By The Beach

4.5 ( 796 reviews )
Checking... 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM See Hours
$10–20
1608 Thorburn Rd, Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, NL A1M 1L5, Canada
+1 709-895-8800
By The Beach, nestled in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, is a standout takeout restaurant celebrated for its exquisite fish and chips. Diners rave about the light batter encasing generous portions of fresh cod, making it a must-try for seafood lovers. Patrons like J Page highlight not only the delectable food but also the friendly service and the captivating view of Bell Island, enhancing the dining experience—especially on quieter days when the serene coastal sounds provide a beautiful backdrop. The menu features enticing appetizers such as breaded pickles and popcorn shrimp, alongside classic burgers and customizable sides like coleslaw and gravy. The reviews from customers like Md Samin Al Daiyan and Anna M emphasize the non-greasy nature of their fish and chips, noting the option for pan-fried cod as a lighter alternative. Accessibility is also commendably addressed, with a ramp facilitating entry. The essence of By The Beach lies not just in its delicious offerings but also in the memories it creates for visitors; Elizabeth Dawes recalls cherished family moments here. Whether you're a local or a traveler, By The Beach promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience that beautifully merges quality food with stunning waterfront views.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves coffee
    • Quick bite
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts debit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For By The Beach

J Page
May 19,2025
Fish n chips are amazing. The batter is light and the fish pieces are large. Service is typical for a place like this...friendly staff. Beautiful view of Bell Island. We came here in December so not many tourists. If you have a vehicle this is the place to try...other places in St.John's are second place to here! And know the Newfie way to have fish n chips is with dressing n gravy so ask for that on the side to try it
Md Samin Al Daiyan
May 16,2025
One of the best restaurants if you love fish and chips. This is always my go to. The views are amazing. They got the best fish and it’s really fresh. Definitely worth it. Also they only take cash, so make sure you got some on you. There is also a ATM inside but might not have money all the time.
Anna M
May 7,2025
One of the best non-greasy cod fish and chips we’ve had. We were brought to this place by our St John’s tour guide and he was correct in saying it was a hidden gem. They also offered a pan fried cod if one preferred not to have any batter but the batter was thin anyway. They have coleslaw and gravy included and both were also pretty good. There’s a large window by the side with the Labrador Sea as the view. We decided to do a short walk along the water. When it’s really quiet, we were told that you can hear the water sing as it ripples through the small rounded pebbles. Beautiful and poetic.
Voice of Juairia Farzana
May 3,2025
It is an amazing place to try fish and chips. Their food is lovely. The amount of the food is really good. And you can enjoy the beach view right in front of the restaurant. Their customer service is so good.
Elizabeth Dawes
Apr 16,2025
By the Beach has it all: delicious food, friendly service, and a stunning view of Bell Island. A ramp at one end of the porch helps with accessibility. My dad and his cousins have fond memories of this place. We enjoyed fish 'n chips on an early spring day.
H.V.
Mar 27,2025
MOST EXCELLENT fish and chips with a gorgeous view out onto Portugal Cove. Husband and I were just staying in Portugal Cove on a recent trip to Newfoundland. Our BnB was so close to this place we had to give it a try. We agreed, we had never had such amazing fish and chips. Owners told us to try it the Canadian way—with gravy and dressing on the fries. We are from the States and didn't know this was a thing, but decided to try it. WOWWWW was it amazing. The dressing gave the fries an herby flavor, the gravy was rich and tasty. I also got peas on mine. The star, though, was the fish! They explained that it was caught just out in the bay that morning. It was the freshest tasting cod and the batter was the lightest and crispiest I'd ever tasted. Holy cow! It was DELICIOUS! As we drove all over the Avalon Peninsula, all locals we chatted with said, "You have to go to By The Beach fish and chips! It's the best!" The owner was very chatty and friendly and was so excited for us to try it like a Newfoundlander would eat it. Go and give this place a try. We loved it so much we went twice during our week there!
Shaily Choudhury
Mar 26,2025
An awesome place to witnesses the beach view and fresh fish & home fries as well.
Jason Fries
Mar 24,2025
Came by on a recommendation from a local friend and was not disappointed! Fish was fantastic and not greasy, batter light and crispy... Portion are great size and very reasonable price. Fries were great, wished for more British style, but still satisfying! View is spectacular, especially around sunset, and service was so very friendly. Only small nag is packaged tartar.. would like a homemade sauce option.

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