In this month’s instalment of Foodie Favourites, Emma checks out some top spots around the county to enjoy a chippie tea

Fish and chips are seen as the nation’s go-to takeaway. The unmistakable aroma of a fish and chip supper is guaranteed to get the mouth watering.

As a nation we eat around 167 million portions of fish and chips every year, according to the Federation of Fish Friers. That’s a lot of potatoes to peel!

Here, we round up the restaurants, takeaways and even chippies on the move, all serving up the nation’s favourite dish so you can enjoy the best crispy batter, fluffy fish and chunky chips with all the trimmings.

The Crown Inn, Pooley Bridge

The promise of home-cooked food and a glass of something cold awaits at The Crown Inn, so it makes a wonderful post-walk pit stop for walkers enjoying the summer weather. This charming inn is packed with period character and it also packs a punch with diners. The award-winning Thwaites ale makes an appearance in their fish and chips, with the haddock battered in the ale and it is teamed with chunky chips, mushy peas and tangy tartare sauce – they even have Thwaites battered onion rings on the menu. With views of the River Eamont, there is no better way to relax over a meal.

crownpooleybridge.co.uk

Fish and Chips.Shap Chippy

Shap Chippy, Shap

For more than 20 years, Shap Chippy has been serving up finger-licking fish and chips, making it a firm favourite when it comes to perfectly fried chips and beautifully battered fish.

Diners can eat in or take away and, as well as the traditional fish, chips and mushy peas, there is also Bengali spiced prawns, salt and pepper squid and scampi. Shap Chippy was named the UK’s second-best chippie in the 2020 National Fish and Chip Awards. They even have their very own chippy on wheels! Shappy Wheels delivers a full menu across the region with stops including Tebay, Appleby, Kirkby Thore and Culgaith. Check out their website for delivery stops and times.

shapchippy.co.uk

The Estuary Bistro, Grange-over-Sands

The family-run bistro and bar has taken inspiration from the coast for its interior décor palette of cool greens, blues and greys. The stylish art deco bistro cooks up a storm with lunch and dinner menus putting seafood as the main character. Beer-battered haddock with skin-on fries, mushy peas and tartare sauce will please traditionalists, but there are plenty of other options, including breaded scampi, whole sea bream or pan-fried sea bass fillet with crushed potatoes, chorizo, tenderstem broccoli and beurre blanc sauce.

Starters of Greenshell mussels in a white wine sauce and pan seared king scallop will get any meal off to a swimming start. They are open daily so why not make it a proper day out with a trip to the Edwardian seaside town?

theestuarybistro.co.uk

Fish and Chips.The Peddler

The Peddler, Whitehaven

Fish and chips without the fish is on the menu at The Peddler, situated in the town’s art deco bus station. Vegetarians and vegans can tuck into their take on the classic dish. Their vegan ‘fish and chips’ is crispy tempura banana blossom accompanied by vegan tartare sauce, mushy peas and chunky chips.

It is all gluten-free too, making it a great alternative for non-fish eaters. If you do fancy fish, they do a lunchtime fish finger ciabatta with twice cooked chips and tartare sauce. Quite the catch for all!

the-peddler.co.uk

Boardwalk Bar and Grill, Ambleside

What better way to enjoy a plate of fish and chips than sitting to eat with views across Windermere? The Boardwalk’s mains menu features crispy beer-battered haddock fillet served with golden chips, mushy peas, and tangy tartare sauce!

Fish lovers can tuck into starters of mini fish pie packed with salmon, brown shrimp and vegetables in a creamy sauce, topped with smooth mashed potato or crispy squid with fresh chillies, parsley, and a side of creamy garlic aioli. For the ultimate seafood special, they have grilled lobster brushed with garlic butter served with chips and salad.

boardwalkbowness.com

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Trenchers, Bowness

Watch this space for the grand opening of Trenchers who open their Bowness doors in July, having already firmly established themselves in the North East. Making their North West debut, the award-winning team certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to serving up delicious fish and chips.

They cook traditionally in beef dripping, with vegetarian and vegan options available, and use locally sourced potatoes. Every portion is served with a fresh wedge of lemon and a side of homemade tartare sauce. Keep your eyes peeled for their official opening date in order to bag a finger-licking poke of crispy chips.

trenchersbowness.co.uk

North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith

Make time for some indulgent self-care with a visit to the Penrith hotel and spa and combine a meal with a pampering spa treatment or dip in the pool.

The hotel’s rosette-starred restaurant, the FYR Grill, serves up a plate of seafood heaven with their Paradise No 3 battered fish served with thick cut chips, lemon, mushy peas and homemade chunky tartare sauce. The restaurant, which is open daily, uses seasonal ingredients that are cooked on an open flame. If you decide to make it an eat and treat day, book a facial or a massage before relaxing over a meal in the cosy bar and lounges.

northlakeshotel.co.uk

Old Keswickian, Keswick

The same extended family has been at the helm of the Old Keswickian for more than 40 years, and they are firmly at the heart of the popular market town. Diners can choose from two settings with the downstairs restaurant perfect to eat while relaxing in comfy leather seats.

Upstairs is equally relaxing with a cast iron fireplace, oak beams giving a homely feel. The menu is a dream for seafood lovers. Choose from the fish of the day in a light golden batter with chips and a lemon slice or try the poached fish with parsley or cheese sauce. The breaded fillet of plaice comes with salad and chips, and fishcake fans can try the smoked haddock, mozzarella and spring onion fishcakes. The menu is also available for takeaways.

oldkeswickian.co.uk

Vinegar Jones, Bowness

There’s no need to wait for fish Friday with the ocean of choice available for a posh chippy tea. Whether it’s a sit down, slap-up meal or a take-away for an al fresco fish supper, there is just the ‘plaice’ waiting.

Vinegar Jones has been a fixture for decades, feeding locals and visitors with locally sourced fish. Windermere is just a stone’s throw away, making it an ideal spot to grab a portion of fish and chips to enjoy on the water’s edge.

Haddock and chips takes centre stage but you can also grab a cone of chips with lashings of salt and vinegar with the choice of topping with curry sauce, mushy peas or cheddar for cheesy chips! Whitby scampi is on the menu as well as fish cakes and fish finger sandwiches. Open daily, Vinegar Jones also has indoor seating for anyone wanting to take time out for a fishy feast.

vinegarjones.co.uk