Few meals feel as quintessentially British as a perfectly battered piece of fish paired with golden, crispy chips. From seaside stalls to cosy inland chippies, the UK is packed with places that take this humble dish seriously.
Whether you are a lifelong fan or trying it for the first time, knowing where to go makes all the difference. Get ready to discover 23 incredible spots across the UK that serve up some of the most memorable fish and chips you will ever taste.
1. Magpie Cafe, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby is practically synonymous with fish and chips, and the Magpie Cafe sits at the very top of the pecking order. People travel from across the country just to eat here, and the queues outside tell you everything you need to know before you even taste a bite.
The fish is fresh, the batter is perfectly crisp, and the portions are generous enough to leave you happily stuffed. Grab a window seat if you can for stunning harbour views.
2. The Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther, Fife
Scotland has a fierce pride in its chippies, and Anstruther Fish Bar is widely considered one of the best in the entire country. Sitting right on the harbour in a charming East Neuk fishing village, this spot has been feeding locals and tourists for decades.
The haddock is caught locally, and the chips are thick-cut and fluffy on the inside. Named the best fish and chip shop in the UK multiple times, it fully earns that reputation.
3. Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle locals will passionately defend Quayside as the city’s ultimate fish and chip destination, and honestly, it is hard to argue with them. Tucked near the iconic River Tyne, this spot combines a buzzing atmosphere with seriously good cooking.
The batter has a satisfying crunch, and the fish inside is flaky and tender. Mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce round out the experience beautifully.
It is a proper no-nonsense northern chippy done right.
4. Rockfish, Dartmouth, Devon
Chef Mitch Tonks built Rockfish on a simple but powerful idea: serve the freshest possible seafood in a relaxed, welcoming environment. The Dartmouth location, perched right on the waterfront, delivers on that promise spectacularly well.
The fish is sourced daily from South West fishermen, meaning quality is never in question. The chips are proper thick-cut beauties, and the homemade sauces add a gourmet touch.
Coastal dining does not get much better than this.
5. Papa’s Fish and Chips, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Scarborough has been a beloved British seaside destination for centuries, and Papa’s has been a major reason to visit for a very long time. This family-run chippy takes real pride in every single portion it serves, which you can taste in the quality of the food.
The batter is light and golden, the fish is fresh and generously sized, and the chips hit that perfect balance of crispy outside and soft inside. Eating here beside the sea is a genuine treat.
6. The Wetherby Whaler, Wetherby, West Yorkshire
Yorkshire folk take their fish and chips very seriously, and The Wetherby Whaler has been a regional institution since 1969. With multiple locations now across Yorkshire, the original Wetherby spot still holds a very special place in locals’ hearts.
Everything here is made with care, from the crispy battered fish to the thick, satisfying chips. The restaurant setting makes it a great choice for a proper sit-down meal with the family.
Consistency is the real star here.
7. Simpsons Fish and Chips, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Cheltenham might not be the first place that springs to mind for fish and chips, but Simpsons has been quietly winning fans and awards for years. This family business has built its reputation on sourcing sustainable fish and cooking everything to order.
The result is fish that is never greasy, always flaky, and full of flavour. The chips are proper and hearty too.
Multiple national award wins confirm what regulars already know: Simpsons is genuinely exceptional.
8. Stein’s Fish and Chips, Padstow, Cornwall
Rick Stein put Padstow on the foodie map, and his casual fish and chip takeaway on the harbour is one of the best ways to experience his cooking without the fine dining price tag. The concept is brilliantly simple: great fish, great chips, great location.
Cornish dayboat fish is used wherever possible, keeping the menu seasonal and fresh. Eating your chips on the harbour wall while watching the boats bob is one of those genuinely magical British food experiences.
9. Harbourside Fish and Chips, Bristol
Bristol’s vibrant harbourside has become one of the city’s most exciting food destinations, and this chippy fits right into that energetic scene. The location beside the water is gorgeous, but the food is what keeps people coming back time and again.
Fresh fish is battered and fried to order, and the chips come out piping hot with a satisfying crunch. It is a casual, unpretentious spot that gets all the important things right.
Perfect for a relaxed waterfront lunch.
10. Bryson’s Fish and Chips, Keswick, Cumbria
After a long day hiking around the Lake District, few things are more satisfying than a steaming portion of fish and chips from Bryson’s. This Keswick institution has been fuelling walkers and tourists for years with hearty, well-cooked food.
The batter is wonderfully crisp, and the fish inside is flaky and perfectly cooked every time. Portion sizes are generous enough to refuel even after the most demanding fell walk.
It is simple, honest food done with real skill.
11. The Chippy, Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh has a proud chippy culture, and The Chippy on Morrison Street has carved out a loyal following among locals and visitors alike. Scotland’s capital deserves a fish and chip experience that matches its grand reputation, and this place delivers consistently.
The haddock, a Scottish chippy staple, is battered beautifully and cooked until golden. Chips are thick and fluffy, and the friendly staff make the whole visit feel warm and welcoming.
A solid Edinburgh must-visit for any fish and chip enthusiast.
12. Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is one of Cornwall’s most beautiful harbour towns, and Harbour Lights makes the most of that stunning setting. Sit by the window and watch the boats glide past while tucking into some of the best fish and chips in the South West.
