|
|
This site uses cookies - see our privacy policy. Ads & links in bold may give us a small payment from the seller, at no cost to the buyer. However, this never affects our views - if we like it, we recommend it.
Best Seaside Fish and Chip Takeaways on the Isle of Wight (2026)
I'm a big fan of eating takeaway fish and chips whilst sat on one of the Isle of Wight's seaside benches.
I'm also a big fan of data driven investigative journalism.
This guide combines the two.
If you're too hungry for this waffle and just want the summary, here are my pick of the best seaside fish and chip takeaways on the Isle of Wight, which combine reviews and location:
These all offer:
For the full picture and suggestions for other parts of the Isle of Wight then you'll need to treat yourself to the full guide. Unlike fish and chips, this one won't leave you feeling guilty and slightly nauseous.
I'll try and keep fish-related puns to a minimum. This is neither the time nor the plaice for that sort of thing.
I'm also a big fan of data driven investigative journalism.
This guide combines the two.
If you're too hungry for this waffle and just want the summary, here are my pick of the best seaside fish and chip takeaways on the Isle of Wight, which combine reviews and location:
- Esplanade Fish Bar in Ryde
- Blue Crab in Yarmouth
- Corries Cabin in Cowes
- AJ's Takeaway in Shanklin
- Avenue Road Chippy in Sandown
These all offer:
- a short walk to a bench with a sea view (i.e. less than 10 minutes)
- good reviews (80%+)
- positive food hygiene rating (i.e. 4 or 5 stars).
For the full picture and suggestions for other parts of the Isle of Wight then you'll need to treat yourself to the full guide. Unlike fish and chips, this one won't leave you feeling guilty and slightly nauseous.
I'll try and keep fish-related puns to a minimum. This is neither the time nor the plaice for that sort of thing.
Blue Crab in Yarmouth combines decent reviews with a good location
Our criteria for consideration in this guide
We're going to start by ranking the Isle of Wight's seaside fish and chip shops by customer reviews.
We're only going to include fish and chip takeaway shops rather than pubs, restaurants or seafront cafes that sells fish and chips. If that's what you're after, have a look to our guides to
I'm certainly a big fan of fish and chips served on a square plate with a glass of Pinot Grigio and a ramekin of tartare sauce - but that's a very different experience to takeaway chips on a bench. It gets a little bit complicated if you start to stretch the criteria as there are some pubs with a takeaway hatch, such as The Mill Bay/The Plaice To Be in Ventnor.
We're also going to limit ourselves to chip shops within one mile of a seafront. There are some decent chip shops further inland, but you don't really want to be buying chips in Newport and then racing at high speed to a seaside bench before they go cold.
Also keep in mind that fish and chip shops do tend to come and go - so call ahead or check their Facebook page for recent activity. I'll update this page annually if it turns out to be a popular one. If no-one looks at it, I'll probably forget about it and leave it to go stale.
We're only going to include fish and chip takeaway shops rather than pubs, restaurants or seafront cafes that sells fish and chips. If that's what you're after, have a look to our guides to
I'm certainly a big fan of fish and chips served on a square plate with a glass of Pinot Grigio and a ramekin of tartare sauce - but that's a very different experience to takeaway chips on a bench. It gets a little bit complicated if you start to stretch the criteria as there are some pubs with a takeaway hatch, such as The Mill Bay/The Plaice To Be in Ventnor.
We're also going to limit ourselves to chip shops within one mile of a seafront. There are some decent chip shops further inland, but you don't really want to be buying chips in Newport and then racing at high speed to a seaside bench before they go cold.
Also keep in mind that fish and chip shops do tend to come and go - so call ahead or check their Facebook page for recent activity. I'll update this page annually if it turns out to be a popular one. If no-one looks at it, I'll probably forget about it and leave it to go stale.
The league table of seaside chippies on the Isle of Wight
We added together TripAdvisor and Google Review scores for the Isle of Wight's seaside fish and chip shops and turned them into an average.
