10 Food Pros Share Their Favourite Spots For Fish & Chips
George Pell
The Suffolk
“I love Golden Galleon in Aldeburgh which I visit every week. Perfect for a day trip from London, it’s right on the coast and the staff are really welcoming. My go-to order is cod and chips with a battered sausage on the side, but they sometimes have fantastic plaice. They also do cracking scraps – the leftover batter which falls off the fish, gets collected, strained out and put into bags with salt and vinegar. Its curry sauce – if that’s your thing – is also very good. Afterwards, I’ll go to The White Hart for a pint of Guinness in the garden before walking along the seafront.”
Visit The-Suffolk.co.uk
Ben Tish
Cubitt House
“My favourite spot is Poppie’s Fish & Chips in Spitalfields. It’s close to my house so ideal for takeaway, but it’s also a cool spot to dine in. The food is consistently excellent. I like to order cod, large chips, mushy peas, a couple of wallies (big gherkins) and calamari. I’d take an English sparkling wine but they’ve got a great selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, too. It’s always worth looking at the full menu as they serve dishes like grilled mackerel, fishcakes, seafood platters, chip butties and the best battered sausages in the area. If you’re still hungry, tuck into sticky toffee pudding for dessert.”
Visit CubittHouse.co.uk
Will Bowlby
Kricket
“It’s Ossie’s Fish Bar in Whitstable for me. It’s always busy, there’s a great selection on the boards and staff are friendly. I order haddock and chips with mushy peas, curry sauce and a battered sausage on the side. Though I’m sometimes tempted by the skate and plaice or its fishcakes for something different. Washed down with a Whitstable Bay pale ale – perfection. There’s also an extensive menu with pies, fried chicken and battered sausages alongside all the usual suspects, but I never stray from my trusted fish and chips. Be prepared to queue, come armed with cash, and kill time with takeaway oysters from Wheelers opposite.”
Visit Kricket.co.uk
Matt Harris
Ploussard
“Ken's Fish Bar in Herne Hill does hands down the best fish and chips in London. I lived in the flat above it for years and used to get my tea there at least twice a week. Chips and battered sausage with curry sauce was my go-to. I’m also a sucker for a saveloy and pickled eggs. All washed down with a Dalston rhubarb soda from the Co-op next door. It also happens to be Jay Rayner’s favourite, too. The best tea in south London.”
Visit PloussardLondon.co.uk
Chris Bailey
Rathfinny Wine Estate
“I go to Rybka in Brighton every month. They use sustainable fish and cook it so well. This isn't a greasy chippy – it looks lovely and has a live music spot upstairs. I usually order the fish supper with curry sauce and coleslaw, but its speciality is a traditional Polish dish: roll mops (rolled pickled herring fillets) and vodka. They also do proper cocktails and beers on tap as well as homemade strawberry soda. I’ll always have a pale ale, the Mrs will have a negroni and our daughter a soda. They add £1.23 to the bill to plant a tree in the developing world so you can dine carbon free. They also do gluten-free batter for those that want it.”
Visit RathfinnyEstate.com
Jason Lewis
Hawkstone Hall
“I love Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop in Suffolk. It has its own fishing boat and shack on the beach. The fish changes daily depending on the catches of the day, so everything is incredibly fresh. My go-to order is plaice and chips – plaice is such a delicate and flavoursome fish that goes well with a light batter. I also get mushy peas which taste even better cooked with butter and fresh mint. You also can’t go wrong with a posh chip butty – I like to add sriracha mayo or tartare sauce.”
Visit HawkstoneHall.co.uk
Anthony Molnar
Rockwater
“The south coast is awash with great chippies, but my favourite is The Chipwick in Worthing. They use fresh oil daily and good-quality line-caught cod, and they hand-make their thick-cut chips. They also heat their oil at a higher temperature which gives a better crisp. I’ll order the fish of the day and I like my chips doing the backstroke in a sea of mushy peas and gravy – with a slice of bread with butter. I’ll always have mine with a cup of tea. They also serve delicious lightly battered king scallops, and a great fritto misto – scallops, squid and shrimps in crispy batter.”
Visit Rockwater.uk
Jack Stein
Stein’s at Home
“Whenever I’m in London I head to a branch of Poppies Fish & Chips. We filmed there with a food historian for a show about the history of fish and chips because it’s so quintessentially British. And you get the real deal. They collect the fish fresh from Billingsgate in the morning. Look at the menu and you want to eat everything – it makes you feel patriotic. I usually order haddock and chips with mushy peas, but they also have a fantastic steak pie if you don't like fish, as well as all the classics like pies, fishcakes, chip butties and pickled onions. Leave room for a great sticky toffee pudding and some interesting cocktails.”
Visit Shop.RickStein.com
Richard Gladwin
Restaurateur
“I’m a big fan of Pier 1 in Richmond. It’s right by the river so I can take my fish and chips straight down while it’s hot and enjoy it outside. It also happens to be my local so I’ll often treat the kids on a Friday. You can’t beat the classic: battered cod, chips and mushy peas. Keep it simple – although Pier 1 serves the best gherkins, so don’t forget a couple of those.”
Visit GladwinBrothers.com
Elliott Grover
CUT at 45 Park Lane
“I go to Rick Stein’s Chippy in Padstow once a year if I’m lucky. My parents live down there so it’s a great chance to enjoy a beautiful piece of perfectly fried haddock (skin on). They always serve sparkling fresh fish, served simply with a manageable amount of chips and a fresh slice of lemon. I also appreciate the small details, like the extra crispy batter and sharp, tangy tartare sauce. I order fried haddock, chips, mushy peas, curry sauce and a pickled egg on the side. It’s what inspired me to serve fish and chip cones at this year’s Oscars! But fish and chips always tastes better by the sea, especially washed down with a nice Cornish lager.”
Visit DorchesterCollection.com
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