The humble fish and chip shop has become such a large part of our society and identity over the years, that tell anyone that you like gravy on your fried fish and you’ll be in a discussion with them for hours.
Here in Manchester too, our legacy is long and rather significant, as the region is said to be home to the world’s first fish and chip shop in Mossley, and is officially the place where the first fried chip shop opened in Oldham in 1860.
Today our love affair with the chippy continues, and we’re lucky enough to have an increasingly varied offering available to us, from the traditional chippy cooking their chips with beef fat, to super-modern chip shops offering up contemporary takes on the classic dishes.
Many of the following chippies have won prestigious awards for the quality of their fish and chips, while others are simply adored within their local (and loyal) communities and are more than happy with that. Some are large, others are hidden away down side streets – but all are truly magnificent and should be on your list for a visit soon…
Chips @ No.8
This outstanding Prestwich chippy was ranked highest in Manchester in the Fry Magazine Awards this year – voted in the top 50 out of a whopping 10,500 chippies across the UK. Their daily fish deliveries from the Scottish coast really set their fish apart, plus, the chips here are blanched and then fried in beef dripping – just like they should be. It’ll tug at those nostalgic strings too with rag pudding, battered sausages, Ben Shaw’s Dandelion & Burdock and pickled eggs too.
Chips @ No.8, 8 Clifton Rd, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3HQ
Tony’s Chippy
Easily one of the city’s most famous, most loved and most impressive fish and chips shops, Tony’s tops most ‘Best Chippy’ polls across the internet. Is this the best chippy in Manchester? We’re inclined to say a big yes – if only for the sheer quality of the food, all cooked fresh and fish made to order. The price point is hard to beat too. Essentially it’s the ultimate package and if you’re looking for a no-frills fish and chips experience – Tony is your man.
Tony’s Chippy, 3 Piercy St, Manchester M4 7HY
0161 205 4593
Atlantic Fish Bar
I love any establishment that had a Greek God proudly painted on its sign, and I have a particularly soft place in my heart for Atlantic Fish Bar in Chorlton. I think this one has to be one of the cheapest on the list – and certainly one of the best. It makes for the perfect place to grab a bite on your way back to the tram after some heavy drinking in Chorlton and is open until midnight.
Atlantic Fish Bar, 557 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M21 0AE
0161 861 0765
Armstrong’s Fish & Chips
‘Home to the Jumbo Cod’ they proudly proclaim, but it’s not just the cod which is amazing – Armstrong’s hit the corkie for a 6 throughout most of their menu. They don’t do things by half here, with a choice of 3 different kinds of curry sauce (English, Chinese and Irish) and, if you go to the one in Oldham – you just have to try their Rag Pudding.
Armstrongs,
486 Bury Old Rd, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1NL
39 Market St, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8NR
The Hip Chop Chip Shop
The Hip Hop Chip Shop started its life as a food truck (which you can still book for private events) focusing on ‘pimped up’ chippy classics such as epic fish finger butties, battered halloumi, beer-battered pickles and the best curry sauce ever. Their Ancoats restaurant has become a firm favourite in the community, and even offers a space for events and club nights. A real plaice for bass. Sorry.
The Hip Hop Chip Shop, 44 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF
thehiphopchipshop.com
@mssarahwalters
The Fish Hut
A big favourite in the city centre, this little Castlefield chippy has been delighting local office workers and the odd resident for many, many years now and it’s still just as impressive as it always was. If you ever hear anyone decry the lack of proper chippies in the city centre, send them here. They’ll come back with a bag of chips, a Tango and a massive smile on their face.
The Fish Hut, 27 Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4NW
0161 839 0957
Kingfisher
There’s seemingly something about naming your chippy Kingfisher and just like the one that used to be on Tib Street in the NQ – this Stretford chip shop is very, very good. This one is immensely popular amongst almost everyone in the local area – a cross between a traditional caff and a chippy. Basically, you can get a Full English and a side of Fish & Chips. It sounds like it shouldn’t work but it does – really well in fact.
