30 best fish and chip shops in the UK
From Whitby to west London, here is The Times’s selection of the 30 best fish and chip shops in Britain.
1 L’Alba D’Oro, Edinburgh
This Edinburgh chip shop in the New Town is an institution. It’s takeaway only but the decor is smart — not your average chippy. Alongside traditional fish and chips (£6.90), you can step it up with fish breaded with sage and onions, or hot ’n’ spicy prawns and fries. You can opt for sides of cheese, gravy or curry sauce to put on top of your chips.
Open daily, 5pm-11pm.
7 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5DH
(0131 557 2580, lalbadoro.com)
2 The Smokehouse, Folkestone, Kent
Run by Mark Sargeant, one of Gordon Ramsay’s protégés, the restaurant is airy with high ceilings and a huge glass window providing views of cobbled streets and the harbour below. Traditional fish and chips is served (£8.50), but with optional add-ons such as garlic butter-baked scallops (£2.50 each) and a range of award-winning local ice creams for dessert.
Open Monday-Saturday, noon-9pm; Sunday noon-6pm.
1-3 Back Street, Folkestone, Kent CT19 6NN
(01303 884718, thesmokehousefolkestone.co.uk)
3 The Fish Club, London SW4
On Clapham High Street in south London you’ll find this cheap and cheerful chip shop with white chairs and tables, chalkboards and bright turquoise walls. For starters, try the beer-battered halloumi or Mersea Island oysters, and for mains either the battered coley and chips (£9.95) or something else from the wide fish menu of everything from rainbow trout to whole sardines.
Open Monday, 5pm-10pm; Tuesday-Sunday, noon-10pm.
57 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7TG
(020 7720 5853, thefishclub.com)
4 The Shed, Porthgain, Pembrokeshire
On the idyllic Porthgain harbour is The Shed, a quaint chip shop with red and white gingham tablecloths, candles in wine bottles and stone flooring. The restaurant and wine bar serves up fish and shellfish within hours of being caught. Choose from beer-battered cod, hake or monkfish tail (from £10.50) served with hand-cut chips, and add a side of mushy peas, gherkins or even baked beans.
Open daily, noon-9pm.
Llanrhian Road, Porthgain, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 5BN (01348 831518, theshedporthgain.co.uk)
5 The Fish & Chip Shop, London N1
This modern fish and chip shop is run by Des McDonald, previously head chef at The Ivy, and alongside the fish, chips and mushy peas you’ll find a soft-shell crab burger with chilli and lime. You can opt for takeaway (£10) or sit at one of the booths — indoors it’s traditional, but with posh napkins. On Mondays it’s BYO wine.
Open Monday-Thursday, noon-9.30pm; Friday-Sunday, 10am-11pm.
189 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 1RQ
(020 3227 0979, thefishandchipshop.uk.com)
6 The Sea Tree, Cambridge
The Sea Tree buys its fish fresh from Billingsgate Market, so the menu is constantly changing. Go for a portion of classic fish and chips (takeaway price £6.55) with extra side dishes such as pan-fried scallops served
with rocket and parmesan, or sautéed prawns with garlic, chilli, lemon and parsley served with a hunk of crusty bread.
Open Monday, 5pm-10pm; Tuesday-Friday, noon-2pm and 5pm-10pm; Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, 5pm-9pm.
13-14 The Broadway, Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3AH
(01223 414349, theseatree.co.uk)
7 Poppies Fish and Chips, London, E1
This is the go-to fish and chip shop for many Londoners (and this year’s winner of the Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year award). Poppies in Spitalfields serves no-nonsense, newspaper-wrapped, golden-battered fish and chips (£8.50), with a changing specials board depending on what’s in season. They also have a branch in Camden.
Open Monday-Thursday, 11am-11pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11.30pm; Sunday, 11am-10.30pm.
