The best fish and chips Edinburgh visitors can find come from a deep tradition of Scottish chippies — small, often family-run takeaways and sit-in restaurants that have been frying haddock and chipping potatoes for generations. Edinburgh’s fish-and-chips scene differs from England’s in several distinctive ways: haddock dominates over cod (firmer texture, richer flavour), beef dripping is still the preferred frying medium at the best chippies, and “chippy sauce” — a brown-sauce-and-vinegar blend — is the local condiment that genuinely doesn’t exist elsewhere in Britain.
This guide covers more than 15 of the best fish and chips Edinburgh has to offer, from sit-in restaurants in Leith and the New Town to takeaway-only chippies on the Royal Mile and Stockbridge. Information cross-checked against current visitor reports and Scottish food awards.
What Makes Edinburgh Fish and Chips Different?
Edinburgh’s chippy tradition has several distinctive features:
Haddock over cod. Most Edinburgh chippies offer both, but haddock is the local default — firmer, more flavoursome, and traditionally caught locally from the Firth of Forth and the North Sea.
Beef dripping frying. The best Edinburgh chippies still fry in beef dripping rather than vegetable oil — giving a richer, more savoury crust on the batter. Vegetarian-fryer options are increasingly available.
Chippy sauce. Edinburgh’s signature condiment — a blend of brown sauce (HP Sauce typically) and vinegar, sometimes with water or oil added — that is genuinely unique to the city. Outside Edinburgh, it’s largely unknown. Order “salt and sauce” (rather than “salt and vinegar”) at a true Edinburgh chippy.
Pickled onion / pickled egg. Standard Edinburgh chippy accompaniments. The pickled egg (a hard-boiled egg pickled in malt vinegar brine) is more Scottish than English.
Battered everything. Most chippies offer battered sausage, battered haggis, battered black pudding, battered pizza, battered Mars bar (yes, really), and various other deep-fried specialities.
The Best Fish and Chips in Edinburgh
1. Bertie’s Restaurant Edinburgh
Just off the Royal Mile on Victoria Street. Bertie’s is sit-down restaurant rather than takeaway-only — but the fish is excellent. Sustainably sourced haddock, hand-cut chips, Scottish sides (haggis bonbons, Cullen skink). Reasonable prices for the quality.
Style: Sit-in restaurant.
Pricing: £15-£22 for fish and chips main.
Address: 9-11 Victoria Street, Edinburgh.
2. The Chippy
A modern Stockbridge chippy run by chef Spencer Whittaker. Hand-cut chips, sustainable haddock and cod, gluten-free batter available. Excellent for those wanting elevated fish-and-chips quality.
Style: Mostly takeaway, limited sit-in.
Pricing: £12-£18 for fish supper.
Address: 11 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge.
3. Landy’s Fish & Chips
Highly regarded for traditional Scottish chippy style — generous portions, homemade tartare sauce, crisp golden batter, flaky fish fried in signature beef dripping. Near the Royal Mile.
Style: Takeaway with a few seats.
Pricing: £11-£17 for fish supper.
Address: 13 Bristo Place.
4. L’Alba D’Oro
A New Town institution since the 1970s. Traditional takeaway with freshly fried haddock and cod, plus homemade dipping sauces (garlic mayo, spicy mayo, fresh tartar). Long queues at peak hours.
Style: Takeaway only.
Pricing: £10-£16 for fish supper.
Address: 7-9 Henderson Row, New Town.
5. Gorgie Fish Bar
A Gorgie locals’ favourite, west of the city centre. Large portions of golden haddock at fair prices.
Style: Takeaway with seats.
Pricing: £9-£14 for fish supper.
Address: 113 Gorgie Road.
6. Catch Edinburgh
An upmarket Leith fish restaurant focusing on sustainable Scottish seafood. The fish and chips here is genuinely fine-dining quality — hand-cut chips, beer-battered haddock, mushy peas with mint.
Style: Sit-in restaurant.
Pricing: £18-£26 for fish and chips main.
Address: Commercial Quay, Leith.
