Top 10 UK fish and chip restaurants announced by official national awards

Competition is heating up as the 39^th edition of the National Fish & Chip Awards 2027 officially announces the top 10 Restaurant of the Year shortlist, one of the industry’s most sought-after accolades.

Celebrating eateries that consistently deliver exceptional food, outstanding hospitality and an unforgettable dine-in experience, this shortlist showcases the very best of Britain’s fish and chip restaurants. Thanks to a meticulous assessment process by a team of judges consisting of leading industry specialists, each business which has made it onto the top 10 list has shown why they deserve to make it through.

The Restaurant of the Year title is widely regarded as the official benchmark of excellence as it recognises every aspect of what defines an exceptional fish and chip restaurant. With extensive judging criteria that scrutinises food quality, consistency, customer experience, business operations, sustainability, staff development and overall standards, this process places the winning business at the forefront of fish and chip dining and as a true ambassador for the profession.

The 10 restaurants which have earned their place on the list are:

Derbyshire

Chesters at Vale, Chesterfield

Dorset

Lakeside Fish & Chips, Poole

Kent

Harbour Fish Bar, Folkestone

London

Golden Union, Soho

Norfolk

No1 Cromer

Nottinghamshire

The Cod’s Scallops, Nottingham

Suffolk

Ocean Fish Platter, Ipswich

Saltwater Fish & Chips, Felixstowe

Yorkshire

Whitby’s Restaurant & Takeaway, Rotherham

Scotland

Edinburgh & The Lothians

The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack, South Queensferry 

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), which organises the event, says the awards bring the industry together to celebrate its finest. “Choosing our top 10 Restaurant of the Year shortlist is one of the most rewarding parts of the competition, and this year’s participants are showcasing remarkable skill, commitment and innovation. Their achievements highlight the excellent standards being set by businesses that continue to raise the bar.

“Their success is not only a testament to their hard work but also highlights the incredible opportunities available for people looking to build rewarding careers. The National Fish & Chip Awards is proud to celebrate the businesses, teams and individuals who make our industry so dynamic, while shining a light on the varied roles that underpin their success. 

“From developing culinary skills and customer service expertise to building careers in business management and leadership, these restaurants offer an exciting future for the next generation of talent.”

Sponsoring the category is the Q Partnership, formed by the three independent, family-owned businesses – Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck and V.A. Whitley. The partnership continues to make a significant contribution to the UK fish and chip industry, providing trusted products, specialist knowledge and exceptional support to businesses across the sector.

Luke Townsend, marketing manager at Friars Pride, says: “Congratulations to all the restaurants that have secured a place in this year’s top 10 shortlist. Reaching this stage of the competition is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and high standards that continue to drive our industry forward. 

“As part of the Q Partnership, we are proud to sponsor the Restaurant of the Year category and celebrate businesses that consistently deliver outstanding food, exceptional customer experiences and a commitment to excellence. We wish all the finalists the very best of luck as they progress through the competition.”

Darren Anderson, marketing manager at Henry Colbeck, comments: “Reaching the top ten in this competition is a significant achievement. The journey to Restaurant of the Year puts the whole business under scrutiny. Behind an exceptional plate of fish and chips is a team investing in its skills, refining its processes and paying attention to details customers may never see.

“At Henry Colbeck, we’re proud to support this category as part of the Q Partnership, because it recognises the depth of professionalism in our industry. Congratulations to all ten restaurants and the teams behind them.”

Robert Fernandes, marketing manager at V.A. Whitley, adds: “V.A.Whitley, together with our Q Partnership colleagues Henry Colbeck and Friars Pride, are incredibly proud to be sponsoring the Restaurant of the Year category at the National Fish & Chip Awards for the third consecutive year.

“Following on from some truly fantastic previous winners, the standard of this year’s competition has once again been exceptional. Reaching the top 10 is a fantastic achievement in itself, and we are expecting this year’s shortlist to showcase the very best of what the UK fish and chip restaurant sector has to offer.

“The dedication, passion and commitment shown by these businesses is a real credit to our great industry, and we look forward to seeing the top 10 take their place in the next stage of the judging. We wish them all the very best of luck – we’re sure it will be an incredibly strong and exciting competition.”

General Manager Andrew Wilkinson from Trenchers of Whitby, which won the 2026 Restaurant of the Year title, says: “Well what a year! By far the best and busiest we’ve had and it’s still going strong. I am so proud of the team here. Since winning Restaurant of the Year, we have created many more full-time positions here at Whitby and also opened the fourth Trenchers Restaurant at Bowness on Windermere. I would like to congratulate this year’s top ten on your fantastic achievement. Be proud to reach this stage and make sure you tell the world! All the best of luck.”

The chosen 10 will now progress to the next round, with the final five to be announced later this year. The overall winner will be crowned on 24 February at the awards ceremony at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge in London.

For more information and bits on the National Fish & Chip Awards, please visit: www.thefishandchipawards.com. 

Image caption: General Manager Andrew Wilkinson, pictured right, with the team at Trenchers of Whitby, the National Fish & Chip Awards’ Restaurant of the Year winner 2026

Image credit: The National Fish & Chip Awards