Washington sits right next to some of the best cold water on the West Coast, so it makes sense that good halibut and chips is never far away. The trick is finding the shops that fry it light, crispy, and flaky instead of heavy and greasy.
From Seattle counter joints to little waterfront spots up north and out on the coast, these eight places do halibut right. Grab a paper basket, some tartar sauce, and pick your next stop.
1. Spud Fish & Chips, Seattle, WA
Green Lake has one classic that has stuck around while trends came and went, and this is it. The no-frills counter sits right along the water at 6860 East Green Lake Way N, giving you Puget Sound area views with your basket.
Halibut is the headliner here, fried crispy and served with a tartar sauce that gets a lot of praise. The menu stretches well past the standard fillet, with oysters and chips, scallops and chips, clams, and prawns if you want to mix things up.
Vegan onion rings and vinegar are on the board too, which is a nice touch. Service is quick, seating is casual, and the crowd leans toward tourists and solo diners.
Open daily 11 AM to 9 PM, with no reservations and street parking out front. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons get busy, so a weekday visit is smoother.
2. Emerald City Fish & Chips, Seattle, WA
Over in the Rainier Valley, this spot has quietly built a reputation for some of the best halibut in the city. You will find it at 3756 Rainier Ave S, an easy stop for a quick lunch or dinner.
The halibut comes out excellent and seasoned, and the fries carry their own seasoning instead of showing up plain. That extra flavor is part of what sets this kitchen apart from the standard fry shop.
Beyond fish and chips, the menu wanders into Southern territory with seafood gumbo, an oyster po’boy, a shrimp po’boy, and a sampler platter. Sweet potato fries and a vegan tartar sauce round things out.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. There is a free parking lot plus street parking, and pickup is popular here.
3. Port Fairhaven Fish N Chips, Bellingham, WA
Down in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district, this counter puts a water view right in front of your basket. Sitting at 355 Harris Ave, it looks out over the bay and the ferry terminal.
Halibut with a light, crispy batter is the draw, and the sides are homemade, from the tartar sauce to the coleslaw and fries. There is real variety on the menu too, with cod, shrimp, salmon, and even chicken as options.
The three-piece halibut basket is a common order, and it comes with enough food that two people can split it comfortably. A Captain’s Platter is there for anyone who wants a bit of everything.
Open daily 11 AM to 7 PM, with plenty of parking nearby. The place is family-friendly, welcomes groups, and offers high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Weekend afternoons are the busiest window.
4. Hook & Line Pub, Port Angeles, WA
If you are coming off the Olympic Peninsula, this Port Angeles pub is a strong reason to stop. Located at 201 E Front St, it serves fresh halibut that is caught and prepped in house.
The batter is light and crunchy, and the halibut comes out with a golden-brown crust over tender, flaky fish. Fresh cod and shrimp round out the seafood plate if you want a beer-battered mix.
The rest of the menu has personality. Smoked salmon chowder, a seafood gumbo poutine, New Orleans po’boys, fried oysters, and a full vegetarian lineup mean nobody in the group goes hungry.
This one leans a little more pub than counter, with table service, a bar onsite, and good spots for watching sports. It is open daily from noon to 8 PM, welcomes kids with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and has plenty of parking.
5. Paya Thai Fish & Chips, Tacoma, WA
Not every great fish shop needs a fancy address, and this Tacoma counter proves it. Set up at 430 E 25th St, it runs as a no-frills food-court style spot with casual seating.
The halibut here comes out light, flaky, and tasting genuinely fresh, which is the whole reason to make the trip. Pair it with the fries and you have a solid, no-fuss meal.
The menu keeps options open with a three-piece halibut and chips, a two-piece fish and chips, catfish, scallops, and a Captain’s Platter. There is a garden salad and a grilled chicken Caesar for anyone who wants a break from the fryer.
Service tends to be friendly and attentive. Hours run 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, with free parking in a garage, a lot, and on the street.
6. Tunnies Fish & Chips, La Conner, WA
La Conner is a small waterfront town worth a day trip on its own, and this shop gives you a reason to linger. At 720 Morris St, it puts a twist on the classic by serving fish and chips with premium steak fries.
The house-made tartar sauce gets a little kick from a splash of sriracha, which sets it apart from the usual. Cod and halibut are always on the menu, with a rotating selection of other seafood joining them.
The halibut comes out dense and tasty, with just enough batter and not too much grease. When they have them, the clams, oysters, and chowder are worth adding to the order.
Keep the schedule in mind, since Tunnies is closed Monday and Tuesday and open 11 AM to 6 PM Wednesday through Sunday. There is free parking and outdoor seating, and it does not take reservations.
7. Captain Bob’s Chowder Sisters, Long Beach, WA
Out on the Long Beach Peninsula, this little counter shop pulls double duty as a chowder specialist and a fish fry. Find it at 409 Pacific Ave S, run as a low-key spot with a big following.
The halibut is hand-breaded and fried just right, coming out crisp without being overcooked. That crispy, flavorful breading holds up well even after a splash of malt vinegar.
Chowder is the other reason people show up, with clam and halibut versions both earning praise. The Chowder Meal Deal with a bread bowl, crab roll, coconut shrimp, and deep-fried oysters give you plenty to explore.
Hours run 11 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 PM on Sunday. It is one of the rare spots on this list that accepts reservations, welcomes dogs inside and out, and has a kids’ menu with high chairs.
8. Sea J’s Cafe, Port Townsend, WA
Port Townsend has plenty of charm, and this vintage seafood joint fits right in. Parked at 2501 Washington St, it does fish and chips, burgers, and shakes in a laid-back, grab-and-go style.
The halibut earns steady praise for being fresh and fried perfectly, with a good breading-to-fish ratio. Thick, crispy potatoes come alongside, plus excellent coleslaw and tartar.
Portions run big and prices stay reasonable, which is a rare combination. A family meal option comes with ten pieces of fish, your choice of halibut or cod, fries, homemade tartar, coleslaw, lemon, and drinks with refills.
Beyond the fryer, the menu covers breakfast, a Fishwich, clam strip and shrimp baskets, patty melts, and milkshakes. Open daily 7 AM to 8 PM with seating that is on the limited side, free parking, and reservations accepted.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.