Best of Toronto
The Best Fish & Chips in Toronto
The best fish and chips restaurants in Toronto are either remnants of, or tributes to, the city's Anglo past. Some have been in business for decades, others have done their best to look like they have, while a couple are trying to revamp the venerable chippy for a new century. Some will wrap your take-out in newspaper, most serve haddock, halibut and cod, and all of them will swear they have the best chips in the city.
That's important, because most people actually judge the quality of their fish and chips by the chips, breaded, battered fish being just an excuse to scarf down a hillock of thickly cut, salted, deep-fried potatoes, one of the most gleefully unhealthy but undeniably tasty foods ever created.
Some of these places ignore this, and offer a broad menu of seafood to go with their fries; others double down on the Britishness and offer deep-fried Mars bars or mushy peas. I have a weakness for the latter, and consider their presence on a chippy's menu board as a welcome bonus.
Here are the best fish and chips restaurants in Toronto.
Note: This list was previously published on March 21, 2008. Comments below made up until March 3, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Olde Yorke
On a windswept stretch of Laird Drive on the fringe of Leaside, this pub-styled chippy has developed a fanatical following. The heating was down during my most recent visit, which meant the dining room was shuttered, though that didn’t deter the crowd who jammed the take-out counter at the back all through lunch hour. My crisply battered halibut comes with sturdy, fresh fries that demand a healthy splash of malt vinegar. Also – mushy peas. More »
Chippy's
This mini-chain of two locations offer fish and chips for hipsters – be prepared to be rocked while you wait to the chef’s latest passion in hip hop, hardcore or metal. (Even their website rocks the tunes.) The holy trinity of haddock, cod and halibut are on offer along with prawns and scallops, served in a Chinese-style takeout container that takes a bit of practice to excavate. Also – mushy peas (apparently.) More »
The One that Got Away
There’s arctic char and baramundi on the blackboard, which will make purists howl, as will the option of having your fish grilled, not fried. This King West chippy is clearly aiming to break the mold and serve a crowd that takes the health warnings about fried food seriously. The fish on offer is also sustainable, if your conscience stands between you and your hunger. More »
Duckworth's
Duckworth’s on the Danforth is the epitome of an east-end chippy – long-lived (opened in 1938) and venerable (no visible makeover since Trudeau was Prime Minister.) And unlike many of the places on this list, there’s plenty of room for a seat, if you believe that fish and chips steaming in a bag robs them of their crispness. There’s some debate about the quality of the Danforth shop versus the Kingston Road chippy that shares the name, also in business for decades. More »
Penrose Fish & Chips
No, you probably won’t find a seat during lunch rush – such is the popularity of this chippy, where the locals will tell you the staff know their stuff. Halibut and haddock (but no cod) and they charge fifty cents extra to wrap your takeout fries in newspaper, which is weird. Barbara Streisand’s favorite city chip shop in the city, if that means anything. Also – mushy peas! More »
Harbord Fish & Chips
Tucked into the confines of a former garage, this U of T institution has been feeding the fried food needs of splurging students long enough to qualify for some kind of plaque. Service is quick and comes wrapped in newspaper, and if weather and timing favor you, the (somewhat pricey) fish and chips can be enjoyed on the picnic table outside, which probably deserves a plaque of its own. More »
British Style
Blink and you’ll miss this very popular chippy at Dundas and Coxwell, and its bare bones interior definitely encourages takeout. Portions are huge and the trinity of fryer fish are joined by shrimp, scallops and clams, though chippy fundamentalists will bridle that chicken swims in the same hot oil. More »
Reliable Fish & Chips
An old-school east end chippy (open for over eight decades!) recently given a Restaurant Makeover refresh, it has the most broad-minded menu (poutine, calamari, and chicken fingers for the kids) and a very attractive souvenir t-shirt. Reliable also expands on the holy trinity of fryer fish (halibut, haddock, cod) by adding salmon and catch of the day. Purists might be appalled, but this is the price of progress. More »
High Street Fish and Chips
Far and away in a vintage strip mall in Don Mills, this is a steadfast outpost of unapologetic Anglo-ness right down to the stack of copies of The British Canadian newspaper by the door, and the full-featured menu with meat pies and sticky toffee pudding on offer. The service is excellent, as are the crisp, grease-free fish and chips. Also very tasty mushy peas! More »
Discussion
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You missed Hamish's Fish & Chips just north of St. Clair on Pharmacy Ave in Scarborough.
