“Salt and vinegar?” The question comes before you have your wallet out. Say yes and the server shakes both over a golden slab of battered fish and a heap of chips, wraps it all in paper, and hands it over the counter too hot to hold.
Fish and chips is Britain’s classic takeaway: white fish, usually cod or haddock, fried in crisp batter and served with thick-cut chips, salt and malt vinegar, often with mushy peas. You buy it from a “chippy” (fish and chip shop) in every town, and it tastes best by the sea in places like Whitby, Scarborough or the Scottish fishing villages. In 2026 a regular cod and chips costs roughly £9–15. Muslim travellers should ask about the frying fat, since some shops still use beef dripping, and about beer in the batter at sit-down restaurants. Many chippies, especially in big cities, are halal.
This guide covers the fish, the sides, how to order, where to go, what it costs and the halal questions to ask.
A short history
Fried fish was sold on London streets by the early 19th century, and chips arrived from the north. The first fish and chip shops opened in the 1860s; London and Lancashire both claim the first.
By the 20th century there were thousands of chippies. Fish and chips was one of the few foods never rationed in wartime Britain, and it became a national habit, especially on Fridays.
Cod or haddock?
| Fish | Taste and texture | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| Cod | Large, soft white flakes, mild | Most of England |
| Haddock | Slightly sweeter, firmer | Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland |
| Plaice | Thin, delicate flatfish | Many chippies as an option |
| Pollock or hake | Similar to cod, often cheaper | Increasingly common |
The sides
- Mushy peas – dried marrowfat peas cooked soft. Green, earthy and essential for many.
- Curry sauce – a mild, sweet curry gravy for dipping chips.
- Gravy – especially in the North of England.
- Scraps (or “bits”) – crispy leftover batter, sometimes free on request.
- Pickled onion or pickled egg – from the jars on the counter.
- Chip butty – chips in a buttered bread roll.
Also on the menu: battered sausages and saveloys, which are usually pork, and pies of various kinds. Ask before ordering those.
How to order at a chippy
- Choose your fish and size: regular or large.
- Add chips and a side, or ask for a “meal deal”.
- Answer the key question: “Salt and vinegar?”
- Say “to eat in” or “to take away”. Take-away comes wrapped in paper; some shops ask “open or wrapped?”
- Eat it with the small wooden fork provided, ideally sitting on a sea wall.
Halal note: fish is fine, but ask two things. First, the frying fat: many shops use vegetable oil, but some, especially in the North of England, still fry in beef dripping, which is not halal. Second, at sit-down restaurants, whether the batter contains beer. Chips are often fried in the same fat as the fish. Many chippies in cities with large Muslim communities, such as London, Birmingham, Bradford and Manchester, are halal and say so in the window. Malt vinegar is widely accepted as halal. See our halal food travel guide.
Where to eat fish and chips
- Whitby and Scarborough (Yorkshire coast) – seaside towns famous for haddock and chips; in Whitby, the Magpie Café by the harbour has been a favourite for decades.
- East Neuk of Fife (Scotland) – fishing villages such as Anstruther, known for excellent chippies.
- Cornwall and Devon – fish landed in harbours like Padstow and Brixham.
- Your local chippy – look for a queue and for shops listed in the annual National Fish & Chip Awards.
Hours vary and seaside shops can close in winter; check before you travel.
When to go
- Friday is the traditional fish and chips night.
- Summer is peak season at the seaside, with long queues at famous shops.
- Lunch or early evening is when fish is fried most often and freshest.
What it costs (2026)
| Order | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Regular cod or haddock and chips | About £9–15 |
| Large fish and chips | About £12–18 |
| Mushy peas or curry sauce | About £1.50–3 |
| Chips only | About £3–4.50 |
| Sit-down restaurant fish and chips | About £15–22 |
Plan your UK spending with the UK food budget calculator and check tipping in the UK (not expected at a takeaway chippy).
Useful questions (British English)
| Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| “What do you fry in?” | To check for beef dripping |
| “Is the batter made with beer?” | Some restaurants use beer batter |
| “Is it halal?” | Many city chippies are |
| “Is the sausage pork?” | Battered sausages usually are |
| “Can I have scraps?” | Free crispy batter bits at many shops |
Frequently asked questions
Is fish and chips halal?
The fish is fine. Check whether the shop fries in beef dripping or uses beer batter; many chippies use vegetable oil and many in big cities are halal.
What is the best fish for fish and chips?
Cod in most of England; haddock in Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. Both are excellent.
How much is fish and chips in the UK?
About £9–15 for a regular portion in 2026.
What are mushy peas?
Dried marrowfat peas soaked and cooked until soft; a classic side with fish and chips.
More British food: afternoon tea and Cornish pasties. See all UK food guides.
Sources
- VisitBritain – official tourism site.
- Fish and chips – history and regional styles.
