Out of 23, Northern Ireland had 3 chip shops on the list.


John Long’s – Co. Antrim

Eamonn Holmes has declared that if he had only days to live, his final meal would be at John Long’s. This Northern Irish fish and chip shop, despite being 20 minutes from the harbour and not on the seaside, is highly regarded. Its reputation comes from the fresh fish, caught in Kilkeel, and the light batter, a recipe unchanged for 104 years. Traditional pasties, made of battered minced pork with onion and potato, are also a highlight. Owner John Copeland maintains the traditional recipe, saying, “people like it the way it is, and you don’t change the wheel.” If Holmes isn’t available, you might spot other celebrities like Sean Bean and Dara Ó Briain. A fish supper costs from £11.

Little Wolf – Co. Down

The batter is so crispy, the fish so flaky, and the chips so fat that it’s worth missing the Strangford-to-Portaferry water shuttle for one of Little Wolf’s fish suppers. With another ferry arriving in 30 minutes, you can enjoy your hot haddock by the harbour while watching the boats. Little Wolf also offers wood-fired pizzas, a hit with children and picky eaters. A fish supper costs from £11.75.

Morton’s – Co. Antrim

A chippy run by a fisherman is a brilliant idea, and it has been successful for the small shed by the Marconi Memorial at Ballycastle’s harbour. John and Kevin Morton, who inherited the family fishing business, now sell their North Atlantic catches directly from the harbour. To combat competition from supermarkets, they diversified by opening a quayside fishmonger and chippy. This spot rivals the Giant’s Causeway, the Bushmills distillery, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge as a top attraction on the Antrim coast. Although it’s takeaway-only, there are picnic tables around the back on the harbour arm. A fish supper costs from £10.40.