Here's how they rank:
=1. AJ's Takeaway, Shanklin - 90%
=1. Hayden's Chip Shop, Ryde - 90%
=1. Wight's Fish and Chips, Ryde - 90%
4. Tony's Fish and Chips, Ryde - 89%
5. The Happy Haddock, Shanklin - 87%
6. Esplanade Fish Bar, Ryde - 85%
7. Blue Crab, Yarmouth - 84%
8. Corries Cabin, Cowes - 83%
9. Rainbow Fish Bar, Freshwater - 82%
10. Avenue Road Chippy, Sandown - 80%
11. Ocean View Fish and Chips, Ventnor - 78%
12. Happy Haddock, Sandown - 76%
13. Terry's Fish and Chips, Wootton Bridge - 75%
14. Totties Fish and Chips, Totland - 73%
15. The Codfather, Ryde - 72%
16. Regal Fish and Chips, Bembridge - 69%
17. Bayside Fish and Chips, Shanklin - 55%
18. Little John's Ryde - 48%*
*This one didn't have TripAdvisor reviews so we calculated the average based on Google Review scores only.
On review scores alone there is a huge range, with about half achieving a score of 80% or higher.
Here's how they rank:
=1. AJ's Takeaway, Shanklin - 90%
=1. Hayden's Chip Shop, Ryde - 90%
=1. Wight's Fish and Chips, Ryde - 90%
4. Tony's Fish and Chips, Ryde - 89%
5. The Happy Haddock, Shanklin - 87%
6. Esplanade Fish Bar, Ryde - 85%
7. Blue Crab, Yarmouth - 84%
8. Corries Cabin, Cowes - 83%
9. Rainbow Fish Bar, Freshwater - 82%
10. Avenue Road Chippy, Sandown - 80%
11. Ocean View Fish and Chips, Ventnor - 78%
12. Happy Haddock, Sandown - 76%
13. Terry's Fish and Chips, Wootton Bridge - 75%
14. Totties Fish and Chips, Totland - 73%
15. The Codfather, Ryde - 72%
16. Regal Fish and Chips, Bembridge - 69%
17. Bayside Fish and Chips, Shanklin - 55%
18. Little John's Ryde - 48%*
*This one didn't have TripAdvisor reviews so we calculated the average based on Google Review scores only.
On review scores alone there is a huge range, with about half achieving a score of 80% or higher.
No, that's not me stood outside this Totland chip shop looking shifty
What about food hygiene ratings at the Isle of Wight's fish and chip takeaways?
The next thing to check is food hygiene ratings. I personally won't go to a fish and chip shop that doesn't score at least four out of five, and would ideally go for one with five out of five.
At the time of writing, they look like this:
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
These scores were checked in 2026. Restaurants get re-inspected all the time, so check for yourself, if it's a determining factor. If you happen to know that one of these scores has changed, please get in touch as I only check occasionally.
At the time of writing, they look like this:
5 Stars
- AJ's Takeaway, Shanklin
- Esplanade Fish Bar, Ryde
- Rainbow Fish Bar, Freshwater
- Avenue Road Chippy, Sandown
- Terry's Fish and Chips, Wootton Bridge
- Bayside Fish and Chips, Shanklin
- Little John's, Ryde
- The Codfather, Ryde
4 Stars
- Blue Crab, Yarmouth
- Corries Cabin, Cowes
- Hayden's Chip Shop, Ryde
- Tony's Fish and Chips, Ryde
- Ocean View Fish and Chips, Ventnor
- Happy Haddock, Sandown
- Totties Fish and Chips, Totland
3 Stars
- Wight's Fish and Chips, Ryde
- The Happy Haddock, Shanklin
- Regal Fish and Chips, Bembridge
These scores were checked in 2026. Restaurants get re-inspected all the time, so check for yourself, if it's a determining factor. If you happen to know that one of these scores has changed, please get in touch as I only check occasionally.
This fish and chip shop can be found in Freshwater town, rather than Freshwater Bay
And what about the sea view for your fish and chips? Which is in the best location?
We really need to combine the rankings above with convenience and sea view locations with somewhere to sit.
Some of the fish and chip shops we've mentioned are metres from a seafront bench with a view (e.g. Bayside Fish and Chips in Shanklin) whilst others are a 15 minute walk inland, which is probably too much hassle for a family day out with a dog, three children and a grandma with a recently replaced hip. You can make it work if you're in a car, but it's not quite as convenient.
