Where To Find 10 Of The Best Fish And Chips In North Carolina
Who decided fish needs to be fancy? North Carolina clearly has other ideas.
Give the fish a golden, crackly coating, add a mountain of fries, and suddenly dinner feels like an occasion. There’s something wonderfully straightforward about great fish and chips.
No complicated presentation. No tiny portions.
Just crispy fish, hot fries, and that first satisfying crunch. North Carolina brings its own personality to the classic.
Coastal towns have plenty of seafood know-how, while local favorites put their own spin on the plate. Some places keep things wonderfully traditional.
Others get creative without losing what makes fish and chips so comforting. The real question is simple: where do you go when the craving hits?
We found spots that make a very convincing case for adding fish and chips to your regular rotation.
1. Six Pence Pub
Blowing Rock is already one of the most charming towns in North Carolina, and Six Pence Pub fits right into that storybook setting. Tucked along the main drag at 1121 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, this place feels like it was airlifted straight from the English countryside.
The wooden interiors, warm lighting, and classic pub energy make you want to settle in and stay a while.
Their fish and chips are the star of the show here. A tender cod loin gets wrapped in a beautifully golden beer batter, creating that iconic crunch that fish and chips lovers dream about.
The fish inside stays perfectly moist and flaky, which is honestly the mark of a kitchen that knows exactly what it is doing.
Classic pub fries come alongside, ready for dunking into house-made tartar sauce. Malt vinegar is always within reach, because no proper fish and chips experience is complete without it.
The mountain air outside and the cozy warmth inside make this spot feel extra special. Six Pence Pub is the kind of place that turns a casual lunch into a genuinely memorable afternoon.
2. Sir Edmond Halley’s
Since 1996, Sir Edmond Halley’s has been holding it down as one of Charlotte’s most beloved British pubs. Finding it tucked at 4151 Park Rd A, Charlotte, NC 28209 feels like discovering a hidden gem that the city has quietly treasured for decades.
The atmosphere is timeless, the kind of place where the food does all the talking.
Their fish and chips have earned a serious reputation in Charlotte. The white fish arrives with a crust that shatters loudly on the first bite, giving way to incredibly moist and tender fish beneath.
That contrast in texture is what separates a good plate of fish and chips from a truly great one.
Tartar sauce and malt vinegar come alongside, letting you customize each bite exactly how you like it. The portions are generous, and the quality is consistent, which keeps people coming back again and again.
Sir Edmond Halley’s proves that a classic British pub experience does not require a transatlantic flight. Charlotte has had this gem all along, and it continues to be one of the city’s most satisfying dining destinations.
3. The Cheshire Arms
There is something wonderfully unexpected about finding an authentic British pub nestled in the North Carolina mountains, and The Cheshire Arms in Black Mountain does exactly that. Located at 10 E Market St, Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711, this charming spot leans fully into its British identity with pride and passion.
The result is a dining experience that feels both cozy and genuinely special.
Their fish and chips feature crispy beer-battered haddock, which is a slightly different choice from the more common cod, and it absolutely pays off. Haddock has a slightly sweeter, more delicate flavor, and when it is wrapped in that golden, crunchy batter, the combination is outstanding.
Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by beautifully flaky fish.
A generous portion of golden chips accompanies the fish, and house tartar sauce adds a creamy, tangy finishing touch. The mountain setting outside and the British pub warmth inside create a pairing almost as good as the fish and chips themselves.
The Cheshire Arms is proof that great British comfort food can thrive anywhere, even in the heart of the Appalachian mountains.
4. The Local
Boone has a reputation for doing things thoughtfully, and The Local fits that spirit perfectly. Sitting at 179 Howard St, Boone, NC 28607, this eatery has carved out a loyal following by treating classic dishes with genuine care and attention.
Walking in, you immediately sense that this is a kitchen that takes pride in every plate that leaves it.
Their fish and chips feature two generous beer-battered Atlantic cod filets, fried to a beautiful golden crispness that holds up beautifully through every bite. The cod is flaky and tender beneath its savory coating, with just the right amount of seasoning to enhance the natural flavor of the fish without overpowering it.
Perfectly crispy French fries come alongside, and the housemade tartar sauce adds a bright, creamy element that ties everything together. A refreshing dill coleslaw rounds out the plate, adding a cool crunch that balances the richness of the fried fish.
The Local does not just serve fish and chips; it serves a version that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about this classic dish. That is a bold statement, and The Local earns every bit of it.
5. Steamers
Eating fresh seafood near the coast just hits differently, and Steamers in Southern Shores understands that assignment completely. Perched at 1 Ocean Blvd Suite 115, Southern Shores, NC 27949, this restaurant brings a casual yet elevated energy to the Outer Banks dining scene.
The setting alone is enough to make the meal feel like a special occasion.
Their fish and chips lean into the coastal spirit by featuring golden fried seasonal fish, meaning you always get whatever is freshest and best from local waters. That commitment to seasonal ingredients means the flavor is consistently vibrant and the quality is never in question.
The fish is fried to a delicate, crispy golden finish that perfectly protects the tender, flavorful interior.
Zuni slaw and a unique Carolina tartar sauce come alongside, adding bright and zesty notes that complement the richness of the fried fish beautifully. Skin-on fries complete the plate with a satisfying, rustic crunch.
