Fish and chips is a popular take-away food, originated in the United Kingdom. It consists of deep-fried fish (traditionally cod, haddock, or flounder) in batter or breadcrumbs with deep-fried chipped (slab-cut) potatoes. Whether it's served on newspaper or expensive cutlery, with mushy peas or a glass of wine, you can't leave London without sampling those piping hot chips and crispy battered fish.
The British usually serve thicker slabs of potato than the "french fries" popularised by major multinational U.S. hamburger chains. In their homes or in non-chain restaurants, people in or from the U.S. may eat a thicker type of chip, called "home fries" or "steak fries". The mushy peas served with the fish are an acquired taste.
Here's a list of the capital's tastiest fish and chip joints..
Sea Shell of Lisson Grove
Sea Shell of Lisson Grove has been around for 30 years. There is a restaurant and a takeaway fish and chips shop. Sea Shell has a good reputation and is popular with locals and visitors so be prepared to queue. $$$
Sea Shell of Lisson Grove
49 - 51 Lisson Grove
London
NW1 6UH
Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm and 5pm-10.30pm; Sat 12pm-10.30pm
Nearest Tube Stations: Marylebone
The Golden Fish Bar
The Golden Fish Bar on Farringdon Road, EC1 has been around for 150 years and is still popular. There is a restaurant and a takeaway fish and chips shop. It has a real traditional working class feel about it and is very popular so I recommend getting there early for lunch. $
Golden Fish Bar / Restaurant 102 Farringdon Road London EC1R 3EA
Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm and 5pm-9.30pm
Nearest Tube Station: Farringdon, Barbican, Chancery Lane, King's Cross (15 minute walk)
Fishcotheque
Ignore the unenticing exterior, location and reputation for boozy clientele, and try this one when you’re sober. The fish is fresh and the portions generous, but if you’re a naysayer then the chicken kebabs are terrific, complete with the sensational own-made chilli sauce. Few frills, with comfortable seating and the boisterously welcoming ambience. $$
Fishcotheque, 79a Waterloo Rd, Southwark SE1 8UD (020 7928 1484)
Open Mon-Sat 11am-12midnight; Sun 12noon-10pm
Nearest Tube Station: Waterloo
Fryer’s Delight
The cabbie’s choice. Chips are fat , fish comes in a chunky batter and everything is deep-fried in beef dripping. Don’t go expecting any healthy options. $
Fryers’ Delight, 19 Theobald’s Rd, WC1X 8SL (020 7405 4114)
Open Mon-Sat 12noon-10pm, takeaway until 11pm. Unlicensed; no corkage charge
Nearest Tube Station: Holborn
Golden Hind
An unassuming little place with busy service and signed celebrity photos. Food quality and portion sizes seem to be slightly hit and miss. With the range limited, the big draw for chip-shop nerds is the decommissioned art deco fryer by F Ford of Halifax. The own-made tartare sauce is excellent. $
Golden Hind, 73 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PN (020 7486 3644)
Open Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm, 6-10pm; Sat 6-10pm. Unlicensed; no corkage charge
Nearest Tube Station: Bond St
North Sea Fish Restaurant
A longstanding Bloomsbury legend, with old-school decor of red velvet seats and dark wooden furniture. Main courses are substantial, with fish portions coming as standard (huge) and jumbo (family sized – and that’s a Catholic family). Apple crumble and custard or the distinctly boozy trifle recommend. $$
North Sea Fish Restaurant, 7-8 Leigh St, WC1H 9EW (020 7387 5892) Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm
Nearest Tube Station: Russell Square, King’s Cross, #68, 168 bus.
Rock & Sole Plaice
London’s oldest surviving fish and chip shop, established , some say in 1871, others maintain that it opened just after World War. It is still bustling (though under different ownership). Chunky chips and crisply battered fish. Outdoor tables, strung around with coloured lights, come into their own on a balmy summer’s evening. $$
Rock & Sole Plaice, 47 Endell St, WC2H 9AJ (020 7836 3785)
Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-11pm; Sun 12noon-10pm.
Nearest Tube Station: Covent Garden
Seafresh Fish Restaurant
Founded in 1965 by Marius Leonidou and now run by his son. A decor change from wood panelling and fishing nets to pine tables and white walls has reassuringly not been accompanied by a price hike. If you’re eating in the restaurant rather than taking away, try the fish soup or deep-fried king prawns. And if you want a change from the standard fried fish try the hearty fish pie. $$
Seafresh Fish Restaurant, 80-81 Wilton Rd, SW1V 1DL (020 7828 0747)
Open Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm, 5-10.30pm; Sat 12noon 10.30pm
Nearest Tube Station: Victoria
Fish Club
This is not your standard chippy. For one thing, they have a boiled or mashed option for the potatoes. There is even a sweet potato chip option (delicious). The range of fish is wide – red mullet, fresh mackerel, tuna, grilled sardines – and is of the highest quality. Most of the dishes, from potted shrimp starters to the mayo and tartare sauce to the old-fashioned puddings, is made in house. Summer diners can also enjoy the small courtyard. On many ‘best of’ lists'. $$
Fish Club, 189 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TH (020 7978 7115)
Open Tue-Sat 12noon-10pm; Sun 12noon-9pm
Nearest Tube Station: Clapham Junction
Olley’s
A perennial south London favourite which has cropped up on many ‘best of’ lists, Olley’s is housed in railway arches opposite Brockwell Park and is always lively. As well as perfect fish and chips, it is famed for it’s ‘celebrity’ menus: such as the Jeffrey Archer (cod and chips, ‘tart not included’). Consistently good. $$$$
Gold chairs, chandeliers and uniformed waitresses help make Sam’s speical. Generations of local Jewish families favour this venue and often come for family outings. Middle Eastern dishes appear on the menu, as do gefilte fish balls, which sit comfortably alongside traditional fish and chips. Save room for the lockshen pudding (egg noodles baked with sugar and cinnamon). $$
Sam’s, 68-70 Golders Green Rd, NW11 8LM (020 8455 9898)
Open daily 12noon-10pm
Nearest Tube Station: Golders Green
Toff’s
A dark space with saloon-style swing doors, signed celebrity portraits and old photos. Service is friendly, portions huge and the chips perfectly formed. The kids menu is particularly commendable. Try the salads (tomato and red onion, an olive-topped coleslaw, greek), fish cakes, soups, or the deep-fried camembert. $$
Toff’s, 38 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 3RT (020 8883 8656)
Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-10pm
Nearest Tube Station: Highgate. #43, 134 bus.
Two Brothers
A namecheck from Jamie Oliver and a B-list celebrity following have helped to ensure this light, airy restaurant is often packed, even at lunchtimes. The traditional menu is complemented by arbroath smokies in a creamy sauce, salmon fishcakes, and many grilled specials. Fish comes steamed, battered or matzoed. In the evenings, the restaurant is non-smoking. $$
Two Brothers Fish Restaurant, 297-303 Regent’s Park Rd, N3 1DP (020 8346 0469)
Open Tue-Sat 12noon-2.30pm, 5.30-10.15pm
Nearest Tube Station: Finchley Central
