Tucked away in the charming seaside town of Lytham St Annes, just a short drive from Manchester, lies a hidden gem – a small, unassuming chip shop called The Haven. This seemingly ordinary takeaway recently earned a prestigious title: one of the best fish and chip shops in the UK, as declared by The Times newspaper.
The Haven’s ranking as number five on The Times’ list speaks volumes about its exceptional quality. The Times describes the establishment as a “charming backstreet chippy” with “perfectly battered fish” and “the best chips” they encountered during their journey along the British coast.
But The Haven is not just about the food. It’s also about the atmosphere. The Times highlights the chippy’s unique interior, adorned with “framed prints of whimsical art” and featuring a “dresser presenting interesting specimens from the Franklin Mint commemorative plate collections, and a cuckoo clock.”
Manchester Evening News reporter Emma Gill recently visited The Haven and echoed the sentiments of The Times, praising the quality of the food and the unusual décor. She describes the restaurant as having a “homely granny’s living room vibe” and notes that even though it wasn’t busy on a Saturday evening, the fish was cooked fresh to order.
Gill’s own experience was equally positive. She found the fish and chips to be “perfectly cooked, with crispy batter and soft, flaky cod” and the price to be reasonable, especially for a seaside location. Her daughter enjoyed the sausage, chips, and gravy, which she described as “tasty” and “a decent size.” The youngest of the family opted for a meat and potato pie on a barmcake, another testament to the variety of options available at The Haven.
Gill attributes the exceptional taste of the food to the use of beef dripping in the cooking process. While the curry sauce was inadvertently forgotten, she wouldn’t let that detract from the overall positive experience, stating that perhaps a visit to the restaurant, rather than a takeaway, would be the perfect opportunity to sample the curry sauce.
If you’re looking for a truly unique dining experience with delicious fish and chips, The Haven in Lytham St Annes is a must-visit.
