Where to find the UK’s best fish and chips

It’s hard to deny that no other country batters cod, fried potatoes and mushes peas quite like the Brits. And according to global travellers these are the best places to get your fish and chips fix in the UK.

Anstruther in Fife, Scotland

Favoured by locals, visitors and even the British royal family, the Anstruther Fish Bar is so famous that it even has its own Wikipedia page. Anstruther is a Scottish town that overlooks the Firth of Forth and people travel from all over Fife to try the Anstruther Fish Bar’s lemon sole. Slightly bigger than your average fish and chip shop, the Fish Bar can seat 52 diners and has its own ice cream parlour. If you’re looking for somewhere to sleep it off, The Bank also overlooks the Firth of Forth and is only a 6 minute walk from the beach.

Whitby in North Yorkshire, England

Whitby is a typical Yorkshire seaside town, with its historic cobbled streets, its Gothic Abbey ruins and brightly-painted fish and chip shops scattered along the coast. While the town’s restaurants do all kinds of seafood, Whitby is famous for kippers. You can visit the smokery next to the Abbey or try a traditional version at one of the town’s many fish bars. The Magpie Café is especially popular, with queues reaching out of the door. Many visitors take a hike up the 199 steps leading from the town to the Abbey overlooking Whitby. Cobbleview Rooms is just a short walk from The Magpie Café.

Aldeburgh in Suffolk, England

Another town to have attracted international attention for its fish and chips, Aldeburgh is a favourite with celebrity chef, Rick Stein. This small Suffolk town overlooks the North Sea and so visitors are guaranteed the freshest, crispiest cod. The Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop has been run for more than 50 years by the same family and they delight in still providing all the traditional favourites like pickled eggs and battered sausages, alongside more unusual morsels like pineapple fritters and fried rock eel. For a clifftop view of the town, check into The Brudenell; the climb will give you enough of an appetite to go back for a second helping.

Hastings in East Sussex, England

Hastings was the battleground for one of the most decisive moments in England’s history in 1066 but today the biggest conflict visitors will face is whether to have an extra pickled egg with their award-winning fish and chips. The beautiful old town sits opposite the 600-acre Hastings Country Park, providing a scenic backdrop to admire while you eat. And as the town is home to England’s largest fishing fleet, the catch of the day is always fresh (and usually deep-fried). If all that good food has made you thirsty, check into the Victorian Hastings House for a traditional cup of English tea.

Grimsby in Lincolnshire, England

The northern port town of Grimsby is very proud of its reputation for fish and chips – boasting the best fish and chips in town. At this family-run business, you’ll find hand-cut chips and fresh, deep-fried haddock – a novel twist on the traditional cod. Arlana Guest House is only a short walk from many of the town’s award-winning, mouth-watering chip shops.