Where to find the best fish and chips in Cornwall
Fish and chips is regularly described as the ‘nation’s favourite meal’, so we know that it is enjoyed across the UK, not just in Cornwall.
However, we believe that nothing is quite as good as relaxing with this classic dish whilst overlooking a beautiful harbour or beach in what is surely our most picturesque holiday destination.
There are, of course, a whole host of takeaways and pubs around Cornwall where you can get first-rate fish and chips but, in this article, we will take you through a handful of our favourites.
All of our choices listed below are convenient if you’ll be based in Looe or Polperro on your next holiday, and also offer a great range of alternative dishes if you’ve had fish and chips a few too many times on your break and fancy something different!
Catch, Looe
The proud recipients of the ‘Best Newcomer’ award at the 2016 National Fish and Chip Awards, Catch is a high-quality takeaway which has been making waves both locally and with visitors from far and wide since it opened. Here’s what the team behind this popular new venue had to say about what makes their fish and chips so special:
“Catch is a traditional Fish & Chip Takeaway with a difference. The ethos of the business is underpinned by high quality and sustainable purchasing, with all of the cod and haddock being purchased through the Marine Stewardship Council.
“Fish is also sourced directly from the fishing boats coming in and out of the harbour at Looe, and potatoes from Hoskins Farm in Downderry. A truly local Cornish business!
“All food is cooked to order and not held during busier periods, however busy we are! All of the fish batter is natural with no additives or preservatives, tartar sauce is homemade and last but by no means least, you can get gluten free fish & chips, not available anywhere else in Looe!”
The Three Pilchards, Polperro
The Three Pilchards is a proper, old-fashioned pub in the heart of the fishing village of Polperro offering a wide range of food on its excellent menu.
However, fish and chips is what we’re concentrating on here, so we were grateful that Kat and Dan, who run the Three Pilchards, were able to tell us more about what exactly sets theirs apart from the crowd:
“Our fish and chips is one of the highest rated in the area due to our using 8oz – 10oz cod. We use our own homemade Doom Bar beer batter and recently have also experimented with a cider batter coming onto our new menu in November. Our chips are cut on the premises – steamed and cooked – all fresh.
“Being situated right on the harbour we also benefit from fresh scallops daily, which are cut on the harbour outside the pub and served up for dinner that day! Seasonal catches also allow us to use mackerel, plaice, monkfish and some occasional flat fish such as sole on our specials boards.”
The Blue Peter Inn, Polperro
Also in Polperro, the lovely Blue Peter Inn (which won a Taste of the West Gold award in 2016) is another place where you will not be stuck for choice when it comes to ordering something to eat, but we are especially keen on their seafood dishes – and their fish and chips in particular!
Here’s what the team behind the bar told us about their fish and chips, and other reasons why you should definitely take a trip to the Blue Peter when you’re next in glorious Cornwall:
“The Blue Peter Inn is a must for any visitor to Polperro, nestling between ancient smugglers’ cottages on the harbour and fish quay, just a few yards from the beach. “The Blue”, as it is affectionately known, is one of the quaintest pubs you will ever come across, with local Cornish ales always on tap and the most fantastic fresh food prepared on a daily basis, using the finest local produce available to us.
“We specialise in locally caught seafood and our fish and chips, with its light and crispy batter, has been dubbed on a par with Rick Stein’s! Our fresh and tasty food has won numerous awards and featured in many national newspapers and magazines.
“Please take the time to visit the beautiful village of Polperro and wander round the ancient traditional streets, then make your way to The Blue Peter Inn for a well-earned drink and some fantastic food!
“You’ll find us on the end of the quay – the last pub before France! We look forward to seeing you soon.”
The Rising Sun, Truro
Our final choice is a little further afield for those who have booked up their Looe and Polperro holiday breaks for later this year or next, but we think visiting the Rising Sun will be well worth the trip to Truro to sample their fish and chips and other amazing food.
The Rising Sun’s a la carte menu puts an emphasis on local, seasonal fare and, as such, is perfect if you want to sample some upscale Cornish seafood or meat in a pub which has a wonderfully rural atmosphere despite being just a stone’s throw away from the county’s only city centre.
The pub’s ale-battered fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce and crushed peas is just one of a wide range of delicious meals which are available throughout the year at the Rising Sun, so be sure to take the time to visit this lovely venue for a real treat when you find yourself near Truro.
Image Credits: 26700188@N05, karen_roe, atoach (flickr.com) ; The Three Pilchards, The Blue Peter Inn
