In a town known for seafood, it can be surprisingly hard to find the best fish and chips in Seattle. That’s because there are a lot of options, but many restaurants make the cardinal sin of only seasoning the batter and not the fish. This is most prevalent at touristy spots, where they care more about helping visitors cross off an item on their “I ate that” list versus actually serving them the best version of this classic British dish.
Just because a lot of places phone it in, it’s not a lost cause. Fish and chips are an Emerald City staple, and our proximity to water gives us no excuse for not being able to dole out the best fish and chips possible.
Believe it or not, there is more than one way to make a pile of fried fish and fries. I’ve broken down not only the spots in Seattle that do this dish right, but also what style of fish and chips they make best. I even include an honorary mention list of the best shrimp and chips in the city.
Best Fish and Chips in Seattle
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’m always adding to this list as I try more fish and chip shops in Seattle.
Proper Fish
website | neighborhood: Bainbridge Island (get directions) | style: British
I’m starting with Proper Fish even though they’re located on Bainbridge because they make the best fish and chips hands down. I discovered them when they were still a Seattle-based food truck, Nosh. Despite the move, I still consider them one of the best restaurants worth the drive from Seattle.
Their large British-style Alaskan cod fish and chips comes stacked on newspaper along with a side of refreshing minty mushy peas, tartar sauce, and hand cut fries. They’ve nailed the seasoning and the beer batter has the best crunch of any fish and chips around.
Little Chinook’s
website | neighborhood: Interbay (get directions) | style: tempura batter
Little Chinook’s is the casual restaurant next door to Chinook’s, both of which are owned by the Anthony’s franchise. Both restaurants offer fish and chips, but Little Chinook’s is my favorite. They offer a variety of fried fish options including salmon, cod, halibut, and prawns. I’m a sucker for the halibut because it’s juicier and more flavorful.
The batter on the fish is light and airy and you can tell from the first bite the fish is well-seasoned. The fries are also seasoned, a detail that’s often overlooked. Every order comes with a poppyseed slaw that adds just enough vinegar to balance the dish. Chinook’s is making the best fish and chips in Seattle proper.
Salty Blue
website | neighborhood: Renton (get directions) | style: beer battered
Salty Blue may not be in Seattle proper, but they’re making excellent Aussie-style fish and chips. If you’re not familiar, the batter is beer-based, but it’s softer than other fish and chips. It reminds me of funnel cake, but less sweet.
You can pick a bunch of different seafood, plus add on fish pieces without committing to another basket of fries. The hoki fish, a New Zealand cod, is their most popular. It has that quintessential flake that stands up against batter. However, I prefer the Australian barramundi fish. It’s slightly oilier, giving the fish a moist, flavor-packed taste.
I also love how Salty Blue’s thick-cut fries are served with malt vinegar. And I can’t get enough of the thousand island dressing they served on the side along with the tartare sauce. The sweetness is addictive!
Old Stove Brewing
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | style: beer battered
Old Stove Brewing is one of the not-so-secret best restaurants in Pike Place Market. That’s because they make most of their beer in-house, have a killer space with tons of seating, a waterfront view, and a pub grub that’s actually good. Considering I’ve tried other nearby fish spots like Market Grill and Jack Spot, I can comfortably say they also have the best fish and chips in the market.
Their beer-battered fish and chips manage to have a great crunch while still being airy. They also served the fish with a cayenne tartar sauce that was quite addictive. Prepare to slather it over everything!
Macleod’s Fish & Chips
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | style: beer battered
Macleod’s does some of the best comfort food in Seattle, and their fish and chips are tough to beat. Plus I love how they leave salt on the table just in case they don’t season it to your exact liking. Their fish and chips also come with minted mushy peas which, while not the star of the show, are some of the best I’ve had.
I love the beer battered coating, particularly with the halibut. I appreciate how it sticks to the fish since there’s nothing more tragic than a pile of uneaten breading at the bottom of my basket.
Pro tip: Macleod’s also makes a mean scotch egg, so do yourself a favor and add one to your order. The balance of the 6-minute egg with tangy pickles and salty cheese is a combination that should not be missed.
Emerald City Fish & Chips
website | neighborhood: Columbia City (get directions) | style: breaded
With fish and chips in the title, it’s good they actually live up to the name. Emerald City is one of Seattle’s Black-owned restaurants specializing in southern fried fish and po’ boys. You can choose between all different kinds of fish, prawns, oysters, or chicken. Everything comes with fries, which are salty and addictive, coleslaw, and a slightly spicy tartar I can’t get enough of.
I got the sampler platter the first time I came here, which comes with a little bit of everything. The salmon, squid, and catfish were okay, but the cod is the winner for its perfect breading ratio. The halibut is also top notch with a ton of flaky, juicy texture.
For add-ons, definitely pick the clam chowder over the crab puppies. The chowder was delish and had visible chunks of meat with the perfect balance of spice.
Marination Ma Kai
website | neighborhood: West Seattle (get directions) | style: beer battered, panko crust
Marination is one of my favorite restaurants in West Seattle both for its killer view and laidback Korean-Hawaiian fusion. While I usually gravitate to the kalua pork sliders, I must tip my hat to their well-executed fish and chips.