Kingfisher, 106 King Street, Stretford Mall, M32 9BA
07896 307205
The Codfather
Northwich is home to a high proportion of excellent chippies, but the undisputed best is without a doubt The Codfather on Manchester Road. Multi-award winning, this place uses only fresh fish caught in the North Sea from fully sustainable stocks, and their chips are all cut and cooked to perfection on site. The secret to its success comes from owner Matthew Orange who was tragically killed in a road accident in 2020. The chippy is now run by his wife Claire, who continues to use his techniques to ensure it keeps up to his high standards.
The Codfather, 289 Manchester Rd, Northwich CW9 7NE
www.thecodfather.org.uk
@lesyeuxdeverseau
Wright’s
Traditional fish and chips, done proper and available in the city centre. Wright’s really has it all. I can’t really fault this place- they have everything from perfectly battered cod, fish cakes, scampi, fish fingers and of course, the holy grail of chip shops, scraps.
Wright’s Fish & Chips,86 Cross St, Manchester M2 4LA
0161 222 6105
Anchors Fish & Chips
One of the more established choices here in Manchester, this chippy is an East Didsbury institution. Previously known as Fosters, it was once noted by the Times to be in the top 30 fish & chip shops in the whole country, so it would be sacrilege to leave them off this list. They’re a traditional chippy “with a modern twist”, with sustainable hand-cut fish, local suppliers and huge sharing ‘Tray Meals’ perfect for everyone to just tuck in and get messy.
Anchors Fish & Chips, 812 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 6UH
0161 445 4430
Levers Fish & Chip Shop
Home to the world’s first fried chip, Levers in Tommyfield Market even has a coveted blue plaque outside to let you know all about it. The first chips were fried here around 1860, and it’s thought that from here a fella named John Lees went and opened up the first chippy in Mossley just up the road. Levers is still absolutely fantastic too, easily the best place for a Rag Pudding in the whole of the UK.
Levers , Unit 2 Albion St, Oldham OL1 3BG
0161 633 0074
The Chippy On Burton Rd
This West Didsbury chippy definitely takes the prize for style and sophistication. The interior and branding is all rather modern, especially when compared to some of the other places on this list. The substance is also on point though – with all the classics you need from your friendly neighbourhood chip shop, plus regular exciting new specials like crispy fried whitebait, salt and pepper squid and a serious selection of pies.
Follow The Chippy On Burton Road
The Chippy on Burton Road, 178 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 1LH
0161 414 1111
The Little Fish & Chip Shop
This unassuming chippy is tucked away in the corner of Cheadle and looks like something taken from a bygone era. Little is most certainly the operative word when it comes to this spot, and it may be small, but it is perfectly formed with some of the crispiest batter, chunkiest chips and friendliest service around. No bells and whistles, just a proper traditional chippy.
The Little Fish & Chip Shop, 7 Wilmslow Rd, Cheadle SK8 1DW
0161 428 5205
@onmesoapbox
The Dolphin
The love and affection people have for The Dolphin chippy is certainly something that will grab your attention when talking to anyone in Reddish about fish and chips. Everyone seems to love this place and once you’ve started digging away at their perfectly fried fresh fish and chunky chips – you’ll see why. If you’re gluten intolerant too – their Gluten-Free fried fish is outstanding.
The Dolphin, 592 Gorton Rd, Stockport SK5 6RE
0161 223 0439
@hannahs.food.diary_
Sykes Fish & Chips
The accolades for Swinton’s Sykes Fish & Chips just keep piling up, but I doubt they’ll ever be able to top being voted ‘Salford’s Best Chippy’ back in 2020. It’s a community staple over in Pendlebury, and it’s all down to their exceptionally high levels of quality – using only use cod, haddock & hake which have been sourced from the sustainable fishing waters of Iceland or the Barents Sea.
Sykes Fish & Chips, 596 Bolton Rd, Pendlebury, Swinton, Manchester M27 4ET
0161 793 9249
Credit: Wigan Today
The Fish at Goose Green
Another chippy named in the top 50 Fish & Chip Shops in the UK, The Fish at Goose Green is noted for the exquisite quality of their fish, staff presentation, front-of-house hygiene and outstanding customer service. The chips in particular were raved about by one inspector who proclaimed that they “just melted in your mouth when bitten into and were perfect chippy chips.”
The Fish at Goose Green, 12 Clapgate Ln, Goose Green, Wigan WN3 6RN
01942 244952
