Best New England Fish and Chips | 10 Seafood Shack Favorites
From Maine to Connecticut, here are the best places to get your New England fish and chips fix this summer.
By Mike Urban|Jul 15 2022|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanA plate of New England fish and chips (fried fish fillets with french fries), served with tangy tartar sauce, is one of the most popular dishes at many seafood shacks. This delightfully informal meal originated in Great Britain in the 1800s, but it has graced New England menus for decades, particularly along the seacoast. Yankee contributor and seafood expert Mike Urban, author of Clam Shacks (Cider Mill Press), has eaten more than his fair share of fish and chips from Maine to Connecticut. Here are his 10 favorite spots for New England fish and chips.
10 Best New England Fish and Chips
Westfair Fish and Chips
Westport, CT
Located behind a strip mall on Boston Post Road in populous Fairfield County, Westfair has been serving up its signature fish and chips for more than 30 years. Cod fillets are battered in a mixture of flour, water, and seasonings; fried to a puffy crispness; and served with thick-cut fries. Fried sole may be substituted for the cod, if desired.
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock
New London, CT
This seafood mainstay in southeastern Connecticut serves up a terrific plate of fish and chips — which may be surprising, because Scott’s is known primarily for its lobster rolls. The cod, haddock, or fluke (“whatever’s freshest that day,” says the owner) is wet- and dry-battered, fried to perfection, and served with thin, crispy fries. The one-piece serving is fine for lunch; go for the two-piece at dinner.
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Sea Swirl
Mystic, CT
Housed in a glass-front building that used to be a Carvel ice cream stand, this Mystic, CT, mainstay serves up some excellent fish and chips. Showcasing fish from the nearby Stonington docks, Sea Swirl’s lightly battered fillets are crunchy and sweet. The fries are thick-cut and equally crunchy outside and tender within, indicative of fresh cooking oil and a deft touch with the deep fryer.
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Buttonwoods Fish and Chips
Warwick, RI
This homey little restaurant anchors one end of a strip mall in a residential Warwick neighborhood and is a bit of a hidden gem for lovers of fish and chips. The battered cod fillets and square-cut fries taste best when given a light dousing of malt vinegar. Though the portion size isn’t huge, the quality of the food and the loving preparation make for a fine meal.
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Amaral’s Fish and Chips
Warren, RI
Amaral’s resides in a small box of a building on a side street in a working-class section of Warren. This family-owned Portuguese-American mainstay has been serving up home-cooked fare for more than 30 years, and fish and chips is its most popular dish. The sweet-tasting fillets (haddock or cod) are coated in a crunchy batter and served atop a bed of crispy fries. Try some of the home-baked Portuguese sweet bread if they’re baking it the day you’re there.
SEE MORE: Amaral’s Fish and Chips | Local Flavor
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Sir Cricket’s Fish n’ Chips
Orleans, MA
Joined at the hip to a top-notch Cape Cod seafood market, Sir Cricket’s is known far and wide for its great fried seafood, especially its fish and chips. The battered fillets and expertly fried chips come in regular and large sizes. Plus, Sir Cricket’s has the look and feel of an authentic British fish and chips shop, with its colorful wall menu, cramped quarters, and cheerful service.
SEE MORE: 10 Best New England Seafood Markets
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Captain Frosty’s Fish and Chips
Dennis, MA
This mid-Cape institution offers daily “specials” on its fish and chips: fresh Chatham cod or locally caught flounder. Either way you can’t go wrong. The battered fillets have a crispy, crunchy coating that seals in the fish’s fresh flavor. The fries are equally crispy, and the slaw on the side makes for a nice palate-cleanser. Be sure to try one of Captain Frosty’s many ice cream treats, too.
SEE MORE: The Best Cape Cod Lobster Rolls
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Ken’s Place
Scarborough, ME
Stop here for a plate of fish and chips, and you’ll be rewarded with a massive, melt-in-your-mouth piece of breaded, fried haddock that’s as fresh as can be. Crinkle-cut fries and a dinner roll with butter round out the fish and chips platter. (Tip: go for the homemade tartar sauce over the Kraft version.)
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Susan’s Fish-n-Chips
Portland, ME
Located a few miles inland from the famous waterfront in Portland, ME, Susan’s pulls fish-and-chips enthusiasts from downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. Casually housed in a former service station, Susan’s breads and fries its seafood in full view, just behind the order counter. The haddock fillets are firm and fresh, and the fries are hand-cut. Hands down, this is one of the best places for fried seafood in Portland.
Photo Credit : Mike Urban
Bet’s Fish Fry
Boothbay, ME
This place is legendary, housed in a galvanized-roof shack just off the main road leading into Boothbay, ME. Namesake owner Bet Finocchiaro uses locally caught haddock, which she breads and fries to crispy perfection. The hand-cut fries come from Maine potatoes, making Bet’s a farm-(and sea-)to-table operation long before such a thing was cool. The portions are huge, the price is unbeatable, and the characters running the shack are unforgettable.
Where’s your favorite spot for a plate of New England fish and chips?
This post was first published in 2018 and has been updated.
