Scotland's favourite 15 fish and chip shops

1 Union St, St Andrews, Fife

01334 475 555

Open every day 11.30am-10.00pm

www.cromars.co.uk

When it comes to fish and chips, St Andrews has long been in the shadow of its neighbour Anstruther, which boasts a multiple award-winning chip shop the Anstruther Fish Bar and gets visitors from miles around. But since being established in 2013, Cromars has quickly gained an impressive reputation of its own – winning Best Chip Shop in Scotland 2018 from the National Fish and Chip Awards. Have some of their crumbly white fish in crispy batter, and it’s not hard to see why.

2. Catch, Giffnock

186 Fenwick Road, Giffnock, Glasgow (also Catch Netherlee on Clarkston Road)

0141 638 9169

Open Monday-Thursday, 12pm-10pm, Friday- Saturday, 12pm- 11pm, Sunday 1pm-10pm

www.catchfishandchips.co.uk

Catch has put a gourmet twist on the traditional ‘chippy’, with a stylishly decorated interior offering a few tables as well as a takeaway. They also have a more extensive menu than a traditional fish and chip shop, with fishcakes, scallops and burgers alongside the haddock and chips. A particular treat is that they give you their delicious, homemade tartar sauce in a tub to take away, with big enough dollop that it will last you for your next three dinners.

3. The Chippy, Portree

Quay Brae, Portree, Skye

01478 612111

Open every day 8am-8pm

With restaurants in Portree filling up fast during the summer, The Chippy is an ideal option for an affordable and tasty dinner. You can take your fish supper to the picnic tables outside to enjoy a great view while you eat (Scottish weather dependent, of course). Unfortunately, vegetarians won’t be able to join in the fun – the chips are cooked in beef fat.

4. The Bay Fish and Chips, Stonehaven

Beach Promenade Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

01569 762000

Open every day 12pm-10pm

www.thebayfishandchips.co.uk

This independent shop is spearheaded by Calum Richardson, who is a former winner of the UK Young Fish Frier of the Year award. He has since trained others in the art of the perfect fish supper – which at The Bay means fresh, locally sourced and flavoursome. They can bake or griddle your fish for a healthier option, which is also more suitable for coeliacs than normal frying.

5. L’Alba D’oro, Edinburgh

7 Henderson Row, New Town, Edinburgh

Open every day 5pm-10.30pm

0131 557 2580

www.lalbadoro.com

Meaning ‘golden sunrise’ in Italian, L’Alba D’oro has been a favourite among locals since it opened in 1975. More than 40 years on it is still run by the original owners – and their son – and their popular fish supper remains pretty much unchanged too. Their prawns and calamari are also highly recommended, as well as the fried mushrooms and haggis. It being Edinburgh, salt and sauce is de rigueur.

6. The Plaice to Be, Pitlochry

Unit 4, 8 West Moulin Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire

Open every day 12-2pm, then Sunday-Thursday, 4.30pm- 8pm and Friday and Saturday 4.30pm- 9pm

01796 473737

The Plaice to Be is in many ways a traditional chippy, with crispy cod, tasty chips, haggis suppers and friendly owner who takes the time to talk to customers while they wait in the queue. Yet they have also made a conscious effort to move with the times and cater to customers’ changing needs: offering grilled fish for those who want to eat healthier and a wide range of gluten-free options, where they are careful to avoid cross-contamination.

7. Peppo’s Harbour Chip Bar, Arbroath

53 Ladybridge Street, Arbroath, Angus

Open Wednesday- Saturday, 4pm-8pm and Sunday 4pm-7pm

01241 872373

If you are looking for a seal of approval for Peppo’s fish supper, then the shop’s consistent busyness should do the trick. Locals flock to Peppo’s for the big portions, crispy batter and perfectly cooked chips. And to satisfy the traditionalists out there (that's us), it comes wrapped in newspaper too.

