With the earliest fish and chip shops emerging in the UK during the 1860s, this heavily battered and fried dish has long been heralded as a British culinary staple by tourists and locals alike.
Former prime minister Winston Churchill recognised the significance of this dynamic food duo when he made sure that it was exempt from rationing during WWII, in fear that it would damage the nation’s morale. Even Rihanna has acknowledged the cult-status of fish and chips, dancing on the tables of a Northern Irish chippy in her 2011 'We Found Love' music video.
With the increasing popularity of veganism and experimental cooking – we’re yet to try making Heston’s beer and vodka batter recipe – the fish and chip combination is continuously evolving, catering to a range of dietary and lifestyle preferences.
Whether you are still to try this beloved seaside delicacy (I mean, who are you?) or you simply want to have a taste of a childhood dinnertime favourite, we’ve shortlisted the best fish and chips in London to get your fix.
1 - For the nostalgic: Poppie’s
Owned by Pat ‘Pop’ Newland, this authentic British chippy has becoming something of an institution in London over the years. Pop started his career in the fish and chip industry aged 11, when he got an after-school job cutting up copies of The Daily Mirror to wrap the food in.
Fast forward 67 years and you get Poppie’s – a diner-style chip shop filled with childhood memorabilia in tribute to the owner’s early beginnings. A jukebox, newspaper-wrapped chips and staff uniforms comprising of traditional white overalls and wide-rimmed boater hats all channel a 1950s vibe. The menu epitomises retro charm too, with jellied eels, mushy peas and prawn cocktails on offer. Their fish is Billingsgate-sourced, and the menu extends beyond the expected haddock and cod to include plaice, mackerel, lemon sole and halibut.
Head down to this East End eatery if you’re craving traditional fish and chips with a generous side of nostalgic charm.
Location: 6-8 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, E1 6QR. Also located in Soho and Camden
2 - For the experimentalist: HOOK
Starting out as a Dublin market stall in 2011, HOOK quickly became known for its ‘new-school’ take on this British favourite. While the basis of the brand is steeped in tradition, the food itself is progressive, with fish coated in panko breadcrumbs and chips seasoned with the eatery's special seaweed salt.
Everything HOOK serves is made from scratch on site and all of its ingredients are sourced from 100% sustainable suppliers. Even its packaging is recyclable, and customers will find that their takeaway cutlery is made from biodegradable corn starch.
Join the experiment with their modern take on a classic or opt for something else on the menu - southern fried whitebait with chipotle sauce is a particular favourite. Don’t forget to water down your food with some of their delicious homemade lemonade, spiked with a spirit of your choosing.
Location: 63-65 Parkway, Camden Town, NW17PP
3 - For the upmarket diner: fish!
Set inside an old Victorian pea-shelling warehouse, this restaurant boasts spectacular views of Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral and The Shard. Marbled and mirrored interiors elevate the much-loved British dish into an upscale dining experience, and the open kitchen with counter seating means you can watch your order go from paper to plate.
The traditional beer battered fish and chips must not be forgotten amid the array of other options ranging from oysters and langoustines to lobster. fish! also offers an extensive wine list - white wine heavy for obvious reasons - to accompany whichever fish you choose.
If you find yourself strolling around the market on a weekend, be sure to take advantage of their restaurant's brunch menu too – the soft-shell crab bun with Asian slaw and jalapeño crème fraîche is mouth-watering.
Location: Borough Market, Cathedral Street, SE1 9AL
4 - For the vegan: Sutton and Sons
The nation’s favourite dish can now be enjoyed by all, thanks to the work of Sutton and Sons and their new vegan menu. When this family-run business first set up shop in Stoke Newington, it immediately won the hearts of locals so much so that two more branches opened in Islington and Hackney Central.
While all the classic chippy dishes are on offer, the vegan menu is enough in itself to warrant a visit. Banana blossom is used as the fish alternative, with a texture much more akin to traditional battered cod than tofu-based ‘tofish'.
The perfect destination to cater for everyone.
Location: 90 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY. Also located in Islington and Hackney Central
5 - For the chip connoisseur: Kerbisher & Malt
Owned by brothers-in-law Nick Crossley and Saul Reuben, this fish and chip shop combines custom and contemporary. While the fish on the menu is a given - haddock, cod, plaice or coley – you can choose how (yes, how) it is cooked: deep fried in batter, grilled or cooked in matzo meal.
