A local’s guide to the best fish and chips in London, with 7 of the best restaurants from Central London to the East End to eat excellent chippies!
Fish and chips screams London in such a stronger way than budget shops like Poundland, charity shops and other British desserts!
Whenever I feel like I need delicious comfort food and it’s that time of the year when I live in London, I make it a point to try new chippies every single chance I’m given.
This iconic British dish is perfect before a tasty sticky toffee pudding or a slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream… if your stomach can handle all that richness.
From family-run shops to chippies with decades of history behind them, London is full of places that keep dining simple with crispy golden batter, hand-cut chips, and of course, flaky cod or haddock.
And while fish and chips isn’t wrapped in newspaper anymore, following food hygiene laws, it’s still one of the best things to eat in London – make sure you try it at least once!
Fish and Chips in London: 7 Restaurants for Crispy Flavors
The modern fried fish dish was introduced in the UK in the 17th century by Jewish immigrants from Portugal and Spain, and the first shop is believed to have opened in 1860.
It was located in West London, where the Jewish population was strongly present, notably around areas like Bethnal Green, Liverpool Street and Spitalfields.
If you have a specific food diet, make sure you double check whether the fish and chips shop you’re trying to eat at cooks their batter in beer, or if they use beef dripping, as neither are halal – do check my guide to the best halal restaurants in London for suitable food spots 🙂
Best Fish and Chips in London: Poppies, Various Locations inc. Camden Town and Spitalfields
Poppies Fish and Chips has several branches in London, from Spitalfields in East London (the original shop) to Camden Town, Soho and Portobello Road.
Whichever restaurant you visit, the decor is sea slash sailor slash pin up-themed, with large menus that showcase a large panel of fish recipes, including, of course, haddock, cod, and wild halibut.
I usually get the homemade mushy peas alongside a regular fried haddock and chips.
When I’m particularly hungry, I will also get my beloved sticky toffee pudding, since Poppies is one of the spots where you can get classic British desserts of the like.
It feels almost nostalgic to dine there, and I’d recommend the regular sizes if you’re going to keep visiting London afterwards – in my experience, the need for a little sleep after Poppies is quite strong.
Best Fish and Chips in London: The Montagu Pyke, Charing Cross Rd, Central London
The Montagu Pyke on Charing Cross Road, Central London, is located close to Donutelier, an amazing French-inspired pastry shop, and is the spot where I ate my first fish and chips years ago.
Part of the Wetherspoon pub chain, the Montagu Pyke was originally a cinema, and became a famous music venue before it was turned into a pub.
I don’t usually spend time at pubs for personal beliefs, but I still really enjoyed the fish and chips there, and the Montagu Pyke makes for a great food spot before walking around nearby Chinatown, Soho or Covent Garden.
Best Fish and Chips in London: Ben’s Traditional Fish & Chips, Shaftesbury Avenue, Central London
Located at the very end of Shaftesbury Avenue, and closer to Covent Garden and Tottenham Court Road than to Piccadilly Circus, Ben’s Traditional Fish and Chips is an institution when it comes to fish and chips.
It’s a quite small restaurant compared to spots like Poppies, and you’ll find there all the classics, like cod and haddock wrapped in wonderfully fresh and crispy batter.
When you’re done eating, the closeness of Ben’s to Covent Garden means you’re a stone’s throw away from the area’s cool shops and hidden gems.
Or, you can also make your way to Tottenham Court Road, and walk up Oxford Street in search of secret sights and even more shopping spots you may not know about!
Best Fish and Chips in London: Jack the Chipper, Whitechapel, East London
If you decide to spend a day discovering East London, chances you’ll find yourself around Whitechapel are high – it’s located close to Brick Lane, Stepney Green, and Bethnal Green.
That’s also where you’ll find Jack the Chipper, which also has another branch in the maritime neighborhood of Greenwich, in South East London.
There, you’ll find the traditional fish and chips, alongside homemade tartare sauce and curry sauce, and other fish specialties like jellied eels, saveloys, and calamari.
If you decide to visit Brick Lane and its street art, why not first have breakfast in a rustic coffee shop such as Kahaila, then discover the markets along the street, and have lunch at Jack the Chipper to refuel?
Then, you can either walk or take the bus to Liverpool Street and Spitalfields, two historic areas nearby, or go more central to Covent Garden, Soho or London Bridge for some shopping!
Best Fish and Chips in London: Golden Union, Soho
There are many great food spots in Soho, including a branch to Poppies we’ve seen earlier, but another great fish and chips shop to visit is Golden Union on Poland Street.
Open every day of the week, Golden Union is one of the most famous spots to get a crispy chippy cooked to order, and one that uses responsibly sourced fish from sustainable waters.
Given that the fish and chips shop is really centrally located, the prices follow a more premium budget than other spots.
However, the quality is constant and you’re close to lots of cool spots near Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, Chinatown, Oxford Street and Covent Garden.
Please note that Golden Union uses beer batter for the fish – if you’re looking to eat at a somewhat halal restaurant, that’s not the one.
Best Fish and Chips in London: Oli’s Fish and Chips, Caledonian Road
Located on Caledonian Road close to King’s Cross and St Pancras, Oli’s Fish and Chips is a small fish and chips shop open every single day, and while it’s mostly a takeaway, you can dine in.
Not only do you have a good, proper fish and chips – with really generous portions!, but if you’re visiting London with kids, Oli’s also has kids’ meals on the menu.
I’d recommend visiting as soon as the restaurant opens to have the freshest fish possible, and the crispiest batter.
As with any fish and chips shop, peak times not only mean more wait, but also less crispiness and heat.
Oli’s Fish and Chips reminds me of the greasy spoon cafes that have a really local feel to them; it doesn’t look or feel like a boutique restaurant, but really a corner shop that is reliable in taste and service.
Fish and Chips in London: 7 Restaurants for Crispy Flavors
There you have them, some of the very best fish and chips shops in London; whether you’re after a local restaurant, sustainability, or more premium vibes, you have plenty of choices here.
Poppies in Camden Town will forever be one of my favorite spots to eat in the city, but if you happen to crave a crispy fish and chips at night, you can also have one at Jack the Chipper.
Even pubs like Montagu Pyke on Charing Cross Road have a place on the list.
Then again, this was my first try at fish and chips in London, years ago, and as such, will always have a special place in my heart.
If you’d like to end lunch/dinner on a sweet note, these are a few guides I’ve written about bakeries and desserts you might enjoy (although you should feel full enough after a visit to these restaurants!):