British grub doesn’t get much better than a piping-hot plate of fish and chips. Whether you like to smother your fried, golden goodness in tartare sauce, ketchup, curry sauce or gravy – or would prefer it with a side of jellied eels and saveloys – what really matters is the quality (and, of course, quantity). So, if you’re searching for the finest fish and crispiest chips in town, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our local’s guide to fidning the best fish and chips in London. 

Kennedy’s, across London

Kennedy’s is a stalwart on London’s restaurant scene, having served its fabled fish and chips for more than 150 years. With five outposts across the capital, spanning Tooting to The City, the original restaurant was, in fact, a renowned butcher famous for its sausages, but today the brand has expanded its menu to include the finest fresh fish from British waters. Peruse the daily-changing blackboards to pick from plaice, cod, or haddock fried in groundnut oil, as well as a range of handmade pies – think fillings of venison in red wine, and steak and Guinness – burgers, sausages and, of course, perfectly seasoned, hand-cut chips.

Visit kennedyslondon.co.uk

Poppies, across London

Poppies takes its name from its founder: born-and-bred East-ender Pat ‘Pop’ Newland, whose career in the fish and chip business began when he was just 11 years old on the Roman Road, cutting up The Daily Mirror to wrap takeaways in. Half a century on, Pop realised his lifelong dream and founded his own place in Spitalfields using his passion for fish and chips, decades of experience and love of British popular culture to create an award-winning restaurant in 1952. While Pop is no longer at the helm, his team continues to pay homage to his vision by creating lip-smacking, ketchup-doused, gravy-drowned indulgence at its four fish and chip outposts across the capital. 

Priding itself on sourcing the freshest catch, delivered daily to its skilled fishmongers who fillet and prepare the fish on site, the menu has no shortage of options – expect skate, lemon sole, halibut and mackerel, alongside all the usual suspects –  as well as saveloys, pies and pasties. Poppies is also a living tribute to London’s rich culinary history. Step inside to step back in time with retro-inspired interiors that deliver a hefty dose of East End charm. 

Visit poppiesfishandchips.co.uk

Oliver’s Fish and Chips, Belsize Park

Founded by Mario Budwig with the aim of putting a twist on the traditional British meal, Oliver’s Fish and Chips is an upmarket restaurant sourcing its fish not from local waters, but from balmy Mediterranean shores – and is, therefore, as posh as you’d expect for NW3. Helmed by two chefs who have been in the business for more than 30 years, the restaurant serves gluten-free batter six days a week, alongside healthier fish dishes such as open ciabattas filled with grilled salmon or sea bass, goats cheese salads, and homemade fishcakes. When it comes to traditional fish and chips, you can choose to have your cod, haddock, salmon, sea bass, sea bream or tuna fillets fried or simply grilled with a sprinkle of olive oil and salt. It’s your call…

Visit oliversfishandchips.com

Golden Union, Soho

Images: Golden Union

A relative newcomer on London’s fish and chip shop scene, Golden Union started serving its perfected plates in spades in 2008, and has since become a Soho favourite. Featuring nostalgic interiors – think squeezy ketchup bottles and yellow tablecloths – to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a classic fish and chip joint, foodies can indulge in responsibly sourced fish and potatoes from British soil. The expansive menu features several classic combinations, such as haddock, coley, pollock and plaice with chips, as well as butties and sides of halloumi sticks, whitebait and homemade pies. Vegans needn't feel left out either, thanks to the menu’s concise plant-based section, including vegan fish and chips and battered sausages that taste like the real thing. 

Visit goldenunion.co.uk

The Mayfair Chippy, Mayfair

Images: Thomas Alexander

For those on the hunt for an elevated British classic, head straight for The Mayfair Chippy. Founded in 2015, this restaurant was designed as a luxury take on the fast-food favourite, focusing on locally-sourced produce for its fish and chips, shellfish and traditional dishes. Old favourites take centre stage on a menu that features fried haddock and cod with crispy chips to battered sausages and house pickles. If you're looking to elevate your fish supper, however, there’s also oysters, soft shell crab burgers and bowls of lobster macaroni cheese to be paired with glasses of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne. Having been rewarded for its efforts with an AA Rosette and Michelin guide accreditation, this is definitely one to put on the bucket list. 

Visit mayfairchippy.com

Read more: Meet the chef: Jason Atherton of The Social Company