Fish and chips is widely regarded as Britain’s national dish and remains one of the most popular takeaway foods nationwide. It combines crispy battered fish, usually cod or haddock, with golden chips, creating a simple yet remarkably satisfying meal today.
The dish originated in England, where its two main components arrived separately through different immigrant culinary traditions and communities there. Fish and chips first appeared in Britain during the 1860s, quickly becoming an affordable favourite among working-class communities across England. Remarkably, it was among the few foods that remained available without rationing during both World Wars, preserving its popularity nationwide.
Today, thousands of establishments across Britain, commonly known as chippies, prepare this unmistakably British classic for locals and visitors alike. However, one particular chippy in Greenwich, London, stands apart by serving what many consider the finest fish and chips ever. For anyone seeking an authentic British experience, this Greenwich institution deserves a place on every food lover’s London itinerary today.
The Golden Chippy
This place, at 62 on Greenwich High Road in Greenwich London, was ranked in 2016 as the best restaurant in London on Tripadvisor. It has a perfect rating after 1,961 reviews on the same site (on 05.09.2021). The restaurant has also appeared in several magazines, including the Emirates Airlines in-flight magazine and the Evening Standard newspaper.
It all started in 1977, when Chris Kanizi arrived in London from Cyprus with ambitious plans to study medicine and become a doctor. However, life took him along a different path, leading him through various jobs before eventually opening his traditional British restaurant in 2005. Since then, the restaurant has become a much-loved institution within the Greenwich community, attracting generations of loyal customers and visitors. Its success comes from high-quality ingredients, carefully sourced from trusted suppliers, combined with a closely guarded secret recipe for its distinctive batter. These elements gradually established the restaurant’s reputation, first throughout London and eventually across the United Kingdom, attracting customers from far beyond Greenwich.
On the menu, there are many types of fish, such as cod, haddock, and plaice. They are fried or grilled with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon, and tarragon, and served with freshly chopped potato chips and a Mediterranean style salad. Another excellent side are the mushy peas. Also they serve a very well cooked and tasty curry sauce. Apart from fish, the menu offers various other dishes like chicken, burgers, and pies. But most of the people come here for the unique fish. It is crispy outside, not greasy at all, and very soft inside. There’s limited seating inside. However, on sunny days people seat at the outdoor area which is decorated with pretty pot plants.
A perfect version of a typical dish
The next time you are in London, visit Greenwich to try this typical British dish in its perfect version and become one of the thousands of loyal fans who come here regularly and write these enthusiastic reviews all over the internet. If I made a list of the ten things to do in London during a visit, this would definitely be one of them.
Visit the official site (thegoldenchippy.co.uk) and read the reviews on Tripadvisor.
*[Photo at the top by Stepehn Craven from Wikimedia Commons]
