Editor Pick
Cicerellos Fremantle
- November 9, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
If you had told me I was going to fly from the Fish and Chip capitol of the world in Britain, all the way to the other side of the planet to enjoy the same meal - I would have probably balked at the idea.
I'm a fair bit of a food tourist, and love to enjoy the local cuisine of a place wherever I travel. And even though Australia's British roots certainly make Fish and Chips a viable local dish - coming from Britain I probably wouldn't have put a 'chippie' high on my list of eating priorities.
But - as is always the case with the best travel experiences - the locals know best, and our friends who showed us around Fremantle were talking about Cicerellos before we even got in the car.
For those of you not overly familiar with the British 'chippie' this is a great way to experience Fish and Chips at its absolute best. As with most things in Australia, it has taken something Britain does well - and done it Extremely well.
With a tremendous location right on the water in the centre of Fremantle, Cicerellos is a huge dining area, with both indoor and outdoor picnic table seating. We arrived in the middle of the day on the weekend; when it's at its busiest, and managed to get a table with very little wait. It was Extremely busy, however, so if you want a quiet meal this may not be ideal.
The food quality is phenomenal - though it's not a fine dining experience. It is a genuine cross between a British chip shop and an American seafood restaurant (the great kind that offers platters of local food, and free peanuts to eat while you wait.) The portions are huge, wonderfully huge, and the prices are pretty reasonable.
The menu is extensive, offering the standard different fried fish with chips and onion rings, or right down to chowders and lovely grilled fish specialties of pastas and risottos; all caught in local WA waters.
Maybe the most interesting aspect of this particular restaurant is its' aquarium. With in the restaurant there are more than 22 meters of aquariums with over 50 different species of fish and other aquatic animals - part of the reason it offers such a good family environment.
The food itself was wonderful. Really delightful - and with more than enough portion for a hungry Texan who had been walking around all morning.
The average platter seemed to range between $11 - $15au (would be a similar amount in the current US dollar, but about £6 in UK terms) which is very good indeed for the quality and amount of food you get with the ocean air blowing across the docks of sunny Fremantle.
A perfect place to go if you have a large group (especially with kids) but also great to try even if you don't. If you enjoy a good fried fish - this is for you.
From journal Fremantle - Western Australia's Coolest Town...