The shortlist for the UK’s best fish and chip shops have been announced and not a single London establishment has been nominated for best takeaway or restaurant.
The announcement comes ahead of this year’s National Fish and Chip Awards -which will be hosted by comedian Jason Manford – sparking fears the capital has no chippy teas worth buying.
However, it’s a similar story for most of the South East which save for a few exceptions has also performed poorly
Running for more than 30 years, the annual awards celebrate Britain’s top chippies from best takeaways to best newcomers, restaurants and suppliers.
The shortlist for the UK’s best fish and chip shops has been announced. Stock image
The South East and big smoke’s failure to chart high up on the table is at stark contrast to the North of the UK, which is well represented indeed.
There are 10 categories, including best newcomer, best takeaway and best restaurant.
Organised by The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), this year’s awards will take place on February 23 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
Andrew Crook, President at the NFFF, described this year’s host as a ‘firm family favourite, just like fish and chips. We’re so looking forward to celebrating.’
Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
The top ten businesses shortlisted are:
Fisherman’s Bay in Whitley Bay
Fishermans Bay in Whitley Bay has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
Grub at the Fisherman’s Bay in Whitley Bay including chips, fish and mushy peas
The inside of Fisherman’s Bay, in Whitley Bay which serves sustainably sourced cod
Run by the Dhillon family, Fisherman’s Bay has been serving the local community in Tyne and Wear for the last 25 years.
Its cod is sustainably sourced and the chippy prides itself on using local source where it can.
On its takeaway menu, a cod and chips will set you back £10, haddock and chips £10.20 and a battered sausage £2.80.
Fish Kitchen 1854, Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly
The Fish Kitchen in Caerphilly has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
The Fish Kitchen is a family-run business in Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly
The inside of the Fish Kitchen in Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly
This traditional family-run business sells freshly caught fish and chips. The 1854 in its name comes from being close to the Viaduct in Maesycwmmer.
It previously won in the Food Awards Wales 2022.
The takeaway was launched by Colin Newbery originally from Ystrad Mynach, a keen cyclist and railway enthusiast.
Its menu includes a large cod supper for £11.95, a steak and kidney pie supper for £5.95 and ten pieces of wholetail scampi for £6.50.
Whitehead’s Fish and Chips, Hornsea, East Yorkshire
Whitehead’s Fish and Chips in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, has been run by the Whitehead family since 1997
Whiteheads Fish and Chips, Hornsea, East Yorkshire has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
Whitehead’s Fish & Chips has been run by the Whitehead family since 1997 with their takeaway a stone’s throw from the East Yorkshire coast.
A regular cod is £8.15, while a regular portion of chips costs £2.10. They have a range of pies including steak and kidney, beef and onion and chicken and mushroom. Or a regular sausage will set you back £1.25.
Customers have praised Whitehead’s Fish and Chips for its ‘freshly cooked food to order’ and ‘excellent service’.
Ship Deck, Trethomas, Caerphilly
Shipdeck, Trethomas, Caerphilly has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
A cod supper at Ship Deck in Caerphilly will set customers back £10.70
Partners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes opened Ship Deck three years ago after working in various chip shops in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
Mr Hughes won Young Fish Frier of the Year in 2019. He has been in the industry since the age of 15 and is described by his wife as the ‘bread and butter’ of the business.
A regular cod supper costs £10.70, a large battered sausage is £2 while an open cone of chips will set you back £2.15.
Reviews praise Ship Deck for its ‘excellent service and exceptionally good food’ as well as ‘plentiful’ portion sizes and good value for money.
The Bearded Sailor, Pudsey, Yorkshire
The Bearded Sailor, in Pudsey, Yorkshire has been shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
On the menu: fish and chips at The Bearded Sailor in Pudsey, shortlisted for best takeaway of the year at the National Fish and Chip Shop Award 2023
The Bearded Sailor in Pudsey, Yorkshire
The Bearded Sailor prides itself on sourcing sustainable produce, only selling fish from Icelandic Responsible Fisheries. It also uses sausages from a local supplier in Ilkley.
A regular fish and chips (haddock) will set you back £9, while a regular chips costs £3.15. There’s also a battered jumbo sausage for £2.75, and a range of specialty sandwiches served in a brioche bun.
