Bristol restaurant crowned one of the best fish and chip shops in the UK

A Bristol restaurant that has been open less than a year has been named as one of the best for fish and chips in the UK.

Noah’s on Brunel Lock Road, next to the Cumberland Basin, scooped the number three spot in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024.

The awards were handed out last night at the National Fish and Chip Awards in London, which was hosted by comedian Rob Beckett.

Noah’s, which opened in May 2023, was number three in the highly-prized Restaurant of the Year category.

It narrowly lost out to Glastonbury restaurant Knights Fish Restaurant which scooped the top prize and Pier Point in Torquay, which was number two.

Noah’s is run by Dan and Joie Rosser, who named their first restaurant after their son.

The restaurant was previously occupied by local cafe institution Lockside, which traded for 60 years and featured in several TV shows, including Only Fools and Horses.

The informal 54-cover restaurant is tucked under the Cumberland Basin flyover and enjoys stunning views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 

Noah’s follows in the footsteps of The Scallop Shell in Bath, opened by Dan’s parents, Garry and Lisa Rosser in 2015, and shares their ethos for simple, beautifully cooked seafood delivered in a relaxed setting with the warmest hospitality. 

Dan honed his chef skills working with Mitch Tonks in Devon, Marco Pierre White in Singapore and Nieves Barragán Mohacho in London while Joie fell in love with hospitality life working for the Ritz-Carlton and Jason Atherton in Singapore.

The daily changing menu features the best of British fish and seafood landed at the South West coastal markets and the freshest shellfish sourced from the icy waters of Scotland, all served alongside local, seasonal produce.

On the main menu, you can expect to find the finest MSC approved cod and Peterhead haddock in the lightest crispy batter, with fresh cut chips, homemade tartare sauce and mushy peas; perfectly plump hand-dived Orkney scallops, served in the shell, with garlic and fresh herb butter; simply grilled whole day boat fish complemented by delicious dressings; sharing plates to be enjoyed family-style and more. 

“What we’re trying to create is a relaxed and comfortable restaurant celebrating some of the most amazing fish and seafood sourced from around the UK,” says Dan Rosser.

“We want people to be able to pop in for fish and chips or go all out with the finest fish to share and incredible quality shellfish with a lovely bottle of wine.”

Get the latest news, straight to your inbox, with a BristolWorld newsletter Awards organiser and President of the National Federation of Fish Friers Andrew Crook says: “The National Fish and Chip Awards 2024 has been a remarkable experience to be part of. Our winners and finalists have put their all into making their fish and chip businesses stand-out for all the right reasons.

“It’s no secret that the sector has been hit hard by economic hardship, yet we have seen first hand how chippies up and down the country, and overseas, are thinking fast on their feet to defy the odds without compromising on ethical standpoints, quality and most importantly, great tasting fish and chips.

“We are bursting with pride for our winners and other contenders. It’s a privilege to be able to support and encourage them further and they should all be proud of what they’ve achieved. Fish and chip teams rarely have a moment to pause but we hope everyone takes some time to enjoy the celebrations ahead of getting back to what they do best.”