The best fish and chips in London for 2026, ranked

London does fish and chips properly when you know where to go. The chippy proper still exists — Toff's, Golden Hind, Olleys, Poppies — and the modern chippy (Kerbisher, Sutton) is now a real thing rather than a marketing exercise.

This is the working short list. I have eaten through it, I take visitors to it, and I have an opinion. If you disagree the comments are the place.

For supper clubs and themed nights including the occasional chippy night, the London food events feed catches them.

1. Toff's of Muswell Hill

North London chippy institution and my pick for the best in the city. The cod in matzo meal batter is the move and is genuinely a different texture to a standard chippy batter — light, crisp, holds together. The chips are properly chipped and golden.

The room is dated in exactly the right way. You should always sit in.

2. The Golden Hind

Marylebone old-school chippy. BYO is allowed which is rare for central and means the bill is properly reasonable. The cod is great, the haddock is better, and the mushy peas are correct.

This is my pick for taking American friends because it is central and proper without being a rip-off.

3. Kerbisher and Malt

The modern chippy mini-chain that actually nailed it. Light batter, properly chipped chips, mushy peas that are the right colour. The Hammersmith branch is the original and the best, the Brook Green branch is also reliably excellent.

4. Sutton and Sons

Stoke Newington chippy with a vegan menu that is genuinely properly good — the "vegan fish" is somehow convincing. But the standard cod is still the move. The Islington branch is also fine.

5. Olleys

Herne Hill institution since the eighties. The "Guv'nor" cod is the showpiece — battered with garlic and herbs in the batter — and the chips are exactly the right size. The room is endearingly dated and the staff have probably worked there longer than you have been alive.

6. Poppies

Spitalfields retro-styled chippy. Yes it is touristy, yes the staff dress in fifties uniforms, no it does not matter because the fish is fresh and the chips are correct. The Camden branch is the same. The Soho branch is fine.

7. Master's Super Fish

Borough chippy that gives you a free prawn cocktail with your meal which is a properly mental gimmick. Portions are absolutely huge. The chips are alot more generous than they need to be.

Worth knowing

I have left off The Sea Shell of Lisson Grove because the last few visits were inconsistent. Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden has been recieving mixed reviews lately and is no longer the no-brainer it was. I am keeping an eye on both.

How I use the list

Old-school sit-down: Toff's. Central with friends visiting: Golden Hind. Friday night on the Hammersmith side: Kerbisher and Malt. Sunday afternoon walk-and-eat: Olleys after a Brockwell Park lap.

For chippy-themed supper clubs, save fish and chips on the London food events feed and the rare ones will surface.