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It’s one of the best, perhaps the best national dish, so it’s only right we have a seriously coveted awards competition behind it. Pass the tartar sauce, the National Fish and Chip Awards has just released its shortlist of the best fish and chip restaurants in the UK.
This category is all about the best sit-down joints you can get a proper battered cod, mushy pea and thick-cut chip situation. So it’s not to be confused with the annual awards’ best fish and chip takeaways shortlist.
These eateries were judged by a panel – consisting of industry experts — on the quality of food, hospitality, vibes, and the more business side of things such as sustainably and staff development.
Finalists are from across the country, from The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack in Edinburgh to Lakeside Fish & Chips in Poole. There’s even a London entry, with Golden Union in Soho pulling ahead of the rest of the capital’s competitors.
Last year, the seaside Trenchers of Whitby in Yorkshire won the top spot. Judges praised their fish fried in traditional beef dripping – a staple they’ve been serving since 1980. The restaurant’s general manager Andrew Wilkinson said since winning the award they have had their ‘best and busiest year’ year.
Another Yorkshire gem, Whitby’s Restaurant & Take Away, came in third last year, and it has been shortlisted again. Could it take the top prize in 2027?
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the annual event, said: ‘This year's participants are showcasing remarkable skill, commitment and innovation. Their achievements highlight the excellent standards being set by businesses that continue to raise the bar.
‘Their success is not only a testament to their hard work but also highlights the incredible opportunities available for people looking to build rewarding careers.’
The 10 shortlisted restaurants will progress to the next round, with the final five to be announced later this year. The overall winner will be crowned on February 24 at the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge in London.
The UK’s top 10 fish and chip restaurants, according to the National Fish and Chip Awards 2027
- Chesters at Vale, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
- Lakeside Fish & Chips, Poole, Dorset
- Harbour Fish Bar, Folkestone, Kent
- Golden Union, Soho, London
- No1 Cromer, Norfolk
- The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham
- Ocean Fish Platter, Ipswich, Suffolk
- Saltwater Fish & Chips, Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Whitby’s Restaurant & Takeaway, Rotherham, Yorkshire
- The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack, South Queensferry, Edinburgh
Read Time Out’s guide to the best fish and chips in London.
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