HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
We often get asked, “Where should we go for some great fish and chips?” So to help out we have decided to list the places we highly recommend.
In order for a restaurant to get on this list they must received a score of 80 or higher. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed ordering the F&C from the restaurants below – and tell ‘em FishandChipsPlease.com sent you.
Restaurants listed in alphabetical order:
Fredies Fantastic Fishhouse
A little spot just off the beaten path in Bayers Lake… but you don’t want to miss it. We feel this is the best traditional fish and chips we’ve had in the city.
Harbour Fish N’ Fries
Feel like a little drive outside the city? Well make sure you check out this busy little spot in Musquodoboit Harbour because they’ve got a great tasting 2 piece fish and chips… FOR $7.05!!!
Jamieson’s Irish House
Perhaps the best tasting batter and fish combination we’ve encountered so far, and the atmosphere is cozy and friendly.
John’s Lunch
Falls just one point shy of our cutoff score of 80, but… John’s Lunch is on our Highly Recommended list for their Haddock Tips (ask for no fries). Simply the best deep fried fish we’ve eaten anywhere.
The Old Triangle
Great tasting fish and chips with unique homemade tartar sauce and coleslaw. If you gotta eat fish and chips while in downtown Halifax, you won’t regret hitting The Old Triangle.
Porters Lake Pub
The fries are a big letdown, but the fish and batter are amongst the best in our travels so far. Make sure you check them out on a Sunday afternoon when they’ve got live music going on!
Redwood Grill
A restaurant most people don’t even know exists, but which features great fish and chips with a hint of cajun spice (and we mean just a hint). Perfect spot to visit before hitting the theatres at Bayer’s Lake.
Wharf Wraps
It’s a little extra drive to get to Wharf Wraps, but certainly worth it. Big portions of lovely tasting battered haddock makes this place a “must dine at.”
I havent seen you guys for awhile!! hope your having fun with your adventure!!! Just want to say thanks again for what you have done for my little diner!! I will and always will, try to provide the best that I can to my customers!! Although we didnt make it on the coast list as the best…. you and all the other customers that love Fredies, make me feel that we are the best!!
cheers!!
Tammy xo
Aimee… we tried to dine there, took photos of the funky setup and the “guard” dog… but the Dude was out of fish. We’ll try to get back there before summer ends.
Agree with Shawn from July 2010 – the drive to Three Fathom Harbour is worth it for Dude’s Food. Had the Dudewich (battered haddock on a bun with fixings) and desperately want to go back to try more! BF had the fish and chips – loved it.
williams on 5644 kane st delish
Try the best on the Peggy’s Cove Rd. Located in Glen Haven on the Peggy’s Cove Rd. Different than all the rest because of the lightly battered fish lets you taste the fish not the batter. The lobster rolls are so tasty and the fries are very chrispy.
You guys should review Willman’s in the Hydrostone. Definitely better than the Old Triangle, which is currently your highest rated in Halifax proper.
Anyone tried “Large Marge” in Lunenburg?
Try Sheila’s in Hubbards shes been around 20 years simply the best fish and chips open 6 months of the year i belive she closes end of october open 1st of may
I recommend Holt’s Take-Out on the Prospect Road. (2290 Prospect Rd, Hatchett Lake, Nova Scotia)
It’s only about 10-15 min drive from the city. (A great stop on the way to or from Peggy’s Cove.) They’ve been making Fish n’ Chips as long as I can remember so around 30 years. And they are the best I’ve had!
P & J… thanks for the info about Gazoo’s… we’ll add that to our every increasing list.
I laugh when I think about how many times people have said to us, “What will you do when you’ve reviewed all the fish and chip places?” There are soooo many great places out there we’ve never heard of that our lovely readers kindly make us aware of.
As for John’s Lunch… I think my comments on our review of that great restaurant makes it pretty clear… I TOTALLY agree with you! I am totally convinced the best deep fried fish experience in the area is John’s haddock tips. Simply divine. My wife and I were there again this past Friday and there is nothing that compares to it.
As for the coleslaw… again I agree with you. It is a great recipe and they are generous with it. My disappointment when reviewing their F&C was that they don’t include the coleslaw with that order like they do with the haddock tips.
