These are Britain's BEST fish and chip shops for National Fish & Chip Day

Batter than all the rest

Few meals evoke the British seaside like fish and chips, whether you're eating them by the sand or in a landlocked village. To celebrate National Fish and Chip Day this 6 June, we've gathered the best places in every region of the UK – each of England's nine official regions, plus Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – for a fish and chip supper, from chippies that wrap up warm and satisfyingly greasy paper parcels to restaurants serving their battered cod on actual plates.

Craving a chippy tea or fish supper? Read on for our ultimate list of the best fish and chip shops in Britain, region by region – and find out if your local has made the cut. 

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

East Midlands: Sea & Earth, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Sea & Earth not only serves incredible fish and chips, but it strives to do it in the most ethical way possible. All of its produce is sourced locally, and the restaurant ensures that all the boats it buys from are fishing sustainably. It also has lots of brilliant vegan options, including banana blossom and mock scampi, and meals are packaged in fully recyclable containers.

East Midlands: The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

The Cod's Scallops is a chippy with a difference, offering up to 20 species of fresh fish and shellfish each day – served either fried in the traditional way or baked with garlic, lemon and herbs. The restaurant has five branches across Nottingham, and was named the UK’s best fish and chip shop in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2020. It’s fully licensed too, so you can enjoy a cold beer or glass of prosecco with your fish supper.

East of England: Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

Located just a short walk from Aldeburgh’s pretty shingle beach, this family-run shop has been in business since 1967. To make its exceptional fish and chips, it uses fresh fish from the East Coast, and delicious local potatoes fried in beef dripping. The chippy also has two sister spots in the town: The Golden Galleon, which has a bigger menu with pies and burgers, and The Upper Deck restaurant, where you can dine in. For the full Aldeburgh experience, grab your feast and eat it perched on the sea wall.

East of England: French’s Fish Shop, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

The charming coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea is the perfect location to enjoy fish and chips by the beach, and locals rave about French’s Fish Shop, which has been in business for more than 100 years. The concise menu is a traditional affair, so expect fluffy chips, delicious mushy peas, and perfectly cooked cod encased in light, crispy batter. The queues can be long at weekends and during holidays, but service is speedy and the prices are excellent, so it’s worth the wait.

London: Sutton & Sons

Sutton & Sons' family-run chip shops have been providing Londoners with authentic fish and chip meals for around 20 years. All produce is freshly sourced from day boats, and the menu changes regularly to showcase the latest catch. Sutton & Sons is also famous for its incredible vegan options, from ‘fish’ made from marinated banana blossom to vegan sausages, pies and burgers.

London: The Golden Hind

A quirky chippy with an Italian twist, The Golden Hind is a London legend that's been serving stunning food in the heart of Marylebone since 1914. Its extensive menu features everything from burrata salad and breaded mozzarella to sticky toffee pudding and Italian cocktails, but it's the perfectly made fish and chips that attracts tourists and locals in their droves. The restaurant has plenty of inside and outside seating, and you can order your food to take away too.

North East & Cumbria: Lewis’s Fish Restaurant, Seahouses, Northumberland

Seahouses is a coastal village known for its seafood, and Lewis’s Fish Restaurant is its top spot for proper fish and chips, cooked the traditional way. This rustic shop was named among the UK’s best by The Times, and is particularly praised for the freshness of its fish. The family-run restaurant even catches its own crabs and lobsters, which are served in popular daily specials like loaded crab fries and deep-fried lobster bites.

North East & Cumbria: Fisherman’s Bay, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

Fisherman’s Bay sources its fish and potatoes locally – and it shows in the taste and texture of its wonderfully fresh battered fish and fluffy-on-the-inside chips. It occupies a prime spot on the seafront, and friendly staff give the place a wonderfully warm, welcoming feel (so it’s no wonder Fisherman’s Bay won a Good Food Award in 2022). There's also a selection of vegan options, from sausages to pea fritters.

North East & Cumbria: Shap Chippy, Shap, Cumbria

This modern fish and chip shop has gathered several awards since opening in 2004, and has two mobile fish and chip vans that tour the towns and villages of Cumbria's beautiful Eden Valley on different days of the week. The main focus is on traditional cod and chips, but you’ll also find delicious gourmet burgers and creative vegetarian sides (think cheese and onion fritters, and halloumi spring rolls).

Northern Ireland: The Merchant Fish & Chip Shop, Ballymena, County Antrim

The Merchant Fish & Chip Shop in Ballymena sticks to proper fish and chips. In 2021, the chippy was crowned Northern Ireland’s Best Fish and Chip Shop, and customers can't get enough of its comforting fare. The atmosphere is always friendly, the portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. There are some great-value lunch specials, too.

