The Sands Fish and Chip Shop
+64 3-539 6161+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 7:45 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 6:45 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 6:45 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 6:45 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 7:45 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 7:45 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$2.00 – $35.00
CUISINES
Seafood, Fast food, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
meals, features
Details
About
The Sands Fish and Chip Shop. We are a small seaside takeaway shop on the ground floor of the Sands Complex. We are known for our large selection of Gluten Free products available on request. There is a large undercover carpark off Bisley Ave and a customer entrance from the carpark. A big thank you for all the people who have posted a comment on Trip Adviser. We are now listed in the Top 10% of resturants in the World. THANK YOU , Roy and Bruce owners.
PRICE RANGE
$2.00 – $35.00
CUISINES
Seafood, Fast food, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Visa, Digital Payments, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
592 reviews
Excellent
476
Very good
55
Average
21
Poor
16
Terrible
24
Compass472283
New Zealand6 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
The best fish and chip shops in Nelson
We had the battered blue cod and chips and sat outside on one of the tables to eat a very very good meal. While the blue cod fillets are relatively expensive compared to basic battered fish, they are substantial. One piece is more than enough and the quality of the fresh fish is exceptional.
Highly recommended if you are in Nelson and you have the option of eating your meal down at the beach or the large park across the road.
Probably the best fish I have ever had
Written 19 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie M
Sechelt445 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
A great location with the beach across the road so you can have your fish and chips out front or across the road on the beach. The sea gulls certainly want to steal food here but don't feed them. The fish and chips was quite good and the service was fast and friendly. Definitely an enjoyable meal.
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cameron D
Blenheim2 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
Family day out and we decided on fish and chips for lunch. A family member suggested we try The Sands Fish and Chip Shop and it definitely did NOT disappoint. Everybody enjoyed the food and
we were impressed at the size of the sausages; HUGE. The hospitality was great and we loved the atmosphere outside the shop where we ate. Next time we're in Nelson and want fish and chips we know where to go. If you haven't been to The Sands Fish and Chip Shop then you're missing out.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jasmine creed
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • family
We had an awful experience the other day. The male server was very rude, I simply asked if the gravy was glutenfree and he started grumbling at me and saying if I wanted gluten free I needed to say so at the start, he was not polite about this in anyway. My son is gluten free and we've ordered fish and chips from many places, it's never been an issue. He then started my order again (which by the way had only at that point, 1 scoop of kumara chips and now gravy)... seemed a bit dramatic to me. I politely ask if they do normal buns or just gluten free because there was a sign saying all burgers gluten free, and as I'm not gluten free my self I saw no need to have a gluten free bun and like most people who have the luxury of being able to eat gluten, I find gluten free buns dry and unappealing. He then raised his voice as if I had said something extremely offensive and aggressively pointed to the sign, telling me "obviously we only do gluten free buns, how can I make a gluten free burger without gluten free buns?" At that point I was feeling very uncomfortable, I had been polite and with my 2 young children there, felt confused and uncomfortable with his reactions. I said to him it feels like he was being rude and he replied saying he's just joking around. Which certainly wasn't the case but I let it slide. Im sure he was having a bad day and maybe had the same questions being asked about the buns and was sick of it, who knows. But ive worked in customer service before and I would never be so rude to a customer, yet alone someone being polite and with young kids..
He read out my order correct before payment was made and then when collecting my order he had missed out 3 items. He Was alot more polite by that time but tried to say I hadnt ordered these things, even though he had read it all out before I paid. He checked back on the order and it was obviously there as he ended up giving me the food. As for the food itself, the chips were pretty good, loved the gravy, but the hot dogs were uneatable, neither my daughter nor myself could finish it, the batter was too thick and undercooked and the sausage was cheap and nasty. Unfortunately we will not be returning, which is a shame because we are often in the area at this time of year.
Written 10 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • family
We were reluctant to go as the standards are different depending on who cooks it. A few weeks ago we got a generous amount of chips and a really good size piece of fish especially since they're almost $6 a piece. Today however, portion of fish was so small and serving of chips were a lot less. Least to say a little disappointed this time round.
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber546680
Blenheim1 contribution
Nov 2022 • family
We had read great reviews and were staying nearby so thought we'd try the burgers but were very disappointed. We ordered 4 different ones. The meat patties tasted like bad supermarket ones, not nice and there was barely any sauce. They were mostly full of lettuce. Noone finished them, luckily the chips were good but for $78 we weren't happy.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G B
4 contributions
Dec 2021 • solo
Absolute robbery
$60
48 minutes
What a rip off and and a joke.