You should try Gazoo’s Take out on # 7 Highway, just past Porters Lake Superstore… They have REALLY good fish (crispy, tempura-like batter), huge amount of hand-cut w/skin on, fries; they will ask if you want tartar sauce & coleslaw (both in little cup containers). Prices are good 2 pce = $8 (enough for us 2 to share) & 3 pce = $10. Note: their poutine is also REALLY GOOD (and we’ve had poutine from Ontario to NS… Quebec may win on this one ;-)
Hands down winner (on Fish ie Haddock Tips HAS TO BE JOHN’s LUNCH & I have sampled fish from Cranbrook BC to Greece… Appropriate that the proprietors are greek ! P.S. their fries may not be hand-cut but they are ALWAYS piping hot, crispy & never greasy. And they have the best coleslaw we have EVER tasted (you can even get some to take-home)
Loren… thanks for the heads-up about Lighthouse. I’m sure we’ll find our way out there in the future. As for Hellas… we’ve had a lot of people strongly suggest we give them a try so keep an eye out for our review of that establishment as well.
It may be a little outside your area, but I just tried Lighthouse Fish & Chips in Elmsdale and it was great. The fish is fresh; the batter’s crunchy; and the fries are home-cut The owner said that they sell a lot to workers at the Airport and the industrial park. It’s actually a trailer with sheltered tables for the clientele. To get there, take Exit 8 off the 102 and go through Elmsdale straight across the number 2 highway at the lights. It’s about 4 klms on the right at 148 Old Trunk Road. They’re open until 7 p.m., but closed Monday and Tuesday. I know it’s a ways to go, but my friend and I travelled from Fairview and Sackville after work to try it after we heard such great recommendations, and we’ll go back…….As a side-note, I had the haddock tips at Hellas the other day and they were very good but limited in number. Also the fries are the frozen type and not that good. Lots of people swear by Hellas, but we all have different expectations.
Camilles used to be good when run by the original owners. They expanded and were not consistant after that. They used to buy (after new owners) whatever fish was cheaper (or so our fish guy at the time told us – who sold to them). Fresh haddock is the way to go… Cod is good too!
Try Angles in Lower Sackville (by Swiss Chalet). Just opened up. Crispy fish without that milky stuff between the batter and the fish. Fresh cut fries as well.
I tried the fish and chips at Dudes Food at Happy Dudes Surf Shop just past Lawrenctown Beach. The lady working there told us the fish was delivered fresh that morning from Jeddore. It was really good!!!
You’ll be sorely disappointed in the Chickenburger. Very small pieces. Three of their pieces are less than one in any other place.
Hey Nicole,
Is this the Nicole who recommended us to her co-worker Adam? If so, let us know if there are any F&C joints near where you guys work. Like I told Adam, we’re always scouting HRM for new spots to review.
As for The Chickenburger, it’s definitely on our “to do” list. Since we rotate through the crew for who chooses where we eat, it sometimes takes awhile to get to all these great places. In fact, it was my turn to choose last time we ventured out, and I was leaning toward The Chickenburger… however, there are a couple others on the team who are a little less than fond of that place, and I felt pressured to pick another spot. When we discovered my alternate choice charged almost 18 bucks for their F&C (!!!), we had to make yet another alternate choice, and the results were… so so.
We’ll get there soon – and I hope it’s good, ’cause I have high expectations for that place.
Great idea!! I’ll do that.
Deb… like Skippy said… try the haddock tip combo plate next time. Personally I’m not a big fan of clams… I can eat two or three but then my stomach starts to do weird things.
However… every time I’ve take a friend who likes clams to John’s they say it’s the best feed of them they’ve ever had.
Jean,
Thanks for the Hella’s recommendation. I’m itching to try this place out for the F&C (I’ve only ever had breakfast there). I wish we were scheduled to review tonight – all this talk of F&C is making me hungry.
Deb – I was quite pleased to see your comment from Fries & Co. (Sometimes we realize we’re going against popular opinion, but like Poochie says, we calls ‘em like we sees ‘em.)
We’re not out to slam these locations – we simply want to provide honest reviews to hopefully help folks spend their hard earned cash on the best deals, and avoid the not-so-great deals.
As for your clams / haddock tips dilemma at John’s Lunch, just do what I do – get the haddock tips / clams combo, sans fries. It’s the best of both worlds.
