Nate’s Plaice

restaurant — Grey Lynn · Auckland

About Nate’s Plaice

Nate’s Plaice is a neighbourhood fish and chip shop situated in the West Lynn shopping village of Grey Lynn, Auckland. Born from a desire to elevate the traditional Kiwi takeaway experience, the shop takes an ocean-to-plate approach, pairing authentic classics with modern culinary refinement.

Seafood is delivered fresh daily and sourced sustainably from independent New Zealand fishermen via Kiwi Fish. Patrons can choose from catches like snapper, tarakihi, and hoki, prepared in signature crispy batter, crumbed, or grilled. In addition to classic fish boxes served with chips and house-made coleslaw, the menu includes gourmet burgers crafted with prime New Zealand beef from Grey Lynn Butchers, free-range chicken, and plant-based falafel options.

Whether dropping by for a casual weeknight dinner, picking up a seafood box for a picnic at nearby Grey Lynn Park, or taking home raw fresh fish to cook, Nate's Plaice provides a modern, quality-driven spin on a beloved New Zealand ritual.

Nate's Plaice: Upgrading the Classic Kiwi Chippie in West Lynn

Fish and chips occupy a sacred place in the New Zealand culinary imagination. Tied to childhood beach trips, paper-wrapped parcels, and seaside holidays, it is a staple that few dare to reinvent. Yet at Nate’s Plaice, nestled in the West Lynn shopping strip on Richmond Road, this national treasure receives a thoughtful, quality-focused upgrade without losing an ounce of its nostalgic soul.

Founded on the principle of sustainable, ocean-to-plate eating, Nate’s Plaice treats fish and chips with the culinary respect typically reserved for fine dining, while preserving the unpretentious warmth of a neighbourhood takeaway shop.

Ocean-to-Plate Freshness

The cornerstone of Nate’s Plaice is its uncompromising sourcing. Rather than relying on standard commercial frozen fillets, the kitchen partners directly with Kiwi Fish, sourcing fresh catches from independent local fishermen. The fish arrives daily, straight off the boats, with species rotating based on seasonal availability—including local favourites such as snapper, tarakihi, and hoki.

Guests can order fillets prepared in a light, golden, crispy batter, or opt to have them crumbed or simply grilled. Beyond ready-to-eat meals, Nate’s Plaice also functions as a fresh fish merchant, allowing locals to pick up raw fillets to cook at home, complete with advice on the catch of the day.

Reimagined Boxes and Inspired Burgers

While purists can order individual fillets and scoops of chunky chips, the signature fish boxes have become a staple in West Lynn. Each box packages freshly cooked fish with chunky chips, lemon, choice of house-made sauce, and a generous portion of crisp, refreshing coleslaw that balances the richness of the fryer.

For those craving something between buns, Nate's burger lineup rivals dedicated burger bars. Meat patties are ground from 100% New Zealand prime beef sourced from the nearby Grey Lynn Butchers. The Kiwi Burger leans directly into tradition, layering prime beef with a gooey fried egg, savoury beetroot jam, cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, lettuce, and pickles. Seafood lovers can opt for the signature Fish Burger, which balances battered fish with house tartare, house-pickled carrots, and a soft egg, while plant-based diners are catered to with a scratch-made falafel burger topped with vegan cheese and vegan mayo.

The West Lynn Experience

Nate’s Plaice is designed for modern lifestyles. Customers can place phone orders or use online pickup ordering to skip the wait during bustling weekend rushes. While indoor seating accommodates diners looking for a quick bite, the shop’s prime location near Grey Lynn Park makes it an ideal stop for takeaway picnics.

From the house-made garlic aioli and polenta fries to the nostalgic sweetness of battered pineapple fritters and cinnamon donuts, Nate’s Plaice successfully bridges the gap between retro comfort food and contemporary craft.

Signature items

  • Snapper Fish Box
  • Fish Burger
  • Kiwi Burger
  • Seafood Box
  • Lightly Spiced Crispy Squid
  • Pineapple Fritter

Menu

Kids

  • Cheeseburger — Kids cheeseburger served with chips.
  • Fish — Kids portion of fish served with chips.
  • Kids chips — Smaller portion of chips for children.
  • Hotdog — Kids hot dog.

