Finding the best fish and chips in London depends on what you want from the meal. Some places focus on old-school takeaway tradition, while others offer full restaurant service, historic surroundings, vegan alternatives, or a wider seafood menu. For a first visit, Poppies Spitalfields, Rock & Sole Plaice, The Golden Hind, Golden Union, and Sutton & Sons are strong places to start.
Quick Answer
For traditional London fish and chips, start with Poppies in Spitalfields, Rock & Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, or The Golden Hind in Marylebone. Sutton & Sons is particularly useful for vegan diners, while The Laughing Halibut offers a straightforward Westminster chippy experience with comparatively affordable published prices.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- Spitalfields remains one of the easiest areas to combine sightseeing with a traditional fish-and-chip meal.
- Marylebone and Soho have several long-established sit-down options if you prefer table service.
- Current menu prices vary widely, so a basic chippy meal can cost noticeably less than fish and chips at a historic central-London restaurant.
- Vegan fish and chips are now available at established chippies rather than only specialist vegan restaurants.
Best Fish and Chips in London at a Glance
These restaurants cover several different versions of the London fish-and-chip experience. Rather than treating one style as universally best, choose according to your area, budget, dietary needs, and whether you want takeaway or a sit-down meal.
| Place | Area | Best for | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poppies | Spitalfields | East End atmosphere | Dine-in and takeaway |
| Sutton & Sons | Stoke Newington, Hackney, Islington | Vegan alternatives | Banana-blossom vegan “fish” available |
| Golden Union | Soho | Central location | Traditional and plant-based choices |
| The Golden Hind | Marylebone | Historic sit-down meal | Operating since 1914 |
| Rock & Sole Plaice | Covent Garden | Historic central-London chippy | Established in 1871 |
| The Laughing Halibut | Westminster | Simple traditional chippy | Walk-in dine-in and takeaway |
| The Seashell of Lisson Grove | Marylebone | Broad fish selection | Fried, grilled and gluten-free options |
Fish and chips have deep roots in London. The London Museum’s history of fish and chips traces fried fish in the city to Sephardic Jewish cooking traditions and notes that fish-and-chip shops became established in London during the 1800s.
The Best Fish and Chips in East London
East London gives you both classic chippy atmosphere and modern dietary options. Poppies in Spitalfields is the obvious choice for visitors near Brick Lane and Spitalfields, while Sutton & Sons is useful if your group includes vegan diners.
Poppies Fish & Chips, Spitalfields
Poppies combines a retro East End setting with a menu built around traditional fried fish, chips, mushy peas, sauces, and other British chippy staples. Its Spitalfields branch is at 6-8 Hanbury Street, close to Old Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane.
The official Poppies Spitalfields page lists opening from 11am daily, with closing times varying between 10pm and 11pm. It offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery, which makes it flexible for a sightseeing day.
Sutton & Sons
Sutton & Sons has branches in Stoke Newington, Hackney Central, and Islington. Alongside regular fish and chips, it has developed one of London’s more established plant-based chippy menus.
Its official vegan menu information describes a banana-blossom alternative marinated with seaweed and samphire before being battered and fried. The company lists its branches as opening from noon, generally until 10pm or 10:30pm depending on the day.
The Best Fish and Chips in Central and West London
Central and west-central London have some of the city’s best-known fish-and-chip restaurants. They are convenient for Oxford Street, Soho, Marylebone, Covent Garden, and the West End, but prices can be higher than at neighbourhood takeaway shops.
Golden Union, Soho
Golden Union is at 38 Poland Street in Soho and has served fish and chips there since 2008. The restaurant describes its fish as responsibly sourced and also offers plant-based choices, making it useful for mixed dietary groups.
The Golden Union location page lists opening from 11:30am daily, closing at 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm Friday and Saturday. Its menu page also notes a 12.5% service charge and a possible £10 minimum spend per person.
