The Best Fish & Chips in England 2025 – Top 10 Revealed
02/10/2025
When it comes to iconic British dishes, we are naturally drawn to a select few, including the Sunday roast, the full English breakfast, and a true staple of the nation with fish & chips.
It’s no surprise either, with more than 382 million meals served by fish & chip shops every year, including 167 million portions of the classic fish & chips combo, it’s clear this seaside staple holds a special place in our hearts.
To celebrate this national treasure, we set out to find out the best fish & chip establishments in all of England.
Our investigation analysed:
- Tripadvisor scores and reviews
- Cost of a standard portion
- Menu variety (including number of sides and vegetarian options)
- Accessibility to car parks and public transport
The Cost of Fish & Chips in England has Risen
The cost-of-living crisis is certainly having its say on the price of a standard portion of fish & chips, with a regular cod and chips setting you back £11.23 in 2025 - up by 35p from 2024’s £10.88.
This may not seem too steep for a single meal, but feeding a group of four would total £44.92 - and that’s before you get onto the matter of which sides to choose from!
Interestingly, 8 out of the top 10 in our ranking offer portions below the national average, proving that quality doesn’t always come at a premium.
It's ‘Ofishial’ – The Best Fish & Chip Shops in England Revealed
Our scoring index crowned Chez Fred in Bournemouth as the best fish & chip shop in England. Serving both locals and tourists alike since 1989, this beloved spot topped the rankings thanks to its impressive Tripadvisor presence - with almost 2,400 reviews and an astounding average score of 4.7 out of 5.
Chez Fred also stood out for its menu selection, accessibility, and pricing – offering a standard portion for £10.20, more than £1 below the national average, helping secure its place as the ultimate chippy in England.
In second place was Brixham Fish Restaurant & Takeaway in Devon, boasting more than 1,100 reviews and more than 850 five-star ratings. Its generous pricing at £9.85 per portion helped cement its place in the top two.
Jolly Good Fish Cafe, also in Devon, rounded off the top three. With an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 800 reviews, and a standard portion priced at £10, it’s easy to see why this Teignmouth favourite scored so highly.
In fact, three of the top five were located in Devon, highlighting the region as a potential hub for top-quality fish & chips. Looking at the full top 10, seven are based in the South of England, compared to just three in the North - the South clearly won on this occasion!
How do These ‘Plaices’ Compare to Each Other?
Fish & chip restaurants are traditionally known for serving their namesake dishes, but in recent years, many have expanded their menus to cater to the growing demand for plant-based and greener eating options.
Our research found that out of 240 restaurants analysed, around 20% still don’t offer vegetarian options – perhaps aiming to preserve a traditional feel, or maybe needing to catch up with modern tastes and trends.
Whilst exploring menus, we also discovered a wide variation in side offerings. On average, restaurants served an impressive 10 sides, with some offering as few as three and others boasting up to 24!
Another standout finding revealed all 10 of England’s best fish & chip shops are independents, showcasing the depth of culinary excellence across this historic and highly competitive food scene.
Accessibility also played a role. Seven out of the top 10 had public transport links within 100 metres, making them easy to reach – though only two had a dedicated car park attached.
Which in England is the Cheapest for a Chippy
The most affordable portion in our top 10 was found at The Codfather in Northwich, Cheshire, priced at just £8.50 - more than £2.70 below the national average.
Across the country, here’s how the most affordable and expensive regions compare:
West Yorkshire topped the list as the most affordable place to enjoy fish & chips, with an average portion costing just £8.37 - almost a full pound cheaper than neighbouring Lancashire, which came in second at £9.19.
On the flip side, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the City of London was the most expensive, with an average portion costing £14.98. That’s almost double the cost of a portion in West Yorkshire, and nearly £4 above the national average.
Greater London also proved pricey, with an average cost of £13.84, representing a 23% increase on the national average, or £2.61 in real terms.
Cod Almighty – The Best Regions in England for a Chippy
When it comes to choosing the best chippy, price matters – but quality is just as important. After all, no one wants soggy batter or undercooked chips!
Based on Tripadvisor ratings, here are the top-rated counties in England
Cornwall and North Yorkshire share the top spot, each boasting a solid 4.68 out of 5 stars from their five highest rated fish & chip establishments.
Even without the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall features the most coastline out of any English county. With 1,086km to choose from, the county is the perfect location to grab a portion of quality fish & chips given its extensive accessibility to the sea.
Even though North Yorkshire shares the top spot alongside Cornwall, it’s not just coastal access that defines quality. Its neighbouring counties East Riding of Yorkshire and the landlocked West Yorkshire also made the top 10, proving that great fish & chips aren’t limited to the seaside.
Conclusion of Study
Overall, our investigation, using a combination of scoring factors, determined the best fish & chip establishments across all of England.
Through our research we found the price of a standard portion has increased from the UK average in 2024 - a sign of the times that’s making this loved staple less affordable than ever for English consumers.
But it's not all bad news. We’ve pinpointed the regions where the dish remains budget-friendly and where quality is still top-notch.
Regardless of location, fish & chips will always remain a culinary classic for the people of England and even with the rising prices, it’s difficult to see it going away anytime soon.
Sources & Methodology:
Using the top five fish & chip shops for each ceremonial country in England on Tripadvisor (sorted by highest rated and filtered by ‘fast food’) we analysed 240 fish & chip restaurants in England for their:
- Tripadvisor ratings and reviews - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
- Menu prices gathered from various sources including Facebook, online menus, Google menus, and customer photography.
- Google Maps and Street View used to determine public transport access and car parks - https://www.google.com/maps
Fish & Chip statistics from the Federation of Fish Friers - https://ukfisheries.net/uk-fish-consumption
Average price of Fish and Chips in 2024 - https://www.kfeltd.co.uk/2024/06/17/kfe-fish-chips-survey-compares-prices-and-portion-sizes/
Chez Fred history - https://chezfred.co.uk/about-chez-fred/
Cornwall coastline length - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/ordnance-survey-facts-about-great-britain/
Register today to join Britain's biggest online bingo community
What are you waiting for? If you're ready to be welcomed into the friendliest online bingo community in the UK, register with us today. Pick your username and sit back while we check your details.
Once your account is confirmed, you're free to join any of our chat rooms or play your first game. Come see what all the fuss is about and register today.