Here in the capital city, we’re pretty darn passionate about our fish and chips. So it comes as no surprise that we’re not particularly thin on the ground when it comes to scrumptious plaices to stuff our faces. But whilst there’s an ongoing discussion about which chippy is the best in town; only one of them holds the coveted accolade for being the oldest. And that, my friends, is Rock and Sole Plaice. This iconic eatery has been perched on the very same site in the heart of Covent Garden for almost 155 years. Not bad, hey?
The history of Rock and Sole Plaice
The year was 1871, and the British delicacy of fish and chips was still fairly new on the capital’s culinary scene. The business that would later become Rock and Sole Plaice set up shop on Endell Street as London’s third ever chippy, primarily serving the workers from the local factories, warehouses, and markets. During World War II, its basement was used as a meeting place for community volunteers to plan the distributions of provisions. And whilst the shop managed to survive both World Wars, it was severely damaged by a bomb blast across the road during the Blitz.
The chippy passed through many different hands over the years, but never strayed from its fish-frying roots. It wasn’t until 1974 that the shop was o-fish-ially renamed Rock and Sole Plaice, when two local lads snapped it up. And in 1980, the Ziyaeddin family took over the beloved fish and chip shop, and are still running Rock and Sole to this very day.
Rock and Sole Plaice nowadays
Frequently hailed the best fish and chip shop in the capital, Rock and Sole Plaice continues to be a firm-favourite for Londoners and tourists alike. As the oldest surviving chippy in London, it’s become somewhat of a culinary landmark, attracting customers from far and wide with its locally-sourced, sustainable fish (that’s been made with the very same recipe for over 150 years, FYI).
Rock and Sole Plaice boasts two floors inside and an outdoor seating area, so there’s plenty of space for hungry Londoners to tuck in to some delicious fried fare. And whist the prices aren’t exactly cheap (I mean, we are in Covent Garden, after all), the portions are very generous. And in an age of fleeting food trends and vapid viral spots; Rock and Sole Plaice is an iconic establishment that’s truly stood the test of time.
Rock and Sole Plaice is open Mondays-Saturdays (12pm-10pm) and Sundays (12pm-9pm).
đź“Ť47 Endell Street, WC2H 9AJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Covent Garden.