I’m so relieved that it wasn’t just us that uniimpressed with Fries and Co.
Poochie–when we go to John’s so I can feast on the clams Hubby always orders the Haddock Tips. They are delicious!! But I have a hard time ordering anything but clams. What can I say…I’m old and a creature of habit.
For all you who wanted us to check out Fries & Co. – we ate there Friday night and have just posted the review. Tell us what you think.
http://fishandchipsplease.com/fries-co/
How about thr Chicken Burger???? They have fish&chips……..everything else is good there……
Deb… we checked out Fries & Co. this past Friday… the review should be up later tonight or tomorrow. A number of people have spoken highly of Hellas, I’m sure we’ll get there soon.
As for comparing it to John’s… I always have to HIGHLY RECOMMEND that when dining at John’s you get the Haddock Tips and not the fish & chips. Big, big difference. They use the same coating as on their clams which you love so much.
I’m not a big clam fan… but whenever I take friends who like clams to John’s they walk away saying it was the best mess of clams they’d ever eaten.
Seriously… go there again and ask for a plate of Haddock Tips with no fries. A ginormous plate of amazing fish. Report back your thoughts afterward.
Fries and Co. is overrated in my opinion. We have been there a couple of times and weren’t impressed at all.
Murphy”s in Truro is really good. Annie if you had a bad experience you should try them again, everyone has a bad day. if you don’t like it the next time tell one of the owners, one of them is always there.
Hella’s is a must try! Better than John’s Lunch for fish. But nobody can beat John’s for clams.
Try Jim’s Place on the Bedford Highway ( in Rockingham )
Nicole… we’re getting a lot of people tell us to check them out. I’m sure a visit to either their Bedford Highway truck or their harbourfront shack will be in our near future.
I highly recommend The Battered Fish – it’s a fish and chip truck on the Bedford Highway across from The Equire Motel – it has more then fish and chips and is very very good.
Jacqueline Hilton… ahhh… the reason Fries & Co. hasn’t been reviewed is because… we haven’t gotten there yet. It is on our list and I’m sure you see a review for it here soon.
Ken… I can’t speak much for UK fish but Skippy and Rachel have been to Scotland and England and tasted some fine… and some “unique” fish and chip variations while there. Thanks for the heads up about Marcus & Willys… we’ll have to add that to the list.
Never have tasted fish &chips in Canada like I have in UK.
Ones that come close is Marcus & Willys in Head of Jeddore and the Henry House in Halifax. The fish is close, but the difference is the chips in the UK. Willmans, Fries & Company and Colby Ale House (Dartmouth) are worth a visit as well
Great web site as I am a lover of F&C.
Fries & Company, on the corner of Chebucto Rd. & Connolly St. in Halifax, has been in business since 1974, owned and operated by the same person . I’m wondering why this place was not rated.
Murphy’s in Truro is way overrated – it might have been great in its heyday but now I find it just greasy. After I ate there, I felt like a 20 lb. weight was settling at the bottom of my stomach. The Shillelagh outside of Truro beats them hands down for fish, fries, service and price.
Willman’s is my favourite fish and chip place In Halifax. The owner Lucien is very personable and his fish is always fresh and his homecut fries have a lovely flavour. More than once, Lucien has given my husband and I extra pieces of fish for no charge.
Lots of requests for us to review Fries & Co. I’m sure we’re going to hit it up pretty soon.
Joanne… I love your suggestion for the Westcliff diner. I’m sure there is no place like it in the entire city. I still vividly remember the time I was there and the owner threw her order booklet and pen about 12 feet in the air so it landed on a booth with a bunch of young guys, while saying… “Write down your order and bring it up here.”
Another time I went up to the counter to get ketchup or something and she asked me to take some plates of food to another table for her.
Cracks me up every time when I think about it.
Sandy Kirk… that place in Ontario sounds divine, however, I don’t think we’ll probably review it any time soon. :-)
Pinke… I’ve eaten at Pearls in Paradise a number of times (I used to live in the Annapolis Royal area for a few years)… and they indeed are good. However, I don’t think their haddock tips can compare to John’s Lunch in Woodside. Recently I had a friend up from that area and we ate at John’s. His assessment… “I didn’t think anybody could do fish better than Pearls, but this stuff is better.”
