Fresh off the back of the launch of his book, Australian Fish & Seafood Cookbook, Anthony Huckstep plumbs the depths and reels in the five of the best seafood restaurants Down Under.
Is it the best brunch in Sydney? For lovers of sea urchin roe and crumpets it may well be. Young gun Josh Niland, who worked with the fish king himself Stephen Hodges, is an angel with seafood. You’d be hard-pressed to experience better seafood anywhere in Australia. Must eat: sea urchin crumpet 362 Oxford St, Paddington, saintpeter.com.au
Few restaurants have a menu that alters so much day to day – always reliant on the catch of the day. Cracking setting and fish fresher that a flathead flopping about on the deck. Must eat: John Dory schnitzel pan-fried with dill pickle and chips 50 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads, thefishhouse.com.au
Melbourne’s reigning seafood maestro Michael Bacash has an innate understanding of seasonality, species and the best cooking methods. Ask what fish has landed that’s spanking fresh and a must-eat and Bacash will do the rest. Must eat: deep-fried King George whiting, house-made tartare, pommes dauphine 175 Domain Rd, South Yarra, bacash.com.au
Practically an institution now. The Boathouse is somewhat of an unsung hero, but chef Colin Barker is continuing the tradition of championing under-utilised species, with the added bonus of one of Australia’s best oyster menus. Must eat: snapper pie with smoked tomato and mashed potato 123 Ferry Rd, Glebe, boathouse.net.au
Those Bentley Boys are at it again, and some say it’s their best gig yet. The new fish-focused restaurant, in the very site vacated by Noma following its 10-week pop-up, is delivering a beautiful mix of technique and celebration of the denizen of the deep blue. Must eat: flounder, pickled mushroom, oyster cream 23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo, cirrusdining.com.au
