Best Fish and Chips in London

More than 255 million portions of chips are sold in fish and chip shops each year in the UK so it's little wonder that this traditional English dish is one of the nation's favorite meals. We've searched high and low to track down London's finest fish and chip shops and restaurants so you can tuck straight in.

If you're looking for other affordable dining options in London, check out the following feature:

Best Budget Restaurants in London

01 of 11

Poppies, Spitalfields

Fish and chips from Poppies — Derrick S./Flickr

Poppies has a branch in Spitalfields and in Camden and sells some of the most delicious chips in town. This is the nearest you'll get to chips wrapped in newspaper to take away (this popular serving method was banned for health and safety reasons in the 1980s). Poppies in Spitalfields is the original restaurant and has a 1950s diner feel and the staff is super nice. The Camden spot also offers live music. The chips are cut good and thick and have a fabulous crunch as you bite into the fluffy center. As well as traditional portions of cod, haddock and scampi, you can also tuck into classic East End dishes like jellied eels.

02 of 11

The Golden Hind, Marylebone

The Golden Hind serves good quality fish and chips in an unassuming restaurant in Marylebone. It's a small place and is always pretty busy. While there, check out the decommissioned art deco fryer by F Ford of Halifax and the celebrity photos on the walls. Be warned: This spot is an institution that takes no reservations, so be prepared to wait in line. Bonus? It's BYOB without a corkage fee and there are plenty of wine and liquor shops in the local area.

03 of 11

Sea Shell of Lisson Grove, Marylebone

Fried fish, chips and mushy peas at Sea Shell of Lisson Grove — Courtesy of Sea Shell of Lisson Grove

Sea Shell of Lisson Grove has been around for 40+ years as a restaurant and a takeaway joint. It has a good reputation and is popular with locals and visitors so be prepared to wait in line. It's attracted an A-list fish and chip fans over the years including Denzel Washington, Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson. Your best bet? Grab a takeaway and feast in Regent's Park, which is just a 5-minute walk away.

04 of 11

Masters Superfish, Waterloo

Fish and chips at Master's Superfish in London — Kai Hendry/CC/Flickr

Tripadvisor users rank this shop among the top five percent of all London restaurants—not bad for a restaurant that looks a bit dingy from the outside. Fear not, the food is good quality and the portions are massive. The fish is delivered daily from London's Billingsgate Fish Market. Eat in the restaurant and you'll receive complimentary prawns and pickles. Top tip: Arrive as early as 4:30 p.m. to beat the dinner rush.

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05 of 11

Seafresh, Victoria

Seafresh seafood restaurant in London — Hideyuki KAMON/CC/Flickr

Established in 1965, Seafresh sources its fish on a daily basis from Billingsgate Fish Market, and direct from Aberdeen and Peterhead in Scotland. Seafresh is located near Victoria Station on Wilton Street and offers eat-in and takeaway options.

06 of 11

The Rock & Sole Plaice, Covent Garden

The Rock and Sole Plaice in London — jay.tong/CC/Flickr

London's oldest fish and chip shop was established in 1871 and maintains a charming spot in Covent Garden. Sit outside beneath light-strung trees on a nice summer's night, while chowing down on freshly fried fish, plaice, sole, and rockfish.

07 of 11

Fish House, Hackney

The Fish House in London — Courtesy of the Fish House

This independent family-run chippie in Hackney focuses on sustainable dining. Its daily fish menu adheres to the Marine Conservation Society's good fish guide. The chefs choose eco-friendly seasonal catches, and the chips are made from potatoes from farms approved by the British Potato Council. The community-oriented approach works: The owners opened their second shop in March 2016, just 5 miles away in London's East Village near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

08 of 11

Fryer's Delight, Holborn

Fish and chips at the Fryer's Delight in London — Moritz Good/CC/Flickr

Fryer's Delight is the fish and chip shop of choice of London cabbies —that's how you know it's good. It's the real traditional stuff: fat chips, fish wrapped in chunky batter, both fried in beef dripping.

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09 of 11

North Sea Fish Restaurant, Bloomsbury

Haddock, chips, and mushy peas at the North Sea Fish Restaurant in London — Nat Hansen/CC/Flickr

The chips are chunky and cheap at this long established chip shop in Bloomsbury. In fact, the restaurant is such a landmark that London cabbies are required to know where it is when learning "The Knowledge." Choose from standard fish options (haddock, cod, sole, plaice) all battered and fried in vegetable oil.

10 of 11

Fish Bone, Fitzrovia

Fish Bone fish and chips shop in London — Ewan Munro/CC/Flickr

Fresh, cooked to order fish fried in groundnut oil is accompanied by hand-cut, fat and crispy chips at this shop near Regent's Park. There are two tables outside, but you're better off ordering takeaway and having a picnic in the park.

11 of 11

Laughing Halibut, Westminster

Fish and chips at the Laughing Halibut in London — Daniel X. O'Neil/CC/Flickr

The Laughing Halibut is a friendly, old-fashioned fish and chip restaurant. It's busy throughout the day, but note that it closes at 8 p.m.— its main trade is from nearby office workers.

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