One of Britain's most distinctive dining experiences can be found at a fish and chip shop in the heart of Scotland. McMonagles in Clydebank is a contemporary dining space housed on a moored vessel floating on the Forth and Clyde Canal. While customers can enter on foot, the venue also operates the UK's first 'sail-thru', allowing boats to pull up to a window, collect their meal, and enjoy it while cruising along the waterway.
How the sail-thru works
The eatery was featured on TikTok by Chris Lawlor, who documented his attempt to collect fish and chips from the sail-thru hatch. He noted that for kayakers, it is easier to disembark and enter on foot. 'Did you know that, in Scotland, there is a drive-thru chip shop for boats, where you sail up to the window, order fish and chips from the canal, then head back onto the water with your food?' he said. 'If you're using a kayak or a paddle board, and it's too high to reach [the window], you can actually walk in the front door, as this is a restaurant shaped like a ship. It's called McMongles in Clydebank.'
What the website says
According to the McMonagles website, they are the 'only' place to offer the sail-thru experience, which they describe as the 'ultimate blend of tradition, innovation, and adventure'. The site reads: 'Fancy picking up your order by boat? Simply sail up to our window, place your order, and enjoy award-winning fish and chips on the water. It's the ultimate blend of tradition, innovation, and adventure - and it's only at McMonagles. Whether you arrive by land or by canal, we're here to serve up something special with every visit.'
Quirky menu items
McMonagles is not just known for classic fish and chips. It has previously gone viral for its quirky menu offerings, which draw visitors from far and wide. Among them are a battered baked potato with macaroni, described as a 'crispy battered jacket potato filled with creamy macaroni cheese' and billed as a 'Scottish twist on comfort food', alongside a battered baked potato with steak pie, which they claim offers 'ultimate comfort in every bite'.
Customer reviews
The restaurant has a near-perfect rating on Google Reviews, scoring 4.3 stars out of 5 from almost 2,000 reviews. One customer wrote: 'Really lovely place and the fish, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce were amazing too! Brilliant service from a lovely waitress, and the boat was spotless. Would 100% recommend and will definitely be back.' Another enthused: 'Battered baked potato went down a treat. Nice soft potato on the inside and a good crunch to the skin. Just what you want. Would definitely revisit to make our way through the menu.' A third wrote: 'This place is very special. Delicious food, great atmosphere and just wonderful service. The staff were lovely. We ordered lots of food, and it was all second to none, just outstanding. Highly recommend.'
