The best fish and chips in Portsmouth come from a handful of chippies that locals argue over with real passion, and the Portsmouth And team set out to rank them. In a seaside city this is serious business, so we weighed up the shops that keep coming up when Portsmouth talks fish supper.
We scored each one on the things that matter in a chippy, namely the quality of the fish and batter, portion and value, the choice on the menu, how handy it is, and the service and feel of the place. Prices were not always published, so where a shop keeps that under wraps we have said so.
1. Marine Fish Bar
Tucked away in Southsea on Cumberland Road, Marine Fish Bar is the one that fish and chip purists tend to name first. It has built its reputation on fresh fish, crisp golden batter and consistency, the three things that separate a great chippy from an average one.
It is a proper neighbourhood takeaway rather than a flashy seafront operation, which is exactly why regulars trust it. The queues at teatime tell their own story.
Plus points
- Fresh fish and a light, crisp batter that holds up on the walk home;
- Generous portions that justify the price;
- A loyal local following and steady, reliable quality;
- A tucked-away Southsea spot away from the tourist mark-up.
Minus points
- Mainly a takeaway, so not the place for a sit-down meal;
- The side-street location is easy to miss;
- Can get busy with a wait at peak times.
For a classic fish supper done properly, this is the one our editors would send you to first. It wins on the plate, which is where it counts.
2. The Crispy Cod
Over towards Eastney on Locksway Road, The Crispy Cod is a firm Southsea favourite with a strong Google following. It hits the sweet spot between quality and value, and it is the kind of place families come back to week after week.
The menu stretches beyond the classic cod and chips, so there is something for fussier eaters, and the portions rarely disappoint.
Plus points
- Reliable quality with a big local fan base;
- A broad menu beyond the standard fish supper;
- Good value for the size of the portions;
- A handy spot for the Eastney and Southsea end of the city.
Minus points
- A little way out if you are based in the city centre;
- Busy weekends can mean a wait;
- Limited seating, so it leans towards takeaway.
If you are anywhere near Eastney, this is an easy recommendation. It rarely puts a foot wrong.
3. Fisherman’s Kitchen
Fisherman’s Kitchen is the name Portsmouth readers rave about, and it has earned a word-of-mouth reputation that pulls people across the city. Expect freshly cooked fish and the sort of chips that make a plain supper feel like a treat.
It trades on doing the simple things well rather than reinventing the chippy, and that is exactly why people keep recommending it.
Plus points
- A strong local reputation built on word of mouth;
- Freshly cooked fish rather than food sitting under a lamp;
- Proper chips that stand up on their own;
- Friendly, no-nonsense service.
Minus points
- Popularity means it can be busy at peak times;
- Published prices are limited, so check before ordering;
- More takeaway than sit-in.
When the whole city keeps pointing you somewhere, it is usually for good reason, and this one lives up to the hype.
4. Renny’s
Renny’s, on Renny Road near Fratton, is a proper local institution that has fed the neighbourhood for years. It is unpretentious, consistent and exactly what a community chippy should be.
You come here for a dependable fish supper at a fair price rather than frills, and that honesty is part of the appeal.
Plus points
- A long-standing local favourite with regulars who swear by it;
- Consistent, honest fish and chips;
- Fair value for a filling meal;
- A genuine neighbourhood feel.
Minus points
- Away from the seafront and the tourist trail;
- Simple surroundings rather than a destination venue;
- Limited seating.
For a no-fuss supper that never lets you down, Renny’s keeps its place on the list. It is the definition of a reliable local.
5. Plaice on the Hill
Just north of the city in Waterlooville, Plaice on the Hill is worth the short trip, having featured among national fish and chip award finalists. It shows what a modern, quality-focused chippy can do.
If you are heading in or out of the city from the north, it makes a tempting detour for a supper several notches above the average.
Plus points
- Award-recognised quality and standards;
- Fresh fish cooked to order;
- A smarter, more modern chippy experience;
- Handy for anyone travelling to or from the north of the city.
Minus points
- In Waterlooville rather than Portsmouth itself;
- Less convenient without a car;
- Can be busy given its reputation.
Not quite on the island, but good enough to earn its spot. Make the trip and you will see why it keeps winning fans.
How the chippies scored (out of 10)
What the comparison shows
The clearest pattern is that Portsmouth’s best fish and chips come from neighbourhood takeaways, not seafront tourist traps. The shops that topped our list win on the plate, with fresh fish and proper batter rather than a flashy setting.
| Position | Chippy | Score (out of 10) | % (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marine Fish Bar | 8.6 | 86% |
| 2 | The Crispy Cod | 8.3 | 83% |
| 3 | Fisherman’s Kitchen | 8.0 | 80% |
| 4 | Renny’s | 7.7 | 77% |
| 5 | Plaice on the Hill | 7.5 | 75% |
The second pattern is location. The highest scorers sit in residential Southsea and Fratton rather than on the front, which keeps prices honest and the regulars loyal. You trade a sea view for a better supper.
How we ranked them
The Portsmouth And team weighed each chippy on the fish and batter, the chips, portion size and value, scored them out of ten and leaned hardest on taste. The order is ours rather than any official award, scores are rounded to one decimal place, and the day a shop changes hands it can leap up the list or slide down it, so do not be shy about telling us your own number one.