The Golden Hind, Marylebone
The Golden Hind offers a more traditional sit-down restaurant experience in Marylebone. It has operated there since 1914 and serves fried cod or haddock as well as other seafood dishes.
The official Golden Hind website currently lists a regular cod-or-haddock meal with chips, peas, and tartar sauce at £21.95, and a large version at £24.95. Monday through Saturday service is split between lunch and dinner, while Sunday service runs continuously from noon to 7:30pm.
Rock & Sole Plaice, Covent Garden
Rock & Sole Plaice is one of London’s oldest operating fish-and-chip restaurants. It has served customers from its Endell Street site since 1871, making it a good choice if the history of the meal matters as much as convenience.
Its current official menu lists regular cod loin with chips and tartar sauce at £23 and regular haddock at £22. Other fish include plaice, skate, rock, and lemon sole, subject to menu availability.
Hidden Gems and Less Formal Fish and Chips
Not every good fish supper needs a famous dining room. If you prefer a straightforward chippy, traditional takeaway service, or lower published prices, Westminster’s Laughing Halibut is an easy alternative to the more polished central-London restaurants.
The Laughing Halibut, Westminster
The Laughing Halibut is a family-run fish-and-chip shop at 38 Strutton Ground, close to Victoria Street and Westminster. It offers both takeaway and a small dine-in operation and fries fish to order.
The official Laughing Halibut site lists weekday opening from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 11am to 4pm, and Sunday closed. Its current menu lists regular cod and chips at £14.95, with haddock and chips at £15.50.
That makes it especially practical if you are sightseeing around Westminster and want a conventional chippy rather than a longer restaurant meal.
Fish and Chips Near London’s Parks and Waterside Walks
London is not a seaside city, so there are no true London “seaside” chippies. If scenery matters, a better plan is to choose a takeaway near a park or canal-side walking area rather than expecting a sea view from the restaurant.
The Seashell of Lisson Grove, Marylebone
The Seashell of Lisson Grove sits at 49-51 Lisson Grove in Marylebone. It is not a waterside restaurant, but its location works well before or after exploring nearby parts of northwest central London.
The official Seashell website lists cod, haddock, plaice, salmon, and sea bass, with fried and grilled preparations. It also advertises gluten-free and no-batter choices. Current listed opening hours are noon to 10pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 7pm Sunday.
If you want to eat outdoors, takeaway is usually the more practical option. Remember that fried batter softens inside a closed container, so fish and chips are at their best soon after collection.
The Best Vegetarian and Vegan Fish and Chips in London
Vegan diners no longer have to rely on specialist vegan fast-food restaurants for a chippy-style meal. Several established fish-and-chip businesses now serve plant-based alternatives alongside their regular menus.
Sutton & Sons
Sutton & Sons is the clearest choice in this guide for a full vegan version of fish and chips. Its banana-blossom “fish” is designed to provide a flaky texture while seaweed and samphire add a more marine flavour.
The vegan range extends beyond the main fish substitute, so it can work well for a group in which one person wants traditional cod and another wants an entirely plant-based meal.
Golden Union
Golden Union also advertises plant-based fish and chips, sausages, and pies. That gives visitors staying around Soho a central alternative without travelling across London specifically for a vegan chippy.
Always tell staff about allergies or intolerances rather than assuming a plant-based item is suitable for every dietary requirement. Shared kitchens and frying arrangements can vary.
What Makes Good Fish and Chips?
Good fish and chips should balance crisp batter, moist flaky fish, and chips that are soft inside without becoming greasy. Cod and haddock remain the most familiar choices, but London menus also include plaice, hake, skate, rock, halibut, and other species.
The classic preparation is simple: white fish is coated in batter and fried, while thick-cut potatoes are cooked until the outside browns and the centre becomes fluffy. Common accompaniments include mushy peas, tartar sauce, malt vinegar, curry sauce, pickled onions, and gherkins.
