Best Fish & Chip Shops in South Devon

Taking a trip to the beautiful South Devon coast would not be complete without tucking into a hefty portion of fish and chips! This English delicacy is popular across the nation, some love theirs with mushy peas, others drown theirs in gravy or curry sauce, and plenty more prefer it simple, just salt and vinegar. This year, National Fish and Chip Day will be celebrated on Friday 2nd June and what better way to celebrate this day by enjoying our national dish! There are over 10,000 chippies across England, and Devon has its fair share in the region. It would be impossible to list all the great fish and chip restaurants and takeaways in South Devon so instead, here’s our top picks! 

Krispies, Exmouth 

Awarded the Fish & Chip Shop of the Year award in 2019, if you ask anyone who’s been they’ll tell you that the best chips they’ve ever had are from Krispies. Their mouth-watering chips are coated in a lovely salty batter, making these unlike any chips we’ve had before! All their food is made to order so you know it’s going to be fresh, plus they only use fish that is responsibly and sustainably sourced. If you’re not a fan of fish, but would still like to experience a great Devon chippy, their burgers are a great choice as they’re supplied by Porky Downs, an independent butcher in Exmouth which has been supplying meats to locals for over 120 years! Not to worry if you’re a vegetarian as they offer a veggie burger, mushy pea fritters and delicious cheese bites too!  

Rockfish, Dartmouth (and other locations)

You may have seen Rockfish restaurants popping up all over the South West but the first one to open was in the beautiful town of Dartmouth. Serving up a wide selection of fish and seafood from the south coast of England, they believe it’s the best in the world, with the catch being so diverse and of excellent quality. Sustainability is very important to the company, and they have been recognised for this with a 2-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association. Their cod and haddock are also MSC Certified. As well as their restaurant, they also have a takeaway so you can take your food and sit somewhere of your own choosing, perhaps on the embankment or up Jawbone Hill to admire the view whilst tucking into a delicious piece of fish! You can also find Rockfish in Brixham, Exeter, Exmouth, Plymouth, Exmouth and Torquay, plus restaurants in Salcombe, Sidmouth and Topsham are coming soon!

The Harbour Seafood Restaurant, Plymouth 

Located just metres away from the water’s edge on Plymouth harbour side, The Harbour Sea Food Restaurant offers a beautiful view and a delicious meal. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to have a romantic meal for two or want to have a large family dinner, The Harbour can cater for you. All their seafood is delivered each day from Plymouth Fish Market, so you know it’s going to be super fresh and tasty! This great eatery even offers a couple of vegan options including salt and pepper ‘squid rings’ with an Asian sauce, and vegan fish, served up with chips, mushy peas, and tasty vegan tartar sauce! 

Saltwater Fish, Torquay 

Rated in the UK top 10 fish and chip restaurants by the National Fish and Chip Awards in 2020, Saltwater Fish are an excellent choice if you’re looking for fresh, tasty fish and chips in the Torbay area. With a catch-of-the-day menu, they serve beautifully battered prime cod, line caught haddock, whitebait, and tiger prawns just to name a few! All their fish is also available in homemade gluten free batter to suit those who struggle find a coeliac-friendly version of this seaside staple! If you’re in the mood to tuck into a tasty burger instead, their meat is all supplied from their award-winning butcher and for the veggies, you can choose to have a halloumi burger, a lentil burger or even a veggie battered sausage! You can sit back and relax in their elegant but traditional seafood restaurant or take your portion to go and enjoy it alfresco!  

Britannia At The Beach, Beesands, Nr Kingsbridge 

Britannia At The Beach in Beesands, near Kingsbridge is a family-owned restaurant, whose business spans nearly 40 years of catching, retailing, and cooking seafood. They have a large menu, serving a huge array of dishes like your traditional battered fish and chips as well as fresh crab sandwiches. If you fancy something sweet afterwards too, they also serve ice cream. They’re proud members of Food and Drink Devon and try to source as much of their produce from local suppliers in the South Hams and other parts of Devon. This would be a fantastic place to visit if you’re looking to take a coastal walk with a well-earned meal at the end as it’s situated between Torcross and Hallsands with the South West Coast Path running past it. More great news is that they’re also dog friendly so even your pup can enjoy a chip or two!  

We’d love to know your favourite place in South Devon to grab a dish of the nation’s favourite, let us know on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and if you share any photos, make sure to tag us for a chance to be reposted!