The 20 Best Fish and Chips in London (2026 Update)

London’s fish and chips scene is a foggy harbour: plenty of lights, not all of them guiding you home. Batter can land like a wet overcoat, chips slump like tired boots, and even good cod sometimes forgets why it matters.

But cut through the mist and there’s treasure—crisp, golden, and properly proud. These are the chippies that hit like a clear bell on a cold day. Let’s get straight to the ones worth your appetite.

Here’s the part nobody tells you: London doesn’t have a fish-and-chips problem. It has an information problem.

In 2026, truly great fish and chips still exist across the capital—but they’re hiding behind outdated lists, closed branches, inflated prices, and Instagram noise. This guide fixes that.

This is not nostalgia. This is what’s actually worth eating now.

Classic British fish and chips served with chunky chips and lemon

The best fish and chips in North London (2026)

1. Oliver’s Fish & Chips

Oliver’s in Belsize Park is what happens when a traditional chippy grows up without selling out. The batter is clean and crisp, the fish responsibly sourced, and the menu quietly confident.

The detail most places skip? Separate fryers for gluten‑free batter. In 2026, that still matters. Opening hours run Tuesday–Saturday 12:00–22:00, Sundays until 21:00.

Price (2026): Cod & chips £16–£18 depending on size. Address: 95 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4RL. Phone: 020 7586 9945.

Oliver’s Fish and Chips Belsize Park exterior

2. Hook

Hook quietly proves that sustainability doesn’t mean sacrifice. Expect panko‑crumbed fish, basil tempura options, and chips dusted with umami‑rich seaweed.

Price (2026): Classic panko cod & chips £15–£17 depending on catch.

Hook fish and chips with panko breadcrumb coating

The best fish and chips in South London

3. Seventeen

Seventeen looks like a pop‑up and cooks like someone’s nan is watching. Portions are generous, the batter stays crisp, and even the onion rings matter.

Price (2026): Cod & chips £15–£16. Address: Balham High Road.

4. Kennedy’s

Kennedy’s remains gloriously unfashionable—and that’s the point. Chips are thick‑cut, wrapped properly, and meant to steam before you eat them.

Price (2026): Large cod & chips from £12–£13 depending on branch.

The best fish and chips in East London

5. Sutton & Sons

Sutton & Sons remains ahead of the curve. Their banana‑blossom ‘fish’ is still one of the best vegan alternatives in London, and the real fish benefits from having the family fishmonger across the road.

Price (2026): Cod & chips £13–£15. Locations: Stoke Newington, Hackney, Islington.

6. Poppies

Poppies is no longer a secret—and the prices reflect it. But the fish is still excellent, sourced from Billingsgate, and cooked in a way that respects tradition.

Price (2026): Cod or haddock with chips £17.95. Locations: Soho, Spitalfields, Camden, Portobello.

The best fish and chips in West London

7. The Chipping Forecast

Puns aside, this is serious cooking. Expect Cornish fish, monkfish scampi, and proper sit‑down portions.

Price (2026): Cod, chips & tartar £19–£21.

8. Kerbisher & Malt

Kerbisher & Malt still does everything in‑house, including the mushy peas. It’s reliable, modern, and unfussy.

Price (2026): Cod & chips £12–£14 depending on branch.

The best fish and chips in Central London

9. Golden Union

Ignore the retro diner look—this is serious sourcing. British fish, proper chips, and fast turnover.

Price (2026): Large cod & chips £15–£17.

10. Gigs

A Fitzrovia institution that hasn’t chased trends. Still family‑run, still excellent.

Price (2026): Cod & chips £14–£16.

11. The Golden Hind

The Golden Hind has passed the 110‑year mark—and yes, it’s more expensive now. But the batter is still clean, the fish arrives daily from Grimsby, and the portions remain generous.

Price (2026): Cod & chips £20.90. Address: 71–73 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PN.

The best fish and chips in London (why this still matters)

Here’s the truth that changes everything: great fish and chips are not about hype.

They’re about oil temperature, potato variety, resting time, and whether the person frying actually cares. London still has places where that care survives.

The bad news? You won’t find them by accident.

The good news? Now you know exactly where to go—and why it’s worth it.

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