Their chips are double fried at different temperatures to ensure the perfect texture –crunchy exterior and fluffy interior – perfect for an ever-so English chip butty which is sure to satisfy all your carb cravings.
Be sure to taste their home-brewed beer, Kerbisher Pale Ale.
Location: 164 Shepherds Bush Road, Brook Green, W6 7PB
6 - For the traditionalist: Toff’s
The multitude of awards won by this North London chippy allows it to speak for itself. Established in 1968, its ethos of good food at an affordable price has evidently stood the test of time.
With vintage favourites on the menu such as rainbow trout, taramasalata and spotted dick with custard and a team of unbeatably friendly staff, Toff’s of Muswell Hill is the place to go if you’re looking for the quintessential British experience.
Location: 38 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 3RT
7 - For the boujee: The Mayfair Chippy
Think traditional British food meets sleek contemporary interiors. Whether eating in after a long day shopping or taking away after a hectic day at work, the popularity of this Mayfair spot is testament to its delectable fish and chips.
Not to be forgotten are the other British classics on the menu, with shepherd’s pie, fish cakes and rib steak all on offer. Alternatively, customers can choose to emulate the essence of Mayfair and opt for a more sophisticated selection: oysters, soft shell crab and mussels are all on the menu.
14 North Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 6WE, mayfairchippy.com
Also located in The City and Clapham.
8 - For the fuss free: Golden Union
Nestled in the heart of Soho, Golden Union’s retro LED lighting, vintage jukebox and diner-style tables make for a hungry Instagrammer’s dream. With fish caught in the North Atlantic and potatoes harvested in the Fens of East Anglia, provenance is of central importance to the company’s success.
Perfect for a quick lunch or takeaway, all food is cooked to order and fried in a special blend of two oils, perfected only by years of taste tests. Golden Union's staff also serve homemade sauces made using secret recipes. We'll be needing its tartare sauce, stat.
Location: 38 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 7LY
9 - For the interiors obsessed: Olley’s
With a name inspired by Dickens’ Oliver Twist, what began as a mere takeaway restaurant has now expanded into another revered London establishment. On visiting, guests are given a taste of more than just the fish and chips thanks to the interiors that recreate 19th century Britain – think exposed brick walls, lopsided lighting and snaking foliage.
The sustainably-sourced fish and non-greasy chips are guaranteed to hit the spot. If you’re looking to soak up the last of the summer sun, enjoy them as a takeaway in the beautiful surroundings of Brockwell Park.
Location: 65-69 Norwood Road, Herne Hill, SE24 9AA
10 - For the foodie: Seafresh
As the name would suggest, this British chippy emphasises freshly cooked responsibly-sourced, sustainable ingredients. With fish sourced from T. Bush at Billingsgate Fish Market and potatoes from Masters & Co. Ltd, Seafresh guarantees top quality by using only trusted and well-known local suppliers.
However, don’t be deterred by its unassuming exterior. From chip shop classics to Mediterranean-inspired dishes – think chargrilled halloumi, lamb cutlets and octopus salad - all focus here is on the quality of the food.
Ethical and utterly delicious – Seafresh ticks all the boxes.
Location: 80-81 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, SW1V 1DL
11 - For the explorer: Rock and Sole Plaice
With stamps of approval from the likes of French chef Alain Ducasse and actor Idris Elba, this eatery must be doing something right. While fish and chip shops are abound in London’s West End, it's important not to stumble into the first one you come across. Head to Rock and Sole Plaice which is one of the oldest around the capital and perfect for a pre-theatre bite or a post-sightseeing pitstop.
The restaurant also possesses a secret frying recipe, passed down for three generations by employees who were keen to preserve its pristine reputation.
Expect a queue but, we promise, it’s worth the wait.
Location: 47 Endell St, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AJ
12 - For Cornish coast lover: The Chipping Forecast
Bringing a slice of the Cornish coast to the capital, The Chipping Forecast has two locations in London: Notting Hill and Soho. From humble beginnings as a market stall on Berwick Street in 2016, the business has always prided itself on its fish being sourced from Cornish fishermen.
