Bath isn't a coastal city, but it takes its fish and chips seriously, with one restaurant version good enough to earn praise from Marco Pierre White. The Scallop Shell is the pick for a sit-down meal, The Oyster Shell is the pick for a proper chippy takeaway, and Sea Pearl is the pick if you just want cod and chips delivered or collected fast. Here's where to go.
The Scallop Shell: the sit-down option
The Scallop Shell, at 22 Monmouth Place, is a fish and chip restaurant and seafood grill rather than a takeaway counter, serving lightly battered cod and haddock alongside seasonal seafood from early-morning coastal markets, with chips cut fresh daily from seasonal potatoes in what the restaurant calls its "spud room". Marco Pierre White has called it his favourite restaurant in Wiltshire and Somerset, which is a serious endorsement for a fish and chip shop rather than a fine-dining room. It's open Monday to Saturday, 12pm-2:30pm and 4:30pm-9:30pm, and Sunday 12pm-3pm, and is worth booking ahead for on weekend evenings given the reputation. See our best restaurants in Bath guide for how it fits alongside the city's other sit-down options.
The Oyster Shell: the proper chippy
The Oyster Shell, on Moorland Road, is a traditional fish and chip takeaway rather than a restaurant, run day-to-day by husband-and-wife team Dan and Sophie. It was set up in 2019 by the team behind The Scallop Shell and has built its own award-winning reputation since, with a focus on classic British fish and chips cooked to order rather than a seafood grill menu. It's the pick if you want the same quality pedigree as The Scallop Shell but in a proper wrapped-and-walk-away chippy format, particularly if you're staying somewhere near Oldfield Park or the western side of the city.
Sea Pearl: fast and cheap
Sea Pearl, at 7 Cleveland Place East, is a straightforward takeaway specialising in traditional British fish and chips, open every day from 4pm to 9:30pm, with a medium cod and chips deal (including a soft drink) from around £11.90 and a large version from £13.90. It's set up for local delivery as well as collection, making it a solid, no-fuss option if you're eating in self-catering accommodation or just want dinner without leaving wherever you're staying. It pairs well with the picks in our eating in Bath on a budget guide.
How they compare
| Where | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Scallop Shell | Sit-down restaurant and grill | A proper meal out |
| The Oyster Shell | Traditional takeaway | Classic fish and chips to go |
| Sea Pearl | Takeaway and delivery | Fast, cheap dinner |
A few practical notes
None of these are in the immediate Roman Baths and Abbey tourist core, so factor in a short walk or a taxi if you're staying centrally - see our things to do in Bath guide for how the city's neighbourhoods connect. The Scallop Shell takes bookings by phone or through its website and gets busy on Friday and Saturday evenings; the two takeaways don't need booking, though Sea Pearl's delivery radius is limited to around four miles, so check you're covered before ordering.