Fish & Chip Awards reveal restaurant shortlist

The National Fish & Chip Awards 2027 has announced its top 10 shortlist for Restaurant of the Year, recognising restaurants across Britain for food quality, hospitality and customer experience.

Organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), the competition celebrates businesses demonstrating excellence across food preparation, sustainability, staff development, business operations and overall dining standards.

“Choosing our top 10 Restaurant of the Year shortlist is one of the most rewarding parts of the competition, and this year’s participants are showcasing remarkable skill, commitment and innovation,” said Andrew Crook, NFFF president.

The shortlisted restaurants represent locations across England and Scotland. They are Chesters at Vale in Chesterfield, Derbyshire; Lakeside Fish & Chips in Poole, Dorset; Harbour Fish Bar in Folkestone, Kent; Golden Union in London’s Soho; No1 Cromer in Norfolk; The Cod’s Scallops in Nottingham; Ocean Fish Platter in Ipswich and Saltwater Fish & Chips in Felixstowe, Suffolk; Whitby’s Restaurant & Takeaway in Rotherham, Yorkshire; and The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack in South Queensferry, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The businesses will now progress to the next judging round, with the final five due to be announced later this year. The overall winner will be crowned on 24 February 2027 at a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London.

Andrew Wilkinson, general manager of Trenchers of Whitby, which won the 2026 title, congratulated this year’s shortlisted businesses and highlighted the benefits of industry recognition.

“Since winning Restaurant of the Year, we have created many more full-time positions here at Whitby and also opened the fourth Trenchers Restaurant at Bowness on Windermere,” he said.

Crook added that the awards also highlighted career opportunities in the sector, from culinary skills and customer service to business management and leadership.

The Restaurant of the Year category is sponsored by the Q Partnership, which comprises independent family-owned suppliers Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck and V.A. Whitley.