Great Place, great fish, great chips, huge portions.
Maybe they just messed up my order though as many of you here seem to like it, and the picture above doesn't look as dark and overcooked as mine was.
Though I really don't think I'll go there again for the fact that they had crappy tartar sauce. If you're going to be a "mom and pop" homemade fish and chips place, get some real tartar sauce instead of stuff in little packets that tastes like garbage and is a pain to get out and onto the fish.
I always thought the place looked cool, and maybe I just have weird taste in fish and chips, but I was really incredibly disappointed with my meal.
The fish was soggy, the fries tasted old, and their mushy peas were tasteless. But hey, it looks hip so...
This is why I prefer to take my business to Parkside Fish and Chips (Gerrard, on west side of Greenwood Avenue). The elderly couple who run the place are fantastic! Great prices, fresh fish, homemade cole slaw, and fast service. Don't let the greasy spoon look of the place turn you off -- it is worth every penny!
i've been there 3 times. and EVERY 3 times, they were 'out' of halibut. Dude. you only sell 4 types of FISH. How are you 'out' of the only product you sell?!
Oh, and 2 out of the 3 times, they were 'out' of there 'famous home made' 'slaw.
NOT impressed, and won't be going back. EVER.
3 strikes. You're out.
And forget about asking for a glass of water instead of paying a huge markup for a can of pop.
My favourite fish and chips place? Henry's Fish and Chips, Main and Vodden, in Brampton, far from hipster hangouts of the Annex or Queen West. I haven't found a place in Toronto (at least central Toronto) that matches it. One, they have great service in a no-nonsense place. Second, they food is consistant. Finally, they don't gouge.
I was disapppointed. 24.00 for one adult & one child.
Very thin piece of Halibut & to much batter.
2. 80% of all places have no passion, are geedy and serve the cheapest product they can get away with.
3. Younger people who grew up with Mac... have no frame of reference for good food and will be thankful when they are served crap.
4. When doing reviews can we ask "what is the weight of the fish"? When did you last change the oil? Are the fries fresh cut or frozen? What is the crisp factor of the batter ie 1 to 10.
5. How is the taste?
Lets put some quantifiers in our reviews!!
Those are my fanatical views on F&C's
Harbord, Penrose, St Andrews, High Seas, Kinsway, Reliable, Viking, Blue Seas, Duckworths
All very reliable, but dont forget Harbord open on Sundays, now that is a rarity.
Great food and service!
I miss Chris and all those guys there!
I hope the rumours are true that they're opening one in Bolton!
Caz - tasty, very expensive, such small portions
Harbord - overcooked batter and fish, too thin...nice fries.
Chippys @ Bloor - overcooked, super thin, worse than Harbord
Landsdowne and Bloor (North side - no idea of the name of the place) - nice 1.5cm thick, long fish portions ignoring the batter, 3 pieces for $18 + tax -not many fries, and they billed me 5c for the bag (petty!). One piece and fries $7.50 plus tax. Almost filled me up. The place serves burgers too, I'd prefer a place that focuses on one thing.
PS: National Post did a comparison roundup ages ago -anyone know what their round-up series is called.
Landsdowne and Bloor (North side - no idea of the name of the place) - nice 1.5cm thick, long fish portions ignoring the batter, 3 pieces for $18.50 + tax -not many fries, and they billed me 5c for the bag (petty!). One piece and fries $7.50 plus tax. Almost filled me up. The place serves burgers too, I'd prefer a place that focuses on one thing.
$1 pop and water, nice prices
PS: National Post did a comparison roundup ages ago -anyone know what their round-up series is called.
I ordered the 2 halibut and chips priced at $15.26 with tax
At first appearance the size of the fish was impressive but less so when you cut in and discover the fish is cut paper thin. Having been cut so thin the halibut was seriously overcooked - dry and flavourless.
