Revealed: Britain’s best 40 fish and chip takeaways are named on national awards shortlist after secret taste test – does YOUR local chippy make the list?
- The National Fish and Chip Awards shortlist of takeaways has been released
A chippy, a chipper, a chippy tea, a fish supper – whatever you call it, going out for fish and chips is a beloved British pastime.
And with it comes a fiercely wrought debate on where in the country the best fish and chips is to be had.
In the latest attempt to settle the debate, the National Federation of Fish Fryers (NFFF) has been carrying out secret taste tests the length and breadth of the UK – and has whittled the competition down to what it says are 40 of the nation’s best seafood takeaways.
The National Fish and Chip Awards’ judging panel of ‘a-fish-onados’ assessed the chippies not just on their food, but also their commitments to environmental sustainability, product knowledge and their responsibilities as employers.
All 40 eateries will now go head-to-head to be named the best fish and chip takeaway of the year, with a glitzy ceremony taking place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London on February 28 next year.
Tucking into a fish and chip takeaway is a beloved British pastime – but where in the country dishes up the best?
The Angel Lane Chippie, tucked away in a hidden corner of Penrith town centre, is the only entrant from Cumbria to make the top 40
The Fish Bank is located in a former bank in the heart of Sherburn-in-Elmet’s Low Street
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Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF, said: ‘Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year is a notoriously difficult category to stand out in, but the panel of experts had many tough decisions to make.
‘However, we’ve selected an exceptional shortlist that showcases the unwavering passion, dedication and excitement that the fish and chip industry brings to British culture.’
The awards are sponsored by the Norwegian Seafood Council’s (NSC) Seafood from Norway campaign.
Victoria Braathen, UK director of the NSC, said. ‘The UK’s love for fish and chips knows no bounds and the awards is the perfect occasion to celebrate the establishments that consistently deliver great fish and chips to diners across the country.’
But does your favourite chippy make the list? MailOnline has compiled the shortlist, broken down by region – read on to find out who made the cut…
Cumbria
Angel Lane Chippie, Penrith
Lancashire
Westgate Fish & Chips, Morecambe
Westend Fish and Chips, Oswaldtwistle
County Durham
Yarm Road Fish and Chips, Darlington
The Westgate Fish & Chips takeaway in Morecambe, Lancashire – one of two chippies in the Red Rose County hoping to be named the UK’s best
Lighthouse Fisheries in Flamborough is one of four Yorkshire establishments vying to be crowned the UK’s best fish and chip takeaway
Yorkshire
Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough, Bridlington
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. It also serves cod and hake as well as fish cakes and fish buttys.
One customer said they stumbled across the restaurant and were impressed by the ‘super friendly staff’ and signs saying where the fish came from.
The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet
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.
Its customers say ‘the fish is beautifully cooked and very fresh and the portions are very good’.
Auckley Friery, Doncaster
Auckley Friery has been run by second-generation fish fryer David Nicolaou since 2003.
His father Theo opened a fish and chip shop in Sheffield named the Friery in 1979 – and so the younger Mr Nicolaou 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 – even growing its own herbs for its tartare sauce.
Mr C’s, Selby
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Lincolnshire
Catch 22, Tattershall
Angells Fisheries, Newark-on-Trent
Pips chips, Cleethorpes
Marina Fish & Chips, Skegness
Linfords Traditional Fish and Chips, Market Deeping
Greater Manchester
Eastleigh Town Street Fryer, Marple Bridge
Chips @ No.8, Prestwich
Cheshire
Hooked on the Heath, Knutsford
Herefordshire
Fiddlers Elbow Fish & Chips, Leintwardine
Bristol
Bishopston Fish and Chips
French’s Fish & Chips in Wells-next-the-Sea, which has been in business for over 100 years, will be hoping to bring home the trophy for Norfolk in the 2024 awards
The Fish Inn in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, is one of three fish and chip takeaways in the region vying to be named the nation’s best
Norfolk
French’s Fish Shop, Wells-next-the-Sea
Essex
The Fish Inn Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea
Henley’s of Wivenhoe, Wivenhoe
Johnny Macs, Colchester
London, Kent, Surrey
Stones Fish & Chips, London
Started by French-Algerian cook Amine Chaouche in 2019 – despite having no catering experience – Stones in Acton says the main ingredient for its famed fish and chips is the ‘heart and passion’ it puts into every meal.
When MailOnline visited the eatery earlier this year, our reporter noted that the meal was ‘surprisingly light and far less greasy than other takeaways’ – and alongside traditional battered fish it offers burgers and jumbo sausages, as well as its own signature tartare sauce.
Mr Chaouche told us: ‘I made a lot of mistakes at the start, but I went on courses with the National Federation of Fish Friers on how to source and cook the perfect fish and chips.
‘This is the result of lots of effort: we want to serve great fish and chips at a good value price.’
Newington Fish Bar, Ramsgate
Sandy’s Fish and Chip Shop, Folkestone
Lewis’s Fish and Grill, Maidstone
Seafare, Guildford
Oxfordshire
Harrisons Fish & Chip Co. Botley, Oxford
Hampshire
Mike’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Bishopstoke
James Backhouse, New Milton
Stone’s Fish and Chips in Acton, west London, is the only fish takeaway in the capital to be included in the 40-strong shortlist
Amine Chaouche started Stones in 2019, despite having no catering experience, but the eatery is now acclaimed as one of London’s best fish and chip shops
Six Welsh fish and chip takeaways are up for the 2024 award – including the Posh Fish and Chip Company in Cardiff
Shipdeck in Caerphilly is another Welsh eatery shortlisted for best Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year
Wales
Posh Fish and Chip Company, Cardiff
Fintans Fish & Chip Co, Cardiff
Hennighan’s Fish & Chip Shop, Machynlleth
Finneys Fish & Chips, Benllech
Ship Deck, Caerphilly
Partners Ryan and Kimberly Hughes opened Ship Deck four 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.
Reviews praise Ship Deck for its ‘excellent service and exceptionally good food’ as well as ‘plentiful’ portion sizes and good value for money.
Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff
Scotland
The Wee Chippy – Anstruther
This seaside cafe and takeaway, located in Anstruther in the scenic East Neuk of Fife, has risen like a phoenix from the ashes after it was gutted by a fire in 2018.
Newly refurbished, locals have taken the family-owned business to heart, enjoying locally sourced seafood handpicked from Scottish fish markets.
Its menu offers the likes of haddock, scampi, fishcakes and sausages, as well as white and black pudding and burgers – with much of the menu available with gluten-free batter.
Northern Ireland
Chipmongers – Portstewart
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