Sandwich selections include battered halloumi, battered haddock strips and a Filet O’Sailor (haddock filet, cheese and homemade tartare sauce), all costing under £6.
Customers praise the ‘piping hot’ and ‘best quality’ food, with one commenting that the fish was ‘chunky and lightly battered that it just melt in your mouth’.
The Fish Bank, Elmet, West Yorkshire
The Fish Bank is located in a former bank in the heart of Sherburn-in-Elmet’s Low Street
Food from the Elmet in West Yorkshire
Inside The Fish Bank in Elmet, West Yorkshire
Located in a former bank in the heart of Sherburn-in-Elmet’s Low Street, The Fish Bank is a family-owned chippy which serves certified sustainable fish, locally-sourced potatoes and breadcakes, homemade fish cakes and other delicious treats.
A lunchtime box meal including fish and chips, served with a small sausage and side of peas, curry or gravy costs £6. Its fish and chips (haddock) is £8.50, 12 pieces of Scampi are £5.30 and a battered sausage is £2.20.
It customers said it was ‘the fish is beautifully cooked and very fresh and the portions are very good’
Low’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Westhill, Aberdeenshire
Lows Traditional Fish & Chips was founded 30 years ago by Clifford Low
The family-run business has received numerous gongs including the Best Fish and Chip Shop in Scotland in 2019.
Lows Traditional Fish & Chips was founded 30 years ago by Clifford Low, who has spent his entire life in the fish industry and 17 years ago was taken over by his son, David Low.
The family-run business has received numerous gongs including the Best Fish and Chip Shop in Scotland in 2019.
Its menu includes a standard haddock supper for £10.79, homemade chicken fillets at £6.59 and a range of pies including steak and macaroni with Spanish chorizo. A standard chips costs £3.
The Oyster Shell, Bath, Somerset
The Oyster Shell, founded in 2019, is an award-winning fish and chip shop takeaway in the heart of Bath
A large cod loin and chips is £13.95, large fishcake and chips £9.50 and vegan-option chickpea fitters and chips cost £9.50
Inside the Oyster Shell, in Bath, Somerset
The Oyster Shell, founded in 2019, is an award-winning fish and chip shop takeaway in the heart of Bath.
Driven by a life-long love for seafood, The Oyster Shell is a family business run by Dan Rosser along with parents Lisa and Garry, who have 30 years’ industry experience.
A large cod loin and chips is £13.95, large fishcake and chips £9.50 and vegan-option chickpea fitters and chips cost £9.50.
Auckley Friery, Auckley, Doncaster
Auckley Friery in Doncaster has been run by second-generation fish fryer David Nicolaou since 2003
Auckley Friery has been run by second-generation fish fryer David Nicolaou since 2003.
His father Theo ran a fish and chip shop in Sheffield in 1979, named the Friery and so grew up around the industry.
After a brief career in software engineering, Mr Nicolaou took over the shop in Auckley to get it back up and running after its previous owner ‘let things slip’.
He has been running it ever since, and prides itself on sustainable produce.
A large cod costs £9.60, a large battered sausage is £2.20, while 12 pieces of wholetail scampi cost £5.40. A large chips will set you back £3.55.
The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire
The Fish Works in Largs, North Ayrshire, is a family-run business run by husband and wife team Ross and Tiffany Irvin
The Fish Works is a family-run business run by husband and wife team Ross and Tiffany Irvin, both have worked in the food industry for over 40 years
Being Largs locals and working on the promenade daily, they wanted to create a takeaway where people can come to enjoy fresh quality Scottish seafood with views of Firth of Clyde.
A haddock in batter full works (including twice-cooked chips) is £10.90, haggis fritters meal is £8.10 and crab loaded chips £7.90. Other options include black pudding, panko lemon sole and sausage.
Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year
The top five businesses shortlisted are:
The Cods Scallops, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
The Cod’s Scallops in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, offers over 20 species of fish daily and prides itself on serving quality, sustainable produce
Everything at the Cod’s Scallops in West Bridgford is cooked fresh to order and fish can be served battered or baked
The Cod’s Scallops offers over 20 species of fish daily and prides itself on serving quality, sustainable produce.
