12 Best Fish and Chips in Central London You Need to Try
Few dishes are as closely associated with Britain as fish and chips. In London, however, the classic combination comes in many forms — from old-school chippies with tiled walls and paper-wrapped portions to stylish seafood restaurants serving beautifully crisp batter and sustainably sourced fish.
If you’re looking for the best fish and chips in central London, you don’t need to travel far. Soho, Covent Garden, Holborn, Marylebone, Charing Cross and the West End all have excellent options.
I’ve focused this list on places that are genuinely convenient for central London sightseeing, while including a mixture of traditional fish-and-chip shops, restaurants and pubs.
Best Fish and Chips in Central London | Quick Guide
| Restaurant | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rock & Sole Plaice | Covent Garden | Historic tradition |
| The Golden Hind | Marylebone | Classic fish and chips |
| Golden Union | Soho | Casual dining |
| Poppies | Soho | Retro atmosphere |
| Hobson’s Charing Cross | Charing Cross | Theatre-goers |
| Hobson’s Soho | Soho | Casual Soho meals |
| Fishoria | New Oxford Street | Modern fish restaurant |
| FishWorks | Covent Garden | Seafood lovers |
| The Fryer’s Delight | Holborn | Old-school chippy |
| Carnaby Fish Bar | Carnaby | Outdoor dining |
| Masters Superfish | Waterloo | Value |
| The Coach House | Piccadilly | Pub-style dining |
1. Rock & Sole Plaice
📍 Address: 47 Endell Street, London WC2H 9AJ
Rock and Sole Plaice is one of the most famous traditional fish-and-chip restaurants in central London. Located close to Covent Garden, it has been serving fish and chips since 1871, making it one of the historic names on London’s food scene.
The menu sticks closely to British classics, with battered fish accompanied by chunky chips and traditional sides such as mushy peas, pickles and gherkins.
There’s also outdoor seating, which is particularly appealing when the weather is good.
Best for: First-time visitors and traditional London fish and chips.
2. The Golden Hind
📍 Address: 71a–73 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2PN
The Golden Hind has been serving fish and chips in Marylebone since 1914. The restaurant describes itself as retaining the character of its original beginnings while continuing to serve traditional fish and chips.
You can choose from several types of fish, including cod, haddock, plaice and skate, while the traditional fish-and-chip meal comes with chips, peas and tartare sauce.
Its cosy, old-fashioned atmosphere is part of the appeal.
Best for: History lovers and a sit-down traditional meal.
3. Golden Union
📍 Address: 38 Poland Street, London W1F 7LY
Golden Union is an excellent option if you’re exploring Soho and want a straightforward plate of fish and chips.
The restaurant says its fish is responsibly sourced and cooked to order in its house beer batter. Its menu also includes traditional chip-shop favourites such as pies and jumbo sausages.
The bright, modern interior makes it more comfortable for sitting down than some traditional takeaway-style chippies.
Best for: Soho visitors, sustainable fish and casual dining.
4. Poppies Soho
📍 Address: 55–59 Old Compton Street, London W1D 6HW
Poppies Fish & Chips brings a distinctly nostalgic feel to Soho.
The restaurant is decorated with 1950s memorabilia, giving the experience more personality than a typical modern restaurant. Visit London highlights Poppies as a long-established London fish-and-chip name dating back to 1952, with traditional dishes including fish and chips, mushy peas and jellied eels.
The Soho branch is particularly handy if you’re visiting the West End, Chinatown or Covent Garden.
Best for: Retro interiors, tourists and classic British comfort food.
5. Hobson’s Fish & Chips
📍 Address: 13–15 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6ND
Hobson’s Fish & Chips Charing Cross is particularly convenient if you’re around Charing Cross, Embankment, Trafalgar Square or the West End theatres.
Its Villiers Street location makes it an easy stop before or after a theatre show, and the restaurant specialises in traditional fish and chips alongside other British favourites.
The location is also useful if you’re heading towards the South Bank via the Golden Jubilee Bridges.
Best for: Theatre trips and central sightseeing.
6. Hobson’s Fish & Chips Soho
📍 Address: 27 St Anne’s Court, London W1F 0BN
Hobson’s Fish & Chips Soho gives you another convenient option if you’re spending the evening around Soho.