6-8 Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR
(020-7247 0892, poppiesfishandchips.co.uk)
8 Hix Oyster and Fish House, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Overlooking the harbour, this restaurant from Mark Hix is in a fantastic spot with stunning panoramic views across the coast. If you stop by mid-afternoon there are some delicious small snacks to choose from, such as buttermilk fried cuttlefish, while in the evening there might also be fish pie or whole Lyme Bay crab with mayonnaise. The Food Rocks Festival will be held in Lyme Regis, with cookery demonstrations from Hix on September 6 and 7. Fish fingers with chips and mushy peas is £14.95
Open daily, noon-11pm.
Cobb Road, Lyme Regis DT7 3JP
(01297 446 910, hixoysterandfishhouse.co.uk)
9 Bonnie Gull, London EC1
Stripes and white wood give a definite beach feel to this restaurant on bustling Exmouth Market in east London. It calls itself a “seaside café in the city” and started out as a seafood shack that proved so popular that the restaurant was opened. It’s not your average fish and chips — the fish is beer-battered (£14.50 with chips), and chip-wise you can choose between skinny fries with rosemary salt or chunky beef dripping chips with thyme salt. They have a second branch in Fitzrovia.
Open Monday-Saturday, noon-2.45pm and 4.30pm-9.45pm.
55-57 Exmouth Market, London EC1
(020 3122 0047, bonniegullseafoodcafe.com)
10 Hythe Bay Restaurant & Bar, Dover, Kent
This restaurant is right on the beach and has a wonderful terrace with panoramic views of the Channel and the cliffs of Dover. The menu might include whole Dover sole with buttered potatoes, smoked salmon with horseradish cream or fresh grilled sardines. There is also a Hythe branch, similarly with a beachside terrace and ocean views.
Open daily, noon-10pm.
The Esplanade, Dover, Kent CT17 9FS
(01304 207740, hythebay.co.uk)
11 Quayside, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Run by a third generation of the same family, this award-winning fish bar is housed in an 1820s Georgian building that was once a library and is positioned on Whitby’s harbour front. Traditional fish and chips (takeaway is £5.70) is served alongside dressed Whitby crab, fish pie and fishcakes.
Open daily, 11am-8pm.
7 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 3PU
(01947 825346,quaysidewhitby.co.uk)
12 Kerbisher & Malt, west London, W6
The food here is simple — unpretentious, good old-fashioned fish and chips (from £9.60) — and extremely popular. The decor is modern retro, with metro tiling, one very long table which seats 16, plus a few smaller tables and stools. Should you wish to see what’s going on in the kitchen, you can watch the chef on a CCTV screen in the restaurant as he cooks each fish to order.
Open Tuesday-Thursday, noon-2pm and 4pm-10pm; Friday-Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, noon-9pm.
50 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9NF
(020 3556 0228, kerbisher.co.uk)
13 Enoch’s Fish & Chips, Conwy, north Wales
This friendly shop (a local institution) is only a ten-minute drive from the beautiful windswept beaches, pier and promenade of Llandudno. The fish is cooked fresh to order in an original recipe batter, or golden crumb or poached with parsley sauce (a cod meal with chips and a side is £6.35). The restaurant also holds events to celebrate seasonal local produce, such as “lobster evenings” in August and September.
Open daily, 11.30am-9.30pm.
146 Conwy Road, Llandudno Junction, North Wales LL31 9DU
(01492 581145, enochs.co.uk)
14 Knight’s Fish & Chips Restaurant, Glastonbury, Somerset
This family-run restaurant has been around since 1909 and the style of cooking, using old-fashioned techniques, has barely changed in the past 100 years. The fishcakes are a speciality here and you can take food away or eat outside in the little courtyard. Fish and chips is £6.80.
Open Monday-Thursday, noon-9.30pm ; Friday-Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, noon-7.30pm.
5 Northload Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JJ
(01458 831882,kfac.laminatefish.co.uk)
15 Mothertown Fish & Chips, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
This gluten-free chippie in a period building caters to everybody, but is a real find for those who are usually forced to avoid fish and chips. The staff are incredibly friendly and they even sell “gluti-licious” frozen portions to take home with you. A small takeaway cod and chips is £4.30.
Open Tuesday-Thursday, noon-7.30pm; Friday-Saturday, noon-8.30pm.
