The pairing of fish and chips has long been considered a quintessential British staple with the golden fried combo has been so deeply entrenched in our culture since the 19th century. Those looking for the most codtastic chippies should look no further as the UK's best fish and chip shops have been revealed.

The perfect combination of correcting the crunch and flavour of this comfort food classic is a hard task but 40 chippies have got this batter flawlessly golden. These chippies across the UK have been longlisted for the coveted ‘Takeaway of the Year’ at the 2026 National Fish and Chip Awards. The list includes chippies from coastal hotspots, rural locations and major cities vying to scoop the prize from current titleholder Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington, County Durham.

With the list covering every inch of the country it will eventually be narrowed down to a list of 20, then 10, before the winners are finally revealed in a ceremony in London in February. 

Those in the running will face a comprehensive appraisal of their businesses to ensure industry standards remain at their highest behind the scenes right through to customer experience. 

Judges will then hand out awards across 14 categories such as best newcomer and outstanding contribution to industry. But the highest honour – the ‘Best Picture’ if you will – is Takeaway of the Year.