Best Fish and Chips in Astoria, Oregon — and What to Explore Nearby
Astoria is the kind of town where fish and chips do not feel like an afterthought. They feel earned. This is a working waterfront city with deep fishing roots, windy streets, river views, and enough maritime history to make a seafood lunch feel like part of the trip instead of just a meal. If you are heading to Astoria hungry, these are the fish-and-chips spots I would put at the top of the list, along with nearby attractions that make each stop even better.
1. Bowpicker Fish & Chips
If you ask around for the most iconic fish and chips in Astoria, Bowpicker is the name that comes up again and again. It is set in a converted gillnet boat at the corner of 17th and Duane, directly across from the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which gives the whole stop a very Astoria kind of charm. Review aggregators also consistently place it at or near the top for fish and chips in town.
What makes Bowpicker stand out is that it is not trying to be a big menu, sit-down seafood house. It is famous for doing one thing really well: albacore tuna fish and chips. That difference matters. Instead of the usual cod-first approach, Bowpicker leans into tuna, which gives the meal a richer, meatier bite that feels a little more distinctive than your standard coastal basket. It is the kind of place people happily build a stop around.
Nearby attractions:
After you eat, the easiest next stop is the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which sits right across the street from Bowpicker. If you want to stretch your legs, the Astoria Riverwalk is also right there along the waterfront. The Riverwalk follows the north side of town for 6.4 miles according to the City of Astoria, with river views and easy access to downtown scenery.
2. Silver Salmon Grille
If Bowpicker is the legendary casual stop, Silver Salmon Grille is the polished sit-down version of a fish-and-chips lunch in Astoria. The restaurant is open Thursday through Tuesday and its menu includes halibut or salmon fish and chips, with the halibut described as dipped in the house beer batter and served with tartar sauce. That gives it a more classic restaurant feel for travelers who want table service and a broader menu beyond one signature item.
This is a good pick if your group wants options. Some people can order fish and chips while others branch into chowder, salmon, or something more dinner-like. It also has the kind of cozy downtown setting that works well when you want your meal to feel like part of an afternoon in historic Astoria rather than just a quick roadside bite. Tripadvisor’s current Astoria fish-and-chips list also places Silver Salmon Grille among the town’s top options.
Nearby attractions:
Silver Salmon Grille is right in downtown Astoria, which makes it easy to pair with a wander through the historic commercial district and the Astoria Riverwalk. If you want a bigger scenic payoff afterward, head uphill to the Astoria Column, where you get 360-degree views of the city, the Columbia River, the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and the forests around town.
3. Ship Out Fish & Chips
Ship Out is a strong choice if you want variety. Its fish-and-chips menu goes beyond one or two seafood options and includes halibut, cod, prawns, scallops, oysters, calamari, and a combo basket, all served with fries, homemade slaw, sauces, and lemon. That makes it a great fit for people who like the fish-and-chips format but want more than the standard battered fillet experience.
It is also a nice reminder that Astoria takes fried seafood seriously. Ship Out sits on Lewis and Clark Road on the south side of Astoria, and local coverage has specifically called it out as one of the places proving Astoria is a real fish-and-chips town.
Nearby attractions:
Ship Out is well placed if you want to pair lunch with a more historical or outdoorsy outing. The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park area is nearby, and if you drive back toward the waterfront afterward, you can jump onto the Riverwalk or continue into central Astoria for museums, shops, and bridge views.
The one I would choose first
If you want the most memorable, most Astoria answer, I would put Bowpicker at the top. It is famous, unusual, and perfectly located for a classic Astoria afternoon with the Maritime Museum and Riverwalk right there. If you want a longer, more comfortable sit-down meal, go with Silver Salmon Grille. If you want the broadest fried-seafood selection, Ship Out is the move.
A perfect fish-and-chips day in Astoria
My ideal version of this day would be simple: start with fish and chips at Bowpicker, walk through the Columbia River Maritime Museum, wander part of the Riverwalk, and then drive up to the Astoria Column for the big view at the end. That gives you the full Astoria mix: seafood, history, riverfront atmosphere, and one of the best overlooks on the Oregon coast.
