Fish! Borough Market… doesn’t get much better than that served at Fish!

It was sad to see that no London eateries picked up a gong at the recent National Fish and Chip Awards 2023.

The judges can’t have been to Borough Market, that’s for sure. Our national dish doesn’t get much better than that served at Fish!

The queue for the takeaway section typically goes round the block and is worth the wait, particularly if you’re looking for a more budget friendly option.

Proper fish and chips don’t come cheap here – cod and chips will set you back £23 and includes mushy peas and tartare sauce.

I can hear the deep intake of breath as you reached the end of that sentence.

“Fish and chips for £20?” My words of more than decade ago, at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, rang in my ears.

Back then I took my custom to Stein’s takeaway next door and at quayside.

But on this day, we were a family of four and dining alfresco, with no designated seats free, and with a little one in tow, didn’t appeal, so inside the restaurant we went.

Much like the rest of Borough Market, Fish! Was packed.

We shared two portions of the finest fish and chips you’ll find in this area of London.

This was in part due to price, but also because that’s what we do at home.

With the scary amount of calories contained within, does anyone need to eat a whole portion?

This also justified a quick pillage of Borough Market afterwards – namely one of the many chocolate brownie vendors.

Cod & chips was everything you’d expect from a great example.

Top of list was beer batter that was light, tasty and not greasy – neither to the touch or underneath.

This may sound fussy, but it’s a pet hate.

The fish was juicy and flaked off in huge chunks.

Hand-cut chips dipped into home-made tartare sauce, completed the dish.

The only mild disappoint was the mushy peas, which lacked minty freshness and instead tasted of peas cooked in stock.

There is so much more to this menu than the deep fat fryer at Fish!

Classic prawn cocktail, Thai fish cakes and dressed crab for starters.

For main course, chargrilled squid, chorizo and roast tomato, tuna nicoise and soft shell crab and grilled wild fish.

There’s a non-fish section for dedicated carnivores but be warned, nothing for veggies and vegan, unless of course they’re happy to settle for a lunch of side dishes.

Fish! Borough Market, Cathedral Street, London SE1 9AL.

 

Picture: Fish and chips from Fish! And the restaurant Pictures: Fish!/ Paloma Lacy