Nowhere in the world masters fish and chips quite like the United Kingdom, and a fresh study has now pinpointed where to find the absolute best of this beloved 150-year-old dish. While fish and chips remains a quintessential British seaside indulgence, the finest servings of flaky, beer-battered fish paired with fluffy thick-cut chips are not always confined to coastal areas. A comprehensive new ranking by Big 7 Travel has highlighted standout locations across the UK, analysing key factors including Google Reviews, industry awards, gluten-free availability, social media buzz, pricing, and overall quality to determine the top 20 destinations.
Inland and Coastal Excellence
The results spotlight both traditional and gourmet establishments in coastal hotspots and inland towns, with freshness, premium ingredients, and local pride at their heart. For those planning perfect day trips this spring and summer, here are the top 20 UK seaside towns and surprising inland spots for world-class fish and chips.
20. Largs – North Ayrshire, Scotland
Set along Scotland's scenic west coast, Largs is celebrated for its picturesque promenade and exceptional fish and chips offerings. The Fish Works stands out as a stellar location, earning Runner Up in the Takeaway of the Year Category at the 2026 Fry Awards. With regular portions priced at £12.70, it boasts a 3.9/5 rating on Google Reviews. The establishment thrives on access to freshly sourced seafood, offering everything from gluten-free options to adventurous dishes like panko-coated lemon sole, battered haggis, and squid.
19. Carrickfergus – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Carrickfergus, with its historic charm and tranquil shoreline, provides one of the most relaxing and scenic settings to enjoy a hearty fish supper. The Friary is the top offering here, where a regular portion of fish and chips costs £12.20 and average Google Review ratings reach 4.24/5. The establishment sources fish directly from the Irish Sea, serving gloriously hefty portions. Notably, they offer gluten-free fish and chips cooked in a separate fryer, a rarity among most fish and chip shops in the country.
18. Barnsley – South Yorkshire, England
Barnsley demonstrates that great fish and chips are not limited to the coast, thanks to award-winning eateries like Shaw's Fish & Chips, which placed third in the National Fish & Chips Awards 2026. This spot offers a range of traditional dishes, from battered sausages to golden crispy fish, alongside modern additions like fried chicken, vegan 'chicken strips', and margherita pizza bites.
17. Anstruther – Fife, Scotland
Anstruther is a prime hotspot for fish and chips along Scotland's east coast, with Anstruther Fish Bar accumulating several accolades over the years. Although regular portions are steep at £15.70, the shop maintains a 4.33 Google Review rating, priding itself on locally sourced ingredients and a secret recipe batter known only to four fryers. Visitors can find healthy options like grilled and smoked haddock, plus a daily revised 'Catch of the Day' based on morning catches.
16. South Shields – Tyne & Wear, England
South Shields, just a stone's throw from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, is hailed as a leading destination for fish and chips, with two chippies featured in the Top 50 Takeaways in the 2026 Fry Awards. Smith's Chippy offers fish and chips at an impressively low cost of £9.50 for regular portions, while Coleman's serves trays of the vinegar-lashed dish for £15.50. Both establishments boast an average Google Review rating of 4.0 and emphasise top-quality, local produce at reasonable prices.
15. Ballycastle – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Morton's, a Northern Irish gem set along Co. Antrim's windswept coast in Ballycastle, keeps things simple by focusing on perfectly cooked fish and golden chips. This no-frills chippy previously featured as a top 25 fish and chip shop in 2025 and has long been a Co. Antrim institution, offering traditional dishes like fish and chips, sausages, burgers, and chicken. Regular portions are priced at £12.50, earning the shop an average rating of 4.0 on Google Review.
14. Penrith – Cumbria, England
Set on the outskirts of the Lake District, Shap Chippy offers an elevated take on the British classic. Ranked as a top takeaway in the National Federation of Fish Fryers 2026, it provides a tantalising mix of traditional and modern dishes, from £11.50 portions of fish and chips to salt and pepper squid and Bengali spiced prawns. Rated 4.18 on Google Review, the shop also operates a mobile fish and chip van named 'Shappy Wheels', which parks across the Lake District and can be booked for special occasions.
13. Falmouth – Cornwall, England
Cornwall is renowned for its golden sand beaches and sparkling blue coastline, but it has also built a reputation as a premier seafood destination, including award-winning fish and chips shops. Harbour Lights, located on Falmouth Harbour, is a regular feature in guides to the UK's best chippies, catering to all tastes with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options cooked separately to avoid contamination. The shop has achieved an average Google Review rating of 4.14, with regular portions of fish and chips costing £13.85.
12. Tenby – Pembrokeshire, Wales
Located on the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast, Tenby is a premier spot for high-quality, locally sourced fish and chips that pair perfectly with colourful coastal views. D. Fecci & Sons Fish & Chip Restaurant, a 2025/26 Winner in the Good Food Award for Fish & Chips, highlights the town's quality by using local seafood and Pembrokeshire potatoes in its £12.00 regular portion. Boasting a 4.3-star Google rating, this restaurant caters to gluten-free diners by exclusively using a specialised blend of ground rice and potato starch for its batter.
