After what seemed like an endlessly wet and wild start to the summer season in Wales, we’ve finally been able to enjoy some much-needed sunshine over the past week or so.
For many people, that can only mean one thing - days out at popular destinations and a bag of fish and chips on the way home.
To help people from all over the UK combine their day out or holiday with the perfect takeaway, a new ‘fish and chips staycation guide’ has been launched by food and catering company JJ Foodservice.
The guide features 30 of the best fish and chip shops from across the UK near outstanding views and popular tourist attractions, and four Welsh venues have made the list. Every chippy in the UK was invited to be involved in the guide and an independent panel of judges picked the 30 best based on food ratings, the quality of customer reviews and their proximity to attractive tourist locations.
Meanwhile, we've put together a list of 21 brilliant fish and chip shops in Wales where you really should place an order.
And if you're looking for an award-winning takeaway, these five have been named the best in Wales for 2021.
The four Welsh fish and chip shops who made the cut are listed below:
Penaluna’s Famous Fish & Chips
Where: High St, Hirwaun, Aberdare
Local attraction: Breacon Breacons National Park
Trip Advisor rating: 4/5
Trip Advisor reviews: “Heard about this place winning awards and had to go! Staff were lovely and friendly and very chatty. Food was freshly cooked, good portion sizes and good price.”
“There is no wonder why Penalunas fish and chips have won many awards and rank amongst the best in the whole of Wales. We visited recently and we were not disappointed. The fish and chips were out of this world and the service was fantastic. What an asset to the village of Hirwaun and the Cynon Valley.”
“Can’t fault the service or the food at this chippy. One of the best I’ve been to and believe me I’ve been to hundreds over the years!”
Joe’s Fish Bar
Where: Marine St, Cwm, Ebbw Vale
Local attraction: Silent Valley Nature Reserve
Google rating: 3.9/5
Google reviews: “Came down to buy a car and stumbled across this takeaway..very nice lady served up a great large portion of chips and they were up there with the best I’ve had."
“Great customer service and fantastic food.”
Nemo Fish & Chips
Where: Station Rd, Betws-y-Coed
Local attraction: Snowdonia National Park, Sappers Suspension Bridge, Conwy Valley Railway Museum
Trip Advisor: 3.5/5
Trip Advisor reviews: “This was THE BEST fish and chips I have had in a long long time, not sure I’ve had better. The cod was absolutely spot on and the chips were just right.”
“Food was good, it’s right by the train station and has some outdoor undercover seating if it’s raining. Would recommend!”
“The food was ordered and given to me in record time. I ordered chips and curry sauce, I enjoyed the food and would recommend this location. The chips were crunchy and fluffy and the curry sauce was delicious. Staff were also kind. Can’t wait to come back here again.”
Hay Takeaway
Where: Broad St, Hay-on-Wye
Local attraction: The Black Mountains/Hay Bluff/The River Wye/Hay Castle
Trip Advisor rating: 3.5/5
Trip Advisor reviews: “Excellent fish and chips. The perfect weekend treat! The fish is boneless and with the lightest batter. Highly recommended - five stars.”
“One of the nicest chip shops around. Staff friendly and organised, portion sizes big for what you pay. Curry sauce to die for!”
“Called in here for a takeaway whilst in Hay. Was pleasantly surprised, chips were tasty and well cooked. Great sausages. Fish looked lovely. Staff were friendly, I would definitely return.”
Check out the latest events and things to do where you live in Wales:
JJ Foodservice 's head of communications, Elit Rowland," said: "We want to make it easy for people to find the best places to visit while enjoying traditional British fish and chips. From beautiful bays and harbours to historic monuments and museums - we’ve located a chippy nearby.”
You can see the whole guide here.