8. The Fish Works, Largs

3 The Promenade, Largs

Open every day, 12pm-9pm

01475 674 111

www.thefishworks.co.uk

Despite only being open since 2017, The Fish Works has established itself as a firm favourite among locals and visitors. The husband and wife owners set it up as a bit of a gastro-chippy, with sustainably sourced ingredients cooked fresh to order. The location, right on the Largs promenade with views across to Arran and Bute, doesn’t hurt either.

9. Frankie’s Fish and Chips, Shetland

Brae, Shetland

Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-8pm and Sunday, 12pm-8pm

01806 522 700

www.frankiesfishandchips.com

Holding the honourable title of the most northerly fish and chip cafe in the British Isles, Frankie’s has become a hub for the community since opening 10 years ago. The haddock (as well as the crab, mussels and king scallops) all come from the rich waters around Shetland, so you will struggle to get a fish supper much fresher.

10. Fochabers Fish Bar, Fochabers

19A High Street, Fochabers, Moray

Open Sunday-Thursday, 4pm-8pm and Friday-Saturday, 4pm-8.30pm

01343 820320

www.fochabersfishbar.co.uk

With big portions and reasonable prices, this is well worth a try if you are in the area. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and if you pay a £1 surcharge to sit in you get a free pot of tea and bread and butter (along with fresh homemade tartar sauce and a slice of lemon). Their side of coleslaw is also delicious if you are brave enough to stray away from a traditional fish supper condiment.

11. Atlantic Fast Food, Coatbridge

155 Calder St, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire

Open Monday-Friday, 11am - 1.45pm and 3.30pm - 10pm, Saturday-Sunday, 3.30pm- 10pm

01236 443675

www.atlanticfastfood.co.uk/menu

This family-run, traditional chip shop offers hearty portions of haddock, scampi, haggis and fishcakes. But it has also updated its menu to reflect changing tastes, and offers gluten-free options on the second Saturday of every month (between 11am and 2pm), as well as halal options every Friday and Saturday (between 4pm and 8pm).

12. Il Vicolo, Stirling

39 Friars St, Stirling

Open Sunday-Wednesday, 12pm-1am, Thursday 12pm-2am, Friday-Saturday, 12pm-3am

01786 462332

Known as a great option for late night food, Il Vicolo is a popular haunt among locals. Family-run since 1984, it sells a tasty, traditional fish supper with generous portion sizes as well as homemade pizzas, pastas and kebabs. And for anyone who wants to try the most infamous of Scottish gastronomical delights, Il Vicolo also offers the one and only deep-fried Mars bar.

13. Moore’s Fish and Chip Shop, Castle Douglas

252 King St, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway

Open every day, 11.45am-10pm

01556 502347

http://www.mooresfishandchips.co.uk/

With an extensive menu (including scampi, haddock, cod, smoked sausage, and pies from a local butcher) and food cooked to order, you might have a bit of a wait for your supper in Moore’s. But based on the constant stream of customers in and out of the doors, it is safe to say that it’s worth it.

14. The Plaice to Be, Kilmarnock

2 Stoneyhill Avenue, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

Open every day, 4pm-9.30pm

01563 521733

www.plaicetobe.co.uk

The second Plaice to Be on our list, this Kilmarnock offering is clean, efficient and gives service with a smile. The fish is fresh and non-greasy – with the boneless haddock particularly good – and the chips are light and fluffy. If you want a real guilty treat, then order the chip roll for a trip to carb heaven.

15. The Wee Kelpie, Helensburgh

82 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute

Open every day 4pm-9pm

01436 675000

As well as fish and chips you can get calamari, scallops, mussels, haggis and – best of all – mushy peas. The shop looks out on to a great view of the Clyde so you can eat your supper while bracing the wind, or seek out a seat on the nearby quay. It is all cooked fresh to order and there is an efficient ticketing system to make sure you don’t wait too long or get your order messed up.