I was told 15minutes for the order and also asked for the order to be separated (as there were 2 x fish and chips deals) and malt vinegar on the wedges.
The guy on the counter was lovely but the other guy that turned up is arrogant and doesn't care about their customers.
To have the nerve to tell me to go somewhere else is really sad on his behalf and extremely bad business practise. Don't worry I will spread the word and avoid this you. P.S. put some PPE on?
When I saw the order draining in the basket I thought "that must just be one of the snapper and chip boxes" ...turns out it was the whole order.
Written 27 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnSB3
Wellington736 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
This place promotes itself as one of the 100 Best Restaurants in the South Pacific. I don’t think I would rate it that highly, but the fish and chips are good. There is a range of seafood besides fish. There are tables for sitting outside in the sun, and the general area is pleasant We had the fish special and a fish burger with fries, which were all nicely presented in a box, not the usual rolled up white paper. Just an extra touch. The burger had three pieces of fish and a bit of salad packed between two sides of a plain white bun of no special taste or appealing characteristic. That said the fish was hot and tasty as were the pieces of fish and chips in the other order. Prices were reasonable and overall it was a good experience.
Written 30 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shmoo1977
Hastings25 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
Worst chicken burger ever. Could have been so good, real chicken fillet but coated in the soggiest claggiest batter(?) ever that left a bad after taste and in a bun that stuck to the bottom of the box and eventually collapsed when I did manage to pick it up then swamped in lettuce with a tiny smudge of mayo.
Can’t understand how four ingredients could be put together so badly. This was our second visit, the first was great but clearly gone downhill since then.
Won’t bother visiting again, best of luck finding a buyer for your business 😳
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber64345258993
8 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
The Sands Fish & Chips is consistently awesome! They have a great selection served with a chirpy smile. Best chips around too! Being right on Tahunanui Beach, we take our fish and chips takeaway off to a beachside bench for dinner with a view. Highly recommend them!
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alice
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • family
My mum is allergic to wheat so she recommended we order from The Sands Fish n Chip Shop. I ordered GF 2 x battered fish & a scoop of chips, only cost around $14. Delicious fish with golden, crispy batter, yummy flat fries, good portion & friendly service. Highly recommend!
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andre
West Auckland1 contribution
Dec 2023 • family
I ordered one fish three hot dogs one scoop of chips. I paid for and got given two scoops of chips three fish three hot dogs,,?
I asked what kind of fish it was and the guy said it's just mikey, that's what it is?
I was about Ten meters away when he opened the Container of fish and The fish smelled really bad.
Want be goings back.
Written 15 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hazel w
2 contributions
Nov 2021 • family
My daughter & I visited Nelson for the day and I was really hungry for fish & chips. We just happened to call into the Sands Fish & Chip shop and ordered a seafood basket. We were given an extra fish which was absolutely beautiful (orange roughy) with our order and also extra tartare sauce. So both the food and customer service was excellent. To top things off they gave a lift to the airport! The only regret I have is that we didnt live in Nelson so I could be there for the free fish & chips on Friday 5th Nov 2021 from 12PM to 2PM to support Ben & Jonos visit. This shop deserves 5 stars all around. Well done guys!
Written 3 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David T
3 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
After arriving too late on one night, we returned earlier the next night.
We were not disappointed, the owners recommendation of whiting and
Chips, far superior to cod and chips in the U.K and half the price. A great place for takeaway.
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter F
Nelson46 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We arrived at a time with no others in the shop, it was a pleasant evening so we decided to have fish and chips at the beach. When we were finally given our package we walked out of the shop and straight across the road and onto the beach to meet the rest of the family who were waiting, this walk took only two to three minutes. The package was opened and dished up onto 5 plates. My daughter who dished it up said this really cool, how long has it been getting it here? I went back o the shop with my share and concerns, only to be told it was our fault, not theirs. We had bought premium fish paying more than twice the cost of the basic fish per piece. This was very annoying, so be aware to check before you leave the shop or they will suck you in too.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maturechef51
Hello Peter Roy here one of the owners of the Sands fish and chip shop I'm very sorry you had an unpleasant experience I would really like to know when you came back who told you that it was your fault your order should have been cook pre-cooked on the spot which would have only taken a couple of minutes this is unacceptable thank you for posting your review
Written 7 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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