A fish and chips supper is just one of those treats we can't go without and is one of the nation's favourite takeaway choices.
Flakes of juicy cod in golden batter, served with piping hot chips and lashings of vinegar... we're feeling hungry at the mere thought of them. A cod bite, a sausage-in-batter, curry sauce, whatever your favourite is, we have plenty of fish and chip shops in Wales serving up the most mouth-watering portions. And you can read about the Welsh chippy whose jubilee fish supper has gone viral, here.
Read More: The food and drink festivals in Wales in 2022 you really shouldn't miss
Here, in no particular order, are the Welsh chippies that should be on your list, whether you are local to them or just passing by...
1. Hikary's Fish Bar
This chippy is a firm favourite by the people of Neath and Port Talbot. With many prestigious awards under its belt, its fresh and top quality menu is cooked and fried using groundnut oil, making them a delciously healthy take away option. Alongside staple options like fishcakes, scampi, jumbo sausages and good old-fashioned cod, they have burgers, halloumi fries and even jacket potatoes. Plus they were just named as one of six Welsh fish and chip shops name in the UK's Top 50.
Where: 74 Briton Ferry Road, Neath
2. Môr Ffein
A relatively new chippy to the salty scene, this stunning shop not only offers traditional fish and chips every day, but it does special menus for when you want to treat yourself of your loved ones on mother's day, father's day or even a Saturday. And it's not just fish you'll find. You can get pulled pork, vegan chilli and even a cheesecake or two. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.
Where: 2 High Street, St Dogmaels, SA43 3ED
3. The Creel
This family-run chippy is cosy, friendly and worth an "A*****", according to one customer. And with the restaurant and takeaway bar being so close to the port, you can guarantee fresh food with full flavour. If you don't believe us, believe the raving reviews from TripAdvisor - one of which said: "Amazing fish and chips. Just freshly made. Good price. Friendly staff and helpful. Nice wee sitting area outside. Well worth a visit."
Where: 84 High St, Porthmadog LL49 9NW
4. Dorothy's Fish Bar
If you've been to Cardiff on a night out, and you haven't taken a trip down Caroline Street- otherwise known as Chippy Lane - and stumbled in Dorothy's to demolish a plate of feel good fish and chips or, a Welsh delicacy, chips and curry sauce - or some other of there truly mouth-watering takeaway favourites - then you've not done a Cardiff night on the town right.
Established in 1953, this long-serving family run chippy bar is quite simply a must for all your fishy and chippy needs -be that at midday or midnight.
Where: 39-40 Caroline St, Cardiff CF10 1FF
5. The Crispy Cod
Was officially the best fish and chip shop in Wales for 2019 as proclaimed by the National Fish and Chip Awards - one of the highest honours in the batter business..
The Rhondda shop's cod and chips out of a box is tops - the cod, in particular, cooked to perfection, with delicious melt-in-the-mouth chunks of white fish. And don't get us started on the fish finger sarnie...
Where: 168 Gelli Rd, Rhondda, CF41 7NA
6. Beales
Beautiful crunchy batter that's not at all greasy, juicy flakes of fish, chips are fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside. It comes served in a cardboard box and everything is just fresh and delicious. There are always queues whatever time of day.
Where : 2-3 Eastern Promenade, Porthcawl CF36 5TS
7. Hooked@31
One of the 10 best in the UK, as per the National Fish & Chip Awards 2020, Hooked is a great chippy with great views.
A firm favourite with the punters who are always keen to sing its praises on TripAdvisor with comments like: "Crispy light batter, chunky chips in a box and wrapped for enjoying outside on the bench! Wonderful!"
Where : 31 West St, Fishguard SA65 9AL
8. Penaluna's Famous Fish & Chips
This family-run shop has amassed awards for its fish and chips and took the title of the best in Wales a year before The Crispy Cod (above).
As well as serving customers the usual chippy fare, for Christmas it offered a battered and deep fried festive dinner.
