Finger lickin’ chippies
The best fish and chips in West Cornwall
Freshly caught fish, super-crispy batter, lashings of vinegar, and a sprinkling of salt is a quintessential part of a seaside holiday. I’m surprised that buying fish and chips at least once during your stay in Cornwall isn’t a local by-law. Here are my best fish and chip shops in Cornwall, starting in nearby Hayle and stretching all the way to Falmouth.
Fish and Chips in Hayle
Sanders Fish and Chips
Extensive taste testing over the past couple of years had led us to the conclusion that Sanders Fish and Chips is the best in Hayle. The queues outside testify to this. You’ll find it under the viaduct next to Hayle train station. Once you have your mitts on your fish and chips, we recommend getting stuck in straight away while enjoying the views over the estuary. Alternatively, the shop is close enough to rush your golden prizes back to Three Mile Beach while they’re still piping hot.
Carbis Bay Fish and Chips
Beck’s Fish and Chips
On the main road through Carbis Bay is Beck’s Fish and Chips, a restaurant, and a takeaway place serving sustainably sourced fish with a gluten-free batter option and chips made from locally grown potatoes. Your food will be made to order, so you should expect a wait, but it’s worth it. One final thing to note is that their ‘medium’ portions are distinctly large.
St Ives Fish and Chips
Harbour Fish and Chips
There are two cracking options in St Ives. First, there’s Harbour Fish & Chips, which, as the name suggests overlooks the town’s picturesque harbour.
Porthminster Beach Cafe
For the posh option, head across the other side of the town to the beautiful Porthminster Beach Café, with its views across to Godrevy Lighthouse.
Penzance Fish and Chips
The Pirates Rest
The Pirates Rest chippy is just off the Promenade in Penzance, close to the Jubilee Pool, and on the way to Newlyn. It’s a traditional, family-run takeaway and restaurant that uses only sustainably sourced fish, and they pride themselves on the quality of potatoes to make the perfect chip.
Newlyn Fish and Chips
Lewis’s Fish and Chip Shop
Newlyn is home to a bustling fish market, a string of fishmongers but only one fish and chip shop: Lewis’s. Consequently, their fish is literally (well nearly) straight off the boat and into the fryer, and they often have some interesting alternatives to cod and haddock, like hake, john dory, or monkfish. Also, please note that they’re not shy when it comes to portion size. In the summer, I beg you to round off your meal with ice cream from Jelbert’s across the bridge. Heaven.
Sennen Cove Fish and Chips
190 Degrees West
Sennen is a stunning beach that you must visit if you haven’t yet. If the sea air sends your appetite into overdrive, then 190 Degrees West is the place for you. As well as fantastic traditional fish and chips, they do a mean salt and pepper squid and fried halloumi.
Falmouth Fish and Chips
Harbour Lights
In 2019, Harbour Lights on Falmouth’s Arwenack Street was voted one of the UK’s top ten in The National Fish & Chip Awards. The family-run restaurant has lovely views over the harbor and serves locally sourced fish, and their chips are made from Cornish potatoes. Children’s meals are served in little buckets, complete with spades. And we love that all their packaging is compostable, even the plastic sauce pots.
Seagull warning!
Seagulls love fish and chips. So, if you’re eating them alfresco, please be careful as those cheeky birds are as bold as brass and will swoop down and have your chips away before you can say mushy peas. Whatever you do, please, please don’t feed them.
More about Three Mile Beach
Three Mile Beach is a collection of 15 luxury self-catering 2, 3, and 4 bedroom beach houses in the wilds of St Ives Bay, Cornwall.
For more on what to see and do in West Cornwall from the Three Mile Beach team, friends, and local experts, take a look at our journal.
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