I decided it wasn't my brightest idea after I got almost 1,500 nominations and had to somehow tally them up. Cue my favourite piece of software coming to the rescue...Excel. 3 days later, Excel decided the blog should be a top 40, not a top 25 as I originally planned, as there was a clear divide after 40.
Another week to actually put the blog together around the troublemakers 10 minute naps and finally it is complete!
So from 1,500 nominations of chip shops that do gluten free, and you deemed to be the best, just over 400 different chip shops were nominated, almost two thirds of those were only mentioned once. The top 9 completely flew out ahead, but there were still a good amount of votes for the rest of the top 40 too.
So what does the top 40 have? Well...
- Every country of the UK appears at least once
- Four 100% gluten free chips shops are included
- All of the chip shops cook separately and use separate utensils. Which is probably the most important thing to point out.
- 38 of the 40 do gluten free all the time
- The majority have a full gluten free menu, not just fish and chips
So, shall we see who made the top 40, as voted for by my followers?
In reverse order, check them out below!
Portrush, County Antrim
FB: Kraken
Gluten free available all the time.
The first one to make the top 40 is Kraken, this chip shop in Northern Ireland and the vast majority of their menu is gluten free as standard as they use gluten free batter all the time.
Cromer, Norfolk
FB: No 1
Gluten free available all the time.
When enjoying a trip to Cromer, take a trip to No 1, who can do the majority of their battered products gluten free, including fish and chips.
Walsall, West Midlands
FB: Frying Machine
Gluten free available all the time.
If you are local to Walsall then the Frying Machine is the place you should head too! This chip shop offers a gluten free menu with a variety of options from fish and chips to scallops, sausages and battered mushrooms.
Leintwardine, Herefordshire
FB: Fiddlers Elbow
Gluten free available all the time.
The first of four 100% gluten free chippies on this list is Fiddlers Elbow in Leintwardine. With the choice of various forms of fish and chips, sausages, chicken, sides, kids options and vegetarian and vegan choices there is sure to be something for everyone and all completely gluten free.
Christchurch, Dorset
FB: Browns
Gluten free available all the time
If you are visiting Christchurch in Dorset, Browns fish and chips offer gluten free fish and chips and southern fried chicken all the time.
Portsmouth, Hampshire
FB: Crispy Cod
Gluten free available every Tuesday.
The Crispy Cod in Portsmouth offer gluten free fish and chips one night a week for their Coeliac followers.
Skegness, Lincolnshire
FB: Atlantic Fish Bar
Gluten free available all the time.
In the Lincolnshire coastal town of Skegness, you will find Atlantic Fish Bar (which sit's pretty much behind the only place you will get fresh gluten free doughnuts and churros on the coast - Skegness Rock Shop). The fish bar offers a gluten free menu all the time with options including fish and chips, burgers, chicken, fishcake, scampi, sausages, chicken nuggets and all day breakfasts.
Weston Super Mare, Somerset
FB: The Strange Catch
Gluten free available all the time.
In popular seaside town of Weston Super Mare you will find The Strange Catch, who offer a gluten free menu. Options include fish and chips, sausages, nachos, scampi and sides.
Chew Valley, Bristol
Gluten free available all the time.
A popular favourite around the Bristol area is Salt and Malt, they offer gluten free fish and chips, sausages, veggie sausages, halloumi and sides for their Coeliac customers.
Hunstanton, Norfolk
FB: Henry's
Gluten free available all the time.
As well as being a completely nut free site, Henrys cater to vegan and vegetarian as well as offering gluten free fish and chips.
Thornham, Norfolk
FB: Erics Fish and Chips
Gluten free available all the time.
There are a couple of branches of Erics but the Thornham one was the only one that was nominated for the best gluten free chippies. Erics offer various options including fish and chips, scampi, fishcakes plus sides.
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
In South Yorkshire you will find Crosspool Fish Bar, while they only offer fish and chips gluten free, some claim it is "the best fish and chips in the area".
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Gluten free available all the time.
