A tray holds battered fish and a side of chips. Next to it are three small containers with dips in white, red, and green. — A tray of fish and chips from Market Seafood Eatery.

Where to Get Fantastic Fish and Chips in the Seattle Area

With traditional English-style battered cod, crispy panko-crusted fish, and more

by Nate Hall Updated Oct 15, 2024, 8:37am PDT

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A tray of fish and chips from Market Seafood Eatery.

| Nate Hall

by Nate Hall Updated Oct 15, 2024, 8:37am PDT

Fish and chips hasn’t been a trendy dish for centuries, but it holds a special place in the hearts of Seattlites; the oldest seafood icons in the city built their names on the dish, coupling themselves with trips to Alki Beach and the Seattle Aquarium. As the city’s makeup grew more complex, so did the variations on offer.

Today, some of the best spots stray far away from traditional English style. The cornmeal-fried catfish at Jackson’s Catfish Corner and panko-covered cod at Marination Ma Kai, for example, rank among the best fried fish in the city. But for fans of the classic puffy beer batter, there are a number of excellent English renditions as well.

It’s also no coincidence that some of the most fryable fish are found in Pacific Northwest waters. Cod, halibut, and even salmon can be the star of the show. The chefs at these Seattle restaurants deliver the chips and dips to match, resulting in a lovely basket for any time of year.

Know of a spot that should be on our radar? Send us a tip. As usual, this list is not ranked; it’s organized geographically.

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Proper Fish

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The fish and chips at Bainbridge Island’s Proper Fish look exactly like what’s served at an English seaside pub: a twelve-inch cod served with thick-cut chips and a dollop of mushy peas. The only thing missing is the waterfront view. Luckily, the crispy batter will survive the five-minute walk down to the Waterfront Park, where diners can indulge in one of Seattle’s most traditional takes on the dish.

112 Madison Ave N (Winslow), Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(206) 855-5051

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Macleod’s Scottish Pub

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Edinburgh native Alan MacLeod opened Macleod’s in 2011, delivering single-malt Scotch and Scottish fare to the heart of Ballard. The fish and chips now headlines the concise menu, which includes a happy hour portion available from 4-6pm. The bright green mushy peas are a highlight.

5200 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

(206) 687-7115

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One large piece of heavily battered fish with fries and tartar sauce. — The fish and chips at Macleo’ds Scottish Pub.

Marination

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For fish and chips at Alki Beach, try skipping the classic spots on the main strip to stop by Hawaiian restaurant Marination Ma Kai. The breading has layers upon layers of crispy panko, and signature sauces like the miso ginger tartar aren’t found anywhere else in the city. Patrons can avoid the line, which is guaranteed to be out the door on a sunny day, by ordering ahead online.

1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

(206) 328-8226

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Two pieces of panko-crusted fish with fries. — The panko-crusted fish and chips at Marination Ma Kai.

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Little Chinook’s

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Little Chinook’s puts a Pacific Northwest filter on fish and chips, offering our native cod, wild salmon, lingcod, and halibut. While the panko-breaded cod scratches the itch, it’s worth venturing out to try the lingcod or halibut coated in a tempura batter. Those who are averse to fishy flavors will enjoy the lingcod, which is moist, light, and very mild. The halibut comes at a premium, but its meaty texture and pronounced flavor make it enjoyable without dips. A tangy, poppy-seeded slaw, battered fries, and tartar sauce accompany all species.

3919 18th Avenue West, Seattle, Washington 98119

(206) 283-4665

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A cardboard boat holds fried fish served in strips over french fries. To the top right is cole slaw. To the top left is a container with a white dip.

Pacific Inn Pub

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Pacific Inn’s secretly-spiced, panko-breaded fish and chips got Uncle Tony’s blessing in a 2017 Seattle episode of “Parts Unknown”. Most orders soak up late-night pitchers in the cozy barroom, but they also make an affordable lunch enjoyed on the patio.

3501 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103

(206) 547-2967

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Two pieces of panko-crusted fish with fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce. — The panko-breaded fish and chips at Pacific Inn Pub.

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Old Stove Brewing

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In lieu of the “been here for a hundred years” vibe throughout the rest of Pike Place Market, Old Stove offers views of the Puget Sound and a creative beer list. The fish and chips, battered using the brewery’s Belgian Blonde ale, is a wonderful rendition of the English style.

1901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 602-6120

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Three pieces of beer-battered fish and fries laid out on a newspaper. — The English-style fish and chips at Old Stove Brewing.

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Market Seafood Eatery

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In 2021, Edmonds’ beloved Market opened their second shop in downtown Seattle. While the menu focuses on an array of lobster and crab rolls, the fish and chips deserve a claim as Seattle’s best. The thin beer batter clings to a not-one-minute-overcooked piece of rockfish, making for a lighter meal than its puffier English counterparts. The minty peas, while not very minty, also help lower the grease factor. Extra points for the chips being pointedly close to the English style. Not so English but still a must is to dip them into the delightfully mustardy tartar.

1300 1st Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101

(206) 796-2814

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Burien Fish House

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At Burien Fish House, diners choose their own fish and chips adventures. The menu allows choices for the type of fish (halibut, salmon, cod, or shrimp), the number of pieces, the type of breading or batter, and it offers selections of ten sauces (including three housemade tartars). For those who are decision-averse, the beer-battered halibut and a side of jalapeno tartar is an excellent choice.

133 SW 153rd St, Burien, WA 98166

(206) 294-3506

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Three pieces of beer-battered halibut with fries in a paper takeout container. — The beer-battered halibut at Burien Fish House.

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Bait Shop

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Capitol Hill’s Bait Shop boasts that its fries are world-famous, and they might actually be deserving of that title. Each fry has a seemingly-impossible contrast of crunchy outside to pillowy potato inside. The two sizable pieces of fish are heavily beer-battered — excellent alongside a pint at the bar — but don’t survive a trip home quite as well.

606 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 420-8742

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Two pieces of beer-battered fish and fries. — The beer-battered fish and chips at Bait Shop.

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Jackson’s Catfish Corner

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Terrell Jackson gave the city a reason to celebrate when he brought his family’s fried catfish back to the Central District in 2021. An order is five pieces, coated in a paper-thin cornmeal breading, and they dip equally well into the house-made spicy tartar and Louisiana-style hot sauce. It also wouldn’t be wrong to swap the “chips” for a handful of the crispy hush puppies.

2218 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144

(206) 420-3911

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