Everything is cooked fresh to order and fish can be served battered or baked in garlic, lemon and herbs for a gluten free, healthy alternative.
Fish to choose from include cod, haddock, hake, salmon, plaice, lobster, sea bass and monkfish. They also do seafood platters with prawns, cockles, whelks among others with a cocktail sauce, as well as a number of light bites and sides.
Eric’s Fish and Chips, Thornham, Norfolk
Eric’s Fish and Chips is situated within the grounds of Drove Orchards on the north Norfolk Coast
Customers can eat their food in the apple orchard or in the family-friendly restaurant
Eric’s Fish and Chips is situated within the grounds of Drove Orchards on the north Norfolk Coast.
It prides itself on providing a relaxed family-friendly dining environment with plenty of outside dining space too. Customers are given the choice of taking their fish and chips and picnic in the apple orchard.
Drove Orchards is a working apple orchard with a renowned farm shop selling local produce and a selection of award-winning independent shops, restaurants and a play area all within it’s grounds.
Its menu includes 10 pieces of scampi for £9, battered king prawns for £4.50 and a large cod loin fried in local beer batter for £12.50. A small portion of chips will set you back £2.75.
Fish City, Belfast, Antrim
Fish City is situated in the heart of Belfast City Centre
Traditional fish and chips at Fish City in the heart of Belfast
Inside Fish City, Belfast, a family-run business which started in 2013
Fish City is situated in the heart of Belfast City Centre and prides itself on serving local, sustainable fish and seafood in a comfortable, atmospheric setting.
It is a family-run business which started in 2013, and has since won a number of awards including the ‘Seafish’ regional award for Fish and Chip Shop of the Year in 2014.
Served with ‘warm Northern Irish hospitality’, customers can expect sustainable seafood with all of its cod, haddock, and hake Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified.
Its daytime menu includes a seafood chowder for £11.25. It also serves dim sum (£10.95) and spicy chicken wings (£9.95), as well as six fresh oysters for £22.25.
Henry’s of Hunstanton, Hunstanton, Norfolk
Henry’s in Norfolk is named after Victorian nobleman Henry Le Strange
All of its cod, haddock and plaice are caught from government monitored areas in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea where over-fishing is carefully monitored
The restaurant is committed to providing high quality fish and chips in a stylish, family friendly restaurant
Located in the heart of Hunstanton, Henry’s overlooks the green and the Wash, describing itself as ‘the perfect destination to enjoy fish and chips’.
The restaurant is committed to providing high quality fish and chips in a stylish, family friendly restaurant, terrace and takeaway.
The restaurant is named after Victorian nobleman Henry Le Strange who dreamed of creating a seaside resort to rival that of Brighton and Southend on the shores of the Wash in West Norfolk.
All of its cod, haddock and plaice are caught from government monitored areas in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea where over-fishing is carefully monitored.
Its menu includes 10 pieces of wholetail Whitby scampi and chips for £10.95, a chicken breast burger with chips and salad for £10 and a halloumi burger with salad and chips for £9.95.
Other delights include battered king prawns, chicken goujons and steak and ale pie
Malt & Anchor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Calling itself a traditional chippy ‘with a twist’, Malt & Anchor is an award-winning restaurant and takeaway situated in the heart of the Cotswolds
Their menu includes specialty fish and chips (from £8.50)
Inside Malt & Anchor, which serves fresh produce in a ‘unique and relaxing dining environment’.
Calling itself a traditional chippy ‘with a twist’, Malt & Anchor is an award-winning restaurant and takeaway situated in the heart of the Cotswolds.
It serves fresh produce in a ‘unique and relaxing dining environment’.
Their menu includes specialty fish and chips (from £8.50), panko coated calamari (£9.50), locally sourced pies, including wild boar and chorizo and venison (both £8.50), butcher sausages (£4.50) and their own fresh fish specials.
Best Newcomer
The Best Newcomer category celebrates businesses that started no earlier than January 2021.
