Lousy Food Banished

117 King William Road, Hyde Park

Fish Out of Water claims Best Fish & Chips in SA (2019 & 2021), but does it live up to the hype—or is it just fishing for compliments? With an extensive menu covering seafood, burgers, salads, and desserts, there’s plenty to choose from. But at these prices, your wallet might feel lighter than your battered fish.

Food & Prices (For One Person):

• Battered Butterfish ($7.20) – Not terrible, not great—a bit of a wallflower in the fish world.

• Snack Chips ($3.90) – Crispy, golden, and seasoned with the holy grail of toppings: chicken salt. They stayed crunchy, proving that not all heroes wear capes.

• Calamari ($4.60) – A standout. Lightly crumbed, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor.

• Snack Moroccan Couscous ($7.70) – A tiny but mighty overpriced portion. Sweet raisins, a little spice—tasty, but for the price, I expected it to tell me my future.

• New York Stuffed Cookie ($9.00) – Dubai chocolate with a crunchy pistachio kataifi center. Sounds fancy, right? It was good, but $9 for one cookie? For that price, I was expecting it to come with life advice and a hug.

Total: $32.40 for one person

For a casual fish & chip shop, that’s edging into “do I need a loan?” territory.

Atmosphere & Service:

A laidback, casual setting with indoor and outdoor seating along the Hyde Park strip. Friendly service, and the menu is stacked—seafood, burgers, wraps, salads, desserts, and thickshakes.

The Verdict

Would I go back? Yes, but I’d order differently. The calamari and chips were solid, but I’d skip the fish and salad next time. The Panko Crumbed Chicken Burger (which my sister swears by) or Portuguese Chicken would be my next picks.

If you’re after crispy chips, killer calamari, and a menu that covers all cravings, this place delivers. Just don’t expect bargain-bin pricing—your stomach will be happy, but your bank account might need a moment.

Some hits, some misses, and a few questionable price tags, but still worth a revisit—with a game plan.