Fish and Chip Recommendations

There are quite a few recommendations on the forum - just do a search for "Fish and Chips London" and see what pops up. You can narrow the search down to recent posts as well.

For example, here is one recent post that discusses fish and chips in London: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/fish-and-chips-b46062c3-f195-4422-aa53-c07a4c6af836

You also might want to check Eater London; a foodie site that rates some top fish and chip places and includes a map for locations. https://london.eater.com/maps/best-fish-and-chips-london

I don't know about any of the others listed in theat Eaters London article, but last May we eagerly went to Masters Superfish , as we had seen the article and we were staying nearby - and were pretty badly disappointed. The old phrase "greasy spoon" came to mind.

I'm going to repeat a fairly common trope, but there's no good fish and chips in London. Of course, this is plainly not true. There's lots of places that will serve decent fish and chips.

As someone from west central Scotland, somewhere with a tradition of fish and chips as an art form practiced by generations of Italians, I find London lacking for fish and chips. London falls into two camps; chippies [fish and chip shops] that do fish and chips alongside kebabs, fried chicken etc., and then high - end places that charge a fortune, often for very well prepared fancy fish and chips served in a swish environment. There's very few honest to goodness chippies in between. More informed contributors may be able to recommend to all of us.

That said, in central London I believe Poppies is the place to go.

[edit: Larry, a greasy spoon is something else entirely. That's a small local café where you might have an English breakfast and tea in a mug.]

you should also research Youtube videos by foodies who live for that sort of thing

I agree that for really good fish, go to the source! The best fish and chips I've eaten were at places along the coast in the UK, which includes both Scotland and England.

I had good fish and chips at The Thomas Cubitt Pub on Elizabeth St in Belgravia near Victoria Coach Station.

I have always wanted to try the Laughing Halibut just because the name makes me laugh. I've never managed to make it to that area at the time where I would want a meal.

https://thelaughinghalibut.has.restaurant/

So I think I got one of each of Gerry's categories - a gastropub and a chippy.

PS. I got awesome fish and chips in Orkney and Shetland. Seriously good.
PPS. I AM vegan and fish and chips are not. Since Covid sometimes it's difficult to find vegan offerings in restaurants so when I travel I also include fish now.

Sounds good Pam. I'm always wary of recommending pubs for food, which is a little old fashioned. Pub food can be a hit or a miss, and often tends to be too expensive (for pub food) if it's a pub known for for good food.

PPS. I AM vegan and fish and chips are not. Since Covid sometimes it's difficult to find vegan offerings in restaurants so when I travel I also include fish now.

And cream pastries!!! 🤣🤣🤣

if you're a vegan, isn't it also a problem to eat something that has been fried in oil that fries non-veggies?

"if you're a vegan, isn't it also a problem to eat something that has been fried in oil that fries non-veggies?"

I'm not that strict but there are vegans who are. I actually prefer to think of it as whole food plant based but it's just easier and more understandable to say vegan especially when traveling. I don't eat with political overtones and I don't mind wearing or carrying leather.

Thanks all. I have been reading reviews, including sourcing info from RS forums, but experiences seem so inconsistent between various review platforms, which rings true to current dining here in the US, where it was once great, but now really the pits. While I love fries and vinegar, I personally am not a fish or any other kind of seafood person, but I do follow the "when in Rome...." rule and since I know it is huge on my son's list, am game to give it a try. I had heard Poppies is a good choice and I understand there are a couple of locations, which is excellent, and until we get to Scotland, will aim for that.

SOTL, ask if you can have your fish baked, steamed or broiled instead of fried...if that's what you want.
Other veggies (not fried) can be substituted at some fish and chips shops.
Some have new potatoes, salad, and other vegetables.
Chicken tenders are on the menu at some shops, in case you prefer that, and a travel partner who is craving fish can still have fish.

GerryM--I readily accept that I misused "greasy Spoon" in England's English. I meant it in American English usage--a place that is so greasy that the silverware it is served with is already greasy. Sometimes shortened to "spoon".

Ah sorry Larry! I've never heard an American say greasy spoon. I assumed it was a peculiarly British expression.

I AM vegan and fish and chips are not.

Many places have started offering a vegan option, basically a "fillet" made of Banana Blossom. My wife was interested in trying it, but begged off in the places we ate that had it. I think it was more she was avoiding fried food.

A friend of mine was very excited about eating gluten-free fish and chips at Bertie's Proper Fish & Chips in Edinburgh. She hadn't been able to eat them anyplace else and wound up going back there 2 more times.

I'm not that strict but there are vegans who are.

Yep. I used to frequent a small shop in Cincinnati with food to go and gifts and such for sale. But everyone was vegan - no leather, no wool socks, no animal products at all. There are periods when I've eaten vegan, but like Pam, it's been for health reasons only.