The menu focuses on locally caught fish, which means freshness is guaranteed. The batter is thin and crunchy, letting the quality of the fish shine through.
Service is friendly and efficient, making this a very easy place to love.
13. Colmans Seafood Temple, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Colmans has been serving fish and chips in South Shields since 1905, making it one of the oldest and most respected chippies in the entire UK. Over a century of practice shows in every plate they serve, which is a remarkable thing to be able to say.
The fish is always fresh, the batter is consistently perfect, and the chips are exactly what you want them to be. A visit here feels like stepping into British culinary history.
Some traditions genuinely deserve to last forever.
14. Mister C’s Seafood Restaurant, Selby, North Yorkshire
Hidden away in the market town of Selby, Mister C’s has built a fiercely loyal fanbase that stretches well beyond North Yorkshire. People drive considerable distances just to eat here, which tells you something important about the quality on offer.
The fish is always fresh, the portions are enormous, and the batter has that satisfying snap when you break through it. The homemade mushy peas are a particular highlight.
Mister C’s proves that brilliant fish and chips can be found far from the coast.
15. Quay Fish and Chips, Poole, Dorset
Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and eating fish and chips beside it at Quay Fish and Chips is an experience that feels almost too good to be true. The setting alone is worth the trip, but the food more than holds its own.
Fresh local fish is the star, battered and fried to a beautiful golden colour. Chips are thick, crispy, and absolutely satisfying.
The relaxed outdoor eating area makes this a perfect warm-weather destination.
16. The Seagull, Bridlington, East Yorkshire
Bridlington is a classic British seaside town that wears its fish and chip heritage proudly, and The Seagull is one of its most celebrated chippies. Locals are fiercely loyal to this place, and first-time visitors quickly understand why.
The fish is sourced from local day boats, ensuring freshness that you can genuinely taste in every bite. Batter is light and crispy, and the chips are hefty and golden.
Seaside charm combined with seriously good food makes The Seagull a must-visit.
17. Golden Fry, Pontypridd, Wales
Wales has a fantastic chippy culture that often gets overlooked in favour of its English and Scottish neighbours, but Golden Fry in Pontypridd is here to set the record straight. This beloved local chippy has been a community staple for many years.
The fish is always fresh and the batter has a wonderfully satisfying crunch. Chips are thick-cut and fluffy inside, exactly how proper chips should be.
Golden Fry is the kind of neighbourhood chippy that every town wishes it had.
18. Olley’s Fish Experience, Herne Hill, London
London is not always the first city people associate with brilliant fish and chips, but Olley’s in Herne Hill has been proving the doubters wrong for years. This quirky, award-winning restaurant takes the classic dish and elevates it without losing any of its soul.
The fish is sustainably sourced, the batter is masterfully crisp, and the chips are outstanding. The eccentric, fun decor adds to the experience in a way that feels genuinely unique.
Olley’s is a London original that deserves far more recognition.
19. Trenchers Restaurant, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby earns a second spot on this list because, quite simply, no other town in the UK does fish and chips quite like it. Trenchers is the other great Whitby institution, beloved for its generous portions and consistently high quality across many years of service.
The restaurant is large and family-friendly, making it a great option when you want a proper sit-down meal rather than eating from a paper bag on the harbour. Fresh Whitby fish, crispy batter, and excellent chips: Trenchers delivers every time.
20. Sutton and Sons, Hackney, London
Sustainability is at the heart of everything Sutton and Sons does, and that ethical approach has won this Hackney chippy a devoted following across London. They were among the first chip shops in the capital to commit fully to using only sustainably sourced fish.
Beyond the eco-credentials, the food is simply brilliant. The batter is light and crispy, the fish is fresh and flavourful, and the chips are proper and satisfying.
Sutton and Sons proves that doing the right thing and cooking great food are not mutually exclusive.
21. The Fish and Chip Shop, Edinburgh, Scotland
Not every fish and chip experience needs to be a casual takeaway, and The Fish and Chip Shop on Union Street in Edinburgh proves that beautifully. This upscale take on the classic dish brings a touch of sophistication to a beloved comfort food without making it pretentious.
The fish is impeccably fresh, the batter is refined and delicate, and the chips are cooked to perfection. Craft beers and thoughtful sides round out the menu.
It is a genuinely grown-up chippy experience worth every penny.
22. Battered Fish, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast has a warm and passionate food culture, and its fish and chip scene reflects that perfectly. The city’s chippies have a distinct character shaped by Northern Irish traditions, with haddock and cod cooked in rich, satisfying batter that locals have grown up loving.
Portions are hearty, prices are fair, and the welcome is always genuine. Belfast’s chippy culture deserves far more attention from food travellers visiting the island of Ireland.
A plate of fish and chips here feels like a warm Northern Irish hug.
23. Chips and Plaice, Brighton, East Sussex
Brighton’s seafront is one of the most iconic in England, and Chips and Plaice takes full advantage of that brilliant setting. Just a short walk from the famous pier, this chippy serves up fish and chips that match the energy and character of the town itself.
The fish is fresh, the batter is perfectly golden, and eating your chips with the sound of the waves in the background is genuinely hard to beat. Brighton’s vibrant atmosphere makes every visit here feel like a mini holiday.