Yorkshire Takes the Crown as UK's Best County for Seaside Fish & Chips

It’s no surprise to us that four of the UK’s top 10 seaside towns for fish and chips are in Yorkshire. We love a good chippy in God’s Own Country, and with a stunning coastline producing some of the finest seafood around, you’re almost guaranteed a great meal when visiting one of its seaside towns.

The seaside and fish and chips are the perfect pairing. Whether it’s in the colder months, wrapped up against the elements with a portion warming your hands, or during the summer when you need a quick bite before heading back to the beach, there’s nothing quite like it. Of course, it all needs a generous helping of salt and vinegar, with a side of mushy peas, gravy, or curry sauce – the latter being the Yorkshireman’s preference.

Researchers at Simply Sea Views analysed 50 seaside towns across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They looked at factors including customer ratings and reviews, the number of fish and chip shops, waterfront locations, independent ownership, and recognition at the National Fish & Chip Awards to determine the UK’s best destinations for fish and chips.

Whitby narrowly missed out on the top spot, finishing in second place. The North Yorkshire town boasted the highest number of National Fish & Chip Awards winners and finalists, as well as more than 13,000 customer reviews. We’re guessing favourites such as Trenchers and The Magpie Café helped boost its ranking.

Just behind Whitby was Hornsea in East Yorkshire, which achieved an impressive average Google rating of 4.48 – the highest of any town in the top 10. Scarborough secured fourth place, while Bridlington also made the top 10.

Thanks to these strong performances, Yorkshire had more towns in the top 10 than any other county, earning the title of the UK’s best county for fish and chips and putting any North-versus-South debate firmly to rest.

Matt Fox, CEO at Simply Sea Views, said: “Everyone in the UK has a firm opinion about where to find the best fish and chips. It’s one of those debates that people take surprisingly seriously. What surprised us most was the success of smaller seaside towns. Hunstanton isn’t the first place most people would name when asked where to find the country’s best fish and chips, but the data makes a compelling case.

“Whitby’s reputation is absolutely deserved, Yorkshire’s dominance is remarkable, and Cornwall’s ratings are incredibly strong. Ultimately, what this research shows is that some of Britain’s best food experiences can still be found in the small seaside towns that have been serving fish and chips for generations. For anyone planning a coastal escape this summer, there are plenty of destinations here worth adding to the itinerary.”