Sides

  • Potato Chips — Chunky golden potato chips available in small or large.
  • Kumara Chips — Crispy kūmara chips.
  • Polenta fries w/ parmesan and aioli — Crisp polenta fries finished with parmesan cheese and served with aioli.
  • Potato fritter — Traditional fried potato fritter.
  • Fried scallops — Lightly fried sea scallops.
  • Fried mussels — Crispy battered and fried mussels.
  • Prawn — Fried prawn.
  • Hotdog — Classic battered hot dog on a stick.
  • Crab stick — Traditional fried crab stick.

Salads

  • Coleslaw — Refreshing house coleslaw.
  • Seasonal house salad — Fresh seasonal salad.
  • Seasonal raw fish salad — Freshly prepared seasonal raw fish salad.

Sauces

  • Tomato sauce — Classic tomato sauce.
  • House tartare — House-made tartare sauce.
  • House garlic aioli — House-made garlic aioli.

Sweets

  • Pineapple Fritter — Classic battered and fried pineapple fritter.
  • Cinnamon Donut x2 — Pair of fresh donuts dusted in cinnamon sugar.

Burgers

  • Fish Burger — Battered fish, house tartare, soft egg, lettuce, red onion, and house-pickled carrot.
  • Beef Burger — 100% NZ prime beef patty, cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, burger sauce, onion, lettuce, and dill pickles.
  • Kiwi Burger — 100% NZ prime beef patty, romaine lettuce, beetroot jam, tomato, cheese, fried egg, pickles, mustard, and mayonnaise.
  • Falafel Burger — Vegan and vegetarian burger with vegan mayonnaise, vegan cheese, beetroot jam, lettuce, tomato, and house-pickled carrot.
  • Crumbed Chicken Burger — Crumbed free range chicken breast, smoked cheese, onion jam, tomato, coleslaw, and aioli.
  • Cheese Burger — 100% NZ prime beef patty, cheddar cheese, pickles, mustard, and tomato sauce.
  • Fish Tacos x2 — Two corn or flour tortillas with seasonal salsa, chipotle, and shaved cabbage; choice of battered, crumbed, or grilled fish.

Fresh Fish & Seafood

  • Snapper — Fresh sustainably caught snapper; available individually or as a meal box with chips and coleslaw.
  • Tarakihi — Fresh tarakihi fillet; available individually or as a box with chips and coleslaw.
  • Market fish — Fresh daily market catch; available individually or as a box with chips and coleslaw.
  • Hoki — Classic hoki fillet; available individually or as a box with chips and coleslaw.
  • Seafood box — 1 Market fish, 2 prawns, 2 fried mussels, 2 fried scallops, chips, and coleslaw.
  • Lightly spiced crispy squid w/ Aioli — Crispy spiced squid served with house aioli.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Nate’s Plaice located?
Nate's Plaice is located at 411 Richmond Road in the West Lynn shops of Grey Lynn, Auckland, next to Harvest and near MOA Clothing.
Where does the seafood come from?
All seafood is fresh and sustainably sourced through Kiwi Fish, caught by local independent New Zealand fishermen.
Can I buy fresh raw fish to cook at home?
Yes, Nate's Plaice sells fresh fish by the catch to take home, and staff can alert customers when specific varieties arrive in store.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options available?
Yes, the menu features a house-made falafel burger served with vegan mayonnaise, vegan cheese, and beetroot jam, along with vegetable sides.
Do you cater to dietary requirements and allergies?
Yes, allergen-free and gluten-free options are available; customers are advised to inform staff about specific allergies when ordering.
Can I order in advance?
Yes, Nate’s Plaice accepts phone orders directly at 09 360 2388 as well as online orders for pickup.

Tips

  • {"body":"Grab your fish box or burger takeaway and head down the road to nearby Grey Lynn Park for an outdoor picnic.","title":"Picnic at Grey Lynn Park"}
  • {"body":"Dinner services on Thursday through Saturday get busy; use phone or online ordering for pickup to avoid queues.","title":"Order Ahead at Peak Hours"}
  • {"body":"Upgrade your individual fish order to a fish box to get chunky chips, lemon, house sauce, and refreshing coleslaw.","title":"Try the Fish Box Upgrade"}
  • {"body":"Selections depend on what independent fishermen bring in each day; check in-store or sign up for catch updates to see what is freshest.","title":"Ask for the Daily Catch"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Dedicated kids menu offering child-sized cheeseburgers, fish and chips, hot dogs, and chips.","dietary":"Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available; allergen-free options accommodated on request."}