Let's pick out your best option in each town and area and suggest where you should park your bottom:
Some of the fish and chip shops we've mentioned are metres from a seafront bench with a view (e.g. Bayside Fish and Chips in Shanklin) whilst others are a 15 minute walk inland, which is probably too much hassle for a family day out with a dog, three children and a grandma with a recently replaced hip. You can make it work if you're in a car, but it's not quite as convenient.
Let's pick out your best option in each town and area and suggest where you should park your bottom:
Fish and Chip Takeaways In Shanklin
AJ's Takeaway is my top choice for Shanklin.
It's an eight minute walk to a bench with a view on the seafront, but it's mostly downhill and is a scenic walk for the final third. As mentioned, Bayside Fish and Chips has the best location by far as it's right on the seafront with multiple benches with a view. Unfortunately, its review scores are lagging far behind.
Shanklin itself is a pleasant bucket-and-spade resort with a sandy beach and will give you that classic English fish and chips at the seaside experience. It's not the place to go if you want to avoid people (unless it's January).
It's an eight minute walk to a bench with a view on the seafront, but it's mostly downhill and is a scenic walk for the final third. As mentioned, Bayside Fish and Chips has the best location by far as it's right on the seafront with multiple benches with a view. Unfortunately, its review scores are lagging far behind.
Shanklin itself is a pleasant bucket-and-spade resort with a sandy beach and will give you that classic English fish and chips at the seaside experience. It's not the place to go if you want to avoid people (unless it's January).
There are plenty of benches along Shanklin seafront for a chippy takeaway
Fish and Chip Takeaways in Ryde
Ryde's a tricky one to get right but I'd probably go for Esplanade Fish Bar if you're on foot.
Most of the fish and chip shops are at the Ryde Pier end of the town, rather than the much more picturesque area around Appley Beach. Ryde Pier is historic, but the area around it is essentially a bus station and a railway station, which may not be what you had in mind for your fish and chips with a view.
If you prioritise hot chips without much walking then I would go for Esplanade Fish Bar and walk to Western Gardens, which is literally over the road. Western Gardens is just a patch of grass near a roundabout, but it's convenient and it fits the criteria for fish and chips overlooking the sea.
If you're willing to walk further for higher reviews and a better sea view then I'd go for one of the high scorers on our league table above and walk towards Appley Tower. It's about 20 - 25 minutes walk from the abundant choice of highly-rated chippies in the town. These options would work better if you're driving as there's plenty of pay and display at Appley Beach - and plenty of benches near the Tower.
Most of the fish and chip shops are at the Ryde Pier end of the town, rather than the much more picturesque area around Appley Beach. Ryde Pier is historic, but the area around it is essentially a bus station and a railway station, which may not be what you had in mind for your fish and chips with a view.
If you prioritise hot chips without much walking then I would go for Esplanade Fish Bar and walk to Western Gardens, which is literally over the road. Western Gardens is just a patch of grass near a roundabout, but it's convenient and it fits the criteria for fish and chips overlooking the sea.
If you're willing to walk further for higher reviews and a better sea view then I'd go for one of the high scorers on our league table above and walk towards Appley Tower. It's about 20 - 25 minutes walk from the abundant choice of highly-rated chippies in the town. These options would work better if you're driving as there's plenty of pay and display at Appley Beach - and plenty of benches near the Tower.
There are plenty of benches on Appley Beach - but it's not as near to a chippy as Western Gardens
Fish and chip takeaways in the west Wight
Blue Crab in Yarmouth is my pick in the West Wight if you're on foot, as you can walk to the benches at the end of Yarmouth Pier in five minutes.
Freshwater Bay is a much more crashing and splashing sort of beach but the nearest fish and chip takeaway shop (Rainbow Fish Bar) is half an hour's walk away. If you're driving then I would recommend picking up your chips from Rainbow Fish Bar then parking at Freshwater Bay and sitting on one of the many seafront benches. Seeing as you asked, my favourite bench on the beach at Freshwater Bay is this one.
Freshwater Bay is a much more crashing and splashing sort of beach but the nearest fish and chip takeaway shop (Rainbow Fish Bar) is half an hour's walk away. If you're driving then I would recommend picking up your chips from Rainbow Fish Bar then parking at Freshwater Bay and sitting on one of the many seafront benches. Seeing as you asked, my favourite bench on the beach at Freshwater Bay is this one.
