Crisp, light, golden batter; moist, succulent, fresh fish; perfect mushy peas and fluffy chips. There aren’t many things that get your taste buds tingling like the thought of this great British favourite.
Nothing quite compares to sitting by the sea from the comfort of your car, cradling a hot portion on your lap, digging in with your wooden fork whilst reveling in the rugged beauty of the Cornish coast. Put simply, it cannot be beaten.
So if you're sat salivating in your cosy holiday cottage asking yourself "where are the best fish and chips near me?" make sure you try our top three favourites in Cornwall.
Rick Stein's Fish & Chips
During the summer months, there is a constant queue snaking along Padstow's harbour wall outside this chippie - because the punters know it will be worth the wait. Their restaurants have been sprawling out across Cornwall and beyond and you can now sample Rick’s renowned fish and chips at eateries in Newquay, Padstow, Falmouth, St Merryn and Porthleven. Each menu is vast with a huge choice of fresh fish. Cod, haddock and lemon sole all feature (battered or grilled) and they are serious about their sides. The chips are home-made, as are the mushy peas and Rick’s famous tartare sauce. Each of the restaurants also features many of Rick's other seafood dishes such sea bream, moules marinière, grilled lobster and shucked oysters, so there's always plenty to whet your appetite.
Fish and Chips at Watergate Bay
For great meals with the family, or a bite to eat as you emerge from the surf, the Living Space is a relaxed eatery where you can sit on sofas and gaze at the spectacular view. Their fish and chips includes beer battered market fish (just check their specials board for the ‘fish of the day’) and chips, with Watergate Bay’s own ketchup, tartare sauce and lemon. Chips always taste better by the sea and, after a stroll around this idyllic beach, it's hard to resist the comforting smell of beer-battered fish wafting through from the open plan kitchen.
Beck’s Fish and Chips, St Ives
Richard Beck has been running this fantastic fish and chip shop and restaurant for many years (dating all the way back to 1971), and the consistently long queues are testament to the freshness of the fish served here. Steeped in sustainable credentials, you’ll also find lesser-known varieties on the menu such as saithe, pollock, hake, battered mackerel, and megram sole. Take a portion of flakey thick fillets of fish and crisp, chunky-cut chips down to Carbis Bay beach for great food in an equally brilliant setting.
Feeling hungry for a Cornwall holiday? Feast your eyes on our collection of holiday cottages in Cornwall.