Believed to have come from Spanish and Portuguese Jewish immigrants, fish ‘n’ chips has become a defining dish of Britain – with a chippy on most high streets. We love fish and chips in this country. Not least of all Bristol, which was crowned the Chippy Capital last year and is now home to the third-best fish ‘n’ chip restaurant in the UK.
The National Fish and Chip Awards took plaice in London last night (February 28). While the top two spots went to Knights Fish Restaurant in Glastonbury and Pier Point in Torquay, Bristol’s Noah’s still took a podium finish. Quite the feat seeing as the family-run fish and chip restaurant only opened last year.
“We are bursting with pride for our winners and other contenders. It’s a privilege to be able to support and encourage them further and they should all be proud of what they’ve achieved,” said President of the National Federation of Fish Friers Andrew Crook. “Fish and chip teams rarely have a moment to pause but we hope everyone takes some time to enjoy the celebrations ahead of getting back to what they do best.”
Tucked under the flyover, before then, the site was a café for sixty years, serving as a filming location for Sid’s Café in Only Fools And Horses. It was taken over by Dan and Joie Rosser (Noah’s is named after their son). Dan’s parents own The Scallop Shell in Bath, but he’s outdone his folks here.
Noah’s is passionate about showcasing the best of British seafood, with “incredible produce, cooked simply, with fish & chips, that most enduring of all the UK food institutions, at our heart.” Serving traditional, light and crispy battered cod and haddock, alongside seasonal catches from the South West and Scotland, simplicity is key.
A loin of North Atlantic cod costs £19.50, while Cornish haddock will see you back £21.50 – 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 (£24), Orkney Isle scallops (£5.50 each) and Cornish mussels (£10.50). Or enjoy a crumbed chicken breast (£18.90) if you’re squeamish about seafood.
Daily changing menus are obviously dependent on catches and seasons, however, so you’ll likely find plenty of surprises on your visit. But one thing you can always rely on is the stunning views – the B Bond tobacco warehouse on one way, the Clifton Suspension Bridge on the other. To learn more about Noah’s haddock look at their website here.