Its chips are hand-cut and triple cooked in beef dripping, which is perhaps more gastro-pub than traditional chippy, but delicious nonetheless. Other highlights at the chippy include crab mac & cheese, super food salad and the not-so-healthy deep fried mars bars.
Check it out from 4-6:30pm to enjoy their happy hour (not applicable on Mondays).
Location: 29 All Saints Road, Notting Hill, W11 1HE. Also located in Soho.
13 - For the old-schooler: Kennedy’s
Located on two iconic London roads, Kennedy’s serves nothing but traditional, authentic British cuisine. The menu is simple and to-the-point, offering a range of fresh fish, pies and sausages – all of which pay homage to the brand’s beginnings as a butchers 150 years ago.
With a plate of fish and chips priced at just £10.95, you really can’t go wrong with this charismatic Clerkenwell chippy.
Location: 184-186 Goswell Road, EC1V 7DT. Also located in Whitecross Street.
14 - For the alternative eater: By Chloe
With fans from actor Zac Efron to singer Ariana Grande in the US, By Chloe’s plant-based comfort food was an immediate success when it set up shop in London at the beginning of last year. Although far-removed from a traditional British chip shop, this place is worth a try whether vegan or not.
Tofu fillets are used as a replacement for cod and haddock and wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed to mimic the texture of the fish skin. Served with chips, mushy peas and a ‘vegenaise’ tartare sauce, this plant-based alternative is a favourite on the menu and tasty enough to tempt even the most committed of carnivore.
Location: Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, WC2B 5HA. Also located in Oxford Circus, Tower Bridge & the O2.
15 - For the special occasion: Six By Nico
This is fish and chips creatively re-imagined with a fun, fancy twist. Forget a huge plate of greasy beigeness and instead, expect six experimental, delicate courses in 'The Chippie' menu which costs £35, lasts six weeks and kicks off every new Six By Nico restaurant opening.
Your starter of 'chips & cheese' will arrive on a plate of pebbles in the form of a croquette coated in vinegar powder and served with a crispy Parmesan espuma and a curry oil dip to die for. Your 'steak pie' will consist of a shredded Speyside beef shin, burnt onion ketchup, mushroom duxelle and meaty salsa. For desert, there is a nod to the owner's Scottish roots with the infamous deep fried Mars Bar, of course tastily reinvented. Don't forget to opt for the expertly selected wine pairing menu for £33 to go alongside each dish.
Location: 41 Charlotte St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1RR
16 - For the nostalgia: Fish House
It’s no wonder this has become a hub of foodie activity in Victoria Park’s village, thanks to its ethically sourced, seasonal menu of good, old-fashioned fish and chips.
Available on Deliveroo for takeaways and eat-in tables from May 17, customers will be treated to a wide ranging menu with modern takes on some of the UK’s finest seaside offerings including sweet pea, mint and feta cheese fritters, lightly battered tiger prawns with sriracha aioli and Asian dip and loaded spicy fries with melted cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and jalapeños.
Main dishes include the classic fish finger sandwich, fried fish tacos, baked smoked haddock with mask, a fish house seafood and chorizo paella, as well as traditional fish and chips (cod, haddock, plaice, scampi, skate middle or wing).
You seriously can’t go wrong here.
Location: 36-39 Victory Parade, London E20 1FS
17 - For the gluten-free lovers: Oliver's
This Belsize Park and Whetstone-based eatery is exactly what the (food) doctor ordered when it comes to serving up some traditional battered goodness to eat in or take away. In addition to the ‘originals’ (think cod, haddock, plaice etc), Oliver’s serves gluten-free options, grilled fish, salads, desserts and ciabattas for coeliacs.
Location: 95 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4RL and 1366/1368 High Road, Whetstone N20 9HJ
18 - For the travel lovers: Gigs
A Fitzrovia favourite since it opened in 1958, this central chippy uses ground nut oil and grills its dishes in the ' traditional Cypriot way, over real wood charcoal', according to its website. Cypriot kebabs like souvlaki, pastourma and loukanica are served alongside fish and chunky chips, burgers and salads.
If you're feeling peckish during your shopping trip down Carnaby Street, Gigs is a must-visit to get your fill.
Location: 12 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RE
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
