Ten chippies named finalists for UK’s top fish & chip takeaway award

This year’s finalists emerged after a rigorous judging process involving interviews, mystery assessments and site inspections, supported by category sponsors including BDSigns, Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck, McWhinney’s Sausages, Seafood from Iceland, Smales and VA Whitley.

The 2026 Takeaway of the Year finalists are:

County Durham

• Bells Fish and Chips (Framwellgate), Durham

Essex

• The Fish Inn, Clacton-on-Sea

London

• Brockley’s Rock, Brockley

Oxfordshire

• Harrison’s Fish & Chip Co., Oxford

Yorkshire

• Mister C’s, Selby

• Shaws Fish and Chips of Dodworth, Barnsley

• The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet

• The Scrap Box, York

Scotland

• Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie (Aberdeenshire)

• The Fish Works, Largs (Ayrshire)

Finalists will now undergo unannounced shop visits and a detailed interview with a panel of industry judges before two runners-up and the national winner are chosen.

NFFF President Andrew Crook said the calibre of this year’s contenders reflects an industry operating “at a highly advanced level.”

“Fish and chips is a national treasure, and the skill, passion and resilience shown by these takeaways truly represent the best of our sector,” he said. “We can’t wait to reveal the winner.”

Seafood from Norway, the lead sponsor, praised the finalists as “a shining inspiration” for the wider trade. “Their pursuit of excellence motivates us to continue supplying the UK with the highest-quality, sustainable cod, haddock and saithe,” said Bjørn-Erik Stabell, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s UK Director.

The reigning champion, Yarm Road Fish & Chips of Darlington, will hand over the trophy at a ceremony on 25 February 2026 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.