Has your local chippy made the grade as one of the UK’s best fish and chip shops? The National Fish & Chip Awards are considered to be the Oscars of the fish frying industry with 20 shops shortlisted in total, before the top three were named earlier this year. Read on as we reveal the nation's best.
Long before The Fish Hoose moved to the Scottish county of Fife, fish and chips have been served at the spot so the local crowds expect high standards. Luckily, owners Colin and Trish brought with them a wealth of experience and delight customers with freshly cooked sustainable haddock, scampi, fishcakes and fish tacos. Non-fish options such as battered chicken are also available.
When you discover a shop that's certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), you know the fish it's serving is from sustainable sources. There are only seven that meet the standard in Wales, so Shillingfords is a rare find. It serves crispy battered cod, plaice, haddock, scampi and cod bites. Prices are exceptionally good – get your hands on a chocolate shake or a raspberry slushie for £2 and £1 respectively.
The baby on the list, The Crispy Cod has only been running since 2008, yet it is the go-to destination for locals seeking a top-notch takeaway. The shop prides itself on selling the freshest and finest food possible, and it comes at great value with its award-winning fish and chips clocking in at just £4.50.
Another chippy that's now a regular on the shortlist, Dolphin Takeaway was Northern Ireland's No. 1 Fish and Chip Shop in 2018. Fried fresh to order, Dolphin’s battered cod is highly regarded with one customer saying: “the fish is coated in a light, tasty batter – a real treat with chips.”
The McNabb family have been specialist fishmongers for over 40 years in Northern Ireland and the natural next step was to open up Silverfin Traditional Fish & Chips in 2016. Drop in for takeaway food done really well, such as smoked cod and mushy peas, chicken supreme with coleslaw and the 16oz bacon burger which are all five-star options. What’s more, it offers gluten-free batter.
Mister C’s has been running in Selby for 35 years and it still uses the same batter recipe from the very first day it opened. We’re sure people would love to know the secret to the crispy batter that coats its MSC-certified Icelandic cod and haddock.
One of the oldest on the list, Papa’s Fish and Chips has been running since 1966. It has eight branches: three in Hull, two in Scarborough, plus shops in Bridlington, York and Cleethorpes. The shortlisted Great Gutter Lane branch is located on the peaceful outskirts of Hull. Stop by for prawn cocktail, calamari and whitebait for starters, followed by flame-grilled salmon or fisherman’s pie in the massive 420-cover restaurant.
Angel Lane Chippie was a new entry on this year's shortlist. With strong ethical values, it responsibly sources sustainable haddock and cod from the icy cold waters of the North Atlantic and coupled with its reasonably priced menu, we can see why this Cumbrian chippy is in the top 20.
A family-owned fish and chip shop, Frydays of Kendal is passionate about sustainably sourced, quality produce right down to the vegetable fat the cooks fry their chips in. Cod and haddock come from the North Atlantic, while steak burgers and Cumberland sausages are from a local butchers. Have a go at the more adventurous menu options such as the panko squid, battered black pudding, or black pudding and apple fritter.
Winyates Chippy was established in 1995 in Redditch by Theo Ellinas and it won its first award that very same year, setting the standard for a long succession of achievements. On the menu is an array of battered sustainable fish options, as well as pies and pasties, sausages and chicken, burgers, kebabs, and vegetarian pittas and pasties. Stop by on the last Monday of every month for gluten-free fish and chips.
Golden Carp Chippy is the second fish and chip shop from the people behind Winyates and only a 10-minute walk away. Praised for the affordable prices, you can get a large cod for just £5.10, a steak and kidney pie for £2.55, and mussels for £2.40. A menu exclusive is the four-spiced potatoes, battered sausage and curry sauce meal for just £2.50. Both shops also have vegan menus.
Frydales is a traditional fish and chip shop that has been running for only six years, but has achieved a lot in that time. With Leicester being one of the furthest places in the UK from the sea, it opts to serve fish that's frozen at sea. On the menu is battered cod, haddock, scampi and plaice, along with a selection of pies, burgers and kebabs.
The Cleethorpes branch of 55-year-old Papa’s Fish and Chips has a stunning location on Cleethorpes’ central promenade with views overlooking the ocean. Its dine-in restaurant menu is full of tempting sustainable fish dishes including ‘Papa’s Famous Chip Shop Platter’ and haddock.
"London’s most fashionable chippie", Olley’s is an independent fish and chip shop situated in the south of the capital. It has a varied menu which includes lemon sole, salmon, hake and sea trout. This is the first time the shop has entered the top 20 of the National Fish and Chip Awards.
Poppie’s is London’s fish and chip shop with a retro vibe, with waiting staff in 1950s uniforms and the restaurant decorated with vintage memorabilia. It has a number of branches but the nominated location is in Soho. On the menu is prawn cocktails and jellied eels, traditional fish and chips, and hot seafood platters. For pudding, there's apple pie and ice cream or sticky toffee pudding.
Sidney and Sons is the second fish and chip shop from the owners of Captain’s Fish and Chips, who’ve been in the business since 1963 and have queues snaking outside the door on Fridays and Saturdays. On the menu are a number of exciting options, such as rock eel, skate, cod goujons and jumbo calamari. Non-seafood options including whole roasted chicken, battered sausages and Pukka pies, with battered Mars bars and battered Snickers for those with a sweet tooth.
Located on the Falmouth seafront, Harbour Lights is a Cornish gem. Family-friendly and with a quirky interior, all of its fish is responsibly sourced. We love the sound of the MSC triple threat: MSC Cod, Haddock & Plaice, served with unlimited chips and a wedge of lemon and tartar sauce, of course.
Low’s Traditional Fish & Chips has been serving Britain’s favourite cuisine from its home in the Westhill Shopping Centre in Aberdeen for the last 30 years. It is a family-run outfit and 15 years ago the business was taken over by the owner Clifford's son, David Low, who has evidently achieved great success.
Now try Indian-inspired fish and chips
We saw Captain’s Fish and Chips grace the shortlist last year too. It is a third-generation, family-run business which opened in 1998 and is kept alive by the passionate Tony Forgione and his brothers Luigi and Liberato. The chefs have some exciting dishes to be tried on the menu including cod roe, rock eel and skate.
Run by Tim and Kelly Barnes (aka Mr and Mrs Krispie), this local Devon chippy opened nearly 20 years ago and is the proud winner of the 2019 Fish and Chip Awards. Krispies is dedicated to sustainably sourced fish, having founded the Putting Fish First campaign and only serving MSC standard fare including cod, haddock, plaice, huss, scampi and squid. It's also vegetarian-friendly and does a mean mushy pea fritter and mozzarella sticks.
From sea to plate: discover how Norwegian cod travels to UK fish and chip shops