As Brits, there’s little we love more than fish and chips, well… we also love cups of tea, scones and good manners, but that’s beside the point.
In Abu Dhabi, our beloved dish is easy to find and the good news is you won’t have to put up with British weather when you head out to get it either.
If all this talk of fish and chips has got your stomach rumbling and you’re ready to get out and get your hands on some, here’s where you can get your fix.
Belgian Café Yas Island
You might not associate Belgium with fish and chips but believe us when we say they’ve got it down. You can expect a crisp batter coating North Atlantic cod, seasoned with malt vinegar and hops. For a classy continental touch, the plate is filled up with signature Belgian fries and tartare sauce which is ok with us.
Dhs120. Open daily noon-9pm. Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island (02 656 2000).
Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant
Every pub worth its salt (and vinegar) should serve up fish and chips. Cooper’s, one of the most popular pubs in town, is no exception so of course you can find the dish here. There’s a top menu of hearty pub grub and, with happy hours running all day long, it would be rude not to keep coming back until you have sampled them all. The Market Fish N Chips, a crispy, hop-battered fillet with steak fries and a dollop of tartare sauce, should be at the top of your wish list though.
Dhs95. Open daily noon-9pm. Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Park (02 657 3333).
Fado
At Irish pub Fado, the wild-caught cod comes served with crispy chips, tartare sauce and coleslaw. If you are after a quicker bite, the lunch portion is available for just Dhs54. For those with a bigger appetite, the full course can be tackled for Dhs85. We can never say no to a larger portion though, who could?
Dhs54 (lunch portion), Dhs85 (main course). Daily noon-9m. Oryx Hotel, Zayed the First Street, Al Khalidiya (02 692 2218).
Hamilton’s Gastropub
We’re big fans of this gastropub and the fish and chips has found its way to our table on a number of occasions. The hop-battered fish is golden and crispy, with perfect flaked fish inside and of course there are chips and mushy peas on the side too that put a smile on our face even if we are missing our old pal tartare sauce.
Dhs95. Daily 10am-8.30pm. Saadiyat Rotana Hotel and Villas (02 697 0000).
Stars ’N’ Bars
Ok, you might expect American’s to take our humble fish and chips and transform it into something beyond recognition but at Stars ‘N’ Bars the Americans are nailing it. Order yourself some fish and chips and you can tuck into some beautiful cod coated in crisp, golden batter served up with steak cut chips, tartare sauce and mushy peas. Touché America, touché.
Dhs90. Open daily 11am-9pm. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 0101).
Stills Bar & Brasserie
This Yas Island venue prides itself on the length of its bar – it’s the biggest in the city (apparently) – but the food doesn’t come up short, either. The gastro-pub food cooks up culinary favourites such as bangers and mash, pan-seared scallops and a tasty fish and chips. Presented in a beautiful bubbly batter and served with homemade thick chips, tartare sauce, mushy peas and a wedge of lemon. What more could you want?
Dhs105. Sun-Wed 3pm-1am; Thu 3pm-3am; Fri noon-3am, Sat noon-1am. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 3066).
The Chippy
We know, we know, proper fish and chips is not a knife and fork kind of dish. Right? We’re well versed in the art of taking apart a fish supper with our bare hands or with the twist of an arm, a wooden fork. The Chippy is, well, a chippy and it’s as close to a chip shop as you will find on these shores for our money. You can choose a selection of suppers including haddock and cod or even scampi or fish goujons, you know, if that’s your thing.
Dhs68 (fish and chips), Dhs65 (scampi), Dhs47 (goujons). Noon-9pm. Mangrove Place, Reem Island www.facebook.com/thechippyuae
