Fish and chips is one of the UK’s most traditional and popular dishes, enjoyed at the seaside, at home or for those who like a more formal setting, in a restaurant with a nice glass of wine.
The dish is notorious across households across the country, but getting the best fish and chips is important, the fluffiness of the chips and choice of fish is a deal-breaker, now making that tough decision has been made that much easier as the top 10 fish and chip restaurants in the UK have been revealed.
These 10 finalists will now compete for the chance to take home the coveted title of the ‘UK’s best fish and chip restaurant’. The restaurant award category is open to all UK fish and chip businesses with a sit-in restaurant at the main business location.
Those named below have not only excelled in their fish and chip game, but have also given diners an exquisite experience.
The awards are organised by Seafish, the public body that supports the £10 billion UK seafood industry, The National Fish & Chip Awards are the UK’s premier awards for fish and chips businesses.
The winner of the award will be crowned in January, but until then, feast your eyes on the top restaurants across the UK.
The top 10 fish and chip restaurants in the UK have been revealed, but has your local area made the cut?
fish! Borough Market, Borough Market, London
Established in 1999 this restaurant is at the heart of London’s Borough Market and allows diners to watch their fish being cooked right in front of them.
The chefs source most of the produce from the stalls that trade at Borough Market and fish is delivered daily from their very own fishmonger named Jarvis.
The menu has a whole selection of beer battered fish and chips where you can chose from cod, haddock, plaice and even hake. For those wanting to stick with tradition, cod and chips will set you back around £18.95.
But that’s not all that features on the menu, those looking to get a bit more adventurous with their meal choice can opt for chargrilled squid or even grilled Scottish langoustines.
One man stands outside fish! in Borough Market. Diners can either take a seat inside the restaurant or grab a tasty fish and chips to go. It also offers home delivery
Fish City Belfast, Belfast
Right in the heart of Belfast, this restaurant has already won numerous awards for its tasty dishes, including ‘Seafish’ Regional Fish and Chip Shop of the year award in 2015.
A family business, Fish City was established in 2013 and since then has gone from strength to strength, providing the residents of Belfast with sustainable seafood.
A large fish and chips here on the evening menu costs £16.95 and could be paired with some of the tasty side dished the eatery has on offer such as garden vegetables.
For those looking to get out of their comfort zone and explore all Fish City has to offer, diners can delve into oysters, or even try some of their fish tacos.
Fish City in Belfast made it into the top 10 with its sleek modern design and fish and chips which had already won it plenty of praise
Knights Fish & Chip Restaurant, Glastonbury, Somerset
This eatery has a long history of providing those in Glastonbury with quality dishes. It first opened in 1909 and the business had remained family run since its inception.
For starters diners can tuck into classic calamari or even opt for breaded brie. Large cod and chips will cost £9.45 and is cooked fresh to order.
It also offers chippy classics such as pies, mushy peas and curry sauce for those who like a bit of a kick with their fish and chips.
For those who like to wash down their dinner with something alcoholic, there are a range of local beers on the menu as well as fruity ciders.
Cute and quaint! Knight’s of Glastonbury is every Instagrammers dream and the outside makes it look like a cute cottage
Malt and Anchor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Established in 2017 the Malt and Anchor describes itself as having a ‘traditional chippy menu with a twist’, which also offers a takeaway service so you can enjoy their dishes in the comfort of your own home.
On the menu, you can chose fried or battered fish, and cod with twice cooked chips and tartar sauce will cost around £13.90.
The restaurant is in the heart of the Cotswolds and also offers an express lunch menu, which is served from 12 until 2.20pm.
Unlike most fish and chip restaurants, the Malt and Anchor also hosts Christmas parties, offering intimate dining for guests as well as a wide range of cocktails and wines.
Fish and chips and a bit of fizz! The Malt and Anchor in Cirencester made its way into the top ten of best fish and chip restaurants
Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar, Gourdon, Aberdeenshire
This fish and chip shop not only has some tasty treats on the menu but also offers diners amazing panoramic views over Gourdon harbour and out to the North sea.