Northern Ireland: Morton’s, Ballycastle, County Antrim

Morton's is a great, chilled-out lunch option for those touring the Causeway coast; enjoy your chips to take away, or eat them in the shop's covered, heated seating area. It’s known far and wide for its light and crispy gluten-free batter, so it tends to be pretty bustling. Customers recommend calling ahead to avoid the queue.

Northern Ireland: John Long’s, Belfast, County Antrim

John Long’s is the oldest still-operating fish and chip shop in Belfast, serving the city for over a century. It’s become so entrenched in Belfast’s culture that some put it up there with landmarks like Linen Hall Library and the Crown Liquor Saloon. John Long’s is anything but set in its ways, though. It's continuously developing its menu, and now offers an incredible selection of gluten-free options like chilli cod, lemon haddock and smoked hake.

Northern Ireland: Hunt’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Lambeg, County Antrim

Hunt’s Traditional Fish & Chips is famous in the local area (and beyond) for its incredible fish and chips. The food is top quality as it's all fried fresh to order, and the portion sizes are huge. Expect to wait, as it's reassuringly busy. As well as top-quality fish and chips, Hunt’s is also well-known for its chicken sliders, served in an Italian roll with cheese slices, salad and sauce.

Northern Ireland: Fish City, Belfast, County Antrim

Enjoy exceptional service and warm hospitality at Fish City, a lively, award-winning seafood restaurant in the heart of Belfast. Its daytime menu offers a vast selection; alongside its famous fish and chips are choices like prawn and chicken dumplings, lasagne, and chicken curry. Fish City prides itself on its sustainability, too, with all its cod, haddock and hake certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, and all other fish species responsibly sourced.

Northern Ireland: Doc’s Fish & Chips, Newcastle, County Down

Doc’s Fish & Chips is a takeaway and café that offers a wide range of comfort foods, from classic fish and chips to more obscure dishes like honey chilli chicken and Asian noodle stir fries. There's a whole host of different menus too, including one for steak night, but you just can't beat the award-winning fish and chips. Fried in beef dripping, the chips have a unique, delicious flavour and texture.

North West: Chips @ No.8, Prestwich, Greater Manchester

Chips @ No.8 has a ceramic-tiled interior that gives the place an old-school feel, brightened by some lovely modern touches. Owner Dan Edwards has managed to elevate the shop's fish and chip offering by ensuring everything is fresh as can be, from the fish caught every morning by local merchants to the peas – which are served suitably mushy.

North West: Johnny English Traditional Fish & Chips, Liverpool, Merseyside

Located on buzzy Bold Street in the centre of Liverpool, this lively, family-friendly restaurant is loved by locals for its Chinese takeaway–inspired salt and pepper chips and fish bites. Fans say the fish is white, flaky and perfectly crisp, with no hint of greasiness, and praise the chippy's very generous portions and affordable prices.

Scotland: Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther, Fife

Gaze over the harbour while enjoying fresh, locally sourced and sustainable fish and chips at the Anstruther Fish Bar. This multi-award-winning spot has a vast selection, from classics like haddock and chips to Pittenweem prawns in breadcrumbs. Got a sweet tooth? Customers also recommend the luxury dairy ice cream, made with the best Scottish milk and cream.

Scotland: Fisherman’s Pier Fish & Chip Van, Tobermory, Argyll and Bute

Fisherman’s Pier Fish & Chip Van is the perfect location for a cheap and very cheerful lunch. It's positioned on the Tobermory waterfront, so you can enjoy perfectly seasoned fish and chips while gazing out over the water. There are places to sit by the clock tower and the lobster creels, or you can perch on the monument steps overlooking the harbour. The van holds a respected Les Routiers Award too, thanks to its policy of using only the freshest and best quality fish and scallops and cooking them to order.

Scotland: Frankie’s Fish & Chips, Brae, Shetland

Not only is Frankie’s Fish & Chips the UK’s northernmost fish and chip shop – it’s also one of the best. It took top spot in the 2015 National Fish and Chip Awards thanks to its use of premium quality seafood, delivered fresh from the local market each morning. The café offers indoor seating for when the sun isn’t shining; otherwise, the establishment is perfectly positioned for great views across the water.

Scotland: Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar, Gourdon, Aberdeenshire

Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar has picturesque views over Gourdon Harbour and the North Sea. Take your fish and chips and perch on the harbour wall (at your own risk – there are seagulls about), or enjoy your meal inside the spacious restaurant. Alongside its seasonal menu, the Quayside also offers a specials board, which changes daily depending on the catches from Catterline, Johnshaven or Gourdon.