7. Ondine Edinburgh
Higher-end Royal Mile seafood restaurant. The fish and chips is a small portion of a much broader menu but among the best in the city. Reasonably-priced lunch fish supper option.
Style: Sit-in restaurant.
Pricing: £18-£28.
Address: 2 George IV Bridge.
8. The Pier Place Fish Bar
A Leith waterfront takeaway with proper sea views from outside seating. Eat your fish supper looking at the Firth of Forth and the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Style: Takeaway.
Pricing: £9-£14.
Address: Leith Shore.
9. Clamshell Fish Bar
A High Street institution near the Royal Mile. Tourists overwhelmingly busy at peak hours; locals visit late evening when queues thin.
Style: Takeaway.
Pricing: £10-£16.
Address: 148 High Street.
10. Wisemans Original Fish & Chips
A reliable South Side chippy. Solid traditional fish supper with strong locals’ reputation.
Style: Takeaway.
Pricing: £9-£14.
Address: 6 Buccleuch Street.
11. The Bay
A Portobello seafront chippy, 20 minutes by bus from central Edinburgh. Eat your fish on Portobello promenade — possibly Edinburgh’s most picturesque chip-eating location.
Style: Takeaway with sea views.
Pricing: £9-£14.
Address: Bath Street, Portobello.
12. The Fishmarket Newhaven
A serious Newhaven seafood restaurant by the harbour. Their fish and chips is built around premium fresh haddock from the daily catch. Eat in the harbour-side dining room.
Style: Sit-in restaurant.
Pricing: £18-£26.
Address: Pier Place, Newhaven.
13. Frutto Mare
An Italian-Edinburgh hybrid in the New Town. Less traditional but worth a mention for visitors wanting fresh fish prepared with Italian technique alongside the chips.
Style: Sit-in restaurant.
Address: Hanover Street.
14. Vittoria on the Bridge
A Royal Mile Italian restaurant offering fish and chips alongside Italian cooking. Tourist-popular but reasonably reliable.
Style: Sit-in restaurant.
Pricing: £15-£22.
Address: George IV Bridge.
15. Steak Capers
A small Stockbridge takeaway popular with locals. Hand-cut chips, fresh fish, fast turnaround.
Style: Takeaway.
Pricing: £9-£15.
Address: Stockbridge.
Fish & Chips by Style
Traditional Beef-Dripping Chippy
Landy’s, L’Alba D’Oro, Gorgie Fish Bar, Wisemans. Old-school Edinburgh chippy experience with classic frying technique.
Modern / Sustainable
The Chippy (Stockbridge), Bertie’s, Catch Edinburgh, Ondine. Better fish sourcing and elevated technique at slightly higher prices.
Sit-In Fine Dining Fish & Chips
The Fishmarket Newhaven, Catch Edinburgh, Ondine Edinburgh. Fish and chips treated as a serious restaurant dish.
Seafront Eating
The Bay (Portobello), The Pier Place (Leith), The Fishmarket (Newhaven). Eat with a view.
Tourist-Convenient
Clamshell, Vittoria on the Bridge, Bertie’s. Royal Mile or near. Higher prices but easy access.
Edinburgh Chippy Vocabulary
If you’re ordering at an authentic Edinburgh chippy:
“Fish supper”: Fish and chips. (NOT a “fish and chips” — say “fish supper” for full points.)
“Salt and sauce”: Salt and chippy sauce (Edinburgh’s brown-sauce-vinegar blend). The local default.
“Salt and vinegar”: Standard England-style. You’ll get malt vinegar.
“Pickled egg”: Hard-boiled egg in malt vinegar brine. Highly Scottish.
“Pickled onion”: A pickled brown onion. Self-explanatory.
“Saveloy”: A traditional smoked sausage. Battered version available.
“Battered haggis”: A staple. Surprisingly delicious.
“Black pudding”: A blood sausage. Battered version traditional.
“Battered Mars bar”: A 1990s Scottish chippy invention. Still on menus everywhere.
“Mushy peas”: Available on most menus. Better at sit-in restaurants.