11. Stonehaven – Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Stonehaven is a haven for fish and chips, with both Redcloak Fish Bar and The Bay Fish & Chips making the Fry Awards Top 50 Takeaways 2026. Both serve sustainably caught, locally sourced fish with perfectly crispy batter and fluffy chips, earning an average Google rating of 4.33/5. Redcloak is the top pick for a traditional fish supper, while The Bay offers a modern menu with excellent gluten-free choices, making Stonehaven a prime destination for an elite chippy experience on the coast.
10. Caernarfon – Gwynedd, Wales
Caernarfon, located along the coast of Northern Wales, is home to the mighty Caernarfon Castle, providing unmatched views for visitors enjoying fish and chips nearby. Ainsworth's Fish & Chips is a standout establishment offering high-quality cod and haddock near the historic castle, earning a stellar 4.30 average rating on Google. Recently named among the UK's Top 50 takeaways for the fourth year, it offers standard portions for £14 and affordable meal deals from £11.25, with delivery options available for a seaside-style meal at home.
9. Aldeburgh – Suffolk, England
For a truly traditional chippy experience where 'less is more', visit Aldeburgh Fish & Chips in Suffolk, an iconic UK spot operating since 1967. It specialises in authentic fish fried in beef dripping, including East Coast haddock, cod, and local rock eels, focusing on quality, simple, and timeless cooking. Long queues are common at the shop, which boasts an impressive 4.43 rating on Google, with regular portions of fish and chips costing £10.20.
8. Scarborough – North Yorkshire, England
Scarborough might have lost some of its Victorian-era bustle, but its unique coastal charm remains. The North Yorkshire town is officially the chippy capital of the UK, boasting 93 shops—the highest concentration in the country. A standout is North Bay Fisheries, a family-run institution near the North Bay Promenade and Peasholm Park. Its popularity is undeniable, reflected in a 4.42 rating on Google, with queues out the door even in winter for affordable, top-tier fish and chips at £10.50 for regular portions.
7. Torquay – Devon, England
Located on Devon's scenic English Riviera, Torquay is a premier British holiday destination renowned for its seafood, most notably at the award-winning Pier Point Restaurant. Offering a refined twist on traditional fish and chips, this seaside spot maintains a 4.22 Google rating thanks to a diverse menu featuring gourmet options like hake, king prawn chowder, and various veggie and gluten-free choices.
6. Darlington – County Durham, England
Despite being 30km from the coast, inland Darlington boasts a prized fish and chip spot: Yarm Road Fish & Chips. As a 2025 Fish & Chip Awards runner-up, this chippy is lauded for consistent quality, reflected in its steady 4.37 Google rating. Visitors can dine in or take away, with popular dishes including the pensioner's special for £13.95—a small cod, chips, sauce, tea, and bread and butter—and a regular portion of fish and chips for £10.70.
5. Surbiton – Surrey, England
Nestled in the quiet Surrey town of Surbiton is Batterfly Berrylands, a traditional chippy with an extensive menu ranging from classic fish and chips for £15.10 to battered sausages, fried chicken, and pies. They have even recently introduced a 'chip shop gravy'—a rare find in the south of England. The establishment boasts an average Google rating of 4.47.
4. Lincoln – Lincolnshire, England
The historic town of Lincoln is home to a breathtaking cathedral, cobbled streets, and a huge variety of fish and chip shops. Two of Lincoln's chippies continue to earn 4.36 ratings on Google and have featured in the Fry Awards 2026. Linford's Traditional Fish & Chips ranked in the takeaway category with its £12.90 portions, while Elite Fish & Chip Company placed third in the restaurant category, offering comfortable dining settings and £12.85 portions with eight different fish options, including cod, salmon, and plaice.
3. York – North Yorkshire, England
York, the 'capital' of North Yorkshire, is a premier destination for top-tier fish and chips. While the city centre is packed with options, for a truly standout meal, it's worth the short trip to the village of Dunnington to visit The Scrap Box. This local gem recently secured the prestigious Takeaway of the Year title at the 2026 National Fish & Chip Awards and maintains a 4.46 rating on Google. The menu offers everything from sustainably sourced, flaky haddock paired with chips fried in traditional beef dripping (£11.95) to regional specialities like the Spam fritter. True to its name, the shop also offers free boxes of 'scraps'—the crunchy bits of golden batter left over from frying—adding the perfect finishing touch to any order.
2. Redruth – Cornwall, England
Renowned as a top 50 UK takeaway for 2026, Greg & Lou's is a beloved Redruth chippy offering sustainable MSC fish—including plaice, lemon sole, and cod—alongside Cornish-grown potatoes for its £11.90 portions of fish and chips. This family-run Cornish institution, rated 4.47 on Google, features homemade specials by Greg and famous house-made tartare sauce by Lou, plus popular veggie and vegan options.
1. Whitby – North Yorkshire, England
Securing the top spot in the ranking is Whitby, home to some of the country's most iconic chippies. While The Magpie is a popular spot, Trenchers of Whitby takes the accolades this year, winning Restaurant of the Year at the recent Fry Awards in 2026. The shop, rated 4.45 on Google, offers generous portions of locally sourced fish and chips priced at £13.50. Established in 1980, it pairs traditional offerings with modern takes on seafood dishes, cementing its status as a respected Whitby eatery.
