New Zealand's Best Chip Shop: A Proud Moment in Oppies' Journey
Celebrating the Award That Helped Shape Our Story
Every great restaurant has defining moments.
For Oppies, one of those moments came in 2011, when we were proudly crowned New Zealand's Best Chip Shop in the national Best Chip Shop Competition, a prestigious competition organised by The Chip Group. The award recognised excellence in quality, consistency, customer service and industry best practice, placing Oppies among the very best fish and chip shops in the country.
Built on Quality, Earned Through Dedication
The journey to becoming New Zealand's champion did not happen overnight.
After winning the regional title for two consecutive years, our team continued refining every detail of the customer experience, from selecting quality ingredients and perfecting our cooking techniques to maintaining exceptional cleanliness and customer service.
Judging was based on a comprehensive assessment that included chip quality and taste, food preparation standards, customer service, hygiene, staff training and even independent laboratory analysis to ensure industry leading quality.
For owner Michael Huang, the award represented much more than a trophy. It was recognition of the dedication, hard work and passion of every member of the Oppies team.
Raising the Standard
Oppies has always believed that great fish and chips begin with great ingredients and great care.
Long before healthier cooking became common, Oppies adopted rice bran oil and embraced industry training to improve both the quality and nutritional profile of its famous chips. That commitment to continuous improvement became one of the reasons the restaurant stood out during the national judging process.
The recognition also reinforced Oppies' growing reputation within Rotorua, where generations of locals had already made it their favourite neighbourhood fish and chip shop.
A Legacy That Lives On
Today, Oppies has grown beyond its award winning fish and chips heritage into one of Rotorua's most recognised seafood restaurants.
Our menu has expanded to celebrate premium New Zealand seafood, inspired by Asian flavours and contemporary dining, while the famous fish and chips that earned national recognition continue to be enjoyed by loyal customers and first time visitors alike.
Although much has evolved over the past three decades, the philosophy that earned New Zealand's top honour remains exactly the same:
Use quality ingredients. Cook with care. Welcome every guest like family.
We are incredibly proud of our journey and grateful to every customer who has supported Oppies over the years. This award is not only part of our history, but part of the foundation that continues to inspire everything we do today.