The he Scrap Box — York, North Yorkshire National Takeaway of the Year 2026ing Text Here
There is no higher honour in the British chippy world than the National Fish & Chip Awards Takeaway of the Year, and in 2026 the title went to a shop with one of the most extraordinary backstories in the business. The Scrap Box in York, owned by brothers Aman and Gavin Dhesi, operates out of what was once a council-owned toilet block on the A1079 between York and Hull — now decorated with a magnificent mural celebrating York’s history and landmarks, designed by the brothers’ mother.
The menu is deliberately short: cod, haddock, fish bites, scampi, and fishcakes, each cooked with obsessive consistency. Judges praised The Scrap Box’s commitment to sustainability — the team has been trialling alternative species including saithe and hake, actively working to future-proof the fish and chips trade — as well as its exceptional customer service, investment in staff, and equipment upgrades. The shop was also named one of the Happiest Places to Work in British hospitality, and its Marketing Initiative of the Year win at the same ceremony confirmed that this is a business operating at the very top of its game.
For visitors to York — one of the UK’s most beautiful cities, packed with Roman walls, medieval streets, and the magnificent Minster — The Scrap Box is an essential detour.
Address: A1079, Dunnington, York, North Yorkshire Price: £10–£14 for fish and chips Best for: Award-winning takeaway, sustainably caught fish, classic Yorkshire chippy
Trenchers of Whitby — Whitby, North Yorkshire National Restaurant of the Year 2026
If The Scrap Box is the takeaway champion of 2026, then Trenchers of Whitby is its restaurant counterpart — winning the coveted National Fish & Chip Restaurant of the Year award for the second time, having previously claimed the title in 2019. In a town famous for its fish and chips, where competition is fierce and standards are exceptionally high, winning any award in Whitby is a genuine achievement. Winning the national title is extraordinary.
Trenchers has been serving fish and chips fried in traditional beef dripping since 1980, and the result is everything you hope for from a great British chippy: a batter that shatters at the first bite, chips that are golden outside and fluffy within, and fish sourced from the North Sea waters that are quite literally visible from the dining room. The restaurant seats 210 people and employs over 100 staff, yet the quality is consistent whether you visit on a quiet Tuesday morning or a packed summer Saturday. Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has dined here. Food critic James Martin has praised it publicly as one of the finest places to eat fish and chips in the UK. Both are correct.
Address: New Quay Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1DH Price: £13.50 for regular fish and chips Best for: Sit-down restaurant, traditional beef dripping frying, harbour town atmosphere
The Magpie Café — Whitby, North Yorkshire
No guide to the best fish and chips shops in the UK is complete without The Magpie Café. Established in 1937 and housed in a handsome 18th-century merchant’s house overlooking Whitby Harbour, the Magpie is arguably the most famous chippy in Britain — and the queues that form on its steps at lunchtime, in all weathers, are a testament to why.
The Magpie Café has been celebrated by National Geographic as the best fish and chip shop in the country, praised by Rick Stein in his Food Heroes television series, rated 10/10 by Rate My Takeaway, and described by Saturday Kitchen’s James Martin as “the pinnacle” of fish and chips. The fish is sourced directly from the local Fishery Lockers, coming from boat to plate with minimal journey time. Beyond the headline fish and chips, the menu extends to lobster thermidor, scallops, and a daily catch board — making this as much a serious seafood restaurant as a chippy.
The advice for visitors: arrive before noon, queue with patience, and watch your chips around the Whitby seagulls. They have no shame.
Address: 14 Pier Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3PU Hours: Open 7 days a week, 11:30am–9pm (8pm Sun–Thu in winter) Price: £13–£18 Best for: Iconic British food experience, fresh harbour fish, seafood beyond the basics
Millers Fish & Chips — Haxby, North Yorkshire
Millers Fish & Chips in Haxby, on the outskirts of York, has built a remarkable national reputation over recent years — and the 2026 National Fish & Chip Awards confirmed its status, with team member Abigail Barker named runner-up in the prestigious Young Fish Frier of the Year award, and owner David Miller honoured with the Outstanding Contribution award for his service to the industry.
Millers is the kind of chippy that locals drive across the county for: generous portions, consistently superb quality, and the kind of warm, efficient service that makes a simple fish and chips supper feel like a proper occasion. For visitors exploring North Yorkshire — combining a trip to York, Whitby, or the Yorkshire Dales — Millers is a genuinely essential stop.
Address: The Village, Haxby, York, North Yorkshire, YO32 3HX Price: £11–£15 Best for: Award-winning local chippy, exceptional service, consistent quality
Yarm Road Fish & Chips — Darlington, County Durham ⭐ 2025 National Takeaway Champion
Yarm Road Fish & Chips in Darlington holds the distinction of being the reigning National Takeaway of the Year as The Scrap Box took over the crown in 2026 — and co-owner Will Burrell’s description of winning tells you everything about what the award means to the trade: “Winning takeaway of the year 2025 has been the proudest moment of our business life! We went from a busy shop to a crazy-busy one overnight.”
Yarm Road also won the 2026 Training and Development award, reflecting the exceptional work the team puts into staff progression and professional development — an increasingly important factor as the fish and chips industry faces pressure from rising costs and a need to attract young talent. The shop’s location in Darlington, a gateway to the North Pennines and the Durham coast, makes it a natural stopping point for food-focused travellers exploring the north-east of England.
Address: Yarm Road, Darlington, County Durham Price: £10–£14 Best for: Award-pedigree chippy, training excellence, value for money
. Noah's — Bristol ⭐ National Restaurant Runner-Up 2026
Bristol is not the first city that comes to mind in discussions of the best fish and chips in the UK — but Noah’s is working hard to change that. The Bristol restaurant finished second in the National Fish & Chip Restaurant of the Year category at the 2026 awards, a remarkable achievement for a city more associated with its street food scene and independent café culture than traditional chippy fare.
Noah’s represents the growing trend of urban chippies bringing sophisticated sourcing, creative menus, and serious environmental credentials to what has historically been a coastal or northern institution. For visitors to Bristol — one of the UK’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities — Noah’s is an essential addition to any food itinerary.
Address: Bristol (check restaurant for full current address) Price: £12–£17 Best for: City-centre award-winning chippy, modern approach to a classic dish