Sun’s out! We’ve cast our nets to find you the best fish and chips in the region.
Colmans, South Shields
Serving famous fish and chips for more than four generations, Colmans is a much loved and iconic institution of South Shields seafront and restaurant scene. You’ll find the restaurant on Ocean Road frying freshly caught, sustainable fish in its secret batter recipe – and its strong belief in quality over quantity has helped it to win a host of regional and national awards. And now there are even more plaices (sorry, we couldn’t resist!) to enjoy the taste of Colmans with its new Seafood Temple on Sea Road, South Shields – which has a cocktail and oyster bar, as well as serving up its seafood cuisine. www.colmansfishandchips.co.uk
Fancy making your own fish and chips at home? You can’t go wrong with this recipe from Colmans’ own Richard Ord Junior.
Davy’s Fried Fish Shop at Beamish Museum
It might seem an unusual choice for our best fish and chips list, but Davy’s deserves a rightful place on it. Visit the pit village at Beamish Museum, and you’ll see Davy’s – that’s if you don’t smell it first. Its delicious fish and chips are fried in real beef dripping on two beautiful coal-fired ranges: there’s no modern technology used here. They’re then wrapped up in specially printed newspaper for you to enjoy in the Saloon or at the picnic benches outside if the weather is good. www.beamish.org.uk
Seaview Restaurant, Saltburn
Seaview Restaurant is set in the stunning seaside location of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire. Its terrace has uninterrupted views across the promenade and out to sea. Relax, enjoy the sun and tuck into tasty fish and chips – or enjoy during a stroll along the seafront. With expansion plans on the horizon to open a swanky seafood restaurant in the venue this July, The Seaview Restaurant is definitely one to put on your foodie list. www.theseaviewrestaurant.co.uk
Longsands Fish Kitchen, Tynemouth
Winner of the Best Newcomer Award 2017 at The National Fish and Chip Awards, Longsands is definitely something to write home about. The restaurant, in Tynemouth, is headed up by Simon Walsh, who hung up his fine-dining apron as head chef at Close House to open Longsands. The kitchen creates a changing menu designed around the catch of the local fisherman. There are plenty of seafood options from Lindisfarne oysters to spicy shrimp burgers, but it’s the fish and chips that are causing queues out of the takeaway entrance every time the sun shines. www.longsandsfishkitchen.com
The Old Boat House, Amble
A trip to The Old Boat House should be on any seafood-lover’s list. The restaurant – housed in a former RNLI building on the harbour of Amble – recently won Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year. It was the only venue in the north to be nominated for the prestigious accolade, which recognises restaurants that have shown outstanding support for the commercial fishing industry in their local area. It’s also worth checking out its sister restaurant in Blyth which has stunning views, and the fish shack in Amble – for a cosier dining option. Whichever venue you visit, you’ll have a whale of a time. www.boathousefoodgroup.co.uk
Main image © Sean Elliott Photography
