Published: 09/03/2022
As the old English proverb says, "Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day. Give the person a fish and some chips, and they'll be much, much happier. Batter that fish, and they'll be putty in your hands".Nothing beats digging into piping hot fish and chips straight out the fryer, smothered in salt and vinegar, and wrapped in newspaper.
To celebrate National Fish & Chip Day, our staff have put together a list of their favourite places to get this classic British dish.
SUTTON AND SONS
This family-run Stoke Newington chip shop is a must. Mrs Sutton makes her own homemade pickled quail eggs and balsamic baby shallots. It has its own fishmonger over the road, so you can guarantee a fresh catch, as well as branches in Islington and Hackney. Vegans are catered for with seaweed-marinated banana blossom making a delicious stand-in for traditional fillets, and there's even a plant-based battered sausage.
https://www.suttonandsons.co.uk/
GOLDEN HIND
This Marylebone Village stalwart has been around for over a century. You'll find feta-cheese fritters and Greek pickles appearing in the side orders, affogato, and limoncello among the puddings.
https://www.goldenhindrestaurant.com/
POPPIES
East End Pat' Pop' Newland started his chippy career aged 11. His job was to cut up old newspapers to wrap the chips. More than 50 years later, he opened his restaurant in Spitalfields, combining the traditional jellied eels Saveloys with a modern eye for quality. The fish comes from Billingsgate Market, and the interior is cheerful Fifties chic.
https://poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/
FISH CENTRAL
Opening in 1968, this old-school Clerkenwell institution has hardly changed in all those years, but in this case, that's perfect as it's all about the fish. Serving a range spanning from grilled sardines to oysters and lobster, and only the freshest will do—flaky, moist, and sweet-tasting cod that gently steams within a light but crunchy batter. The chunky chips are delicious too.
http://www.fishcentral.co.uk/
NORTH SEA FISH
Another traditional chip shop located in Kings Cross, serving up the ever-classic battered cod or haddock, as well as a few fancier options such as rock eel, Dover sole, sea bass, and rainbow trout. Everything is served with refillable chips (an obvious selling point), homemade Tartare sauce, and Heinz tomato ketchup. Their fish can either be fried in a typical crispy batter or in an egg matzo meal.
http://northseafishrestaurant.co.uk/
FISH HOUSE
This posh fish and chip shop is famous for its love of tradition, focusing on quality and commitment to ethically-sourced produce. The original Hackney shop is situated next door to Victoria Park so, there's no chance your chips will get cold before you sit on a bench to eat them. The takeaway does all the classics as the classics demand to be done. The eat-in restaurant gives you more choice, with a menu that changes with the seasons.
http://www.fishouse.co.uk