When you find yourself in St Ives, Cornwall, you’re practically duty-bound to grab a portion of fish and chips. It’s almost a local law (albeit an unwritten one).
Down by the harbour, the smell of frying batter mingles with the salty tang of the sea, and you’ll spot people perched on benches or the sea wall, tucking into steaming parcels of golden, crispy cod and fluffy chips wrapped in paper.
The fish here is often freshly caught, sometimes landed that very morning, which makes it taste all the sweeter (or saltier, depending on your seasoning habits).
Of course, there’s the local sport of guarding your meal from the seagulls, who have perfected the art of opportunistic swooping, but that’s just part of the charm.
Whether you eat in at one of the bustling harbour cafés or take your feast to the beach to watch the tide roll in, fish and chips in St Ives isn’t just a meal, it’s a little bite of Cornish seaside tradition.
Top Places In St Ives To Get Your Fish and Chips
The Balancing Eel
The Balancing Eel is tucked up near The Sloop car park in the harbour, by The Wharf Post Office.
They do takeaways downstairs and a sit in restaurant upstairs.
LOCATION MAP: Back Ln, Saint Ives TR26 1LR
Visit The Balancing Eel Facebook Page >>
Harbour Fish & Chips
Harbour Fish & Chips is right on the harbour in St Ives, down by the RNLI slipway.
It is both a takeaway and a sit in restaurant, with lovely views onto the harbour. It is a great place to see the lifeboat launch!
LOCATION MAP: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LF
Visit the Harbour Fish & Chips website >>
By The Sea
By The Sea has 2 places in St Ives, one of Chapel Street (it took over the old Albatross) and one on Tregenna Place called The Razor Clam. I've not eaten their fish and chips yet, but I have heard some very good things!
The Lifeboat Inn
The Lifeboat Inn pub does a cracking fish and chips! The perfect place to have fish and chips with a pint in hand!
LOCATION MAP: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LF
Visit The Lifeboat Inn website >>
Porthminster Beach Cafe
Sharky’s Takeaway
No list of places to eat fish & chips in St Ives would be complete without Sharky’s!
Sharky’s is the BEST takeaway fish & chip shop on the Penbeagle Industrial estate at the back of St Ives.
Glamorous it isn’t, tasty it REALLY is. This is where we buy our fish & chip takeaway from on a Friday evening. Their portions are huge, the fish is so fresh and it is proper tasty!
LOCATION MAP: Penbeagle Lane, Saint Ives TR26 2JH
Becks Fish & Chips
Becks in Carbis Bay is a bit of an institution. Get these early on a weekend and be prepared to queue. Their fish and chips are legendary and people come far and wide for them.
They have a take away and a sit in restaurant. Their portion sizes are HUGE!
LOCATION MAP: Longstone Hill, Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 2LJ
