It’s National Chip Week! And in honour of this most British tradition we’ve rounded up the best places to get a tasty portion of hand cut fries from across the UK – as voted for by you in our 2015 survey…
LONDON’S TOP 10
“The freshness and variety of the fish” distinguish this “always-busy”, “no-frills” Muswell Hill institution – north London’s top chippy.
“Thriving, and deservedly so”, this “posh” but “jolly” chippy has been “a very welcome addition to Islington”, though even fans can find it “expensive”. A new branch opened in the City late last year.
“Top-quality fish (battered or grilled), excellent non-greasy chips and extremely friendly service” – that’s the deal at this famous Marylebone chippy; since its “pleasant” makeover a couple of years back, take-away is no longer necessary.
“Fish ’n’ chips, yes, but brilliantly fresh fish superbly cooked” – this no-bookings South Woodford spot is arguably “east London’s best fish place”, and “worth every penny”.
“Oceans of praise” lap around fishmonger Robin Moxon’s new addition to the Clapham scene – a “tiny but perfectly run upmarket chippy”, offering “outstanding traditional fish ’n’ chips” and “interesting specials” too.
“Premier League fish and chips” served by “friendly and efficient staff” have won a big fan club for this “exemplary”, if “functional”, Marylebone institution; BYO.
A Brockwell Park institution, still celebrated for “excellent” fish ’n’ chips; “managing to sustain its quality over the years is a great achievement – long may it stay the course!”
An old-school chippy that has remained impervious to Dalston’s trendification; all reports agree, though, that it still knocks out “great” fish and chips.
Ignore the “basic” decor (“no-fuss, no-frills Formica special”), and there are “unbeatable fish and chips” to be had at this West Hampstead veteran; “the lovely waitresses have been there as long as I have been going – 40 years!”
“Really exciting” dishes impress all who report on these “trusty” south London chippies – “it’s all in the quality of the sourcing”. Outposts in Clapham and Battersea.
THE HOME COUNTIES
“A bit more than just a chippy”; this “unpretentious” family-run Harrow veteran of three decades’ standing is “a beacon in a desert”, and serves “the best fish ’n’ chips”.
McDermotts Fish & Chips, Croydon
“Better fish ’n’ chips than you’ll ever find at the seaside” again win raves for Tony McDermott’s “very welcoming” suburban chippy.
“Crispy-battered moist fish and triple-cooked chips” have made the name of this “unassuming café above the fishmarket” (and right by the beach); it now offers late-night opening on weekends, “so if you miss out at lunch you might make dinner instead!”
“Yes it’s a chippy, but the inventiveness of the menu and the enthusiasm of the owners and staff are praiseworthy”; it is also tipped for its “awesome” fish stew.
One of the best features of this “enjoyable” new chippy, near Trinity? – actually, it’s “the best full English breakfast in town”!
TO THE NORTH
Graveley’s Fish & Chip Restaurant, Harrogate
“Like stepping back to the ’50s” – a “longstanding favourite”, offering some of the “best fish in the county”, and proper “Yorkshire service” too; their other chippy on Elland Road is also “well worth the queue”.
“If there’s a better chippy in the UK, I’ve yet to find it” – “the queues out of the door testify to its quality!”
“Still the best battered fish in the UK” continues to establish this “old fashioned café with lovely views of the harbour” as one of the nation’s best-known eateries – “the queue can stretch a long way out of the door!”
Posh fish ’n’ chips that beat the rest”; “the booths are comfortable” and “the chrome, mirrors and tiles give a fresh clean feel” to this elegant venue – “part of Whitby’s triumvirate of great fish restaurants… and a bit cheaper than the other two!”
A classic large-scale chippy (est 1926) that’s not the cheapest you’ll find, but which continues to offer the highest standards.
Anstruther Fish Bar, Anstruther
“Still the best fish ’n’ chips in Scotland!” – “the speed with which the long queue of patrons is kept moving in spite of each order being fried individually is always impressive”.
COASTAL CHIPPIES
Fred Capel’s well-established and quite upmarket chippy is still serving “beautiful fish ’n’ chips”, and still “needs bigger premises”; “you usually need to be in around noon to avoid big queues”.
Rick Stein’s Fish & Chips, Falmouth
By the National Maritime Museum (so “with easy parking!”), the TV chef’s “posh” chippy is tipped for its “well cooked and tasty” fare (“including scallops”); “it’s a lot cheaper to take out”.
“Always a treat” – this “relaxed” chippy garners survey praise for its “super-fresh” catch and “crisp” batter; also in Littlehampton.
“The top place to go for fish ’n’ chips”; the TV chef’s “industrial”-style chippy has put in a much improved performance of late; “you may need to queue”, though, and the interior can be “noisy” – “better to find somewhere scenic to eat al fresco”.
West Mersea Oyster Bar, West Mersea
“You do not go here for the (IKEA-style) decor or setting” – a very different ambience from the famous nearby ‘Shed’ – but rather for the “wonderful” fish ’n’ chips and oysters.
LOOK OUT FOR…
From Eric Snaith (chef/patron of Norfolk’s “wonderful” Titchwell Manor) comes this standalone fish and chip restaurant, opening in early April.
“Fish and chips” by © Andrew Dunn, http://www.andrewdunnphoto.com/. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
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