Crispy batter, golden chips, luminous mushy peas and a tangy tartare sauce... is there anything better?
Britain is famed for its fish and chip supper, and rightly so. It's a British institution wherever you go. From Cornwall to Scotland, London to Anglesey, these are the UK's top chippies serving up the best of the best.
Best fish and chips in the UK
1. Chez Fred, Bournemouth
Fred Capel’s sometimes pavement-room only eaterie comes with a side order of celebrity; its walls are adorned with signed photos of famous diners, which is a testament to its popularity and reputation (we saw Jools Holland tucking into a plate of Fred’s finest fish on our visit). What’s more, there’s strictly no endangered North Sea stocks on the menu – the cod is frozen-at-sea from Iceland and the Arctic. If you head down to Bournemouth – or even if you're just somewhere else in Dorset – Chez Fred is well worth a visit.
2. Papa's, Weston Super Mare
Considered to be one of the best fish and chips in the South West, Papa's is a chippie from a bygone era. It's been around since 1966 and has gone through four generations, offering excellent fish and chips in a classic olde worlde style. Go for a walk by the pier and treat yourself to a fish supper on your way back to the station.
3. Fisherman's Pier Fish & Chips, Mull
This is a true seaside fish-and-chip experience – from a van, wrapped in newspaper, looking out to sea, in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland (which we named as one of the best Scottish islands). And it’s the only Les Routiers-accredited fish and chips van in the world. Owners Jane and Jeanette use only fresh fish (haddock is their best seller), and they cook it to order. Oh, and King Charles has even sampled the scallops.
4. Magpie Café, Whitby
A café since 1939, the Magpie is housed in a black and white building that affords unrivalled views over historic Whitby’s harbour. As for the food, it’s legendary, as are the portions. You can even choose from three sizes of battered cod or haddock –all fresh off the boats in the harbour, and of course washed down with the obligatory mug of Yorkshire tea.
5. Seasmiths, Porthtowan
Seasmiths is a relatively new addition to the fish and chips scene in Cornwall, but it's certainly taking the job very seriously. In the small village of Porthtowan, Seasmiths is a modern fish and chips place that runs a click and collect model, which means there are no long wait times, a blessing in the high season. While the fish and chips themselves are excellent (and never greasy or soggy), the accoutrements are what set Seasmiths above the rest, with delicious homemade dips and signature tartare sauce.
6. Seniors, Blackpool
Over to the other side of the country where fish is selected fresh from the morning’s catch at Fleetwood fish auction. Even the potatoes for the chips are sourced locally. The superb value menu lists up to a dozen varieties of fish in season, including hake and turbot, and can be eaten in or taken on to the beach. Now you don’t get a more English seaside experience than that.
7. Rock and Sole Plaice, London
Located in Covent Garden, Rock and Sole is considered to be among the oldest fish and chip shops in the UK. Founded in 1871, its basement once served as a meeting place during the Blitz, for volunteers to plan where provisions would be distributed throughout London against the backdrop of World War Two.
8. The Cod's Scallops, Nottingham
In Nottingham, you're a long way from the sea – but The Cod's Scallops is proving that that's no issue, with crispy battered fish impressing visitors every day across it various Nottingham branches. The fish options change daily and everything is cooked fresh to order. There's plenty of choice on the menu, with customers given an option of different fish or shellfish, and lots of sides. There's also now another offshot of The Cod's Scallops in Birmingham, for any Midlanders on a weekender.
9. Finney's, Anglesey
Having topped many 'best chippie' lists over the years, Finney's was reocgnised at the 2025 National Fish & Chip Awards for its environmental and sustainable practices. Not only does it deliver a 10/10 fish supper, it has phased out all single-use plastics and has introduced a cashback scheme for customers reusing old bags when purchasing. All Finney's fish has been responsibly caught too, which makes for an even better dinner. If you find yourself on the north coast of Wales, Finney's has two branches in the charming island of Anglesey.
10. Stein’s Fish & Chips, Padstow
When it comes to fish, who better to run a chippy than the 20th century Poseidon himself, Rick Stein. As you’d expect, menus change daily but you can expect a menu that reads like a Who’s Who of the ocean – sea bream, salmon, mackerel, skate, monkfish, lemon sole, gurnard, megrim sole, plaice…
We named Padstow as one of the best fishing locations in the UK.
