Whilst I’m well aware that fish and chips taste a whole lot better when scoffed at the seaside, it turns out that our capital city still boasts a pretty decent offering. Because the a-fish-ionados over at the National Federation of Fish Friers have just revealed the 10 restaurants in the running to be named the Restaurant of the Year at the highly-coveted National Fish & Chip Awards. And it seems as though one fin-tastic fish and chip shop in London is, in fact, batter than all the rest.
Now in their 39th iteration, the awards see a panel of cod-connoisseurs scour every corner of the country in search of the very best plaices (okay, I’ll stop now). And a chart-topping chippy in London has managed to earn itself a sought-after spot on the shortlist. This particular award shines a light on the eateries that ‘consistently deliver exceptional food, outstanding hospitality and an unforgettable dine-in experience’. And meeting the brief (and then some) is Golden Union in Soho.
Golden Union, Soho
This sensational Soho spot has been filling the rumbling tummies of hungry Londoners with – quite frankly – delicious fish and chips since 2008. A firm favourite on the city’s (and the country’s) fish and chip scene, Golden Union boasts a passion for sustainability, serving up responsibly-sourced grub of the highest quality. With its exceptional food, friendly service, and pretty decent value for money; it’s certainly not too tricky to see why it has just been named one of the best fish and chip restaurants in the UK.
The 10 chippies in the running to be named Restaurant of the Year:
- Chesters at Vale, Chesterfield
- Lakeside Fish & Chips, Poole
- Harbour Fish Bar, Folkestone
- Golden Union, London
- No1 Cromer, Norfolk
- The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham
- Ocean Fish Platter, Ipswich
- Saltwater Fish & Chips, Felixstowe
- Whitby’s Restaurant & Takeaway, Rotherham
- The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack, South Queensferry
These ten exceptional eateries will be whittled down to a final five later in the year, before going head to head for the coveted title of Restaurant of the Year. The overall winner will be announced at a fancy awards ceremony in London on February 24, 2027.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said: “From developing culinary skills and customer service expertise to building careers in business management and leadership, these restaurants offer an exciting future for the next generation of talent.”
You can find out more the National Fish & Chip Awards and the Restaurant of the Year shortlist here.
