It was all happening on a very warm Saturday afternoon on the lawns of Snapper on the Lake, Canberra Yacht Club, Yarralumla.

This recently refurbished, renamed “fish and chippie” was buzzing, including to the tunes of Canberra’s cool Chicago Charlie.

The menu is dead simple. From the sea comes crumbed snapper and chips (only $12), fresh fish and chips ($12), calamari and chips ($10), crumbed prawn cutlets and chips ($10), and a fish burger and chips ($12). Note, you’re likely not to escape chips with meals but, then, this is a “chippie” place.

We were told no grilled fish is available (only batter or crumbed), which was a shame. You can, however, pop upstairs to the snack bar and order something from there.

If fish and chips aren’t your thing, Snapper has a chicken schnitzel burger (with chips, of course) for $12 and three salads – garden, Caesar and smoked chicken and avocado ($6 to $14). Kids are well taken care of with two meals, both at $8.

We opted to share the fish pack for two and a salad. Was it the best fish I’ve had in my life? No, but it was agreeable and I’ll be back because Snapper is a super place to hang out on the weekend. The view is free, by the way.

Snapper is licensed with a few beers available ($4 to $7) and a sauv blanc and riesling for whites and a shiraz and pinot noir for reds (all $6 a glass, but not exactly top-of-the-line labels). One sparkling is available ($8 a glass). Again, if what’s on hand doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can pop upstairs to the bar for a more extensive list of options.

A sweets selection, juices and ice creams are available. Also, Lonsdale Street Roasters has created an exclusive coffee blend for the Canberra Southern Cross Club kitchens called “The Griffin Blend”. My friend reported his cup was pretty darn good.

The free live music changes but is on Saturday, noon-3pm, and Sunday, 3pm-6pm. Chicago Charlie, by the way, has been a professional musician for the past 15 years. He relocated to the capital from Chicago six years ago and appears regularly in pubs, bars and clubs.

Snapper, open seven days, 8am-8pm. No reservations necessary. Canberra Yacht Club, call 6273 7177.