image copyrightCharlie Baird
Stephen Peel of 'The Chippy Tour' has made it his mission to protect Britain's traditional fish and chip shops. We asked him, who has evaluated a whopping 260 places so far, to pick just the five places he loves most in London.
Stephen Peel recently returned from judging the '2026 British Fish and Chips Awards'. There, he ate as many as 14 servings of fried fish in just over an hour. However, for the founder of ‘The Chippie Tour’, eating fried fish in a row is nothing new.
Since 2024, Phil and his wife Sue have been evaluating more than 260 chippies (traditional fish and chip shops) across the UK, making unannounced visits and sometimes sending agents to order for them. After receiving the food, they savor it and leave a review in their pickup truck.
Phil says, “This activity is about supporting local fish and chip shops, discovering hidden gems that haven’t been given the spotlight, and uncovering places with great stories worth telling.”
This long-standing gastronomic tradition is facing a growing crisis. As of 2026, there are only 7,210 fish and chip shops remaining across the UK.
Phil said, "20 years ago, there were probably about 30,000 places," and "People's tastes have changed. The younger generation is accustomed to having food like McDonald's delivered to them with just a phone call through Uber Eats."
He continued, “The price of fish has doubled compared to last year, and it is sad to see merchants struggling. They are ultimately being forced into a situation where they have no choice but to break away from the traditional fish and chips menu and diversify their menu with fried chicken, pizza, and kebabs.”
Phil, who lives in Cheshire, visits the capital regularly as he believes the capital plays an "important" role in Britain's fish and chips tradition. “Tourists often see London as the center of our fish and chip culture,” he said. “You only get one chance to make a first impression.”
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Visitors usually encounter fish and chips at gastropubs or restaurants in London, but the essence of an authentic fish and chip shop lies in the no-frills takeout. Phil explains, “There’s something special about the experience of popping into a store, getting takeout, and then walking around and picking it up one by one.”
He prefers small, independent, family-run shops, and especially appreciates London's ever-changing multicultural demographic, which infuses flavors from around the world. He emphasized, “Stores add spices from each country to the batter,” adding, “This makes a huge difference in taste.”
Here are Phil's five best fish and chips shops in London.
What is the best ‘chippy’ in London where you can taste fresh and colorful fish?
Brockley's Rock, located in Brockley, south-east London, is a family-run fish and chip shop opened in 2011 by the friendly Karula family from Cyprus.
Originally a Chinese takeaway joint, this place has evolved into what I see as London's great chippie with a focus on sustainable seafood. They offer a variety of fish along with fish and chips, and also have gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
The menu includes pollack and sea bass, as well as grilled fish dishes. They try to source local fish that doesn't come from too far away whenever possible.
The fried food here is truly fantastic. It's crispy, light, and not greasy at all. However, there was another delicacy on the menu that immediately caught my eye: fried squid with sweet chili and ginger sauce. It's so amazingly delicious!
During the summer, picnic mats are also available for hire so guests can buy fish and chips and enjoy them in Hilly Fields, a beautiful park just around the corner. Of course, on the condition that you return the mat. It's a really cool store run by great people.
What are the best fish and chips places serving traditional beef fat fries?
Marlow Fish Bar in Annally, south London, is a historic, family-run fish and chip shop that has been serving local residents since 1962.
The family that runs this place is of Cypriot descent, and the inside of the store contains a collection of souvenirs from the soccer team Crystal Palace along with this identity. This place, a typical old-fashioned chippie, frys fish in beef fat (tallow) as soon as an order is placed.
Once used as the main frying oil across Britain, beef fat has recently been making a spectacular comeback. Of course, it may not be suitable for all tourists due to religious reasons or dietary preferences, but I have found that many people are willing to come from far away to taste fish and chips fried in beef fat.
As far as I know there are only two chippies in London that use beef fat. These days, they even use halal-certified beef fat. As people move away from seed oil (vegetable oil), the number of places like this is expected to increase in the future.
Chippies fried in beef fat offer a unique experience to visitors who eat beef products. This is because you can fully taste the history and heritage of British fish and chips. I can never forget the unique smell of beef fat that wafts out as I walk near the store.
What is the best retro ‘Chippy’ restaurant?