10 Swan Square, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 3EA
(077956 83455, mothertownfishandchips.co.uk)
16 Anstruther Fish Bar, Fife
Nestled right on the harbourside in a wonderful spot next to bobbing fishing boats and with views across the water, this family business is popular with locals and visitors. Alongside the usual (takeaway fish and chips £7.90), you can find dressed Scottish crab and lobster caught by local fishermen, or grilled smoked haddock prepared in the shop’s smokehouse.
Open daily, 11.30am-10pm.
42-44 Shore Street, Anstruther, Fife KY10 3AQ
(01333 310518, anstrutherfishbar.co.uk)
17 Rockfish, Dartmouth, Devon
Overlooking the River Dart, Mitch Tonks’s restaurant has great views. Expect dishes such as a salt and pepper soft-shell crab roll, grilled monkfish or south coast calamari with aïoli. Cod and chips in the restaurant is £9.95. There’s a beach hut inside the building with a log burner for chilly days. There are also branches in Plymouth and Torquay.
Open daily, noon-9.30pm.
8 South Embankment, Dartmouth TQ6 9BH
(01803 832800, therockfish.co.uk)
18 The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham
This restaurant is dedicated to sustainable and fresh produce — it all comes from the Devon coast. Pick and mix with little portions of fresh shellfish such as cockles, mussels, oysters and scallops or choose from the board of larger fish cooked fresh to order, either battered or baked with lemon and garlic (cod and chips in the restaurant, £6.10).
Open Monday-Thursday, 9.30am-2.30pm and 4.30pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 9.30am-2.30pm and 4.30pm-9.30pm.
170 Bramcote Lane, Wollaton, Nottingham NG8 2QP
(01159 854107, codsscallops.com)
19 Crab House Café, Wyke Regis, Dorset
There’s a tropical feel to this café — a wooden shack with colourful umbrellas in a beachside location. The restaurant has its own oyster beds and the fish is really fresh — the menu changes twice daily. On the menu is whole plaice baked with anchovy butter, traditional fish and chips (£13.95) or a whole crab to crack yourself.
Open Wednesday-Thursday, noon-2pm and 6pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday, noon-2.30pm and 6pm-9.30pm, Sunday, 6pm-8.30pm.
Ferrymans Way, Portland Road, Wyke Regis, Dorset DT4 9YU
(01305 788867, crabhousecafe.co.uk)
20 Aldeburgh Fish & Chips, Suffolk
It has built a reputation for delicious food and has kept the same classic menu for years (medium fish and chips is £5.30). Just down the road from Orford Ness nature reserve and with wonderful beaches in both directions, there are lots of walks you can do to work up an appetite. Sit on the sea wall outside the shop to enjoy the views.
Open Monday-Wednesday, 11.45am-2pm and 6pm-8.30pm; Thursday, 11.45am-2pm and 5pm-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 11.45am-2pm and 5pm-9pm; Sunday, noon-2.30pm and 5pm-7.30pm.
226 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5DB
(01728 454685, aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk)
21 Golden Union, London W1
The fish here is caught by boats off the coast of Scotland, which the Golden Union says is the finest quality cod and haddock in the North Atlantic. The batter is hand-made and fresh throughout the day. The atmosphere’s buzzy, and there’s a good drinks menu with wine, beer and milkshakes if you eat in, or you can opt to take out. It costs £13.50 for a large cod and chips, but smaller dishes such as their fish buttie and chips (£7.95) are still generous.
Open Monday-Saturday, 11.30am-10pm.
38 Poland Street, London W1F 7LY
(020 7434 1933, goldenunion.co.uk)
22 The Craster Seafood Restaurant, Alnwick, Northumberland
If you are heading to Craster Seafood Restaurant it’s highly recommended that you try the legendary grilled Craster kippers, smoked on site. If these aren’t really your thing, there’s always a range of fresh fish to choose from. Try traditional fish and chips, home-made fish pâtés or a side of home-smoked salmon with fresh bread.
Open Monday-Saturday, noon-2pm and 6.30pm-8pm.