SEE MORE:
10 Best Clam Shacks in New England
The McDonald’s Lobster Roll Experience
10 Best Fried Clams in New England
You forgot Ye Olde English Fish and Chips in Woonsocket, RI……..by far the best fish and chips I’ve ever had!!
My choice for the best “Fish and Chips” is Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery. Especially combined with their homemade tartar sauce. All their haddock is delivered fresh daily and is scrumptious..
Don’t forget Gene’s Famous Seafood in Fairhaven, CT…..the best ever – especially the scallops!!
It’s in Massachusetts. Fairhaven, Massachusetts not Connecticut
Does anyone remember Teals in Weymouth MA? Best fish eva!
They all sound divine, but you forgot Lenny and Joe’s in Westbrook, CT!
Love Lenny & Joe’s in Westbrook, CT!
Peddlar’s Daughter – Haverhill served with their homemade tarter
And ketchup!
You forgot Schermerhorn’s Fish & Chips in Holyoke, MA..just as good as the kind you get in England!
You betcher a**! Been in Holyoke for 40-50 years.
Great article and completely agree with sir
Great article and fully agree with Sir Crickets making the top 10. Their fish is always fresh, thick cut and juicy, their chips thickly cut, delicious. I would add Sesuit Harbor Cafe and Chatham Fish Pier as excellent seasonal choices too
You have to add The Drouthy Bear on Route 1 in Camden Maine. A genuine Scottish pub (Drouthy means thirsty). Fish and chips is first rate, and a large portion!
Alas, it has closed.
I was going to add them to the list….People come from all over to enjoy their fish & chips & now an expanded menu. Best around!!
BREWSTER FISH HOUSE
Williamsberg snack bar rt 9 is my choice you may find as good but you wont find any better.
Very glad to see Westfair Fish & Chips recognized for its fried fish but for me it is THE destination for fried clams and scallops. Both are fantastic!
Whereas non were listed in Massachusetts, any recommendations?
Kramer ‘n’
Kreme ’n’ Kone in Dennis and Chatham is THE best fresh haddock fish and chips (and onion rings) in all the land!!
A roadside shack on route 3A in Hingham Ma…the Hingham Lobster Pound has a “secret” proprietary batter recipe handed down through the succession of ownership…mouth watering,and the aroma of the takeout wafting through the brown bag–pull over,I have to eat it NOW!
you forget gluten free
And vegan. LMAO
You’re kidding here. TWO Cape Cod places and the rest ME, RI and CT???
Ridiculous.
right?!
I travel up and down Rt.1 from NH and Maine and have found Bob’s in Kittery to be over rated. The food is not that great and it is costly to eat there. There are plenty of places up Rt.1 that have better tasty seafood and cheaper on the wallet.
Charlie’s Place, Gloucester, MA. Casual dining frequented by both locals & tourists. No ocean view, but great food. Reasonable prices. Friendly service. Their fish and chips are always light, crisp batter, not doughy at all. Large portions. It’s the first place and the last place (and in between) we go when we’re on vacation. I crave it the rest of the year. There whole menu and specials are great also, seafood and comfort food. ❤️
In central Mass. there is no place better than Kay’s on Rte. 2A in Westminster. Haddock portions are very large and inexpensive. Been going here for more that 50 years. Soft serve is as good as you can get and in huge sizes-the kid cone is enough for me. Bon appetit!
I agree with Tref! ! My husband and I love this place! Their lobster rolls are good too.
Jonathon’s Seafood Restaraunt on East side Rd in Conway NH is the best fried seafood I have ever eaten. Far from the coast but fresh,light and delicious.We travel to coastal towns in Maine and New Hampshire and always have a seafood dinner and say not as good as Jonathan’s.
Unfortunately Jonathons seafood is mo longer opened. They sold and it’s some kinda of residence now.
Ye Olde English Fish & Chips in Woonsocket, R.I. has won every Fish and Chips contest. I never make comments like this but your readers deserve to know the truth.
Ye Olde English fish and chips just celebrated 100 years.
We love Shanks in Clinton Ct. for lobster rolls. Butter toasted roll, cup of lobster(lg) and a small cup of melted butter. Served this way your roll does not get soggy.
The best fish and chips in Rhode Island is Champlains in Pt Judith.
Newicks!
Newicks has gone way downhill. Thought my server was having a bad day, went back two more times , poor service, fair food, upcharge for everything, and NO A/C ! Was a great Family restaurant we use to go a few times a year with the whole family. Haven’t gone back in 2yrs.
“You forgot”
No they choose not to add. What is wrong with you knuckle draggers?
They are called Fish & Chips yet the writer keeps referring to the chips as fries! If that was the case they’d be called Fish & Fries.
We a.ways,liked the weathervane many years ago. Not sure if they are still good. There was a nice one past Kittery trading post where we used to get it and sit and look at ocean while,eating. Can’t trmeber exactly where it was now- small little shack it were. There is also a great one in Kennebunk port we loved going to- right by the bridge there somewhere. Can’t trmember name. But you can’t miss it. Also a nice resteraunt where I had onemof,the best fish sandwiches just up the road in Ealing distance from thst shack.
Yarmouth House, Yarmouth Mass. Has excellent fish and chips.
Patrick’s Pub, Pittsfield MA by far best Fish n Chips