Best fish and chip shops in the UK

This legendary South Shields chip shop and café has been in the same family since 1926. Its original coal-fired fryers are long gone, usurped by high-spec, ultra-modern Kiremko ranges that produce dishes such as real scampi (made using Whitby Bay langoustine tails) or Thai-style prawn fishcakes. Colmans uses day-boat fish for its seasonal specials such as line-caught North Atlantic haddock and cod approved by the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council). Both are cooked in a top-secret batter. £.

The Bay
Stonehaven

A pioneer in seafood sustainability (and a long-term MSC affiliate), this seafront takeaway in Stonehaven near Aberdeen is equally focused on finessing the quality of its fish and chips. Owner Calum Richardson is so well respected that swanky Edinburgh seafood restaurant, Ondine, uses his batter recipe. Served with richly savoury chips cooked in beef dripping, The Bay’s haddock supper is knockout. Do not miss the smoked haddock fishcakes. £

Burton Road Chippy
Lincoln

Proper homemade mushy peas (a silken joy!), rigorous frying to order and its renowned fat, crisp and fluffy chips – made from carefully stored and prepared, locally grown Maris Pipers – are just some of the reasons that have made this Lincoln takeaway café an award winner. In many ways, Burton Road is the perfect blend of old and new. All its cod and haddock is MSC-compliant, while its menu runs from pickled eggs to hand-cut, panko-coated squid. £

Cod’s Scallops
Nottingham

Combining fishmongers, takeaways and cafés, these two smartly seaside-themed branches of Cod’s Scallops offer a modish fish and chip experience that will wow fastidious foodies (note: local Michelin-starred chef Sat Bains is a fan). Pick your fillets from a wet fish counter – where choices include MSC cod and haddock, and day-boat landed seafood – before having it fried to order in beef dripping, or baked with garlic and lemon. Seasonal specials range from grilled sardines and Colchester Native oysters to marinières-style wild sea mussels and, in winter, a serious fish soup that starts with a base of soy sauce and roasted fish bones. £

Hodgson’s
Lancaster

Hodgson's has won numerous awards since opening in 1998 so it’s no surprise that, at peak times, this MSC-accredited Lancaster takeaway has a queue of eager locals at the counter. Expect greaseless fish with an almost tempura-light batter and rustling, buttery chips, as well as delicious, homemade Yorkshire-style fish cakes, a kind of fish-filled, fried potato sandwich. £

The Fish Shed
Exeter

Part of the vast Darts Farm food hall in Topsham near Exeter, the Fish Shed is a site of pilgrimage for chip shop connoisseurs. Supplied by a network of Lyme Bay day boats, the the fish here will usually have been landed within the past 12 hours. Snazzy dishes such as lobster, scallops with bacon or salsa verde and well-honed standards including beer-battered haddock with beef-dripping-cooked chips combine to make this one of the UK’s very best chip shops. It will also grill your fish or swap those chips for a leafy green salad. £.

Number One
Cromer

Set over two floors, Michelin-starred chef Galton Blackiston’s posh version of a seafront fish and chip shop offers great views of Cromer beach and pier. Downstairs, there’s classics such as MSC-certified cod and chips as well as more adventurous options including lager, soy and ginger-marinated whitebait with aioli dip. Upstairs, an extended menu also includes the likes of king prawn Goan curry with cumin roti and caramelised lime and coconut rice. £

Palm Court
Brighton

This spacious restaurant on Brighton’s historic Palace Pier has been given a complete overhaul in recent years. The elegant, pared back design features a central bar, copper pendant lighting, mosaic floor tiles and comfortable banquette seating. Add in unrivalled sea views and you’ve got a pretty special place in which to enjoy hand-cut fillets of cod or haddock with freshly cut chips with a glass of champagne or a cocktail. £

Fraser’s
Penzance

This perennially popular, traditional chippy overlooks Penzance’s famous Promenade, with a second branch in nearby Helston as well as sister restaurant Harbour Lights in Falmouth. There’s Cornish day boat fish, including hake landed less than a mile away at Newlyn, alongside MSC-certified Arctic cod and haddock. Vegetarian options include mushy pea fritters, every true fish and chip connoisseur’s choice. £

Whiteheads
Hornsea, near Hull

This family run neighbourhood chippy that’s located close to the beach in the Yorkshire seaside resort of Hornsea won the title of Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2023. But you can eat the MSC-certified battered haddock or Atlantic cod in the comfortable restaurant, too. Plaice, ray, halibut and lemon sole, all battered, are also available for those who want something slightly different. Gluten-free options are cooked separately from the main menu. £

Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop/The Golden Galleon
Aldeburgh

The Cooney family have been frying fish and chips in the charming Suffolk seaside town of Aldeburgh since 1967. Peter, the son of the original owners, is still going strong after half a century. You’ll find both the original Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop and The Golden Galleon in the high street, less than 200 yards apart and both a stone’s throw from the beach where they fry haddock, cod, plaice, rock eel and chips in beef dripping as they’ve done since the day it opened. To eat in, head to the Upper Deck restaurant above the Golden Galleon. £

Ossies Fish and Chips
Whitstable

You’ll find this popular restaurant and takeaway a short walk from Tankerton Beach in the picturesque seaside town of Whitstable. Run by brother and sister team Ozan and Elvan Bodur, originally from Istanbul and a family of fishermen, the menu includes traditional cod and chips are well as specialities such as grilled sea bass from Ramsgate Harbour and pan-fried local skate with coriander. In good weather, grab a seat in the patio garden or pavement side terrace. £

The Fish Works

This multi award-winning, family-run restaurant and takeaway with outdoor terrace is set right on the prom at Largs and boasts stunning views over the Firth of Clyde to the west coast of Scotland. But it’s not just about the setting. As well as battered cod or haddock and chips, you’ll also find battered langoustines and day-boat-caught fish from Peterhead on the menu. As this is Scotland, you won’t want to miss the haggis fritters. £

The Magpie Cafe
Whitby

The Magpie Cafe could claim to be the most famous fish and chip restaurant and takeaway in the country, not least because the late, great critic AA Gill named it the best in Britain no less than twice in his Times restaurant review column. Run by three generations of the McKenzie Slater family since 1954, the 18th-century, black and white, double bow front building is instantly recognisable in its location overlooking Whitby harbour. The extensive menu of seafood delights features responsibly caught haddock and cod fried in beef dripping, as well lesser known varieties such as woof and local Whitby crab. £

Ainsworth's Fish and Chips
Caernarfon

This multi award-winning family-run takeaway with counter dining was named one of the 50 best fish and chip takeaways in the UK in 2023. Family run since 1995 and set close to the historic waterfront Caernarfon Castle, the concise, no-nonsense menu includes responsibly and sustainably sourced cod, haddock and scampi served with chips made with British potatoes. £

The Friary
Carrickfergus

Named as fish and chip shop of the year and listed among the 60 best in the country, this smart and modern takeaway with stool seating is hidden away at the back of a service station a few miles from Carrickfergus Castle and marina. The menu of MSC-certified seafood includes cod, haddock and scampi served with twice-cooked chips and homemade mushy peas. £

If you want to try your hand at making your own homemade fish and chips, check out our guide on how to deep-fry safely and our ultimate fish and chips recipe collection.

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