Award-winning fish and chip shop in Cornwall ranks top 20 again in 2024

An award-winning restaurant in Cornwall has been named among the 20 best fish and chip shops in the UK by the Observer. Harbour Lights in Falmouth consistently delivers delicious food, earning its recognition as one of the UK's best.

According to the Harbour Lights website, this eatery has been winning awards for its exceptional food since 2016. Dubbing fish and chips as the "DNA of being British," this restaurant is committed to serving the highest quality and responsibly sourced products.

This charming family business prioritises all things Cornish. Their award-winning chips are made out of the finest local potatoes whilst the fish is caught from Newlyn. The best part about this business is its environmentally friendly ethos that encourages customers to try different species as it takes the pressure off the most popular fish and provides protection to our oceans.

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However, the menu has vast options for customers to explore, small plates range from homemade onion rings (£4.55) and calamari (£7.70) to garlic mushrooms (£5.45) and chicken goujons (£7.70). For your main, grab a beef, chicken, or halloumi burger (£15.45) or a classic battered or unbattered jumbo sausage (£9.25-£10.25).

If you're not a meat or fish eater, there are vegetarian and vegan options to choose from such as vegan fish, veggie sausage and nuggets. Not only has the Observer named this humble Cornish chippie as the best but ethical animal organisation PETA has noted the leading spot for having "delectable tofu 'fish' and off-the-hook homemade smoky jackfruit 'fish' cakes."

Beaming about the restaurant, PETA director of vegan corporate projects Dawn Carr said: "Harbour Lights’ fabulous vegan fish is a real catch that celebrates the sea without harming the animals who live there."

Don't just indulge in their signature chips as there are plenty of sides to pick such as baked beans, mushy peas and gravy. Habour Lights prioritises its community by also offering a kid's menu that offers a main, drink and desert for under £10.

The Observer took notice of the "community focus at this Cornish chippie." The reviewer also reported: "Local hake is celebrated; MSC-approved choices are marked. If you eat in mains come with unlimited chips; if you eat out, beware the seagulls." The full list of the best fish and chip shops by the Observer is listed below.

The 20 best fish and chip shops in the UK, according to the Observer

• Marlboro , 46 St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8AW

• Middle Street Fish Bar , 78 Middle Street, Deal CT14 6HL

• Downstairs at No 1, 1 New Street, Cromer NR27 9HP

• Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough , High Street, Flamborough YO15 1JX

• Shakey Shakey Fish Bar, 75 High Street, Ramsgate CT11 9RJ

• Gower Seafood Hut , Southend Gardens, Promenade Terrace, Mumbles SA3 4DS

• Magpie Café , 14 Pier Road, Whitby YO21 3PU

• Anstruther Fish Bar, 42-44 Shore Street, Anstruther KY10 3AQ

• Fish Central , 149-155 Central Street, King Square, London EC1V 8AP

• Chips @ No 8 , 6 Clifton Road, Prestwich M25 3HQ

• The Cod’s Scallops , Nottingham and Birmingham

• Colmans Fish and Chips , 176-186 Ocean Road, South Shields NE33 2JQ

• Ship Deck , Newport Road, Trethomas, Caerphilly CF83 8BR

• Cheeky Maharaja , West Midlands

• Harbour Lights , Arwenack Street, Falmouth TR11 3LH

• John Long’s , 39 Athol Street, Belfast BT12 4GX

• Frankie’s Fish and Chips , Brae, Shetland ZE2 9QJ

• Maggie’s Café , 8-9 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW

• The Carron , 1 Allardice Street, Stonehaven AB39 2BN

• Caersws Fish Bar , Station Road, Caersws, Powys SY17 5EQ

Read more on the Observer website here.