The UK is known for many things – from its royal family to its iconic landmarks. But one thing that often goes overlooked is its love for fish and chips. The classic dish of beer-battered fish and thick-cut chips has been a staple in British cuisine for centuries. And now, a new ranking has identified the top 20 fish and chip shops in the UK, proving that the best of this beloved dish can be found beyond the seaside.
The National Fish & Chip Awards, organized by Seafish, recently released their list of the UK’s top 20 fish and chip shops for 2021. This prestigious competition has been running for over 30 years and is considered the Oscars of the fish and chip industry. The competition is known for recognizing and celebrating the best fish and chip shops across the UK, and this year’s list is no exception.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the UK’s top 20 fish and chip shops for 2021:
1. Millers Fish & Chips, Haxby, North Yorkshire
2. Fish City, Belfast, Northern Ireland
3. Hiks, Swansea, Wales
4. Shap Chippy, Penrith, Cumbria
5. Krispies Fish & Chips, Exmouth, Devon
6. Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove, Chester, Cheshire
7. Sea Dog, Brixham, Devon
8. The Wetherby Whaler, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
9. Quayside Restaurant & Fish Bar, Gourdon, Aberdeenshire
10. Low’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
11. The Fish Hoose, Thornton, Fife
12. The Scallop Shell, Bath, Somerset
13. Harbourside Fish & Chips, Plymouth, Devon
14. The Fishermans Wife, Whitby, North Yorkshire
15. Burton Road Chippy, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
16. Colmans of South Shields, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
17. The Elite Fish & Chip Company, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
18. Longsands Fish Kitchen, Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
19. The Crispy Cod, Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf
20. Mister C’s, Selby, North Yorkshire
From the stunning coastal towns of Brixham and Whitby to the bustling cities of Belfast and Chester, this year’s top 20 list truly showcases the diversity and excellence of fish and chip shops across the UK. What’s even more impressive is that this list includes a mix of traditional family-run shops and modern, innovative establishments.
But what exactly makes these fish and chip shops stand out from the rest? According to Seafish, judges looked at various factors such as sustainability practices, menu innovation, customer service, and of course, the quality of the fish and chips. Each shop went through several rounds of judging, including mystery shopper visits, before making it to the top 20.
So, whether you’re a local looking for the best fish and chips in your area or a tourist wanting to try a truly British dish, this list is the ultimate guide for fish and chip lovers. Plus, with the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting the hospitality industry, supporting these small businesses is more important than ever.
But the recognition doesn’t stop there. The top 20 shops will now compete in the next round of the competition, with the ultimate goal of being crowned the UK’s best fish and chip shop at the awards ceremony in January 2022.
In the meantime, let’s celebrate these top 20 shops and the hard work and dedication they put into serving the best fish and chips in the UK. Congratulations to all the winners and may the best shop win!