The restaurant is tucked away on St Anne’s Court, close to Soho’s restaurants, bars and theatres. It offers a more traditional fish-and-chip experience while being right in the middle of one of London’s busiest dining districts.
It’s a useful choice when you want something familiar after exploring Soho.
Best for: Casual Soho dining and late meals.
7. Fishoria
📍 Address: 52–54 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1ES
Fishoria Fish and Chips is a more contemporary option near the British Museum and Tottenham Court Road.
Fishoria says its fish is sourced daily from Billingsgate Market, while its chips are made using British potatoes. The restaurant is open for both casual walk-ins and more relaxed dining.
It’s a particularly convenient choice if you’re combining lunch with a visit to the British Museum.
Best for: Modern surroundings, fresh seafood and museum visitors.
8. FishWorks Covent Garden
📍 Address: 2–4 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JY
FishWorks takes a more seafood-restaurant approach to the classic dish.
The Covent Garden location is particularly handy for theatre-goers, with the restaurant sitting close to the Royal Opera House and Strand.
Rather than feeling like a traditional chippy, FishWorks offers a broader seafood menu, making it a good option if not everyone in your group wants fish and chips.
Best for: Seafood lovers, theatre trips and sit-down meals.
9. The Fryer’s Delight
📍 Address: 19 Theobalds Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8SL
The Fryer’s Delight has been serving fish and chips since 1958, and it deliberately maintains an old-school atmosphere.
Its menu includes cod, haddock, plaice and skate, while the restaurant says its fish is fried in beef dripping and its chips are crisp outside and fluffy inside.
The retro interior and traditional approach are a major part of its appeal. It is also conveniently located for the British Museum and Holborn.
Best for: Traditionalists and old-school chippy atmosphere.
10. Carnaby Fish Bar
📍 Address: 24 Ganton Street, London W1F 7QY
Carnaby Fish Bar is right in the middle of the Carnaby and Soho area.
The restaurant describes its approach as deliberately old-school, inspired by the 1960s and 1970s when Carnaby Street was at the centre of London’s fashion scene. It serves traditional fish and chips alongside a full bar and outdoor terrace.
The terrace is a nice bonus when you want to eat outside while exploring the West End.
Best for: Carnaby Street, groups and casual dining.
11. Masters Superfish
📍 Address: 191 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UX
Masters Superfish is just south of the Thames in Waterloo and is a good option if you’re visiting the South Bank.
Visit London includes Masters Superfish in its London fish-and-chip guide and notes that its fish arrives fresh from Billingsgate Fish Market.
The menu focuses on generous portions of traditional fish and chips, making it a good choice when you’re looking for something filling rather than overly polished.
Best for: Value, generous portions and Waterloo visitors.
12. The Coach House
📍 Address: 7 Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EE
The Coach House is a good alternative if you’d prefer your fish and chips in a traditional pub environment rather than a dedicated chippy.
Its location is excellent for the West End, with Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square all within easy reach.
Fish and chips appears on its British menu, making it a convenient option when you’re after the classic dish but your group also wants a broader pub menu.
Best for: Pub atmosphere, groups and West End sightseeing.
What Makes Good Fish and Chips?
A great plate of fish and chips is about more than simply finding the biggest portion.
The batter should be crisp and golden without overwhelming the fish. Inside, the fish should remain moist and flaky.
The chips should ideally have a crisp exterior and fluffy centre. And then there are the extras — malt vinegar, tartare sauce, mushy peas and pickled onions — which can turn a good plate into a proper British meal.
It’s also worth deciding whether you want a traditional chippy experience or something more restaurant-focused. Places such as The Fryer’s Delight and Rock & Sole Plaice lean heavily into tradition, while FishWorks and Fishoria offer a more contemporary seafood experience.
Where Should You Go First?
If you’re trying fish and chips in London for the first time, Rock & Sole Plaice is an obvious starting point because of its long history and Covent Garden location.
For a more traditional atmosphere, try The Golden Hind or The Fryer’s Delight. If you’re already exploring Soho, Golden Union, Poppies or Carnaby Fish Bar are convenient choices.
And if you’re visiting the West End for a show, Hobson’s Charing Cross or The Coach House can make an easy pre- or post-theatre meal.
London has plenty of places claiming to serve the perfect fish and chips, but these 12 give you a good mix of historic chippies, modern seafood restaurants, pubs and casual West End favourites.
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