JFC
1 / 10

JFC

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A popular waterfront eatery in Paihia, renowned for its delicious fish and chips, fresh seafood, and kid-friendly atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
JFC

JFC

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A popular waterfront eatery in Paihia, renowned for its delicious fish and chips, fresh seafood, and kid-friendly atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Enjoy delicious food in a picturesque beachside setting with exceptional service."

TIP

Dine by the Waterfront

Sit outside by the Paihia waterfront for the best experience and to enjoy nature's beauty.

Gluten-Free Options Available

Inform staff about dietary restrictions like Celiac disease for gluten-free options and precautions.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Wednesday 4PM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+64 9 402 5113

Address

40 Marsden Road, Paihia, 0200, New Zealand

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Picturesque Beachside Dining

Picturesque Beachside Dining

Savor delicious food with stunning views of the beach and waterfront. The perfect spot for a memorable meal.

Must-Try Fish and Chips

Must-Try Fish and Chips

Enjoy exceptionally well-cooked and flavorful fish and chips, a highly recommended classic.

TikTokNZ's top 10 fish and chip shops revealed in the Herald's Best of Summer competitionBay of Islands Motorhome Camping Guide
Kid-Friendly Atmosphere

Kid-Friendly Atmosphere

A welcoming environment for families, with ample space for children to play while you dine.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Delicious SEAFOOD restaurant in the Bay of Islands that you need to check out 🐟🍤. #fypシ #nzeats #OscarsAtHome #paihia #bayofislands #garlicprawn #seafood #seafoodlover #nzeats
@ellensfoodcorner
246 likes • 12.5K views

Dine by the Waterfront

Sit outside by the Paihia waterfront for the best experience and to enjoy nature's beauty.

Gluten-Free Options Available

Inform staff about dietary restrictions like Celiac disease for gluten-free options and precautions.

Reservations Recommended

Consider making reservations in advance to ensure you secure a spot at this popular restaurant.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

For a quieter dining experience, visit during less busy times or days.

Tips

from all over the internet

Dine by the Waterfront

Sit outside by the Paihia waterfront for the best experience and to enjoy nature's beauty.

Gluten-Free Options Available

Inform staff about dietary restrictions like Celiac disease for gluten-free options and precautions.

Reservations Recommended

Consider making reservations in advance to ensure you secure a spot at this popular restaurant.

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

For a quieter dining experience, visit during less busy times or days.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

JFC offers a delightful dining experience with a picturesque beachside setting and friendly, attentive service. Diners rave about the fish and chips, seafood platters, and the overall great vibe. While most reviews are positive, one diner found the restaurant to be dirty and the items to taste the same.

"a beautiful restaurant located right beside the beach, and it was a fantastic experience. The setting is simply stunning, with the beach providing a gorgeous backdrop for a meal.

The service at the restaurant is excellent. The staff is attentive and friendly, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy delicious food in a picturesque beachside setting."

Aung Kyaw Hein

"We travelled all the way to Paihia and decided to pay this restaurant a visit for dinner. It did not disappoint.

The staff were accommodating, friendly and welcoming, and the service was quick even though they were busy. The casual vibe made it a great spot to grab a tasty meal, whether you are dining in or taking it to go.

The meals were on point. Delicious, well-presented and reasonably priced.

To make the experience even more memorable, there is nothing like sitting outside on the Paihia waterfront and dining on natures bounty. Not surprising why this restaurant is very popular.

We will definitely be back next time we are in town."

Terence Kong

"Lovely atmosphere & beautiful views of the bay meet delicious seafood cuisine & cocktails.
Our fish platter was super fresh, diverse and absolutely scrumptious! The Fish burger is a must as well! Chester and the entire team are great! DOGS ALLOWED :)"

Anna-Carina Schmidt

What People Like

Stunning beachside location
Flavorful fish and chips
Exceptional and friendly service

What People Dislike

Cleanliness issues noted by one reviewer

Frequently Asked Questions

The fish and chips are a highly recommended classic, and many diners also praise the seafood platters and fish burgers.

NZ's top 10 fish and chip shops revealed in the Herald's Best of Summer competitionBay of Islands Motorhome Camping Guide

Yes, JFC offers gluten-free batter and breadcrumbs for fish and chips, with a separate fryer and extra precautions for Celiac disease.

The 8 Best Kid-Friendly Gluten-Free Spots in Paihia+1

Yes, JFC is described as kid-friendly with space for children to play, making it a great spot for family dining.

For a quieter experience, consider visiting during off-peak hours or days. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity.

Absolutely! JFC is known for its picturesque beachside setting. Sitting outside by the waterfront is highly recommended.

Seafood restaurants in Bay of Islands, NZ

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

paihiamountainbikes.co.nz

Plan Your Trip | Paihia Mountain Bikes

Omata Estate is a relaxed-style eatery with views overlooking the ocean - who doesn't enjoy a great glass of wine as you look out at some picture-perfect views?. They have some great sharing platters, and wood fired pizzas that pair perfectly with your wine, along with plenty of lawn space for the kids to run around on. Omata Estate, always feels so relaxing and is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon when you are on holiday.

Visit Source →
The New Zealand Herald

NZ's top 10 fish and chip shops revealed in the Herald's Best of Summer competition

Louise and Chester Rendell bought the motel and tea house in 1983. It took about six weeks to work out there was no money in "scones, jam and cream"; they hung several signs above the door before settling on JFC (work that out yourself) in 2019. Produce is sourced from the Bay of Islands first, then Northland and, oh, elsewhere in Aotearoa if absolutely necessary; chips and some sauces are handmade here.

Visit Source →
localista.com.au

Seafood restaurants in Bay of Islands, NZ

JFC Paihia is a popular spot known for its relaxed atmosphere and diverse seafood dishes. Located right on the waterfront, diners can enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating while savoring fresh fish and chips, along with other delectable seafood options. Tipsy Oyster offers a tapas-style dining experience, perfect for sharing and sampling various flavors.

Visit Source →
busbymanor.co.nz

Paihia dining in the Bay of Islands

Fresh Fish in Paihia and next door to Busby Manor Resort (after the Stone Church). Since opening we are receiving great feedback from guests. Eat inside where they have a fully licensed Bar and an eco friendly fish and chips on the beach setting with meals arriving wrapped in "newspaper".

Visit Source →
Wilderness Motorhomes

Bay of Islands Motorhome Camping Guide

This homely eatery aims to achieve good, honest and fresh fish and chips. At least, that’s how they began in 2019. These days, you can expect to find a much more extensive range of seafood — with the classic fish and chips still receiving rave reviews.

Visit Source →
atly.com

The 8 Best Kid-Friendly Gluten-Free Spots in Paihia

They have gluten free batter and bread crumbs for fish and chips. They have a separate fryer too!. When you tell them you have Celiac disease they will take extra precautions to prepare the food as well.

Visit Source →
Atly

Top 7 Gluten-Free Dining Spots to Delight in Paihia

, available battered or crumbed, stand out as some of the best in New Zealand. The relaxed, social atmosphere, complemented by occasional live music, makes it a perfect spot to enjoy a delicious,

Visit Source →
NZ Pocket Guide

20 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Bay of Islands

Finally, while nothing glamorous, JFC (40 Marsden Road, Paihia) and Oceans 68 (68 Marsden Road, Paihia) do popular fish and chips, as does Russell Fish Co. (2 Cass Street, Russell).

Visit Source →