The Best Fish and Chips in Cornwall.
For fresh and delicious fish and chips, Cornwall is hard to beat. What are the best fish and chip shops to visit on your Cornwall holiday? Because we are such a helpful bunch here at Cornish Escapes, we made sure we thoroughly researched our local chip shops.
The Story of Fish and Chip Shops.
Fish and chips have been a much-loved national dish since the mid-19th century. However, battered fish first came to Britain much earlier in the 16th century, from a Spanish/Portuguese Jewish dish, pescado frito. Potatoes arrived in Europe the following century, and the French (or Belgians) turned them into chips.
Both London and Lancashire claim to be the home to the first fish and chip shop, and the good old “chippie” eventually became a staple of the British seaside. With easy access to so much fresh fish from ports like Newlyn, Padstow and St Ives, Cornwall has some of the best chip shops in Britain.
Harbour Fish and Chips, St Ives.
Harbour Fish and Chips, St Ives.
More sophisticated than your typical chip shop cafe but still relaxed and friendly, Harbour Fish and Chips is a popular dining spot in St Ives. The Wharf Road chippie is a great place to pick up a quality takeaway, but that means you will miss the amazing harbour views. With seafood from St Ives’ own Matthew Stevens Cornish Fish and chips made from Cornish spuds, Harbour supports local producers. You can even enjoy a refreshing IPA from St Ives Brewery (discover more about St Ives Brewery), which cuts through the richness of the batter perfectly.
Are you looking for gluten-free fish and chips in St Ives? The team at Harbour recommend their delicious grilled fish options (but please check before ordering).
Becks, Carbis Bay.
Becks Fish and Chips, Carbis Bay.
Locals and regular visitors become very nostalgic when you mention Becks. The legendary Carbis Bay takeaway and restaurant has rounded off many a good day on the beach – and the best news is, it has not really changed. Come for the chips but stay for the puddings – Becks Carbis Bay is also loved for its wonderful retro desserts, such as the famous Knickerbocker Glory.
Chip shop classics are cooked to order, and there is a separate fryer in the kitchen for gluten-free dishes. There are no table reservations in the 110-cover restaurant, but why rush when you can wait at the bar? Grabbing a takeaway? The large car park makes life easier.
Sanders Fish and Chips, Hayle.
Sanders Fish and Chips, Hayle.
Cut down on the wait by ordering your takeaway through Sanders’ click and collect service. This may seem very newfangled for such a classic dish, but you can rest assured that the fish and chips are cooked to traditional perfection! Alternatively, dine in the restaurant, and follow it with an evening stroll along Hayle Estuary – just the thing after a hearty fish supper.
Sanders is committed to sourcing only sustainable fish, safeguarding seafood for future generations of chip shop fans. The chips are made on the premises from quality Cornish potatoes. Slightly off topic : their pizzas are also excellent.
Frasers Fish and Chips, Penzance.
Frasers Fish and Chips, Penzance.
Arguably the best fish and chips in Penzance, prom-side Frasers is a firm family favourite. If you thought click and collect was modern, you can order a Frasers takeaway from UberEats! There’s a choice of responsibly sourced fish from Newlyn (minutes away) as well as yummy veggie, vegan and gluten-free food.
If you know someone who has booked a Cornish holiday, treat them to a gift card from Frasers. You can also make a donation to The Fishermen’s Mission, a charity that supports fishermen and their families. Fraser’s believes in “giving back to those who brave the seas to bring us the bounties of the ocean”.
Stein’s Fish and Chips, Padstow.
Stein’s Fish and Chips, Padstow.
If your holiday accommodation is in Padstow, good choice – the busy harbour town is one of the best places in Cornwall for food. However, it is not all fine dining as the town is full of takeaways, bakeries and appealing delis. For the best fish and chips in Padstow, treat yourself to a takeaway from Rick Stein’s famous chippie.
You can build your own fish supper, choosing from battered, grilled or gluten-free fish, finished with aioli, Goan curry sauce or a classic tartare sauce (all Mr Stein’s own recipes). It is hard to resist the Insta-ready lure of eating your fish and chips by the harbour wall, but… if you dine in, you can enjoy unlimited chips! The best end to a day at the seaside, ever.
Image Credit – Sam Harris and Stein’s Fish and Chips
Meet The Author.
As a Product Director at Cornish Escapes, Connor oversees the development of Cornish Escapes’ products and developments, legal and professional development, project management and delivery alongside company-wide analytics and financial reporting.
He is also the lead of all creative outputs at Cornish Escapes, developing our newly introduced owner suite, branding and art direction, and our newly delivered Cornish Escapes website. Connor’s main objective is to ensure that Cornish Escapes continues to provide the best holidays to its guests through its continued brand success, whilst finding new ways to make the guest experience with Cornish Escapes as enjoyable as possible.
When not plugging away on the spreadsheets, Connor is Cornish Escapes’ certified foody. Having lived in Cornwall for over 20 years, he has built up quite the repertoire of places to eat and (especially) drink. Some of his favourites are Talay Thai in St Ives, alongside all of the fabulous food festivals scattered across Cornwall.
Try fish and chips in Cornwall for yourselves.
There is nothing like fish and chips eaten with a view of the sea and the tang of salt on the breeze. Book your summer escape and enjoy the finest fish and chips in Cornwall.