Having said all that though… personal preference means not everybody likes the same stuff… it doesn’t mean the other stuff is no good.
btw… did you ever eat at Roney’s Surf & Turn just outside Annapolis Royal? That’s where I got hooked on haddock tips… HUGE plate full! He sold it and it’s now a different restaurant altogether.
So sad.
I first want to tell you that I really love this Fish and Chip rating for Halifax.I have never tried any of the places listed as Highley recomended.I have been travelling from Bridgewater,to Halifax everytime I have a fish and chip craving,I head rite for Fries and Company.That is the BEST Fish and Chips I ever had.There Homefries are So So Good,and the fish is to Die for!!! I only wish that there was a Fries and Company here,on the South Shore!!!
I’d like to recommend you try 2 places in Halifax :
Johnny’s Snack Bar on Almon Street across from the Forum and the Westcliff Diner on Oxford Street at Bayers road.
Both are small family operations that are a throw back to your childhood(if you’re a boomer) and serve up excellent traditional F & C and are great value for your $$
Parkside Pub near Highfield has some great F&C, great specials, the chips are awesome, and the fish light and flakey.
great with a pint!
Fries and Company, 2603 CONNOLLY ST, HALIFAX, NS B3L 3M4 – off Chebucto Road, have been in business for some years. Do you intend to do a rating on them? If so, I would like to have the results.
Regards — AF
Another place that has great fish & chips is Shillelagh House in Truro. Not many better than here.
We do love Murphy’s in Truro. Light, tastey and fresh.
Another place, down in the valley and I’m not sure it’s still there. “pearls in paradise” in paradise NS. “Haddie Bits” moist and tender. Use a fork or fingers work great. Definitely a local favourite.
I have a cottage in Ontario near a town called Huntsville, in Muskoka, a beautiful part of Ontario.
We always stop at a fish and chip shop when we’re there called Westside Fish and Chips, they’re on the Main Street. The family that owns it has been there since I was a kid and I’m 32 now. I’ve never visited out east but if anyone is ever visiting Ontario, specifically Huntsville, this restaurant is a must stop at place.
Jim
We hear about Murphy’s quite a bit… a road trip is soon in order, but I’m not sure when we’ll get to Sydney.
“Chippin Dale’s”, however, is one of the best names I’ve heard. I’m hoping the owner’s name is Dale.
Two excellent places not to be missed when travelling through the province. Number one in Truro is Murphy’s Fish & Chips located in the old train station.
Number two is “Chippin Dale’s” in East Bay some 18 KM east of Sydney on Highway 4. The homemade fries are cut in front of you and the haddock is dipped in a light tempura coating.
Amazing food and great value for money!
Karen… the Harbour Fish ‘n Fries is on our list to get to. It sounds like just our kind of spot.
Jean… we’re going to hit up Hellas sometime soon too. Right now the only Sackville area restaurant we’ve reviewed is Tom’s.
So many places to eat at… and so little time (and money).
Hope you come to Musquodoboit Harbour and try Harbour Fish ‘n Fries – you won`t be disappointed it is fantastic!!! That is the red barn place that Dale Kelly mentions on his comment
Try Hella’s in Lower Sackville – in operation for years and truly a delight.
Dale: I’ve heard from a few different people now that the Barn is a good place for F&C. I have some relatives I never visit who live along the Eastern Shore, and now I’m thinking I might have a good reason to finally go visit them. [Insert evil laughter here.]
Never heard of Family Fries, but yikes! Ship Harbour…! Well, you just never know, with us, but you’re absolutely correct – you typically have to get out of the city for the good stuff, don’t you?
Thanks for the suggestions.
Skippy
if your still looking for a place to try, there is a restaurant in Musquodoboit harbour across from the Train Museum. Little Red ‘Barn’. they make really great fish and chips. People travel along the Eastern Shore for their fish.
another one a little farther down east is Family Fries they are located in Little Ship harbour which is before Sheet Harbour, again quantity is there, and so is the flavour.
to be honest you really have to leave the city, and the restaurants that ‘specialize in pizza’ to actually get a good order of fish and fries.
Camilles in halifax used to be below the bridge and they were really great but like all good things they came to an end and closed down a long time ago.