Fishcotheque, located under the Waterloo Road railway bridge in Waterloo, London, is a historic chippie restaurant that opened in 1964, offering traditional flavors in a comfortable and nostalgic atmosphere.
How to eat fish and chips the British way
Unless you eat it in a restaurant, fish and chips are essentially a food eaten with your hands (finger food). Why are you holding a fork? This is fish and chips! Of course, you have to pick it up by hand. If you get a whole fish, just split it in half, hold one side in your hand, and eat it as is.
Seasoning and sauce are for French fries. Fish and chips must be sprinkled with vinegar. There are always arguments about what to spray first. The correct answer is to sprinkle vinegar first and then salt, because then the salt will stick to the vinegar well.
But in fact, there should be no set rules. The charm of fish and chips is that you can eat them comfortably without any strict formality. Just enjoy it however you like!
The menu includes cod, halibut, rock salmon and scampi, along with traditional favorites like pie and the occasional novelty like fried chocolate bars. There is also a space for dining within the store.
Sableroy (smoked pork sausage) and fried sausage are also sold here. Sableroy is very popular in southern England. I think this is another delicacy that you must try at least once if you go to London. In addition to fish and chips, menu items such as sable or potato scallops (thinly sliced potatoes coated in batter and fried until crispy) sold at Chippy may be somewhat unfamiliar to tourists.
The traditional chippies that have survived even as the surrounding environment changes will always hold a special place in my heart. The steel railroad bridge that crosses directly above the store creates a truly unique and historic sight. The fried fish here is crumbly and white inside, and everything about it is perfect.
image copyrightCourtesy of The Chippy Tour
What is the best restaurant that competes with homemade side dishes and generous portions?
Joseph's Fish & Chips on Tower Bridge Road, located within walking distance of London's famous tourist attractions, is a family-run fish and chips shop.
Founder Turan Tunci opened this place in memory of his father, who ran a kebab shop in the London area for over 50 years. Fresh fish is brought in from Peterhead, Scotland, a key fishing port in the UK, and potatoes are mainly from Cambridgeshire.
Tunchi's wife serves delicious mush fizz (mashed peas) and tartar sauce, as well as homemade vegetable pickles. Another attractive attraction here is the large world map, where visitors from all over the world can mark their hometown by inserting a pin.
The key here is the generous portions. It's truly a huge amount! However, the price is not cheap. It's probably enough for two people to share one serving. The combination of thickly sliced French fries (chips) and light and crispy batter is excellent.
It has a much more modern atmosphere than the other places introduced earlier, but there is no problem at all. Because you can’t just stick to traditional styles. The store has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is very clean.
What is the best fish and chips restaurant where you can sit and enjoy a leisurely meal?
'Fishers', located in Fulham, boasts a wide range of traditional menus ranging from cod and haddock to rock salmon and skate depending on the season. As is common in southern England, I order cod when I visit here.
Here, it is served with mashed peas, curry sauce, and even gravy, which is rare in London. In particular, the Mercy Fizz is quite special; it has a heavy texture, is not overly seasoned, and does not use excessive food coloring like some stores do.
French fries (chips) are very thick and perfectly cooked to the core. The fried cod is exactly what you would expect from an authentic chippie. The batter is bright in color, has a crisp, wavy texture, and is not too thick or soggy at all. The dazzling white flesh breaks into large grains, exuding a subtle sweetness and aroma, and the portion is generous. Halal sausage menu is also available.
The store has a nice traditional feel and exterior, yet has indoor and outdoor seating with modern furniture. They take great pride in having a 'secret garden' where they can eat, especially when the weather is warm. It is one of the few places that actively encourages customers to sit and eat inside.
What criteria do you use to evaluate good fish and chips?
First of all, it shouldn’t smell fishy. Fish coated in fried food does not have a fishy smell. It may have a faint ocean smell, but it should not have a fishy smell. Also, the flesh should be white, not yellow. When you cut the batter, there should not be a thick layer of undercooked, sticky batter on the inside. It must be crispy. And ideally, when you get to the thick meaty part, the texture should break down gently and the inside should be very moist.
French fries (chips) are also not thin and thin French fries. Those are only sold at McDonald's, and no one welcomes them at fish and chip shops. Chips should be thick and thick, and should have a moderate crunchiness on the outside. Also, the inside should be soft enough to fit comfortably when lightly pressed with your hand.
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