Golden batter, fluffy chips, and tartar sauce that hits just right. From harbor towns to historic city pubs, fish fry culture spans continents – and these spots prove why it’s worth traveling for.
Olde Magoun’s Saloon (Boston, MA)
Friday night at Olde Magoun’s Saloon means one thing: fish and chips done right. Fresh North Atlantic cod arrives in a crisp golden batter, served with salty chips and crunchy coleslaw. Pair it with a German draft like Hofbräu Original to balance the richness. Still hungry? The sticky toffee pudding with warm sauce and vanilla ice cream seals the deal.
American Serb Hall (Milwaukee, WI)
In Wisconsin, fish fry is practically a religion, and American Serb Hall is one of its temples. A multi-year local favorite, this Milwaukee institution offers Atlantic cod, Icelandic cod, and even Serbian-style seafood. Each dinner comes with your choice of potato or vegetables, homemade coleslaw, salted rye bread, and housemade tartar sauce. Come hungry – portions are generous.
Anstruther Fish Bar (Fife, Scotland)
See that queue stretching down the harbor? That’s Anstruther Fish Bar, and the wait is absolutely worth it. This takeaway and sit-down spot uses responsibly caught fish from Scottish hatcheries, coating it in their secret-recipe crispy batter. The chips? Crispy outside, fluffy inside. This is textbook fish and chips, done right every single time.
Beshoff Bros (Dublin, Ireland)
When in Dublin, fish and chips are non-negotiable. Beshoff Bros has been serving the city for 85 years with fried Atlantic hake, fresh cod, and haddock, all served with fries, lemon, and tartar sauce. The fish comes from the North Atlantic, the potatoes from environmentally friendly farmers, and the reputation speaks for itself.
The Fish Counter (Vancouver, CA)
This casual Vancouver spot serves a mean fish-and-chips menu: halibut, Pacific cod, or wild salmon, all paired with slaw, kennebec fries, and house-made tartar sauce. Bonus – everything can be made gluten-free. Feeling adventurous? Try the oyster po’ boy, crispy cod tacos, or the crispy fish Caesar salad with mango salsa and tangy slaw.
The Codmother (San Francisco)
Consistently rated as some of the best seafood in San Francisco, The Codmother is a permanent food truck in Fisherman’s Wharf that’s worth the detour. This British-owned venture serves traditional fish and chips, shrimp and chips, and fried calamari. Try the New England clam chowder or go all in with fully loaded fries topped with garlic, cheddar, and Baja sauce.
The Rocks Café (Sydney, Australia)
Set in a restored 19th-century market in Sydney’s historic district, The Rocks Café serves fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce and lemon. Try the fish of the day, usually locally caught, or pivot to something uniquely Australian like the crocodile or kangaroo burger (when in Australia, right?). Save room for dessert – the glass dessert case is pure temptation.
The Chippery (Wellington, NZ)
One of Wellington’s best fish-and-chip shops, The Chippery, uses local ingredients from New Zealand fisheries and makes everything from scratch. Don’t miss the beer-battered mussels, fries with gravy and mozzarella, or English-style mushy peas. Gluten-free? They’ve got a separate fryer. Load up on flavored salts before you leave – the rosemary salt is a winner.
Kalky’s (Kalk Bay, Cape Town)
For crispy fish with a stunning view of Kalk Bay, hit up cash-only Kalky’s. Order at the counter, grab a table by the water, and wait for your number. The battered hake and chips are the crowd favorite, but the calamari, yellowtail, crayfish, and prawns all deserve your attention. The view? Just a bonus.
