battered ling, chips and lemon.
The fish had an exceptional level of crispiness, surpassing any we had previously encountered. There was a subtle note of beer flavour lingering in the batter, while the fish itself retained its juicy tenderness. The chips, too, were remarkably crunchy on the outside and delightfully fluffy inside. To put it simply, these fish and chips were the finest we had ever tasted, with the only potential enhancement being a bolder hint of beer to elevate the flavour.
Calamari n’ Chips ($19.00 in October 2023), 6 crumbed calamari rings, chips and lemon.
The calamari rings were generously thick and succulent, cooked to perfection to provide an ideal balance of tenderness without a hint of rubberiness. Each piece was evenly coated in a crunchy crumb that provided an audible crispiness with every bite. The chips, too, were prepared to a similar standard of crispiness and were well-cooked throughout.
Snack Pack Popcorn n’ Chips ($12.00 in December 2022), crispy ling, maple and sriracha sauce, green shallots and sesame.
The batter on the small, crispy fish pieces didn’t hold up well under the generous sauce, but this didn’t bother us too much. The sweet and spicy sauce was quite addictive, and the addition of shallots and sesame provided a refreshing crunch.
Takeaway FICH Potato Scallop ($3.00 in December 2022).
The potato scallop featured the same beer batter, which gave it an incredibly crispy exterior. The interior potato was substantial, about 1 cm thick, and perfectly cooked to a soft, creamy consistency.
We were delighted to find that FICH in Petersham lived up to the online reviews, which praised it as one of the best fish and chip shops in Sydney. If we lived closer, we’d become regulars, but even if it’s out of our way, we’d make an effort to visit when we’re in the area.
FICH at Petersham is located at Shop 3, 98-106 Audley St, Petersham NSW 2049.