Sure, you can’t consider Bristol a seaside town, but the coast is only a stone’s throw away making it a great plaice for fresh fish! Deep fry that in some good ol’ batter, and serve it with chick-cut chips, mushy peas and lashings of salt and vinegar – or curry sauce if that’s more your style – and you’ve got one of the country’s greatest meals. You’re spoilt for choice in Bristol too. From the classic ‘seaside’ style chippies to the ultra so-fish-ticated restaurants, these are the best fish and chips in Bristol.
1. Noah’s
Recently voted third-best fish ‘n’ chip restaurant in the UK, Noah’s is indisputably the best in Bristol – but probably best saved for a special occasion. Boasting views of Clifton Suspension Bridge, serves traditional, light and crispy battered cod and haddock, alongside seasonal catches from the South West and Scotland.
A loin of North Atlantic cod costs £22, while Cornish haddock will see you back £19 – but both come with mushy peas, tartare sauce and fresh-cut chips. It’s not all just fish ‘n’ chips either. Elsewhere on the menu, you’ll find grilled whole Cornish sole, Orkney Isle scallops and Cornish mussels – though daily changing menus are dependent on markets and seasons.
Noah’s, 1 Brunel Lock Rd, Bristol BS1 6XS
2. Salt & Malt
With branches by Chew Valley Lake and in Bristol’s food hub that is Wapping Wharf, Salt & Malt serves up stunning small plates with the sea being the star of the show. Choose from sophisticated dishes such as smoked mackerel croquettes with leek mayo; seabass ceviche, fennel and burnt lime mayo; curried crab garlic naan bread; oysters; and sourdough with seaweed butter.
Salt & Malt of course also serve up the classic fish and chips in Bristol for you to enjoy in their restaurant or takeaway, however, we’ve got our eye on their curried battered cod in a bun served with pickles, tartare sauce and chips, of course.
Salt & Malt, Chew Valley Lake, Walley Lane, BS40 8XS
Cargo 2, Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 6WD
3. Argus Fish Bar
Head south of the river for this chippy. Highly rated by locals, Argus Fish Bar sits amongst the numerous takeaway shops on West Street and is your typical, proper chippy, with bread and butter, pies, and bloomin’ good fish and chips with thick gravy, mushy peas and more on offer. The chippy is pretty down to earth and tends to have a queue, particularly on Fridays, so be prepared to wait for that glorious chippy dinner.
Argus Fish Bar, 114 West Street, Bedminster, BS3 3LR
4. Hamblins
“Bristol’s finest chippy” has been around since 1950! Small and simple? Yes, but big portions, friendly prices and tasty fish set Hamblins apart. This “no frills” Barton Hill fish ‘n’ chips shop serves both haddock and cod (with a stand-out batter recipe) as well as the traditional Clark’s Pie – famous for its pastry, which is thick enough to eat without a foil tray. Head here for a range of cost-cutting meal deals too.
Hamblins, 154 Avonvale Rd, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 9RX
5. Blue Fish
Blue Fish is one of the newer traditional fish and chip shops in Bristol, but already is one of the best-rated on Google. Head out to Westbury On Trym, where it’s serving freshly cooked and locally sourced fish with crispy golden batter.
Blue Fish, 69 High St, Bristol BS9 3ED
6-7. Clifton Village Fish Bar/Stoke Bishop Fish Bar
This chippy is a cult fave among Clifton dwellers. Their fresh, traditional fish and chips have locals drooling. Bristolians travel from far and wide for just a taste of their crispy batter then head to Clifton Downs to tuck in with the iconic bridge in view.
If you’re after something a little different, Clifton Village Fish Bar even serves up panko-coated squid rings and seafood baskets if you can’t quite decide what to choose. If you can’t get yourself to this chippy, there’s always Stoke Bishop Fish Bar also run by the same owners.
Clifton Village Fish Bar, 4 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, BS8 4BP
Stoke Bishop Fish Bar, 13 Druid Hill, Bristol BS9 1EW
8. Rendezvous
A trip to Rendezvous feels like stepping back in time. Based on Denmark Street, the fish and chip shop has been going for over 60 years and feels like it hasn’t changed in all that time – it doesn’t even have a website or any social media, apart from a rarely used Facebook page. But all we care about is: How are the fish and chips? Excellent! Hearty portions too.
Rendezvous Fish Bar, 9 Denmark St, Bristol BS1 5DQ
9. Chandos Fish Bar
Located on the same road as a Michelin Star restaurant, among many other highly rated restaurants, Chandos Fish Bar still manages to stand out. Serving cod, haddock and plaice, as well as Pieminister Pies, you won’t run out of choice in Redland anytime soon.
Chandos Fish Bar, 4 Chandos Rd, Redland, Bristol BS6 6PE
10. Clocktower Fish Bar
Another traditional chip shop, serving up the ever-classic battered cod or haddock. As well as a few alternative options such as banana blossom, vegan battered sausage, fishless fingers, mac n cheese bites and mushroom dippers. They even have brie wedges on their menu! Plus, we’ve never seen such an extensive fritter menu. From your classic spam or pea fritter to unique chicken curry or cheese and onion fritter. You’ll have to venture a little bit out of Bristol city centre for these fish and chips, but the journey is definitely worth it.
Clock Tower Fish Bar, 84 Regent Street, Kingswood, BS15 8HU
11. Fishminster
Another Bedminster spot, Fishminster prides itself on offering sustainably caught, beer-battered fish and chips on North Street. While noticeably more modern than most fish and chip shops in Bristol, it still maintains the simplicity of Britain’s favourite meal. You have a choice between cod, pollock, plaice and haddock, with smaller bites of scampi, whitebait and calamari available. While veggies should be eyeing up the battered halloumi with chilli jam.
Fishminster, 267 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1JN
12. Atlantic Fish Bar
You won’t find the range of fish and chips anywhere else in Bristol like Atlantic Fish Bar. We’re talking cod, plaice, haddock, hake and even seabass! Plus, you’ll find everything from scampi to cod roe, battered sausage to pies, faggots, saveloy, chicken wings and so much more. Head over to St George to see the whole menu.
Atlantic Fish Bar, 224 Kingsway, Bristol BS5 8NS