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The national dish of Britain, there is nothing more English than Fish and Chips! It’s easy to take seafood for granted when it comes to eating halal but to get that perfect golden crisp, many of the top chippies fry their catch in either beer batter, beef drippings or lard. So just for you, we’ve put together 5 halal fish-and-chip favourites so you can lunch like a local.
1. Poppies Fish and Chips
Using only the best clear groundnut oil, Poppies Fish and Chips have been consistently ranked top 10 in London by some of the city’s toughest food critics. With a simple but well-utilized interior, you feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1940s when the shop first opened after the Second World War. The black and white photos, miniature statues of soldiers, the jukebox playing doo-wop and the ‘Popette’ waitresses are totally Instagram-worthy!
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With a choice of Cod or Haddock, their traditional fish and chips are fried in a mean crispy batter with firm, flaky fish inside. Their chunky chip shop chips will please you just as much as the portions. Order a regular side of mushy peas to make it a meal. With a great range of grilled fish, starters and dessert, expect to leave with a full stomach. Bonus: the establishment commits to sustainable fishing sources and responsible supply chain management which means a no-guilt meal!
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Address: 30 Hawley Cres, London NW1 8NP
Directions: There’s another branch in Old Spitalfields but the one in Camden is said to have better service. The closest Tube station is Camden Town and just along the exit on the right of Camden High Street:
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 12.00am from Monday to Saturday and 11.00am – 11.00pm on Sunday
Price: £15-20 for a 3-course meal plus drinks
2. Bailey’s Fish and Chips
A chippie out in Fulham, Bailey’s Fish and Chips is another local favourite and what one might call a rare tourist find (as it isn’t near the usual tourist spots). But there can’t be enough rave reviews for this place for its fresh and succulent fish, crispy chips, generous portions and great prices. The place is pretty small so call ahead for reservations!
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Everything on the menu is freshly cooked to order and the owners are a pair of twins that are friendly and welcoming. Expect moist and flaky fish on the inside of a crunchy batter that will leave you wanting more. Don’t be turned off by the pork sausages. They also serve halal ones which are cooked separately. For variety, the cod burger and scampi come highly recommended!
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Address: 115 Dawes Road, London SW6 7DU
Phone: 020 7385 2021
Directions:
It’s 20-minutes away from central London via the Tube and it’s a bit of a trek from Parsons Green station, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Opening Hours: 12.00 – 10.30pm from Sunday to Thursday and 12.00 – 11.00pm on Friday and Saturday
Price: £5.65 for the lunch special any day of the week from 12.00 – 5.00pm
3. Dheen’s of Covent Garden
Formerly known as the London Fish and Chips, a branch of a UAE chippie chain, the rebranding has not disappointed the regulars, serving up the usual grub just how it’s remembered. The limited seating on the ground floor are reserved for the grab-and-go, so if you’re planning to stay then get a table on the upper floor.
Dheen’s of Covent Garden prides themselves in making the classic cod and chips served up the old-fashioned way (in a newspaper). But you’ll be pleased to know find other things on the menu to be just as tasty. The prawns in the prawns, cod and chips set are so juicy and flavourful, it’ll come back to haunt you in your dreams.
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Address: 46 Bedford St, London WC2 9HA
Directions: Take the Tube to Covent Garden or Charing Cross and find it here on the map:
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 9.00pm from Monday to Thursday; 11.00am – 11.00pm on Friday; 12.00pm to 9.00pm on Saturday and 12.00pm – 4.00pm on Sunday
Price: £11-12 for a platter
4. The Sea Shell of Lisson Grove
This restaurant is a little fancier than what you’d expect from a chippie. The Sea Shell of Lisson Grove has had a long-standing reputation for being one of the top fish and chips bistros in London. Made famous by local foodies and a celebrity clientele, you can expect fresh, delicious and local fare with a slightly higher price tag. Sit by the aquarium if you get the chance!
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The fish is fried in pure groundnut oil with a light and crispy batter (or matzo meal and panko as alternatives) with fresh and meaty portions but the chips, although bottomless, have a lot of improvements to make. So skip that if you don’t mind and go for the fish pie, fish soup or fish cakes instead which are said to be out-of-this-world.
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Address: 49-51 Lisson Grove, London NW1 6UH
Directions: Get to Marylebone station by Tube, walk down Melcombe Place and take a right at Lisson Grove. Here it is on the map:
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 10.30pm from Monday to Saturday
Price: £16 for fish and chips, not including service charges
5. Mr Fish
Now Mr Fish has a bit of mixed reviews, with the more recent ones being supremely happy with the quality of food, portion size and service. The line at lunch hour is enough to know that you can be sure to get your chippie fix but a tip to note is to always ask for the fish to be cooked fresh rather than heated from a freezer.
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Fried in rapeseed oil, you’ll have a choice of your fish either in breadcrumbs, matzo meal or batter served with chips, new potatoes, mashed potatoes or a mixed salad. The lunchtime special is a real deal with a small cod, chips, mushy peas and a drink costing just under £8.
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Address: 51 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6NJ
Directions: Take the Tube to Queen’s Park and Mr Fish is just across the street.
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 12.00am every day
Price: £15 for fish and chips without drinks or additional sides
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ENJOY!