Posh fish and chips in Devon

Nothing beats a fish supper on a Friday night. Take the experience next level – we’re talking super fresh fish, elevated sides and top-notch drinks pairings – at these posh fish and chip finds in Devon

Woolsery Fish & Chips, north Devon

It’s easy to think all fish and chips are made equal and to settle for the closest option, but it’s well worth making the trip to this rural north Devon spot to prove that notion wrong. The team at The Collective at Woolsery – a curation of food and drink enterprises from tech entrepreneurs Michael and Xochi Birch which includes the award-winning The Farmers Arms – aim to make every experience extraordinary, including the food at this informal fish and chip shop.

Choose between sustainably sourced cod, haddock and, in summer, specials straight off the dayboats. Chips are triple cooked (pre-blanched and doubled fried) for extra crunch and a super fluffy centre, then doused in a gourmet vinegar blend and bespoke salt sprinkle. Those who want to navigate away from the traditional set up have the option of the likes of buttermilk fried chicken and an array of top-notch burgers made with produce from The Collective’s own Birch Farm. Don’t forget to order sides – the smoky bacon beans and the lemon and black pepper coleslaw are the stuff of local legend.

Rockfish, across Devon

Whether you’re spending the day by the water in Brixham, Dartmouth, Exeter, Exmouth, Plymouth or Torquay, you can find a phenomenal fish and chip feed at Rockfish. The South West mini-chain is known and loved for its fabulously fresh fish, great wines and relaxed vibe.

Menus change daily, depending on what’s landed by the fishing fleet in Brixham (which includes its own boat, The Rockfisher) that morning, but there are always three sustainable options to choose from on the fish and chip offering. Battered Brixham hake and line-caught Icelandic haddock are menu stalwarts, and served with homemade tartar sauce and unlimited chips. Want to push the boat out? Kick off your meal with a plate of Portland oysters and pair them with a glass of crisp Albarino.

The Cricket Inn, Beesands

Reward a stomp along the South West Coast Path with fish and chips at this seaside restaurant and B&B. Located just off the popular walking trail and a stone’s throw from Beesands’ shingle beach, The Cricket Inn is an idyllic place to refuel with elevated fish and chips and a pint of local ale.

The team are always looking for ways to make the inn as sustainable as possible, and select the most readily available local fish which is delivered daily and beer battered to crisp perfection. Chunky chips and the choice of mushy or garden peas complete the classic, however, it’s worth checking out the daily seafood specials before doubling down on your order.

Mickeys Beach, Exmouth

Feast on proper fish and chips with views of crashing waves from the first-floor dining room of this relaxed restaurant and bar from Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines. Part of Exmouth’s new Sideshore watersports centre, Mickeys Beach is the most informal member of the Michael Caines Collection and where families and friends gather to tuck into crowd-pleasing dishes and sip creative cocktails.

This may be a place to dine straight after a day on the beach, but rest assured there’s no compromise on quality. Everything is top-notch, from the burgers to the traditional fish and chips made with haddock landed in Dorset, beer-battered and served with chips, minted peas and tartar sauce.

Squires, Braunton

Ask any local where they recommend for fish and chips on the north Devon coast and they’ll point you in the direction of Squires in Braunton. The Squires family have been frying fish from their Exeter Road shop since 1969, expanding the takeaway over the years to accommodate a smart 130-seat restaurant – necessary for the droves of locals and visitors who, in summer, queue round the block to get in.

Fish is served lightly battered, but can also be ordered poached, while traditional cod is bolstered by fried hake and even plaice. The list of traditional sides (pickled egg, pickled onion, tartar sauce etc.) is long and satisfying while those looking to go off-piste should try the Goan-style fish curry or one of the popular chunky burgers.

Like 5 of the best posh fish and chips in Devon? Check out our pick of seafood restaurants in Devon.

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