Fresh local haddock will cost £19.95 for a regular portion and all mains on the menu are served with chips and a choice of salad, beans or garden/mushy peas and include mayo or tartare sauce.
The chefs here really do utilise their surroundings and tap into the resources at Catterline, Johnshaven and Gourdon.
This locally sourced produce helps keep the specials board filled with fresh produce, which could be one of the reasons why the Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar has made it into the top ten.
Proud as punch! An employee stands outside the restaurant in Aberdeenshire which serves up some tasty treats for diners
Saltwater Fish Restaurant, Torquay, Devon
Just a stone’s throw away from Torquay’s picturesque harbourside the Saltwater Fish Restaurant is the perfect location to enjoy a British classic.
Its restaurant menu offers everything from fish dishes to burgers and each day the chef serves up a daily catch, which is all dependable on what the boat brings in on a daily basis.
Traditional cod and chips will cost £11 and is served with unlimited chips. Or for those who are more health conscious, a baby lead salad.
The restaurant also offers a range of lunchtime specials, which includes a homemade fish finger sandwich or a fisherman’s lunch, which includes a lovely pot of English breakfast tea.
The Saltwater has clean cut vibe to it and when you walk in you are able to see a digitalised display of whats on offer on the menu
Something Else Fishy, Milborne Port, Sherborne, Dorset
Another family run business with ‘Something Else Fishy’ which is run by Martyn & Nicki Else who had been fishmongers for 10 years before opening the restaurant.
When they saw the unit available in Milborne Port they said it was the next ‘natural step’ to take for them and that they had to learn the trade from there.
Large cod and chips will cost £12.95 here and the dynamic duo also serve up specials such as fritto misto which is mixed fried seafood.
Other options include lobster, mussels and for those who like their dishes boozy, you can even try the ‘drunken prawns’. This dish consists of tiger prawns cooked in Jack Daniels.
Something Else Fishy (pictured above) is a family run establishment and was started out by husband and wife who used to be fish mongers
The Cods Scallops, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
The Cods Scallops is no stranger to success and also managed to get a mention in the Top 20 Fish and Chip Shops in the UK and has also made it onto the restaurant nominations.
This eatery in the east Midlands serves a wide selection of fish and shellfish daily, depending what comes off their very own boats, also made the top twenty.
The Cod’s Scallops could be the best bet for those who like to be a little bit more adventurous with their food choices as it also offers dressed crab, cockles and mussels as well as lobster.
This one is a little more on the pricey side compared to other entrants and a cod would cost £9.50. It also boasts award winning pies and desserts.
Over the summer the eatery also launched a promotion that with every full price adult meal, a child could eat for free.
The Cods Scallops in Nottingham has tried to mix a traditional chippy feel with that of a boutique restaurant (pictured above)
Time to tuck in! Employees of the Cods Scallops sit down to enjoy their fish and chips after a hard days work at the venue
The Fisherman’s Wife, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Located in the quaint area of Whitby, the Fisherman’s Wife is a perfect spot to soak up the surroundings of the stunning bay area.
The team has more than 50 years of experience and uses its expertise to help combine the ‘best from the sea and the finest produce from the fields of Yorkshire’.
All fish is selected from a local fish market, while the crab and lobsters are caught daily from the local Whitby waters.
Cod and chips will cost £13.99 here and the team also offer a wide range of other dishes such as Yorkshire fishcakes and deep fried squid.
The Fishermans wife in Whitby (pictured above) offers various specials which the team display on a board outside each day
Trenchers Restaurant, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
Established in 1980 this restaurant is the perfect spot for any occasion and actually offers Christmas and event packages.
While dining at Trenchers is a little bit pricier than other entrants the surrounding and history of the restaurant make it worth while.
Cod here will cost £22 and is served with Pomme Anna, Baby Gem, Fish Cream, other dishes include sea trout, Lobster and even lamb.
For those in the mood for meat, the restaurant also offers a range of steaks for those looking to fill their boots.
Trenchers Restaurant in Whitley Bay (pictured above) is in a gorgeous surrounding and will make you feel like you are having fish and chips in style