LONDON
£41
“The matzo meal batter is so light and the fish always so über fresh” that it’s inevitably a delight to visit this “truly excellent” – if “basic and functional” – West Hampstead chippy.
£26
“A joy for lovers of fish ’n’ chips” – this “very basic” Marylebone institution’s “unbeatable” scoff and “welcoming” style have only improved since its renovation after a fire in June; “it’s also great value as you can BYO”.
£40
“Utterly dependable fish ’n’ chips” maintains this “always busy and welcoming” Muswell Hill institution as one of north London’s most popular chippies.
£34
“Wonderful, fresh, char-grilled fish” is an alternative to the “succulent non-greasy fish ’n’ chips” at this “unpretentious” Finchley chippy, whose longstanding owners give a notably “warm welcome”. Top Menu Tip – “divine sea bass cooked in sea salt”.
£44
“Quality remains high” at this rebranded chain (from Fish & Chip Shop), where the national staple “can be had grilled or steamed if you prefer”; the “noisy and crowded” Islington branch is still the best-known, and is pepped up by its “charming” staff.
THE HOME COUNTIES
£30
“Fish lovers travel for miles to eat here”, at this Harrow chippy, which is “never without a takeaway queue and full restaurant”; “you don’t come for the ambience” but “everyone is happy knowing that results will be first rate”.
McDermotts Fish & Chips, Croydon
£28
Tony McDermott’s chippy continues to win raves for “the best fish and chips in the South-East”. OK, so it’s in a “fairly horrible shopping arcade” in the ‘burbs, but “this doesn’t put you off an outstanding meal”.
£24
“A trip to the seaside isn’t complete without a visit to Maggie’s” – a modest café atop the fishmarket (and handy for the beach) which serves “excellent” fish ’n’ chips (and in “huge” portions too).
£28
“A welcome option amongst the Mill Road eateries” offering “high quality and reliable fish ’n’ chips”, “great crispy calamari” and “even a wet fish counter”; given all this, it’s “worth the price compared to its competitors”.
TO THE NORTH
Graveley’s Fish & Chip Restaurant, Harrogate
“Really fresh fish” (‘n’ chips) served in “lovely decent portions” is the winning formula at this long-standing family favourite; better still, “the service is old-fashioned Yorkshire – no-one will be asking you to ‘have a nice day’!”
£36
A large, bright diner-style venue named after the apparently characterful owner of Moorfield Mill, which used to sit here; its “great fish ’n’ chips” mean there’s “usually a queue to get in”.
£39
“Believe the hype!” – The National Dish is “succulently fresh, with marvellous, crispy batter” that’s “cooked to perfection”, at this “splendid” old-fashioned seaside café, which year-in, year-out is one of the survey’s most commented-on destinations, as the UK’s most notable chippy. “It’s right beside the harbour with views from many windows” and attracts “a lovely mix of ages”. “The only downside – there are always massive queues to get in.”
£40
An “excellent posh fish and chippy” in a town “where competition is strong”; the “sparkling tiled and mirrored décor with separate booths” adds to the experience, while “the lavatories would grace The Ritz… and, if it smells of chips, so what?”!
£35
This “lovely, modern-looking” establishment (in fact, established way back in 1926) continues to serve “the most reliably excellent fish ’n’ chips in the NE” – it’s “worth a long drive”!
Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther
£25
The “BEST fish and chips ever… EVER!” is the main draw at this “popular” venue, with a “good location on the harbour”; this being so, there’s “no pretence to excel in terms of ambience, which is a bit in the style of a 1950s American diner”.
COASTAL CHIPPIES
£28
Fred Capel’s upmarket but “affordable” fixture still offers “the best fish ’n’ chips in Bournemouth”, with fish as “fresh and tasty as you could wish”, and “the chips and mushy peas are up to the mark as well”! “Get there early to avoid the queues (out the door)!”
Glowing feedback for this “fantastic” new chippy from Titchwell Manor chef Eric Snaith; it wins praise for “lovely and chunky” fish plus “more interesting options” amid an industrial-chic interior.
Rick Stein’s Fish & Chips, Falmouth
£40
“Fabulous fish from a wide range of sometimes unusual choices”, plus “cheery, professional service” – the winning formula at the TV chef’s posh chippy, with a “great location” near the Maritime Museum.
£33
“This good-value yet tiny fish and chip shop from Cornwall’s celebrity chef” continues its upward turn; “you have to queue outside for a bit”, but it’s worth it for “great” food (including “brilliant” gluten-free chips).
£14
It may be new, but this no-frills chippy – with two hugely popular siblings locally – is already “the best in town”, say fans; there’s a sizeable dining area, and if you prefer to take-away, the beach is very close by.
