“Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!” Cos it means we can grab some fish and chips – the perfect match made in culinary heaven, don’t you think? Crispy or soggy sweet batter, flaky fresh cod, chips soaked in salt and vinegar and plenty of tartar or ketchup on the side. It’s the only foodie combo we’d happily sit on a rainy wet bench for.
But if you’re not heading to the coast anytime soon and are craving this typically British holiday staple, don’t forget London has been reeling in fish n chips lovers for decades! From the traditional to the gastro-chippe, 1940’s restaurants and convenient takeaways, why not impress a date with the next best thing to a holiday by the sea? And at least in London there’s no danger of seagulls stealing your chips..though your date might.
Here’s our greasy-fingered pick of the best five in town:
Fish Central – 49-151 Central Street EC1V 8AP
Don’t be put off by the ‘school building’ exterior, Fish Central is an old-school fish and chip joint but the cod is the only thing that’s perfectly flaky here. Super fresh fish is encased in a light and crunchy batter with a serving of chunky chips. You can look out for well known faces reported to frequent this bustling neighbourhood restaurant too. If you and your date really like your fish, there’s a variety of superb seafood dishes to choose from; oysters, lobster and grilled sardines, plus there’s a takeaway option too.
Poppies Fish & Chips, Spitalfields, 6-8 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR
You’ll think you’ve stepped back in time when you enter Poppies. Serving authentic fish and chips since 1945, very little has changed since then which is what makes this a fine fish destination. The fish is delivered daily – a choice of cod, haddock, sole, plaice to name a few and you can also enjoy live music on Friday’s and Saturday’s. Daters can either stay soak up the nostalgic 1940’s vibe or order theirs to go and head off to that romantic park bench…
The Beach Hut – 28a Highbury park N5 2AA
This cosy ‘hut’ offers a relaxed vibe with the option of a courtyard outdoor seating area for when it hots up. Enjoy the funky beach decor and a great soundtrack while you tuck into perfectly deep-fried battered cod and chips or other tasty treats such as calamari. It’s BYO bottle so why not whip to the local wine shop nearby, settle in and cosy up.
The Fish & Chips Shop – 189 Upper St N1 1RQ & 69 Old Broad Street EC2M 1QS
We love this quirky traditional looking gastro-chippie and inside it offers something a bit special if you are wishing for fancy fried fishing. If you are craving a seafood feast, you can sample a crab on toast starter, shrimp burger, sea bass and oysters (aphrodisiac alert) or just stick to posh fish and chips. No greasy batter here (it’s made with Camden Hells Lager) the fish is delish and the wine list carefully selected to perfectly partner your dish.
The Fish House of Notting Hill – 29 Pembridge Road, Notting Hill W11 3HG
Opened in 2006, this cosy fish shop brings ‘treasures from the salty seas to the hustle and bustle of the big city.’ The service is friendly and the fish is sourced from sustainable stocks while clever frying technology thingy’s ensure the fish and chips have a low fat content of less than 6% – perfect for the health conscious dater! Bag a window seat, enjoy the Notting Hill vibe and watch the world go by…oh look, is that Hugh Grant? (nicks a chip…)
Do you know of any other fab ‘plaices’ to ‘crab’ Fish & Chips? Tell us @lovestruck
Enjoy this date idea? You may also like: London’s Perfect Park Pit-Stops
Illustration: Feeling Awkward
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