The batter was also overcooked and among the most greasy I've encountered. This problem could have been overcome by cooking at the proper temperature.
The major disappointment was the chips. They were FROZREN!!!!
There should be a law against people advertising as a Fish & Chip Shop and selling frozen fries. Hand cut chips only!
The Royal did not meet any of the criteria I use: Quantity, Quality & Price. Although the price does seem reasonable until you bite in - I wouldn't accept any quantity at this quality for free.
AVOID THIS PLACE! HUNGER IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE!
WIDTH: I have found the 1cm-1.5cm thickness 'rule' to be set at
Chippys & Harbord, the thick cut is only at Caz fish n chips, and the one foot long four inch wide pieces are generous, there is no 'loads of batter' trickery to make the fish look huge as with Chippy's which everyone on the board agrees is last-place.
PORTIONS: Huge amounts of fries and fish if you eat in - the 3 piece $18.50+tax) was split between myself and my friend - we were absolutely starved - two big men over 6ft tall and we could not move after - we had to sit for an extra half-hour - we didn't eat the cole slaw.
BATTER STYLE: Chippys and Harbord both have 'flakey' batter vs the non-flakey batter found at Royal - a matter of preference here - sorry I should have stated that it is not the flakey type, and it does absorb more moisture. I have been thinking about going back for more Royal, all yesterday and today. I add cider vineger and a little tartar w/lemon, so I need to try it 'plain'
OVERCOOKED: The worst culprets here have been Harbord and Chippys, only $$$ Caz and Royal have got it right on my visits - it was moist and amazing though perhaps some of the batter taste took over - next time I go I promise to remove all batter and just taste the fish only. I remember the taste was better when I ate-in, esp. the fries which got a bit soggy from the condensation. Never dry and overcooked for me, perhaps I am lucky and there is a problem here?
Frozen fries - worth noting, I did not think about the fries much - I last ate in there with a pal, Dec.21, 2009, and I have ordered it to go two times(you get 1/2 the fries though) - I will ONLY recommend 'eat-in' from now on, and will note the frozen chips and batter style. Neil, could you let me know if you ate-in vs. takeaway? Sorry for the let-down.
I always eat in. I find all F&C suffer from condensation after being wrapped for take away.
In my experience the flakiness of the batter is dependant on the length of time in the oil. If the oil isn't hot enough the batter will be greasy.
The fish was very thin, probably the thinest slice of fish I've seen anywhere. I am aware that halibut is very expensive but I'd prefer to pay a couple of bucks more for an edible filet.
Yes, I am a purist. I do feel it is a major insult to the diner for a Fish and Chip Shop to sell frozen fries. It is akin to a fine dining establishment serving instant mashed potatoes.
In the future I'm going to stick to Old Yorke, Caz, Viking or Kingsway.
-not quite as much food as before
-different size of fish segments from before, cut slightly thinner
-flake coating of fish now
-still frozen fries, we both passed on the potato salad, not given any extra food
-convinced that the amount of food/value has diminished by maybe 20% less fish and less chips
-Looking to try Chippies again, since there is the www.teambuy.ca $14 deal. I will avoid the Bloor location, got the overcooked fish there before.
High Street Fish & Chips
55 Underhill Drive
Don Mills
Go to the places that charge a little and have a high turn over. I would recommend Chubbys on Islington. I just went there again. -Solid food and friendly service as always.
I suggest you check out the reviews on google before going to Chippy's Fish & Chips. It has scored 1/5 following 41 different people's ratings.
Stay away from Chippy's Fish & Chips and save your money.
Delicious!
They are simply the BEST.
Guinness, Tetley's, Mill Street Organic, Creemore and Steam Whistle on tap - Fully licensed, seats 80 and has the nicest heated patio in the city.
I've been going there for years and the place is FAMILY RUN by the WHOLE FAMILY with most of the staff having worked there for 10+ years now.
They know what they are doing!
Three generations of REAL English fish fyers later, they are still going strong. That's right.... THREE generations!
It is handsdown the CLEANEST restaurant I've ever been in (including McDonald's)and continually wins awards and packs houses.