If you happen to be seated upstairs, you might even catch a glimpse of the ocean while you eat, which is honestly the kind of bonus that makes a great meal unforgettable. Steamers is coastal dining at its most satisfying.
6. Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant
New Bern is one of North Carolina’s most beautiful historic towns, and Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant gives you the perfect excuse to visit. Positioned gracefully at 100 Pollock St, New Bern, NC 28560, this chic bistro sits right on the waterfront, offering views that make every meal feel like a celebration.
The atmosphere is relaxed, elegant, and genuinely welcoming.
Their fish and chips bring the same level of care to the plate as the setting brings to the room. Perfectly fried white fish arrives with a light, crispy coating that gives way to tender, flaky fish inside.
The portions are impressively generous, with multiple large filets arriving alongside a heap of well-seasoned fries that are hard to stop eating.
Creamy slaw adds a cool, refreshing contrast, while a zesty remoulade brings a bold, savory kick that elevates the whole dish. Persimmons proves that waterfront dining does not have to sacrifice substance for style.
The combination of gorgeous views, thoughtful cooking, and satisfying portions makes this one of the most well-rounded fish and chips experiences in the entire state. Come hungry and leave thoroughly impressed.
7. Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant
Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh is packed with great dining options, but Hibernian Irish Pub stands out as a true neighborhood institution. Located at 311 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603, this pub brings the warmth and heartiness of an authentic Irish dining experience right to the heart of the city.
The energy here is lively, welcoming, and full of character.
Their fish and chips are widely celebrated as one of the best dishes on the menu, and that reputation is well-earned. You get to choose between Atlantic cod and haddock, both of which are expertly beer-battered to achieve a golden, shatteringly crisp crust.
The fish inside is consistently moist and packed with flavor, a true showcase of classic Irish cooking techniques.
Pub chips arrive alongside, thick and satisfying, ready to soak up every last bit of flavor on the plate. House-made slaw adds a refreshing crunch, and the zesty tartar sauce brings everything together with a bright, tangy finish.
Hibernian does not just serve a good plate of fish and chips; it serves one that keeps Raleigh residents coming back on a very regular basis. That kind of loyalty speaks louder than any review ever could.
8. Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Cary might be known as a suburban gem, but Doherty’s Irish Pub gives it a serious culinary edge that deserves way more attention. You will find this inviting spot at 1979 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27519, where the Irish pub tradition is honored with genuine enthusiasm and a whole lot of flavor.
The moment you walk in, the cozy, familiar atmosphere puts you right at ease.
Their fish and chips feature two filets of light and flaky whitefish, prepared with a delicate batter-fried technique that results in a gorgeous golden-brown coating. The batter is wonderfully crisp without feeling heavy or greasy, which is a balance that takes real skill to achieve consistently.
The whitefish inside flakes apart beautifully, tender and full of clean, fresh flavor.
Hand-cut fries add a rustic, satisfying crunch to the plate, and you get a choice of tangy coleslaw or crisp haricots verts as your side, which is a thoughtful touch that sets Doherty’s apart. Traditional tartar sauce and malt vinegar round out the experience in the most classic way possible.
Doherty’s is the kind of neighborhood pub that quietly earns its place among the best fish and chips spots in North Carolina.
9. Trali Irish Pub & Restaurant
Raleigh has more than one great Irish pub, and Trali Irish Pub & Restaurant holds its own with impressive confidence. Tucked away at 10370 Moncreiffe Rd #109, Raleigh, NC 27617, Trali has earned a loyal following for delivering one of the most authentic Irish pub experiences in the Triangle area.
The welcoming atmosphere and genuine commitment to quality make it easy to see why people keep returning.
Their fish and chips feature a full, generous portion of beautifully beer-battered cod. The golden batter wraps around the fish with a satisfying crunch that is audible from the first bite.
Beneath that crispy exterior, the cod is consistently moist and tender, which is the kind of quality that only comes from using fresh fish and knowing exactly how to handle it.
Perfectly cooked fries complete the classic pairing, and a side of creamy tartar sauce provides a cool, zesty counterpoint to the warm, richly flavored fish. Trali earns its reputation as one of the truest Irish pubs in Raleigh not through flashy gimmicks, but through honest, well-executed cooking.
If you are searching for a fish and chips experience that transports you straight to the Emerald Isle, Trali is your ticket.
10. Fish Bites Seafood Restaurant
Wilmington is a seafood city through and through, and Fish Bites Seafood Restaurant captures that coastal spirit with a menu built for true seafood lovers. Located at 6132 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412, this spot has become a local favorite for its commitment to fresh, expertly prepared fish.
The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, the kind of place where the food is always the main event.
Their fish and chips go by the brilliant name of “The Reel Deal,” and that playful confidence is completely justified. Famous beer-battered fried haddock is the centerpiece, enveloped in a perfectly crisp, savory batter that delivers an extraordinary crunch.
Inside, the haddock is incredibly tender and juicy, bursting with fresh, clean ocean flavor that reminds you exactly why coastal dining is so special.
A generous portion of classic French fries accompanies the fish, completing this iconic pairing in the most satisfying way. Fish Bites brings together fresh market quality and expert frying technique in a way that feels effortless but is clearly the result of real dedication.
So, if you find yourself in Wilmington with an appetite for something truly spectacular, The Reel Deal is waiting, and it absolutely lives up to its name.