While Chesters have no gluten free menu they certainly aren't short on options which they have marked on the regular menu. From fish and chips, sausages and fishcakes to shish kebabs, salads and jacket potatoes they have plenty of options to go for.
Paignton, Devon
FB: Mariners
Gluten free available all the time.
This chip shop set in the main town centre of Paignton offers gluten free fish and chips, sausages and some other options.
Grange over Sands, Cumbria
FB: Fish Over Chips
Gluten free available all the time.
This chip shop not only offers gluten free fish and chips daily they also have pizzas, chicken kebab, omelettes and salads amongst the options to choose from.
Hunstanton, Norfolk
Gluten free available all the time.
A great place to grab gluten free fish and chips by the sea in Norfolk. I believe they have a full gluten free menu but unfortunately this isn't online so I can't tell you what they offer other than fish and chips.
Looe, Cornwall
FB: Catch
Gluten free available all the time.
While not stated on their website, Catch in Looe can do a lot of their menu gluten free and is very popular with Coeliac holidaymakers. Options include fish and chips, sausages and even calamari.
Plymouth, Devon
FB: Harbourside Gluten Free Takeaway
Gluten free available all the time.
Sitting next door to each other are two chips ones, on traditional and the other completely gluten free! Opening in 2018, Harbourside gluten free takeaway offers a full completely gluten free menu which includes fish and chips, scampi, fishcakes, sausages, burgers, vegetarian options, kids options and sides.
Redcar, North Yorkshire
FB: Seabreeze
Gluten free available all the time.
Seabreeze offers a range of gluten free options on a daily basis, options include fish and chips, fishcakes, sausages, chicken nuggets, battered pineapple rings and onion rings.
Chester, Cheshire
FB: Fish and Chips at Weston Grove
Gluten free available all the time.
Just outside of Chester in the suburb of Upton you will find Fish and Chips at Weston Grove who offer a gluten free menu that has options such as fish and chips, sausages, fishcake, halloumi and pie.
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
FB: D Feccis
Gluten free available all the time.
The first of two chip shops in Tenby to make the list, Fecci's chip shops offers gluten free fish and chips as well as some other options.
Whitby, North Yorkshire
FB: Magpie
Gluten free available all the time.
Whitby has so many chip shops that do gluten free but only one made the top 40 (though Quayside was only just outside of the top), that one is Magpies Cafe. While they don't advertise gluten free in the takeaway they do offer gluten free fish and chips in both restaurant and takeaway, as well as few other none gluten options in the restaurant too.
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
FB: Milton Fish and Chips
Gluten free available all the time.
In the popular seaside town of Tenby, this is the second chip shop to make the list, just two places higher than Feccis. Milton offer a choice of gluten free options from fish and chips and sausages to pies, sides and southern fried chicken.
Brighouse, West Yorkshire
FB: Blakeleys of Brighouse
Gluten free available all the time.
Blakeleys offer gluten free batter for their fish and chips at an extra cost, they also have a gluten free chocolate cake for dessert.
Hornsea, East Yorkshire
FB: Whiteheads
Gluten free available all the time
This chip shop Hornsea is great for gluten free with a range of gluten free fish and chip options and a choice of patties plus some desserts too.
Guiseley, West Yorkshire
FB: Wetherby Whaler
Gluten free available all the time.
All branches of Wetherby Whaler have a gluten free menu, but the Guiseley one was voted for the most. They have a full non gluten containing menu which includes salads, 3 course senior meals, kids meals, fish and chips, scampi, sausages and chicken breast plus sides.
Darlington, Durham
FB: Cockerton Fisheries
Gluten free available all the time.
This chip shop in Darlington has a gluten free menu with some great gluten free options including fish and chips, battered chicken, sausages, onion rings and curry sauce.
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
FB: Capplemans
Chip shop in popular seaside favourite, Scarborough. They have a range of options on their menu including the usual fish and chips plus homemade fish cakes, fish bites, sausages and sides.
Blackpool, Lancashire
FB: Bentleys Fish and Chips
Gluten free available all the time.