Scotland: Tailend, St Andrews, Fife

Tailend is a family-run fish bar and restaurant that's been running for four generations. Owned by fish merchants, it serves some of the freshest local produce Scotland has to offer. This also means that its menu changes seasonally to include dishes such as hake, halibut, langoustines, lobster, plaice, lemon sole, cod and monkfish (to name a few). The Tailend offers a truly unforgettable experience, and is loved by pretty much everyone.

Scotland: The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire

Situated in Largs, directly on the promenade with fantastic views of the West Coast of Scotland – including Cumbrae, Arran and Bute – The Fish Works is an excellent spot for traditional haddock, encased in the lightest and fluffiest of batters. Taking third place at the 2024 National Fish and Chip Awards, the restaurant prides itself on sourcing fish locally and using recyclable packaging. Its menu has extensive options for everyone, including people with gluten intolerances, as their choices can be made to order in a separate gluten-free pan. The portions are enormous, too.

Scotland: The Oban Fish & Chip Shop, Oban, Argyll and Bute

The Oban Fish & Chip Shop offers a wide variety of fish, including sole, halibut and hake, all caught locally and brought in fresh each morning from Oban’s south pier. Its cod and haddock come from sustainable fish stocks in Norwegian waters, approved by the Marine Stewardship Council. For something different, try the locally sourced squat lobsters, cooked in the shop's own-recipe batter.

Scotland: The Real Food Café, Tyndrum, Stirling

The Real Food Café is an award-winning roadside diner that serves excellent fish and chips, salads, soups and baked goods. It's a great family-friendly spot that also caters for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets, and even offers treats for your furry companions. It's the perfect place to stop after a long walk, and dive into a hearty portion of battered fish while your pup chews on a bone-shaped dog biscuit.

South East: Maggie's Fish & Chips, Hastings, East Sussex

Fish doesn’t get fresher than the tasty morsels served up at Maggie's Fish & Chips, a charming café nestled among Hastings Old Town's iconic fishing huts, with beautiful views of the harbourfront. Cod, haddock and dab are sourced directly from the market below the eatery, and fried to order. Also well worth a visit is sister business Maggie’s at the Boat, a rustic seafood shack that sells dishes like seafood chowder and battered cod burgers every weekend.

South East: Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate, Kent

Newington Fish Bar opened in 1980, and was the first chippy in Kent to achieve the prestigious 5-star quality award from The Seafish Authority. This spot's friendly staff and delicious food have earned it fiercely loyal customers. Whether you choose to dine in or take your meal home with you, you can be sure your fish and chips will be fresh and tasty, with light, crispy batter.

South West: Bennett’s Fish & Chips, Weymouth, Dorset

You’d certainly struggle to miss this colourful takeaway and restaurant on Weymouth’s harbourside. Established in 1989, Bennett's Fish & Chips has gathered a loyal following over the years for its chip shop favourites. On the menu, classics like pies and cod and chips sit happily alongside coconut-coated king prawns and Louisiana chilli–spiced chips, while Bennett’s famous mackerel bap – made with locally caught mackerel and served with tartare or horseradish sauce – is hugely popular too.

South West: Pier Point Restaurant & Bar, Torquay, Devon

Pier Point Restaurant & Bar prides itself on providing good quality food, keeping a modest menu so that each dish is fried to perfection. Everything is sustainably sourced – to the extent that the restaurant claims to know which trawler brought in the fish, and where the potatoes were grown. Situated opposite Torquay's marina, this spot provides spectacular views across the bay, so you can sit back and watch the sunset as you feast.

South West: The Haven Fish & Chips, Gorran Haven, Cornwall

This stunning beachside spot is worth a visit for its breathtaking views of Gorran Haven’s turquoise waters alone. Happily, the food is just as impressive; its varied menu has everything from stacked burgers to super-fresh gurnard and lemon sole sourced from around the corner in Mevagissey. Fans say the staff are passionate, knowledgeable and always welcoming.

Wales: Finney’s @ The Golden Fry, Benllech, Gwynedd

Finney’s @ The Golden Fry prides itself on being an ethical fish and chip shop with great family values. It uses quality produce that's sustainable and local when possible, and its packaging is now biodegradable or recyclable, too. The light and fluffy fish batter here is also, surprisingly, gluten-free.