The top three shortlisted are:
Haughton Fish & Chips, Haughton, Staffordshire
Harjinder Singh opened Haughton Fish & Chips in the Staffordshire village of Haughton in 2021
Its menu offers a cone of chips for £1.60, a large cod for £7.50 and pukka pies including chicken and mushroom, beef and onion and cheese and onion for £3.30
The village chippy prides itself on ‘keeping it simple and doing it right’, with offerings of cod, haddock and scampi
Harjinder Singh opened Haughton Fish & Chips in the Staffordshire village of Haughton in 2021.
Mr Singh said the secret to its success lies in the batter. The village chippy prides itself on ‘keeping it simple and doing it right’, with offerings of cod, haddock and scampi.
Its menu offers a cone of chips for £1.60, a large cod for £7.50 and pukka pies including chicken and mushroom, beef and onion and cheese and onion for £3.30.
The chippy also does burgers, battered sausage and kebabs, as well as meal deals.
Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, Flamborough, East Yorkshire
This family-owned fish and chip shop is on the high street in Flamborough
Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough serves cooked chips and good quality fish
This family-owned fish and chip shop on the high street in Flamborough serves triple cooked chips and good quality fish, as well as homemade curry sauce and naturally prepared mushy peas.
They also cater for vegan and gluten free customers with, vegan pies, savaloys, halloumi and falafel.
A regular haddock and chips costs £9.10, while a regular portion of chips is £2.30. It also serves cod and hake as well as fish cakes and fish buttys.
One customer said they stumbled across the restaurant after a lovely walk on the cliffs and were impressed by the ‘super friendly staff’ and signs saying where the fish came from.
Hendo’s Fish & Chips, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk
Hendo’s was started by businessman Giles Henderson who in June 2021 decided to swap running a clothes shop for a chippy
Hendo’s was started by businessman Giles Henderson who in June 2021 decided to swap running a clothes shop for a chippy.
Since he opened less than two years ago, Mr Henderson said it was ‘really humbling’ when he received high praise from customers.
Talking about how he came about running Hendo’s, Mr Henderson told Suffolk News: ‘It was sad to close the clothes shop down last August but I felt it was a declining market and wanted a fresh challenge.
‘He mentioned fish and chips – and that was the lightbulb moment. I’ve always loved food and cooking and decided to give it a go.’
Hendo’s sells regular cod and chips for £12.50, battered wholetail scampi and chips for £12.500 and homemade fishcakes for £3.50.
They also sell panko breaded king prawns, salt and pepper squid and battered calamari.
Mobile Operator
The Best Mobile Operator category celebrates businesses which operate mobile fish and chips vans or trailers and serve rural locations as well as catering for weddings and corporate events.
The top shortlisted are:
Pimp My Fish, Burwell, Cambrigeshire
Pimp My Fish describes itself as ‘no ordinary fish and chip van’. They have put a creative twist on a British classic to serve fish burritos, burgers, sausages wrapped in prosciutto and wild mushroom arancini.
They do corporate events and private functions, as well as journey around serving their ‘modern edge’ menu.
The Hungry Plaice, Holbeach, Lincolnshire
The Hungry Plaice is a vintage fish and chips van hire, specialising in weddings, private events and corporate catering.
Fish and chips fans can hire out one of the company’s vans, Betty or Beryl.
The eatery serves ‘super freshly cooked hand battered cod with chips’ and sides, including mushy peas, curry sauce, lemon slices and pickles. They also do ice cream and desserts, breakfast crepes, waffles and pizza.
Their customers have praised the ‘delicious, fresh food’ seved from a ‘really cool van’. Another who booked the Hungry Plaice for their wedding said the ‘van was beautiful and food was amazing’.
The Chippie Van, Penrith, Cumbria
The Chippie Van was born out of the pandemic, after the Penrith Chip Shop decided it needed to diversify due to Covid-19 restrictions.
It started sending its van to towns and villages throughout Cumbria and thanks to its popularity decided it was here to stay, now a staple in rural locations and for private function hire.
Their menu includes medium chips for £2.80, cod for £6.50 and Whitby scampi for £6.50. They also serve cumberland sausage, chicken nuggets and battered halloumi.
