'You’re truly spoiled for choice here': Two Northern Ireland towns ranked among UK’s top 20 destinations for fish and chips
Ballycastle and Carrickfergus earn spots in Big 7 Travel’s ranking, celebrating classic seaside chippies, fresh local fish and hearty portions
Two Northern Ireland towns have been named among the UK’s top 20 destinations for fish and chips, according to a new ranking by global travel site Big 7 Travel.
Ballycastle was placed 15th, while Carrickfergus came in at 19th. The list celebrates towns across the UK where fish and chips remain a cherished local tradition, with rankings based on Google reviews, industry awards, price, social media buzz, gluten-free options, and overall quality.
The report states: “The coastal town of Ballycastle in County Antrim is one of the best places in Northern Ireland to enjoy fish and chips.
“The windswept Antrim coast is home to lots of fish and chip shops, but few are better than Morton’s of Ballycastle, which was previously featured as a top 25 fish and chip shop in 2025.
“This is a classic, no-frills chippy – offering fish and chips, sausages, burgers and chicken. Keeping it simple is part of the attraction here, and why fix something if it isn’t broken? Morton’s of Ballycastle has long been a County Antrim institution for fish and chips, and long may it stay that way.”
According to the ranking Ballycastle has a Google review rating of 4.0 with a regular portion of fish and chips at Morton's of Ballycastle costing £12.50.
Meanwhile, Carrickfergus also offers a scenic coastal setting for a traditional fish supper.
It states: “The beautiful coastal location of Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland makes it one of the most scenic locations to enjoy fish and chips – and with plenty of chippies to choose from, you’re truly spoiled for choice here.
“However, the Friary is one of the best options in the town. Sourcing their fish from the Irish Sea, the offerings are fresh, and the portions are hearty. They also offer gluten-free fish and chips, cooked in completely separate fryers, something which not all fish and chip shops can offer. If you want to enjoy a traditional fish supper by the sea in Northern Ireland, then you can do worse than pay a visit to Carrickfergus for your next fish and chips fix.”
According to the ranking Carrickfergus has a Google review rating of 4.24 with a regular portion of fish and chips at The Friary costing £12.20.
Big 7 Travel’s ranking highlights a mix of classic seaside spots and historic market towns across the UK where visitors can enjoy top-quality fish and chips. Ballycastle and Carrickfergus’ inclusion reinforces Northern Ireland’s reputation for serving fresh, hearty fish suppers in beautiful coastal settings.
For locals and tourists alike, the ranking provides a guide to the best places to enjoy this iconic British dish, whether on a seaside promenade or in a historic town centre. Both Ballycastle and Carrickfergus continue to draw visitors seeking authentic, traditional fish and chips experiences.
Chester Ollivier, travel writer at Big 7 Travel added: “Ballycastle and Carrickfergus performed strongly in our ranking thanks to its solid customer reviews and long-standing fish and chip tradition. With classic chippies like Morton’s and The Friary serving fresh seafood along the Co Antrim coast, it’s exactly the kind of place where this iconic dish is done really well.”