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The national dish of Britain, there is nothing more English than Fish and Chips! It’s easy to take seafood for granted when it comes to eating halal but to get that perfect golden crisp, many of the top chippies fry their catch in either beer batter, beef drippings or lard. So just for you, we’ve put together 5 Muslim-friendly fish-and-chip favourites so you can lunch like a local.
[All information, including the halal status of the establishment, prices and menu, is accurate at the time of posting. We highly advise our readers to validate the halal status of the establishments before dining there.]
1. Poppies Fish and Chips
Using only the best clear groundnut oil, Poppies Fish and Chips have been consistently ranked top 10 in London by some of the city’s toughest food critics. With a simple but well-utilized interior, you feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1940s when the shop first opened after the Second World War. The black and white photos, miniature statues of soldiers, the jukebox playing doo-wop and the ‘Popette’ waitresses are totally Instagram-worthy!
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With a choice of Cod or Haddock, their traditional fish and chips are fried in a mean crispy batter with firm, flaky fish inside. Their chunky chip shop chips will please you just as much as the portions. Order a regular side of mushy peas to make it a meal.
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With a great range of grilled fish, starters and dessert, expect to leave with a full stomach. Bonus: the establishment commits to sustainable fishing sources and responsible supply chain management which means a no-guilt meal!
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Poppies has three branches - one in Soho, one in Camden and one in Spitalfields.
Halal status: Serves seafood options. Please note that Poppies uses an alcohol-free batter for its fish and chips. The restaurant serves other meat dishes (namely chicken and sausages), which are non-halal, however, you can request for your fish to be fried separately. Poppies also serves alcoholic drinks. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Price: Average price of GBP13 - 20 per person
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu, 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat, 11am - 11.30pm; Sun, 11am - 10.30pm
Address: Please refer to their website for the respective addresses for all three locations.
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2. The Sea Shell of Lisson Grove
This restaurant is a little fancier than what you’d expect from a chippie. The Sea Shell of Lisson Grove has had a long-standing reputation for being one of the top fish and chips bistros in London. Made famous by local foodies and a celebrity clientele, you can expect fresh, delicious and local fare with a slightly higher price tag. Sit by the aquarium if you get the chance!
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The fish is fried in pure groundnut oil with a light and crispy batter (or matzo meal and panko as alternatives) with fresh and meaty portions but the chips, although bottomless, have a lot of improvements to make. So skip that if you don’t mind and go for the fish pie, fish soup or fish cakes instead which are said to be out-of-this-world.
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Halal status: Seaf00d-only restaurant. Please note that alcoholic beverages are available on the menu. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 10.30pm from Monday to Saturday
Price: £16 for fish and chips, not including service charges
Address: 49-51 Lisson Grove, London NW1 6UH
Directions: Get to Marylebone station by Tube, walk down Melcombe Place and take a right at Lisson Grove.
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4. Mr Fish (Please note that Mr Fish is currently closed for refurbishment as of Jul 2019)
Now Mr Fish has a bit of mixed reviews, with the more recent ones being supremely happy with the quality of food, portion size and service. The line at lunch hour is enough to know that you can be sure to get your chippie fix but a tip to note is to always ask for the fish to be cooked fresh rather than heated from a freezer.
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Fried in rapeseed oil, you’ll have a choice of your fish either in breadcrumbs, matzo meal or batter served with chips, new potatoes, mashed potatoes or a mixed salad. The lunchtime special is a real deal with a small cod, chips, mushy peas and a drink costing just under £8.
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Halal status: Uses halal ingredients. Please note that alcoholic beverages are available on the menu. We recommend that you dine here at your own discretion.
Opening Hours: 11am – 12.00am daily (please note that Mr Fish is currently closed for refurbishments - please check their website for updates on their reopening)
Price:£15 for fish and chips without drinks or additional sides
Address: 51 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6NJ
Directions: Take the Tube to Queen’s Park and Mr Fish is just across the street.
5. Eddie's Fish Bar
Eddie's Fish Bar is a restaurant conveniently located near right near to King's Cross station. Don't expect a super fancy restaurant - it's a simple establishment, but this eatery uses only halal ingredients, meaning you can eat off their entire menu!
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In addition to fish and chips, they also serve kebabs, pies, and Arabic sides such as hummus and falafel. Prices are also affordable (with their fish and chips going for GBP7), so you won't have to splurge as much!
Halal status: Uses halal ingredients. Please note that alcoholic beverages are served here. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening Hours: 10am – 1am daily
Price: GBP7 - 10 per person
Address: 327 Grays Inn Rd, Kings Cross, London WC1X 8PX, UK
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ENJOY!