Fish and chips might be a British classic, but New Jersey has quietly built a solid lineup of places that take this simple meal seriously. Some are cozy British shops with scones and Scotch eggs on the menu, while others are lively Irish pubs where the fish shares the table with shepherd’s pie and live music.
This list covers six spots across the state, from Haddonfield in the south to Lyndhurst and Clifton up north, plus a stop near the Asbury Park shore. Each one earns its place for a different reason, whether that is a family batter recipe, a fireplace, or a late-night kitchen.
Save it for your next craving, or send it to the friend who always orders the fish.
1. The British Chip Shop, Haddonfield, NJ
Afternoon tea and a jumbo haddock on the same menu is a combination you do not find every day in South Jersey. The British Chip Shop on Kings Highway East in Haddonfield leans fully into its British roots, and the fish is the headliner.
Cod gets a light, crispy batter that keeps the fish tender inside. Hungrier guests can go for the Large Fish and Chips or the Jumbo Haddock and Chips.
The rest of the menu reads like a trip across the pond. Bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, pork pie, a Full English Breakfast, scones, and sticky toffee pudding all make appearances.
I like this stop for a slow Sunday, since doors open at 10 AM that day for breakfast and brunch. The space is cozy, with a fireplace, and there is outdoor seating plus a kids’ menu for families.
A practical tip: parking downtown can be tricky, so plan on paid street parking or a nearby lot. The shop is closed Mondays, and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretches.
2. Thistle, Lyndhurst, NJ
A family secret batter is the kind of detail that makes a fish fry stand out. At Thistle in Lyndhurst, that recipe coats a large piece of cod served Old Country style.
The signature plate, Thistle’s Original Fish and Chips, comes with chips, a side of coleslaw, and malt vinegar ready on the table. Crispy outside, tender inside, and no unnecessary extras.
Thistle is a small, family-run spot on Valley Brook Avenue with a quaint, relaxed setting. Broiled fish is also available for anyone who prefers it without the batter.
Timing matters here. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays, Tuesday service ends at 4 PM, and Saturday doors do not open until 3:30 PM.
Takeout and delivery are both options, and reservations are accepted for those who want a table on a busy Friday evening.
3. The Black Swan, Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Park has a reputation for music and boardwalk energy, and The Black Swan on Mattison Avenue fits right into that scene. This gastropub takes British-inspired comfort food and gives it a more polished spin.
Fish and Chips sits at the center of the menu, joined by shepherd’s pie, pub steak, salmon, and toffee pudding for dessert.
Vegetarian and vegan diners get real attention here, with full menus for both. The Guinness BBQ Sandwich is a vegan option, which is not something most pubs can say.
The setting mixes historic character with a trendy edge, and the calendar includes live music and trivia nights. Weekend brunch starts at 10 AM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Reservations are recommended for both brunch and dinner. Street parking is paid and can take a few laps, so leave some extra time.
4. Hailey’s Harp & Pub, Metuchen, NJ
Downtown Metuchen’s Main Street has one address where a fish fry might come with a live band on the side. Hailey’s Harp and Pub is a local Irish pub that keeps its entertainment calendar busy with live music, karaoke, and trivia.
The food stays classic. Fish and Chips appears among the top dishes, alongside corned beef and cabbage, Guinness chicken, and shepherd’s pie.
Early risers can look for the Irish Breakfast, and there is French onion soup for colder days. The kitchen also offers a full vegetarian menu.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, which makes this an easy pick for a Saturday lunch. Doors open at 11 AM every day, with late hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery are all available, and both a paid lot and street parking serve the area.
5. Dublin Pub, Morristown, NJ
Some pubs become a town’s regular meeting point, and Dublin Pub has held that role in Morristown for a while. It sits on Pine Street and pairs Irish pub food with live music in an upbeat, neighborhood setting.
Fish and Chips is a highlight on the menu. Around it you will find Irish potato skins, steamed mussels, chicken pot pie, and a Guinness French onion soup.
One item that caught my eye is the smoked trout deviled eggs, a fun starter before a fish entree. Sticky toffee pudding closes things out for those with room.
Kitchen hours run late, opening at 11:30 AM Tuesday through Sunday. The pub is closed Mondays.
Free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, and delivery round out the practical side. Paid street parking can be tight on Thursday through Saturday evenings, so arriving early helps.
6. The Shannon Rose, Clifton, NJ
Plenty of parking is rare news in North Jersey, which already gives The Shannon Rose in Clifton a head start. The Kingsland Road pub has a free on-site lot and free street parking nearby.
Inside, it is an easygoing Irish-American pub with traditional bar fare, including beer-battered dishes that suit a fish and chips craving.
The broader menu covers shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie, ultimate nachos, a loaded Bavarian pretzel, and a Ghirardelli brownie sundae.
Entertainment is part of the draw. Live bands play regularly, Friday nights bring a DJ, and a fireplace adds comfort in winter.
Hours stretch late every night, opening at 11 AM daily. A kids’ menu and high chairs make it workable for families earlier in the day.
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