Yarmouth Pier is an excellent fish and chip eating spot
|
Freshwater Bay has multiple benches - but you'll need to drive to the chippy
|
Fish and chip takeaways in Cowes
Corries Cabin is your best bet in Cowes. It's also the only option that fits our criteria at the time of writing, but we'll gloss over that.
Walk for eight minutes onto The Parade, where you'll find plenty of benches overlooking the sea.
The Parade isn't really a beach view, but you'll see yachts and ferries. If you're lucky, there'll be a cruise ship to look at or a giant container ship dropping off boxes of plastic tat that no-one needs.
The beach is another 10 minutes walk, by which point your chips will be getting cold.
Walk for eight minutes onto The Parade, where you'll find plenty of benches overlooking the sea.
The Parade isn't really a beach view, but you'll see yachts and ferries. If you're lucky, there'll be a cruise ship to look at or a giant container ship dropping off boxes of plastic tat that no-one needs.
The beach is another 10 minutes walk, by which point your chips will be getting cold.
Cowes beach is getting on for 20 minutes from the town's fish and chip takeaway
Fish and chip takeaways in Ventnor
Ventnor is another tricky one.
Ventnor's main fish and chip shop (Ocean View) is a long uphill walk from the seafront. You'll need a lie down and a pickled egg by the time you've climbed up Ventnor's steep gradient.
A good option is to pick up the fish and chips in the car on your way into the town and then park up at the seafront. My favourite bench can be found in Flowers Brook (park on Steephill Road).
As mentioned earlier, there are seafront options that will serve you fish and chips. They don't quite fit our criteria here but they are more convenient if you're on foot.
Ventnor's main fish and chip shop (Ocean View) is a long uphill walk from the seafront. You'll need a lie down and a pickled egg by the time you've climbed up Ventnor's steep gradient.
A good option is to pick up the fish and chips in the car on your way into the town and then park up at the seafront. My favourite bench can be found in Flowers Brook (park on Steephill Road).
As mentioned earlier, there are seafront options that will serve you fish and chips. They don't quite fit our criteria here but they are more convenient if you're on foot.
This bench can be found in Flowers Brook
|
You might prefer one of the benches on Ventnor seafront
|
Fish and chip shop takeaways in Sandown
There's not much in it between the two Sandown fish and chip shops, but I'd go for Avenue Road Chippy.
It's a five minute walk to a seafront bench near Sandham Gardens. I prefer this end of Sandown as it's a quieter but still has plenty of benches and a gorgeous sandy beach.
Happy Haddock isn't far behind on reviews and it's a marginally shorter walk to the seafront. You'll end up near Sandown Pier, so it's a better choice if you want the traditional seaside experience with candy floss for dessert. It's also convenient for frantic sandcastle building to burn off the guilt.
It's a five minute walk to a seafront bench near Sandham Gardens. I prefer this end of Sandown as it's a quieter but still has plenty of benches and a gorgeous sandy beach.
Happy Haddock isn't far behind on reviews and it's a marginally shorter walk to the seafront. You'll end up near Sandown Pier, so it's a better choice if you want the traditional seaside experience with candy floss for dessert. It's also convenient for frantic sandcastle building to burn off the guilt.
For a Sandown fish and chip takeaway I'd go for the coastal path near Sandham Gardens
Other fish and chip takeaways on our list
Terry's Fish and Chips in Wootton Bridge isn't particularly near to a beach. You can overlook the creek from a bench near to the Tide Mill pub but that's not really a sea view. You can drive to Fishbourne Beach quite quickly and sit watching the ferries arriving in a fancy hut with a bench.
This bench near Fishbourne Beach is a five minute drive from Terry's Fish and Chips
Bembridge would be a nice place to sit and eat fish and chips, as there are plenty of good benches near to the lifeboat station. However, the fish and chip shop is 20 minutes' walk from there and is towards the bottom of our league table.
There are several benches with a view like this in Bembridge - but not a great choice of chip shops
Related guides from Isle of Wight Guru:
Restaurants With A Sea ViewRestaurants and pubs overlooking beaches, including our favourites in Ventnor, Freshwater Bay and Shanklin
|
Cafes With A Sea ViewOutstanding places to slurp on a cappuccino in Shanklin, Sandown and Yarmouth
|
Isle of Wight Luxury HotelsWhere to stay if you want the full luxurious holiday experience on the Isle of Wight
|