Wales: Fish Kitchen 1854, Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly

Occupying the site of a former Chinese restaurant, Fish Kitchen 1854 has been renovated into a modern neighbourhood hangout. It's loved for its delicious fish and chips, of course, and has also been praised by customers for its friendly, efficient service. The spot was named runner-up at the 2023 National Fish and Chip Awards.

Wales: Henninghan’s Top Shop, Machynlleth, Powys

Since it opened back in 1982, Henninghan’s Top Shop has become a cherished part of the community of Machynlleth. Even though the fish and chip shop is more than 40 years old, the family-run business hasn't lost any of its original enthusiasm. The takeaway has achieved several industry awards, including the top spot in the National Fish and Chip Awards in 2017. It's partly down to the lightning-quick, friendly service – but mostly down to the perfectly prepared fish and chips.

Wales: Hiks, Swansea, Glamorgan

Hiks had humble beginnings as a chip shop van. It's come a long way since then, thanks to perseverance and practically perfect fish and chips. Hiks has now expanded to take over the building next to its original site, giving it a capacity of around 40 seats. Even though the size of the establishment has doubled, the level of customer care – and the restaurant's focus on freshness – have stayed the same. Cod is still cooked fresh to order, resulting in flaky fish and crispy batter.

Wales: Mor Ffein Llandudoch, Cardigan, Ceredigion

Môr Ffein Llandudoch has taken over the establishment formerly known as Bowen’s Chip Shop, bringing some fresh decoration and a modern twist to the menu. There's a great selection of fish, meat and pies, and some decent vegetarian choices too. Customers also recommend the homemade cheesecake, which is wonderfully light and fluffy.

Wales: Plassey Fish Bar, Penarth, South Glamorgan

Plassey Fish Bar is the place to get your hook into a hefty portion of fish and chips. Customers say the enormous sizes represent brilliant value for money. There’s also an incredible gluten-free menu, with more than 25 items to choose from. From classic cod, haddock, plaice, hake and sea bass to other takeaway classics like chicken curry with rice, it's all delicious.

Wales: Ship Deck, Caerphilly, Glamorgan

Winner of the coveted Takeaway of the Year category at The National Fish and Chip Awards 2024, this family-run spot really is something special. Customers rave about Ship Deck's vast portion sizes, which represent great value for money. The fish is fresh and crispy, not greasy, and the alternative options, such as the onion rings, burgers and calamari, are great too. Don't miss out on the incredible homemade curry sauce; you'll wish you ordered gallons of the stuff.

West Midlands: Ju Ju’s Café, Birmingham

This casual family-run eatery on Birmingham’s canal specialises in all manner of homemade British classics, from Sunday roasts to hearty full English breakfasts – but it has a particular following for its sensational beer-battered cod and chips, served with mushy peas, homemade tartare sauce and a big pile of bread and butter (for that all-important chip butty). It has an alcohol license too, so you can accompany your feast with a cocktail or two.

West Midlands: Major’s Chippy, Bilston, Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton institution Major’s is best known for its unique orange chips, a Black Country speciality of potatoes deep-fried in a thick, orange-coloured batter. The secret recipe differs from chippy to chippy, but usually contains paprika and/or turmeric, giving the potatoes a spicy kick. Food lovers travel from miles around to taste the unusual delicacy at Major’s, alongside the restaurant’s perfectly crispy cod and tasty gravy.

Yorkshire & the Humber: Auckley Friery, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

If you’re looking for buttery, flaky fish, free from additives and preservatives, and coated in a natural batter, look no further than Auckley Friery. The restaurant's passion for perfecting traditional fish and chips has elevated this typical dish into something magnificent. The chips are double-fried to give a delicious crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Savour every bite, with some homemade garlic mayonnaise or herby tartare sauce on the side.

Yorkshire & the Humber: Magpie Café, Whitby, North Yorkshire

A trip to Whitby isn’t complete without a visit to the Magpie Café. Visitors will notice that there's always a queue outside the door, whatever the weather. Its popularity is due to its incredibly fresh fish, which is cooked perfectly in a light batter. The café has won multiple awards, including the Food Awards England 2023's Best Seafood Establishment in the North, and is a favourite of chef Rick Stein.

Yorkshire & the Humber: Whitehead's, Hornsea, East Yorkshire

This small, family-run chippy battered the competition to take the top prize at the 2023 National Fish and Chip Awards, named Takeaway of the Year. Whitehead's, named for the family that still runs it, has been a favourite spot for locals in Hornsea, near Hull, for decades, with customers praising everything from the light, crispy batter to the fluffy chips. The restaurant has inside seating, though most customers tend to take their battered haddock and chips to the nearby beach.

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Last updates by Lottie Woodrow.