TIPS for a better dining experience... Go off-peak times, avoid busy Friday nights, don't call for reservations (they don't take reservations)Order something OTHER than the Halibut! It's waaaay overfished these days, thus WAY expensive anywhere you want to buy it. Be brave, try another fish!
: )
OH and I love the comments about Caz's here from the people obviously lacking human tastebuds. Caz's is a CHAIN and we all KNOW chains are concerned with ONE thing and that's $$$ not $$$ervice or quality.
Ever wonder why your Halibut from Caz's is GRAY?
That's because they use illegal, juvenile stock (which decimates fish stocks)looks like crap AND tastes like crap, while still conveniently costing you a bundle.
GET REAL PEOPLE!
- someone in the know
Try The One that Got Away on king. It's new and delicious.
8cm x 4cm x 1cm thick
Price went up to $7.76 final price for one piece+chips - portions are smaller. Closed Sunday. Still semi-reasonable price, most places are $10 plus tax and tip.
Now just another vacant storefront on Davenport Ave.
Still top notch F&C at Olde Yorke and Queensway
1027 Coxwell Avenue
Toronto M4C 3G4
(416) 423-0060
The fish 'n chips here are the best I've ever had made with quality halibut and just so lightly battered to perfection. And the size of the pieces are ... LARGE! And the chips ... you just can't get enough. This is only one of the great selections of food from Kouzina. If you live in the area you are lucky but it is even worth the travel for these fish & chips!! Try it ... you'll love it.
The one that got away was pretty decent, though a little too salty for me.
Fresco's in Kensington. I tried the Miss Vicky batter, it was ok, I'd like to try the regualr batter next time.
I still have to try Harbord Fish and chips.
If you people who voted in this really believe Chippy's is the best (lol), you should do yourself a favor and take the streetcar east.
Harbord FnC is tasty, i actually like how its battered but the prices their have just gone up way too much.
Actually, the pricing fish and chips in general has really cut down on how often i eat it. $10+ for a quick greasy meal is way too ballin'
Trendy rules the roost here. And I know it's voted by readers.
The best is British style fish and chips. The one that got away also has good fish and chips.
Swiss Chalet's fish and chips are far better than Chipps (SC actually makes pretty good FC)....
Going back to my first point, though. The only time "best" and "Chippy's" should be mentioned is in the following context:
"________ is the best fish & chips in TO; to know what it tastes like, just imagine the opposite of Chippys".
old yorke is great.
and a spot that i love that hasnt been mentioned is Caz's fish and chips at davenport and bedford. not the best chips, but amazing halibut.
Have to agree that Old York is top of the list. Also like Kingsway on Bloor W. and Viking on the Queeensway and have developed a fondness for High Street F&C on Underhill.
Both Harbord and Chippys, which seem to have a loyal following, have been disappointing in my book.
When I lived in Etobicoke, it was always such a treat to go and order a plate from the little shop...since then they've renovated and probably more than doubled the size... but the fish is still just as tasty.
'The One That Got Away' on King St.W is my new 'go to' place for Halibut & Chips. Large portions reminiscent of Chippys, but without the grease.
- Chippy's in the Annex is closed. The Queen West location stands. Not sure about all the negative press as I have eaten at both several times, and always enjoyed my food. I also rew up in a fishing village where fish and chips were a regular part of my life.
- Harbard F+C is closed on Sundays. I learnt the hard way.
Nice place, too.
Thanks for replying! i agree they make good black/mealie pudding. grew up in oshawa, so we'd occasionally trek there instead of balmoral in ajax.
i was hoping there was somewhere downtown on the subway line i could go when i needed some comfort food.
on a related note: my no frills stopped stocking irn bru a couple years ago. :(
Just back from lunch at my usual.While New Toronto has long been a favourite (it was my mom's local) I have yet to find anything to surpass My Place Fish & Chips on Victoria Park south of Sheppard. and my first job in a Fish &Chip shop was 65 years ago. I've eaten a lot of fish.
I'm there almost everyday myself. Just my 2 cents :-)
Sammy
OLDE YORKE IS NUMBER 2