One customer said it was a ‘good excuse to get out and about and see the other people in the town or village, to queue up and have a chat when you get your fish and chips’.
Jojo’s Fish & Chips, Stafford, Staffordshire
John Evans runs Jojo’s Fish and Chip Van, which caters for events all over the Midlands and Cheshire.
Mr Evans also owns the award-winning Weeping Cross Fish Bar in Stafford which has been running since 1999.
He said he ‘lives and breathe fish and chips’ with his team also sharing the same passion.
The majority of their produce is homemade and sustainable. Menu staples include prime cut of top grade cod, Whitby jumbo scampi, homemade breaded halloumi and a homemade cheese and onion fryit.
Country Fried, Langho, Lancashire
Country Fried is a small, family-run business which offers traditional fish and chips throughout various locations within the Ribble Valley – and at private functions and weddings.
They say they refuse to compromise on quality and source their fresh ingredients from local suppliers where possible.
A portion of crispy battered haddock will set you back £5.50, a battered jumbo sausage £2.50 and regular chips £2.50. They also serve chicken nuggets, battered halloumi friends and steak ‘only pudding’.
Customers described their experience as ‘excellent’ and ‘fab quality’ after eating ‘fresh light battered fish and great chips’.
Field to Frier
The Field to Frier category recognises businesses for their excellence in potato knowledge, care and chip preparation.
The top three shortlisted are:
Pier Point Fish & Chips, Torquay, Devon
Pier Point Chippy is situated adjacent to Torquay’s marina, with spectacular views out to the bay.
Determined to return to the days of quality fish and chips, they offer a smaller menu, with the best quality ingredients and are committed to only using fish from sustainable sources.
All of its fish, cod, haddock and plaice, sold at Pier Point Chippy is MSC certified. They say they believe the industry has a ‘huge responsibility in ensuring our fish supplies are plentiful for future generations’.
Its large cod is £8.20, haddock £8.40 and a prime fillet of plaice will set you back £8.40. They also serve battered tiger prawns for £6.95 and halloumi fries for £6.60.
Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips, Leintwardine, Herefordshire
Fiddlers Elbow is a friendly, family-run fish and chip shop in the heart of the Roman village of Leintwardine.
It is located on the edge of three borders (Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys), and has been serving our award-winning food to the community since 2013.
The shop says it is ‘very aware of how overfishing can have a dramatic impact on the environment’ and so has a commitment to use sustainable and responsibly sourced fish.
Premium cod costs £9, a smoked haddock fishcake is £5.95 and a standard chips costs £2.95. They also do cheese and onion fritters for vegetarians (£4.50) and jackfruit fish fillets (£7) for vegans.
The Real Food Café, Tyndrum, Stirling
Previously on the site of an abandoned Little Chef, the owners of the Real Food Café took over in 2004 and have turned it into an award-winning restaurant.
All of its haddock is sourced from sustainable MSC certified stocks, and a standard portion with chips will set customers back £12.25. Meanwhile, scampi and chips is £11.25 and luxury homemade fishcakes with chips are £10.25.
Staff training and development
This category recognises excellence in developing staff teams’ skills and qualifications.
The top three shortlisted are:
Jacksons Fish and Chips, Newton Abbot, Devon
Stones Fish and Chips, Acton, Ealing
The Chesterford Group, Bishops Stortford, Herts
Multiple operator
The Best Multiple Operator category celebrates businesses which operate multiple fish and chips sites across the UK.
The top three shortlisted are:
The Chesterford Group, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
Harlees Fish & Chips, Wimborne, Dorset
Bells Fish & Chips, Framwellgate Moor, Durham
Quality Accreditation Champion
The Quality Accreditation category celebrates businesses throughout the UK that give their customers the best quality fish and chips.
The top three shortlisted are:
Henleys of Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex
Ipswich Codfellas Group by Ozzie Bozdag, Ipswich, Suffolk
The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire
Environment and Sustainability Champion
The top three shortlisted are:
Fish City, Belfast, Antrim
Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall
The Fish Works, Largs, North Ayrshire
Supplier of the year
The top five shortlisted are:
- Dennis Crooks
- Isle of Ely
- KFE Ltd
- Ceres
- Henry Colbecks