Balaclava Fish — Restaurant in Queensland

Don't just take our word for it, read the other reviews. We ordered the basket for two with coral trout which would easily have fed three people. 12:15pm on a Wednesday, plenty of parking and no wait time. At $38 the price was great for the serve sizes and quality received. Balaclava Fish isn't the trendiest place or connected to the Cairns CBD (which is what we were looking for), but the quality is exceptional. The fish was freshly, lightly battered before our eyes, cooked to perfect time and temperature in clean oil and presented a crunchy and decadent coating. Just the right amount of salt. The fish within was slightly opaque, juicy and melted in our mouths. Chips were crunchy, smothered in chicken salt at our request and fluffy within. The prawns and calamari similarly lightly coated, crunchy and cooked to gentle perfection. If you want a trendier, cosmopolitan experience, and at a higher price tag and smaller serving size, then head into the Cairns CBD. But if you want genuine surburban fish and chips cooked better than you remember as a kid on a Friday night, the heading over to Balaclava Fish will see you...

What a horribly sad day.

I have been going to Balaclava fish for many years, and for the first few it was a very good experience. Over the last few years it has became more hit and miss with each visit, and I mean by that, one time it would be okay,and the next time it would be average. After going there tonight,There is no doubt in my mind that there will not be another time that I buy fish and chips from this shop. I don’t know why but they now have crinkle cut chips which taste like they have been bought from the Coles budget line freezer. The battered Fish was okay,but I paid $24 for a meal for myself,and if I pay that price I would expect the quality to be of that level, but unfortunately it was well below my moderate expectations.

So...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely the Best Fish & Chips in Cairns!

Every visit here is a reminder of how good fish and chips should be. The grilled fish is always fresh, juicy, perfectly cooked, and served in a generous portion. Chips are spot on — crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, and never greasy. I also love that you can order an extra-small portion if you’re not feeling too hungry.

The potato scallops are another highlight: beautifully golden, crisp, and non-greasy — basically perfection in a bite. Service is always quick and friendly, which makes the whole experience even better.

This place isn’t just the best in Cairns, it’s one of the best I’ve had anywhere. No oily aftertaste, no regrets — just delicious, satisfying food every...