Whether you’re in a hurry or just fancy a delicious bit of seafood, there are few meals more satisfying to tuck into than fish and chips, is there? The South West is famous for its delicious fish and chips, particularly in our coastal towns and areas, with fish being served fresh out of the sea, sometimes even on the same day!
It’s a delicious treat and you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to pick up some cod and chips in Devon — here’s our top ten list for ten of the best takeaways and restaurants in the county. Does your favourite make the list?
Saltwater Fish Restaurant, Torquay
This is a top choice and has been recognised nationally, having been named in the UK Top 10 in the National Fish and Chip Awards in 2020. The awards recognise excellent service as well as outstanding food — as the name suggests, the fish here is ‘straight from the saltwater’, with a focus on freshness. As well as fish and chips takeaway, the fully licensed restaurant on the picturesque harbourside offers a wide range of scrumptious seafood.
https://saltwatertorquay.co.uk/
Pelican Fish and Chips, Barnstaple
This restaurant has won a clutch of awards, including national recognition and gold in Taste of the West. The dining area is modern and light, having recently been refurbished, serving a wide menu that encompasses curry, salad and other dishes as well as fish and chips. The potatoes used for the chips are grown only a few miles away in Braunton, while all the fish is MSC certified.
https://www.pelicanfishandchips.co.uk/
Krispies, Exmouth
If you need to know anything about Krispies, it was named the best Fish and Chip shop in the UK in 2019. That’s high praise indeed and it’s easy to see why once you arrive — the food is excellent and while the fish is definitely something to write home about, it’s the fish and chips that truly stand out. You can have them done traditionally, or battered, offering something very special indeed!
Rockfish, Dartmouth
If you’re looking for great seaside and waterside locations serving fresh, local and sustainable seafood — including delicious cod — then look no further than Rockfish. We particularly like the first of the Rockfish restaurants in Dartmouth, which overlooks the spectacular River Dart. The estuary is bustling with activity, guaranteeing an interesting view every time. If you want takeaway in Dartmouth, Rockfish has a takeaway shop a short walk away from the main restaurant. There are other Rockfish restaurants in Brixham, Exeter, Exmouth, Plymouth and Torbay.
https://www.therockfish.co.uk/
The Harbour Seafood Restaurant, Plymouth
The Harbour is an excellent place for all types of fresh seafood, with their fish and chips among the delicious offerings on the menu. With a great location at the heart of the historic Barbican waterfront and an airy, light dining space, it’s a relaxing place to dine too. The Harbour has a sister restaurant in St Ives which is also well worth a visit. The restaurant has a focus on sustainability too, while
Hanbury’s Takeaway, Babbacombe
Hanbury’s is another restaurant to have won awards for its food — and it’s only a stone’s throw away from the beach, perfect for a lazy afternoon by the coast. The shop has been open for more than 30 years, with the top quality food making sure it remains a favourite — as well as its vintage furnishings and nautical décor, very much in keeping with its seaside surroundings. The shop also offers Hanbury’s own craft ale and lager!
Budleigh Fish Café, Budleigh Salterton
This restaurant serves no nonsense traditional fish and chips in their restaurant and for takeaway — from the outside the shop may appear unassuming, but hang around for long and you’ll see this place get busier and busier, staying popular with locals and holiday makers alike because it simply does its fish and chips very well indeed.
https://www.budleighfishandchips.co.uk/
Kingfisher Fish & Chips, Plymouth
Here’s another Devon winner of the best UK Fish and Chip Shop, having picked up the title in 2017. This takeaway has two main principles — get the best ingredients, responsibly source all the produce, prepare them with love and care and cook everything fresh. It’s a simple mantra that has produced a very good fish and chip shop! Kingfisher also do a fish and chip van that’s available to hire for events!
https://www.kingfisherfishandchips.co.uk/
Paignton Pier Chippy Co, Paignton
This is yet another chippie recognised in the National Fish and Chip Awards, having won a “Good Catch – Sustainable Seafood Award” in 2020. The chippie, which uses prime MSC Glacialis Cod Loin from the Norebo fleet of trawlers in the north Atlantic and only uses MSC certified fish, has a great location on the town’s pier and has a full gluten free range too, which is accredited by the Coeliac Society UK.
https://www.paigntonpierchippy.com/
Jolly Good Fish Café, Teignmouth
As the name might suggest, the food here is definitely jolly good! This traditional takeaway and café is known for its generous servings, with the large portions of freshly cooked fish and chips matched with the trimmings on offer, including curry sauce, mushy peas and bread and butter.
https://www.facebook.com/jollygoodfish
That’s our list! What did you think – have you tried many of these places? Where is your favourite chippie? Let us know in the comments below!