Modern chippies may also offer grilled fish, gluten-free batter, plant-based “fish,” or seafood beyond the traditional cod-and-haddock pairing. These are useful options, but they do not automatically make one restaurant better than another. Fresh cooking and good frying technique matter more.
How Much Does Fish and Chips Cost in London?
Prices vary sharply between takeaway shops and sit-down restaurants in tourist-heavy central areas. The figures below were published by the restaurants themselves when this guide was checked on October 1, 2026.
| Restaurant | Published example | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Laughing Halibut | Regular cod and chips | £14.95 |
| The Golden Hind | Regular cod or haddock, chips, peas and tartar sauce | £21.95 |
| Rock & Sole Plaice | Regular cod loin, chips and tartar sauce | £23 |
These prices are not directly comparable in every detail because portion sizes, sides, service, and dining format differ. Still, they show why your choice of neighbourhood and restaurant style can make a meaningful difference to the final bill.
Tips for Enjoying Fish and Chips in London
The simplest way to improve the experience is to eat the meal soon after it is fried. Steam trapped in takeaway packaging gradually softens the batter and chips, so a long journey back to a hotel can work against the texture you paid for.
- Choose your fish: Cod is mild and flaky, while haddock usually has a slightly stronger flavour. Other fish can be excellent when available.
- Decide between dine-in and takeaway: Dine-in keeps the meal hot and crisp; takeaway can be cheaper or more convenient.
- Try a traditional side: Mushy peas, curry sauce, tartar sauce, malt vinegar, pickled onions, and gherkins are common choices.
- Ask about allergens: Batter can contain gluten, and some restaurants use groundnut oil or shared fryers. Speak to staff if this affects you.
- Check portion size before adding sides: Fish-and-chip portions can be generous, especially once peas, sauces, bread, or starters are included.
Pro Tip: If crisp batter matters most, eat in or choose a nearby place to eat your takeaway. Fish and chips generally lose their best texture when sealed and carried for a long time.
The original article also linked to a separate food topic. If you are interested in fruit and international ingredients, you can read this guide to Asian melon varieties and uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fish and chips?
Fish and chips is a British dish made from battered or breaded fried fish served with thick-cut fried potatoes. Cod and haddock are the most familiar choices, although London restaurants also serve plaice, hake, skate, rock and other fish.
Where can I find the best fish and chips in London?
Good choices include Poppies in Spitalfields, Rock & Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, The Golden Hind in Marylebone, Golden Union in Soho, The Laughing Halibut in Westminster and Sutton & Sons in East and North London.
What makes good fish and chips?
Good fish and chips combine moist, flaky fish with crisp batter and chips that are browned outside but fluffy in the centre. Fresh cooking matters because batter and chips quickly soften when they sit for too long in closed takeaway packaging.
What type of fish is typically used in fish and chips?
Cod and haddock are the two most familiar fish used for British fish and chips. London menus can also include plaice, hake, skate, rock, halibut and other white fish, depending on the restaurant and availability.
Is fish and chips a healthy meal?
Fish provides protein and useful nutrients, but traditional fish and chips is fried and can be high in calories and fat. Portion size, batter, frying oil and added sauces all affect the meal, so it is generally better treated as an occasional indulgence than an everyday meal.
Where can vegans get fish and chips in London?
Sutton & Sons offers a vegan fish-and-chip menu built around battered banana blossom, while Golden Union advertises plant-based fish and chips in Soho. People with allergies should still ask staff about ingredients and shared cooking equipment before ordering.
Sources
- London Museum: History of fish and chips in London.
- Poppies Fish & Chips: Spitalfields location and opening hours.
- Sutton & Sons: Vegan fish-and-chip options and branch hours.
- Golden Union: Soho address and opening hours.
- The Golden Hind: Marylebone history, hours and current meal prices.
- Rock & Sole Plaice: Current fish-and-chip menu and prices.
- The Laughing Halibut: Westminster location, hours and menu.
- The Seashell of Lisson Grove: Location, opening hours and dietary options.