Haven Hill, Craster, Alnwick, NE66 3TR
(01665 576223, kipper.co.uk)
23 The Regency, Brighton, East Sussex
One of the oldest and most popular seafront restaurants in Brighton, The Regency always has a long list of locally caught fresh fish, paired with spectacular views of the sea and the West pier from the café seats outdoors. Regular fish and chips (£7.25) is served alongside oysters, lobster and moules marinière.
Open daily, 8am-11pm.
131 King’s Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2HH
(01273 325014, theregencyrestaurant.co.uk)
24 Lifeboat House, Cornwall
Located on the water’s edge at beautiful Coverack Bay right next to a bustling harbour, this restaurant specialises in fresh produce. The menu includes baked gurnard with spinach butter and fresh lobster dishes — all cooked simply to make the most of the ingredients. On Monday evenings there’s a barbecue on the harbourfront. A generous portion of fish and chips costs £6.70.
Open Tuesday-Sunday, noon-2pm and 6pm-9pm. The Cove, Coverack, Helston, Cornwall TR12 6SX
(01326 281212, lifeboathouse.com)
25 Frankie’s Fish & Chips Brae, Shetland
This little wooden shack beside the sea sits on the rugged north coast of Scotland, with beautiful seascapes and circling gulls. Its proud boast is that it’s the most northern fish and chip shop in the UK, and you couldn’t hope for a better outdoor setting — you’ll probably be able to spot the boat your meal was caught from. Frankie’s came second this year in the UK Fish and Chip awards. A takeaway fish supper is £6.70.
Open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-8pm.
Sunday, noon-8pm. Brae, Shetland ZE2 9QJ
(01806 522700, frankiesfishandchips.com)
26 Old Salty’s, Glasgow
The cosy, colourful interior of this chippy is welcoming on a chilly day, with warm lamps and big, sturdy tables. The menu is simple and very reasonably priced, and the staff incredibly friendly. Located right in the hustle and bustle of Glasgow’s vibrant Finnieston, it makes the perfect lunch or dinner stop to refuel. Fish and chips costs £8.
Open daily, 7am-midnight.
1126 Argyle Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8TD
(0141 357 5677, oldsaltys.co.uk)
27 Fosters Fish & Chips, Didsbury, Manchester
Known for its crunchy batter and excellent chips, Fosters in Didsbury is a neighbourhood chippy — and a very good one. The seating is informal, with long wooden tables and benches and exposed brick walls, or you can take away your fish and chips (£6.15), and add on a barmcake for 50p.
Open Monday-Saturday, 11.30am-10pm; Sunday, noon-9pm.
812 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6UH
(01614 454430, fostersfishandchips.com)
28 The Point at Polzeath, Cornwall
The Point, with beautiful views of Polzeath and out to sea, might be one of the more posh fish and chip spots on the list: on Thursdays they serve “Fizz & Chips” — fish, chips and a glass of champagne for £12.50. Alternatively, try the fish chowder with scallops, prawns, cod and mussels, or a seafood sharing platter.
Open daily, 8am-9pm.
St Minver, Polzeath, Cornwall PL27 6QT
(01208 864602, thepointatpolzeath.co.uk)
29 Colmans, Tyne & Wear
Colmans is heaving with awards and has a loyal following from locals as well as returning visitors from around the UK. The fish is local and sustainably sourced, with a changing “catch of the day”. A dish to splash out on is the hand-prepared scampi — locally caught langoustine tails cooked in batter. A portion of fish and chips costs £8.25.
Open daily, 11am-7pm.
176-186 Ocean Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 2JQ
(0191 456 1202, colmansfishandchips.com)
30 Mourne Seafood Bar Belfast
This cosy restaurant feels like a miniature pub, with dark wooden beams and exposed brick walls, shelves packed with wine bottles and huge chalkboards listing the fresh fish on offer. The menu features pan-fried crab claws with chilli butter or seafood chowder served with freshly baked wheaten bread. Fish, chips and mushy peas costs £10.
Open Monday-Thursday, noon-9.30pm, Friday-Saturday, noon-4pm and 5pm-10.30pm; Sunday, 1pm-6pm.
34-36 Bank Street, Belfast BT1 1HL
(028 9024 8544, mourneseafood.com)