In 2020, at the Seafish National Fish & Chip Awards, Penluna's took home the gong for Best Seafood Week campaign.
Where: 36 High St, Hirwaun, CF44 9SW
9. Hiks
This Swansea chippy,which made the shortlist of the National Fish & Chip Awards 2019 and 2020, opened more than seven years ago and has recently expanded to now have a 41-seater restaurant next to its original site.
They have a real focus on freshness with all cod being cooked to order.
Where: 189 Llangyfelach Rd, Brynhyfryd, Swansea SA5 9LE
10. The BoatHouse Fish Bar
You get the full experience at this traditional fish shop right on the seafront. Made with love and light batter, Jessica and Chris - who attended the Frying School of Excellence - have been making fresh and traditional fish and chips for almost ten years and have learnt their trade from previous winners of the Fish & Chip Shop of the Year. With plenty of varieties of fish, you'll be coming back to try each and every one. If you're fancying something a tad more adventurous, try their Irish curry or fishcake special.
Where: 36 Esplanade, Porthcawl CF36 3YR
11. Boofy's
Chips always taste so much better at the seaside and the ones served at Boofy's are exceptional.
Great portions, golden chips and perfectly-cooked fish.
The chippy on the promenade featured in BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey and it offers gluten-free chips every day - however, gluten-free fish is only served during weekends by ordering in advance.
Where: 2 Western Arcade, Barry CF62 5TQ
12. O'Shea's
Now, O'Shea's and Boofy's are right next to each other and both have excellent fish and chips.
People will have their loyalties, some will alternate each visit, some will close their eyes and leave it to fate.
Whichever way visitors to Barry Island choose between the Western Arcade pair, they're not going to be disappointed.
Where : 1 Western Arcade, Barry CF62 5TQ
13. Hennighan’s Top Shop
Best in Wales in 2017, this family-run fish and chip shop has been delivering quality food and service for more than 30 years.
It's based in a converted corner shop and has been wowing generations of hungry customers.
Where: 123 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth SY20 8EF
14. Chippy Dre-Sglod a Cod
Voted best chippy by our sister website the Daily Post, this Gwynedd favourite battered previous winners Les and Rita’s Fish Bar in Rhyl and O My Cod! in Bangor to take the title.
Where: 11-13 Church Street, Tremadog LL49 9RA
15. Fish Kitchen 1854
Formerly a derelict Chinese restaurant, The China Diner, it has turned into this modern-looking chippy for the whole community to enjoy. And the reviews seem to suggest they'd hit the bullseye on that front, with comments praising both the tasty grub and the excellent friendly service.
Crispy fried prawns and homemade fishcakes are also on offer - and you might even get homemade onion rings from onions at the local allotment. They also hold gluten-free evenings and in March were voted amongst the Top 50 Fish and Chip shops in the UK.
Where: 58 Main Road, Maesycwmmer, Hengoed
16. Fecci's Fish & Chips
This hugely popular seaside business is a must-visit for Coeliac sufferers - with separate fryers, sauces - even vinegar - and gluten-free stickers on all the food. Read our story with the Fecci family, here.
Where: Lower Frog St, Tenby SA70 7HS
17. The Posh Fish & Chip Company
From a friendly service to delicious fishy bites, this is another chippy which impressed the judges of the National Fish & Chip Awards - the second year in a row - in 2019. They also recently appeared on Britain's Top Takeaways. Coeliac or intolerant to gluten? You're in luck, because they do a gluten-free night on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: 1, Llantrisant Road Retail Park, Llantrisant Rd, Cardiff CF5 2BF
18. Plassey Fish Bar
If you want a hefty serving of fabulously fried fish and chips, then you must visit Plassey Street's renowned fish bar just off the High Street in Penarth. One happy customer wrote on their Facebook page: "The best chip shop in Penarth when you see a queue down the street you know it’s going to be good and the staff are nice I wouldn’t go anywhere else. 5 stars." It's no wonder they were among the winners in this year's Good Food Awards.