The fish comes in generous portions with huge pieces of flaky and moist fish. The combination of panko breading and beer batter makes for an outrageous crunch, almost like it’s breaded with cornflakes. The fish also definitely has some sort of vinegar or secret ingredient that makes it so well seasoned.
You can choose between the ginger miso or kimchi tartar sauce. I like the ginger miso. It’s sweet and zingy, and just like the fish, I spent the whole night trying to pinpoint what the heck was in it. Marination earns the award for the most creative fish and chips in Seattle.
Not Just Fish and Chips
website | neighborhood: Wedgewood-Ravenna (get directions) | style: breaded
This is an under-the-radar spot for fish and chips in Seattle, despite having the dish in its name. It’s in a strip mall on a busy street, so it’s easy to miss. But it’s worth seeking out for their excellent fried seafood.
Their fish and chips comes with cod or salmon. I vehemently reject salmon as a fish and chips base, so I liked how I didn’t have to agonize over which white fish to get. I also liked how you could get one piece without fries, which means you can mix and match different fried goodies.
The cod is big and flaky, and the batter has nice crunch. However, my absolute favorite item on the menu is their clam chips. They are big and meaty just like I had growing up on the east coast. The batter is slightly sweet, almost like a corn dog.
The fried shrimp is also quite good. I can’t get over the cocktail sauce, as it is more horseradish forward than ketchup-y. This is a win in my book because I hate ketchup. It’s some of my favorite in the city, so make sure to get this as part of your order!
The Market Fishmonger & Eatery
website | neighborhoods: Edmonds (get directions) & Downtown (get directions) | style: beer battered
I first discovered The Market when on the hunt for the best Edmond restaurants. It was the answer to my east coast homesick prayers. I missed the old school seaside shacks slinging fresh lobster rolls and fish tacos from back home. While this spot doesn’t come with the sound of the ocean in your ears, it does make a mean basket of fish and chips and beer-battered fish tacos.
You can choose between rockfish or albacore. Both come with crispy fries, lemon, tartar, and minted mushy peas. The Edmonds location is very tight, so plan on waiting outside for a table. The Seattle location is more spacious but does fill up quickly because of its proximity downtown.
Pro tip: In addition to fish and chips, their lobster rolls are arguably the best in Seattle. They sell out quickly though so if you want one, you better get in early!
Lockspot Cafe
website | neighborhood: Ballard (get directions) | style: breaded or beer battered
When locals talk about breaded fish and chips, most recommend The Pacific Inn, but I think Lockspot has them beat. The breaded fish is well seasoned, juicy, and has a great crunch.
The vibe is a classic laidback seaside cafe with a hearty brunch menu and a variety of seafood options. They’re making some of the best clam chowder in Seattle, so be sure to order a bowl on the side.
Jackson’s Catfish Corner
website | neighborhood: Central District (get directions) | style: southern catfish
Jackson’s is one of the most well-known Black-owned restaurants in Seattle. While I don’t think of fried catfish when I think of “fish and chips”, their version is so good it deserves a spot on this list.
Catfish has always been hit or miss for me. Since it’s a bottom-dwelling fish, it can often have a dirt-like flavor if not cooked right. Jackson’s catfish has a detectable earthiness, but is cooked perfectly and has a seasoned cornmeal crust which adds tons of texture. I also recommend the hush puppies which were seasoned just right and had a complex corn flavor I really enjoyed.
Beacon Hill Shell Station
website | neighborhood: Beacon Hill (get directions) | style: cornmeal breaded
I know I’m going to get some guff for putting a gas station on my list, but when it’s this good, I can’t let it go unnoticed. The catfish at the Shell Station in Beacon Hill is not only super cheap but also expertly seasoned and fried to perfection. The cornmeal breading adds a complex texture and flavor with no soil-y aftertaste. It even comes wrapped in a plastic bag so you can eat it with your hands like a burrito.
Best shrimp and chips
I like to give credit where credit is due. These two spots didn’t quite make it to my list of best fish and chips, but they had some incredible fried shrimp and chips worth trying!
Sun Fish
website | neighborhood: West Seattle (get directions) | style: battered
People rave about Sun Fish for its no-frills menu and hearty-portioned fish and chips. I find the fish to be quite under-seasoned, so I turn my attention to the shrimp. The shrimp came in generous portions and is nicely crisp with the perfect amount of salt.
West Seattle Fish House
website | neighborhood: West Seattle (get directions) | style: breaded
West Seattle Fish House is a modest counter-service fish spot that serves cod, tilapia, or prawns on a bed of crispy fries. I tried one of everything and found the fried shrimp to be the best seasoned. The shrimp were also giant and super juicy.
More Seattle restaurants to try
After you make it through this list of the best fish and chips in Seattle, check out my other guides to eating around the city.
- Best Fish Restaurants in Seattle
- My Favorite Poke in Seattle
- Incredible Seattle Sushi at Every Price Point
- Refreshing and Tasty Ceviche in Seattle
- Best Happy Hour Oyster Spots in Seattle
- Must-Try Cheap Eats in Seattle
- Seattle’s Best Burgers