Where to Eat Your Fish and Chips
Eat-in restaurant: Bertie’s, the Chippy, Catch, Ondine, the Fishmarket Newhaven. Best for proper meal experience.
Royal Mile takeaway, eat on the move: Clamshell, Landy’s. Cobbled streets and Old Town atmosphere as your dining room.
Calton Hill sunset: Pick up from a New Town chippy (L’Alba D’Oro), walk up the hill, eat with a view. One of Edinburgh’s best free dinner experiences.
Princes Street Gardens: Picnic on the lawns with the castle above. Pick up from any nearby chippy.
Portobello Beach: The Bay’s takeaway eaten on Portobello Promenade. The most scenic chip-eating location in Edinburgh.
Leith Shore: Pier Place takeaway eaten on the harbour wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fish and chips in Edinburgh?
Bertie’s, Landy’s, the Chippy (Stockbridge), and L’Alba D’Oro are consistently top-rated. For sit-in fine dining, Catch Edinburgh and the Fishmarket Newhaven are excellent. Different chippies excel at different things — generous portions vs. premium sourcing vs. price.
Why is Edinburgh fish and chips different?
Edinburgh chippies traditionally use haddock rather than cod, fry in beef dripping rather than vegetable oil, and offer “chippy sauce” (a brown-sauce-and-vinegar blend) as the local condiment. These three differences distinguish Edinburgh chippy style from English fish-and-chips.
What is chippy sauce?
Chippy sauce is Edinburgh’s signature condiment — a blend of brown sauce (typically HP Sauce) and vinegar, sometimes with water or oil added. It is genuinely unique to Edinburgh; outside the city it is largely unknown. Order “salt and sauce” at any Edinburgh chippy.
Is Edinburgh fish and chips expensive?
Takeaway fish supper: £9-£17. Sit-in restaurant fish and chips: £15-£28. Edinburgh prices are similar to other UK cities — fair value for the quality at better chippies.
Where can I get fish and chips on the Royal Mile?
Clamshell Fish Bar (148 High Street) is the most direct Royal Mile option. Bertie’s (Victoria Street, 5 minutes off the Mile) offers better quality. Landy’s is on Bristo Place 5 minutes south of the Mile.
Are there vegetarian or vegan fish and chip alternatives in Edinburgh?
Yes. Most chippies now offer battered halloumi, battered tofu, or battered vegetable (mushroom, courgette) alternatives. Vegan chip options are universal but check that the frying oil is vegetable rather than beef dripping.
What is a battered Mars bar?
A Scottish chippy invention from the 1990s — a Mars Bar coated in fish-and-chips batter and deep-fried. Available at most traditional Edinburgh chippies. Surprisingly enjoyable; almost certainly bad for you.
What time do Edinburgh chippies open?
Most takeaway chippies open from late morning (11am-12pm) until late evening (10-11pm). Some sit-in restaurants close earlier. Many serve fish-supper-friendly hours into the night, especially in the Royal Mile and Cowgate clubbing district.
Should I get haddock or cod?
Edinburgh tradition favours haddock — firmer texture, more flavour. Cod is the English default and is offered at most chippies. Try haddock for the authentic Edinburgh experience.
Where can I eat fish and chips with a view in Edinburgh?
Calton Hill (pick up from a New Town chippy, walk up). Portobello Beach (the Bay). Leith Shore (Pier Place). Princes Street Gardens (any nearby chippy). The Vennel viewpoint. All deliver memorable scenic chip-eating.
Final Thoughts
The best fish and chips Edinburgh has to offer rewards visitors willing to look beyond the obvious tourist traps on the Royal Mile. Landy’s, the Chippy in Stockbridge, L’Alba D’Oro, and Bertie’s all deliver outstanding traditional chippy quality. For the full local experience, order haddock, ask for “salt and sauce” rather than “salt and vinegar,” and eat your fish supper on Calton Hill or Portobello beach.
For broader Edinburgh dining context see our pillar guide on the Edinburgh food guide; for traditional Scottish food more broadly see our Scottish food Edinburgh piece, our Royal Mile restaurants guide, and our upcoming Edinburgh seafood restaurants guide for higher-end seafood dining.