Where : 87 Plassey Street, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan CF64 1EP
19. Victoria Fish Bar
The bright lights of the Victoria Fish Bar are a welcoming sight for any weary, hungry customer on a cold, dark autumn night. And their fish and chips are just as welcoming too, with crispy batter and meaty chunks of cod.
Where: 41 Old Church Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1AB
20. Yan's Fish Bar, Cardiff
The chip shop in Cardiff has been serving proper traditional fish and chips since 1969. It uses the freshest ingredients, obtained locally where possible, and that no doubt helped impress judges of the National Fish & Chip Awards in 2019, who shortlisted the shop.
Where: 182 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff CF14 3NB
21. Page's Fish & Chips
They've been going for almost 70 years, so what this lot don't know about crispy calamari, Thai crab cakes and breaded whitebait isn't worth knowing.
Where: Woodside Road, Cwmbran NP44 3EW (there's a branch in Sebastopol too!)
22. Finney's at The Golden Fry
On top of being gluten-free friendly, right down to their vinegar, The Golden Fry is a beacon for both locals and tourists.
Fresh, sustainable fish and specials like battered smoked haddock and now burgers. Chippy tea's a winner from here. They've also got another shop in Amlwch.
Where: The Square, Benllech, Anglesey, LL74 8SN
23. Rossi's Original Fish & Chips
As well as fish and chips, this popular restaurant and takeaway has a host of fab dishes to try, including its BBQ pulled pork and lamb shank in mint gravy. They've even got their own app to make ordering from them even easier.
Where: 235-240 Neath Rd, Plasmarl, Swansea SA1 2JG
24. Franco's Takeaway & Restaurant
Franco's has risen from a small cabin on Aberavon beach front to what people are calling the best restaurant in Port Talbot.
And while it has a broad menu, it's the fish, chips and mushy peas which are a firm favourite at this restaurant with a sea view.
Where: The Princess Margaret Way, Port Talbot SA12 6QW
25. Enoch's
A "new skool attitude" with "old skool roots", this award-winning fish and chip shop in North Wales was first established in 1969 by fish merchant Arther Enoch Hughes before it was taken over by Danny White-Meir in 2006.
Claiming that Enoch's fish and chips are like nothing you've tasted before and, with a splash of health, they are one of "the only fish & chip outlets in the WORLD to use our special blend high-oleic sunflower oil: good for your heart." Their thick-cut chips are also fried twice for a heavenly texture.
Where: 146 Conwy Road, Conwy, LL31 9DU
26. Shillingfords Traditional Fish & Chips
This popular family-friendly fish and chip cafe, which has been running for almost 30 years, has amassed awards over the years for its delicious food and made the shortlist of the National Fish Chip Awards 2019.
People rave about its famous fluffy chips which are made from locally grown potatoes that are delivered daily and prepped on the premises by Mr S himself.
Where: 18 Briton Ferry Rd, Neath SA11 1AA
27. The Lime Crab
Another shortlisted entry in the National Fish & Chip Awards 2019, this is a fresh concept in the fish and chips market. The shop offers all the old favourites as well as exciting options such as lobster, deep-fried halloumi, prawns in tempura batter and much more. If you want fish and chips with a twist, this is the place to go. They even have gluten-free and vegan options.
Where: South John St, New Quay SA45 9NP
28. Fish Tram Chips Restaurant
Licensed cafe serving classic fish 'n' chips fare in a casual dining room with table linen.
It's at the top of a hill opposite the Great Orme Tramway, hence the name, and it makes it worth the walk.
It's loved by locals and tourists alike and the beans and mushy peas are served in a little dish just in case you don't want them making your chips soggy. A nice touch!
Where: 24 Old Rd, Llandudno LL30 2NB
