Aussies horrified over cost of fish and chips at Melbourne restaurant

The pricey meal was shared by a social media user, who ordered battered fish and chips and an orange juice. Photo / 123rf

Aussies have been left outraged over the “obscene” price for a classic pub meal at a Melbourne beachside restaurant.

The price of a classic pub meal at a popular Melbourne beachside suburb has divided Australians, with one going so far as to brand the AU$40 ($44.24) price tag a “robbery” while others defend the cost.

The pricey meal was shared to Reddit by a social media user, who ordered battered fish and chips and an orange juice at beachside restaurant Republica, in Melbourne’s inner suburb of St Kilda over the weekend.

“Fish and chips and a drink costed (sic) me 40 dollars,” the customer wrote alongside a photo of the fish presented on a bed of chips with a side salad.

“I knew St Kilda would be more pricey because it’s a tourist area but wtf. Fish was all batter too.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Republica St Kilda Beach (@republicastkildabeach)

According to Republica’s menu, fish and chips with beer battered hake will set customers back AU$34.00 ($37.61), while orange juice costs AU$5.50 ($6.08).

Many online were quick to express their shock over the “wild” price.

“Obscene prices for mediocre food. Sounds like St Kilda foreshore,” one person wrote.

“F*** me, That’s expensive,” said another.

“It’s getting out of hand. Jesus,” another added.

“Yep f***ing robbery,” another agreed.

“That’s f***ing wild man. Honestly, I just wouldn’t,” another wrote.

However, others could understand the price at the buzzing waterfront restaurant and pub, pointing out there are often high rents for picturesque locations.

“Very much paying for the location. Renting on the foreshore would be very expensive,” one person suggested.

“The area has a high turnover of customers and locals can afford the prices given they are willing to pay to live in the area. Nothing wrong with it but can’t complain,” said another.

“To be fair, you sat in and ordered a main meal at a beachfront restaurant and not the local RSL, or even a fish and chip shop,” another comment read.

Others online weren’t baffled by the price as much as the decision to order juice with the seafood meal.

“Who has orange juice with fish?!” one person questioned.

“Orange juice with fish and chips, I’ve never seen this in almost 40 years on this green Earth,” another remarked.

News.com.au has contacted Republica for comment.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Republica St Kilda Beach (@republicastkildabeach)

Australians struggling with the rising cost of living could be given some relief in the new year, according to a suite of new predicted changes.

Canstar has predicted changes to rate cuts, inflation and support payments that could give Aussies some much-needed relief.

While it remains unclear whether the RBA will cut rates, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Westpac, NAB and ANZ are expected to cut cash rates between February and May.

New research from Compare the Market shows three in four Australians - or 77% - admitted they are trying to reduce spending in the new year to try and boost their savings.

Cutting back on takeaway meals was the top choice among those surveyed, while clothing, holidays, streaming services and going out for coffee were also listed as being on the chopping block.

Compare the Market general manager Chris Ford said households are looking to find new ways to cut back and boost their savings. The trend we’re seeing is that Australians plan on saying no to what may be seen as life’s little luxuries to boost their savings,” Ford said.