Neil_Oz

I remember ordering a dish described as "fish and chips" somewhere in the US and receiving a plate of battered fish with a pile of potato crisps. I guess I should have known that something equating to our fish 'n chips would be advertised in the States as fish 'n fries to avoid confusion. It wasn't bad, but I probably should have followed my instincts and ordered the clam chowder.

pat_woolford

Another wonderful pie "find" when travelling north from Sydney is at the little town of Karuah on the Pacific Highway north of Newcastle. Home made, stuffed with fresh oysters and light, flaky pastry.

Neil, pies in Queensland also are available with that grey-green gloop - "mushy" peas or "blueboilers". It's inserted under the pie crust so at least the pie doesn't float in it and they use Worcestershire sauce rather than tomato. Still revolting though.

MikeD

The place in Manly luv2fly is referring to is called Oceanfoods - and it really is that good. Rick Stein (top British seafood chef) even went there on one of his tv shows.

Another great place for seafood is the Sydney Fish Markets. Buy some freshly cooked prawns or bugs (large crustacean looks like an elongated crab) and eat them by the water - it's unbeatable.

Neil_Oz

There are Balmain bugs and and Moreton Bay bugs. Balmain is an inner-Sydney harbourside suburb, once working-class but now reputed to be infested with affluent arty types. Moreton Bay is near Brisbane and locals believe their bugs to be far superior to their anaemic Sydney cousins. Out here in the real (inland) Australia we make do with a freshwater crayfish called a yabbie. Not bad, but lacks that sea taste.

twoflower

While you're on about unusual pies across the Tasman, don't forget Mr Pepper's oyster pies. Truly orgasmic! Had trouble coming to terms with Oz pies, a terminology thing mainly. A steak pie in NZ is exactly that, whereas in Oz a steak pie is what NZers call a mince pie. You have to buy a "chunky" steak pie in Oz to get something equating to the Kiwi steak pie. Fish & chips? The best I've had in the world were from a Greek chippie in Paddington, London (UK). Interestingly the best fish & chippies I've found in both NZ and Oz were also run by Greeks. Someone asked about Thai food? Outside of Bangkok the best I've found were all in Christchurch NZ, and the worst (by a mile) in Brisbane Australia.

pat_woolford

The best Thai food in Cairns is in the suburb of Stratford - The Garden Room - they do selections of Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Sri Lankan. The chef who is Indonesian, trained under the renowned chef David Thompson from Sydney's Darley Street Thai - David Thompson has now opened a restaurant in London, the name of which escapes me but I believe his second Sydney restaurant, Sailor's Thai in The Rocks is still operating. Sorry - getting a long way from fish & chips and pies!

AussieJo

If at Surfers Paridise go down the spit road (which heads to Seaworld) & just next door to the 6 star Palasso Vercase Hotel hidden in trees is Peters Fish & Chips. Here you can buy fresh prawns, oysters bugs & combine these with wonderful freshly cooked fish & chips then take them out onto the walkway & enjoy a great seafood feast.