Introduction
Liverpool is renowned for its mouthwatering fish and chips. With numerous chippies and seafood restaurants scattered across the city, finding the best ones takes some insider knowledge. We’ve compiled a guide to the top spots serving up crispy batter and flaky fish guaranteed to have you coming back for seconds.
Liverpool’s seaside location means access to fresh catches daily including cod, haddock, and plaice that when paired with chunky chips make a quintessentially British meal. The combination of a light tempura style batter and tender white fish fried to a beautiful golden brown is what fish and chip dreams are made of.
Top Seafood Restaurants for Fish & Chips in Liverpool
When it comes to the best seafood restaurant Liverpool has to offer for exemplary fish and chips, a few key spots stand out from the crowd. These restaurants go beyond the average chippy to create memorable dining experiences centered around fish cooked to crispy perfection.
MASSIS
Specializing in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, Massis sources exceptionally fresh seafood from the docks of Liverpool to craft unique dishes. Their fish and chips platter features hearty chunks of haddock coated in a crisp rosemary and ale batter served alongside thick cut chips. The fish is locally caught and the batter flavorful and light. Paired with one of their Lebanese wines, it makes for a mouthwatering meal.
THE MONRO
The two-story seafood restaurant and oyster bar The Monro has dominated Liverpool’s food scene for decades. Their take on fish and chips does not disappoint, using only sustainably sourced fish dipped in a classic beer batter. The chips are hand cut and twice fried for maximum crunch factor. Pair an order with one of their tasty appetizers like crispy calamari or buffalo shrimp tacos for the full experience.
ALMA DE CUBA
For a unique take on a classic dish, head to Alma de Cuba, a restaurant blending Caribbean and Hispanic flavors. Their fish and chips platter sees premium haddock coated in a light and crispy chickpea-based batter that keeps the fish deliciously moist. Served alongside thin cut fries, fresh salsa and lemon aioli, it puts a creative twist on a British favorite.
Going Beyond Fish and Chips
While fried cod or haddock make classic fish and chip orders, Liverpool’s seafood restaurants also serve up amazing plates starring salmon, seabass and more. Expand your seafood repertoire by trying some of these standout dishes.
● Salt & Pepper Squid at Lunya: Tender deep fried squid gets coated in a light crispy batter bursting with aromatic notes of salt, pepper and garlic for a popular tapas plate.
● Pan Seared Seabass at London Carriage Works: This fine dining restaurant sources amazing local fish like butter-soft seabass expertly cooked and served on vibrant purees and fresh vegetables.
● Kofta Spiced Salmon at Mowgli: Known for flavor packed Indian street food, Mowgli’s aromatic salmon kofta curry sees tender salmon chunks in a rich sauce with spices and tomatoes served with pilau rice.
● Singapore Seafood Noodles at Hanover Street Social: Rice vermicelli gets loaded up with juicy prawns, fish, chicken and vegetables in this must-try Singaporean noodle dish packed with umami flavors.
So for melt-in-your-mouth fish in a crispy beer batter or more exotic globally inspired seafood plates, Liverpool has savvy seafood restaurants covered.
Where to Find Liverpool’s Top Fish & Chip Shops
While restaurants attract attention for plating up fish and chips in style, Liverpool has its fair share of tried and true chippies serving classic renditions too. These fish and chip shops keep things simple, delivering piping hot, newspaper-wrapped orders of fish and chips through generations.
PAUL’S PLACE
A tiny eight-seater shop near Sefton Park, Paul’s Place is a favorite local haunt on the Liverpool fish and chips scene. Run by the same family for over 50 years, their fish is sourly ethically from Fleetwood daily to ensure exceptional quality. Beer battered cod and haddock arrive steaming hot and crispy with the fluffiest chips around.
SEAFORTH CHIPPY
Serving the Crosby area since 1935, Seaforth Chippy prides itself on cooking everything fresh to order using traditional methods. Their fish batter is vegan friendly and cooked in high oleic sunflower oil for a healthier result with their King Prawns coming battered or grilled.
THE CATCH
Based in the suburb of Woolton, The Catch brings a gourmet sensibility to its fish and chips with a frequently changing menu. Alongside classic battered haddock and cod, expect finds like sea bream, salmon and red gurnard paired with twice cooked chips and perhaps mushy minted peas on the side.
Other Must-Try Liverpool Chippies
● Maggie Mays in Smithdown Road draws loyal crowds for its sustainably caught thick cut haddock wrapped in crispy golden batter with chips made from locally sourced Maris Piper potatoes.
● Shiraz Persian Restaurant takes a flavor detour from classic British chips to serve Iranian style battered fish with saffron rice and dipping ketchup.
● For grab and go portions, Chip’d on Bold Street uses state of the art cooking technology to deliver piping hot and perfectly cooked fish and chips in compostable packaging.
Key Takeaways
Whether you’re looking for a new twist on a familiar plate or wanting to support local Liverpool institutions that have served exceptional fish and chips for decades, Liverpool offers many spots for getting your fix.
So the next time a hankering for tender flaky fish in crispy batter strikes, explore Liverpool’s vibrant seafood restaurant scene from relaxed chippies to high-end seafood haven’s. Just don’t skip the trademark side order of chips when ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Fish and Chips in Liverpool
Where can I find the best seafood restaurants in Liverpool for fish and chips?
Some top rated options include Massis for their beer battered haddock with rosemary fries, The Monro two-story seafood haven, and Alma de Cuba for their creative chickpea battered sustainable fish and skinny fries.
What type of fish is typically used for traditional fish and chips?
Cod and haddock are classic choices thanks to being white, flaky and able to stay moist when fried. However places like The Catch spotlight lesser seen options like sea bream and gurnard on their changing menu.
Which factors impact the flavor and quality when cooking fish and chips?
From using fresh, sustainably caught fish and high oleic oils to cooking at the right temperature to perfect the batter, many elements combine for great fish and chips. Many restaurants and chippies also have their secret spice blends adding extra flavor to coatings.
Where are some landmark fish and chip shops and chippies found in Liverpool?
Favorites like Paul’s Place near Sefton Park, Seaforth Chippy established in 1935, Maggie Mays on Smithdown Road and The Catch in Woolton have devoted followings. Many chippies around Liverpool have been run by the same families for generations.
What are some tweaks and global twists to traditional fish and chips served in Liverpool?
Creative seafood restaurants are putting fusion spins on fish and chips from Massis using ale and rosemary battered haddock to Shiraz Persian Restaurant pairing batter dipped fish with saffron rice. Expect to find all kinds of modern renditions on menus around the city.