Best Fish and Chips in South Shields

South Shields and fish and chips go together like salt and vinegar. The town has been a seaside destination for generations, and the chippy culture here runs deep. Whether you want a sit-down meal overlooking the sea or a newspaper-wrapped takeaway eaten on the prom, South Shields has some of the best fish and chips in the North East.

Here is our guide to the best.

Colmans Fish and Chips

Address: 176-186 Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2JQ

Colmans Fish and Chips is a South Shields institution. The family has been serving fish and chips from this spot on Ocean Road since 1926 -- that is five generations of frying. Colmans regularly features in national best-of lists and has won numerous awards over the decades. The fish is sourced from sustainable fishing grounds, fried in additive-free vegetable oil, and the leftover oil is converted into biofuel.

The restaurant is large enough to handle busy periods, with both a sit-down dining area and a takeaway counter. The menu covers all the classics -- cod, haddock, plaice -- with sides, pies, and homemade desserts. On a Friday evening the queue for takeaway stretches out of the door, which tells you everything you need to know.

Best for: Five generations of fish and chips on Ocean Road. The benchmark against which every other chippy in South Shields is measured.

Colmans Seafood Temple

Address: Sea Road, South Shields, NE33 2LD

Colmans Seafood Temple is the same family's seafront restaurant, situated right on the coast with panoramic windows and unrivalled views of the sea. This is a more upmarket experience than the Ocean Road original -- the menu expands into grilled fish, seafood platters, lobster, and daily specials -- but the fish and chips are every bit as good.

The Seafood Temple holds a 4.4-star rating on Tripadvisor from over a thousand reviews. On a clear day, the views from the dining room are magnificent. Booking ahead is strongly recommended for weekend lunches and Friday evenings.

Best for: The Colmans name with sea views and a broader seafood menu. Book ahead for weekends.

The Sand Dancer

Address: Sea Road, South Shields, NE33 2LD

The Sand Dancer is an award-winning gastropub right on the beach at Sandhaven. It serves a broad menu covering steaks, tapas, and Sunday roasts alongside a solid fish and chips offering. The fish is beer-battered and served with proper chips, mushy peas, and tartare sauce.

The pub is dog-friendly, has live music at weekends, and the outdoor terrace has direct views across Sandhaven Beach. It is a good option if your group cannot agree on fish and chips -- there is plenty else on the menu -- and the atmosphere is more relaxed pub than formal restaurant.

Best for: Gastropub fish and chips with a beach terrace. Dog-friendly, live music, and a broad menu beyond fish.

Minchella and Co

Address: 9-11 Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2HT

Minchella and Co is primarily famous as an ice cream parlour -- the family has been making ice cream on Ocean Road since 1942 and won the ICA National Ice Cream Championship in 2018-19 -- but it also serves fish and chips, and the combination of a portion of chips followed by a Minchella's ice cream is one of the great South Shields seaside experiences.

Minchella's has a second location on the walkway by the Amphitheatre on Sea Road, right on the seafront. Both locations are popular with families.

Best for: Ice cream champions since 1942, with chips to match. The quintessential South Shields seaside combination.

Where to Eat Your Chips

The joy of South Shields fish and chips is the setting. The seafront promenade has benches facing the sea, Bents Park has wide grassy areas for a picnic, and the steps down to Sandhaven Beach are a natural gathering point on warm evenings. For a more dramatic backdrop, take your chips south along the coast to Marsden Bay and eat them with a view of the sea stacks and cliffs.

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Know a chippy we have missed? Get in touch via our contact page and we will keep this guide updated.

See also our guides to things to do in South Shields and the best takeaways in South Shields.