Fish and chip shop up the south end of Blackpool, near to the Pleasure Beach. They offer gluten free fish and chips to eat in or take out.
Leigh, Greater Manchester
FB: Green Lane Chippy
Award winning chippy which have a gluten free menu including fish and chips, sausages, pies and burgers plus desserts. They also often have restaurant specials which are gluten free or have an alternative.
Malvern, Worcestershire
FB: Barnards Green Fish Bar
Gluten free available Friday and Saturday evenings.
The longest running chip shop in Malvern offers it's gluten free delights two days a week. On those two days Coeliacs have the choice of fish and chips, halloumi, cod roe, sausages, chicken breast and chicken nuggets all cooked fresh to order.
Southsea, Hampshire
FB: Fishermans Kitchen
Gluten free available all the time.
They don't broadcast it much (quite often that's the only way to keep in business!) but this chippy is one a a handful of entirely gluten free chip shops. They offer a variety of options from fish and chips, sausages and fish cakes to scampi, loaded chips and burgers.
Halifax, West Yorkshire
FB: Hirds Family Fisheries
Gluten free available all the time.
With a range of gluten free options available, all cooked in their own dedicated kitchen what's not to love! Variety of options are available on their menu including fish and chips, sausages, chicken nugget, halloumi, pies and fish butties!
Llandudno, Conwy
Gluten free available all the time
Set in the tourist filled streets of Llandudno, Barnacles is a must visit for Coeliacs. The owners niece is Coeliac so, like most places where there is a Coeliac in the family, they get it. With lots of options to choose from including pies, all day breakfasts and desserts on top of the usual chip shop choices you will be spoilt for choice.
Anstruther, Fife
FB: Wee Chippy
Gluten free available all the time.
A gorgeous chippy in a small coastal town in Scotland, but it is fantastic for Coeliacs. All gluten free is cooked and prepped in a separate area with a variety of menu options from fish and chips and sausages to battered prawns and haggis!
South Shields, Tyne and Wear
FB: Fishermans Catch
Gluten free available all the time.
The fourth and last completely gluten free chip shop on the list (and the only other one in the UK at the moment I think!). Fishermans Catch offer a fantastic range of delicious goodies from the usual fish and chips to burgers, pizza, chicken nuggets, scotch eggs and fish and chip platters!
Benllech, Anglesey
FB: Finneys
Gluten free available all the time
While not completely gluten free they aren't far off. Finneys in Benllech, also previously known as The Golden Fry, use gluten free batter as standard and probably more than 90% of the menu is gluten free or available gluten free. Options include all the usual chip shop goodies plus southern fried chicken, chicken curry, gluten free pies, kids meals, vegetarian meals, gluten free baps and pittas and more!
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
FB: Daves Place
Gluten free available all the time
With dedicated gluten free prep areas as well as separate fryers, it is easy to see why Daves has got third place! Not only that but they also have a great choice on the menu including the usual fish and chips as well as scampi, chicken burgers and sides!
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire
FB: Milton Chippy
Gluten free available all the time.
So close to being voted top, it was a close call, but coming in second is Milton Chip Shop in Stoke. Milton have a HUGE menu from fish and chips and sausages to more obscure offerings such as burgers, scampi, calamari, sides and even a host of desserts. The owners son is Coeliac while their daughter has a dairy intolerance, which leads to them having a great understanding of dietary needs.
Porthcawl, Bridgend
FB: Mansels Chippy
Gluten free available all the time.
Well done to Mansels in Porthcawl for being voted top out of all the chippies who offer gluten free! Gluten free menu available everyday which includes a range of meals including fish and chips, sausages and even pies. One voter stated "they are the best gluten free fish and chips I have had anywhere in the country".
All the chip shops nominated will be added to my where to eat guide (if they aren't already on there) when I get change to add them. To find if there are any gluten free chip shops near you, or any other gluten free places to eat, check out the guide with over 2,500 places listed, all recommended by fellow coeliacs or the eatery themselves.