We visited the UK's best fish and chip shop... but was it the best we'd tried?!

As a Yorkshire lass and a lad from the North Norfolk coast, we're both big fish and chip fans. Whereas I love cod, Jono is partial to a battered sausage, though we both do love a Hull pattie.

When we saw that a nearby fish and chip shop had been voted as the best in the UK, we knew we had to go try it for ourselves!

Whiteheads in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, was rated Best Fish and Chip Shop 2023 at the National Fish and Chip Shop awards in London in February, hosted by the National Federation of Fish Friers.

The judges were impressed by the shop's sustainability credentials and gluten free options, as well as the taste of course!

One stormy Friday night, feeling those first hunger pangs at the end of a long week, we made the 40 minute drive up the coast to find out for ourselves.

Whiteheads is a bit away from the promenade and town centre, in a small row of shops in a residential area. Not only does it have a takeaway, but also a restaurant. Since we'd made the drive, we decided to take a seat inside! (Plus it was pretty thundery out...) 

On first impressions, the restaurant was modern, spacious and clean, and the staff were all very friendly and welcoming.

We sat down and looked at the menu, which had lots of different options on, from full size to light bite and for those who wanted fish but no chips. 

You could also order sides and sauces and the venue also had an alcohol licence and also serves desserts. 

While Jono went for a full size cod and chips (£14.30), while I opted for the smaller cod option (£11.90), with some mushy peas, tartare sauce and bread and butter.

After a short wait our fish arrived and on first impressions it looked and smelled great!

My smaller option was still pretty big too so I was happy! 

The fried cod was lovely - the batter was so crisp and tasty, and the fish was flakey and meaty and very fresh. 

The chips were chunky and well cooked, though we did both remark they were almost more like gastropub chips than chippy chips - and we missed the smaller, scrappier chips you often get at the seaside.

The mushy peas and tartare sauce were nice, but the ketchup was a bit on the watery/vinegary side and since you had to pay for it - 40p per pot - we'd have expected a bit better!

Overall, it was a nice meal and we only had minor complaints - but compared to some of the other fish and chip shops we like to go to like Trenchers in Whitby - we didn't think it was quite as good, unfortunately.

If you're on the east coast of Yorkshire and looking for a nice chippy, I would definitely recommend stopping by and trying Whiteheads for yourself, but maybe grab a takeaway and get yourself some Heinz ketchup from the corner shop!