Birmingham's best chippies: where to find fish and chips

Fish and chips is one of the most iconic British meals, and Birmingham does it across the whole spectrum: from no-frills local chippies to a proper sit-down dinner. Whether you want to eat in or take it home, there is a spot for every budget and mood.

At the more refined end, The Ivy on Temple Row serves what has been described as possibly the fanciest fish and chips of your life. The traditional fish and chips come in at £22.50, made with The Ivy's 1917 batter and served with mushy peas, thick-cut chips and tartare sauce. It sits alongside a full a la carte menu, so you can turn a quick chippy craving into a proper evening out in the city centre, surrounded by Victorian architecture and close to St Philip's Cathedral. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 11:30am until close, and from 4pm on weekends and bank holidays, so it works as well for a late lunch as it does for dinner.

For something more low-key, Dad's Lane in Stirchley is an award-winning chippy that does both sit-down and takeaway, and it is recommended for first-timers and locals alike. The fish is prepared fresh to order, with the cod noted for its huge portion and flaky white meat, the haddock praised for its freshness and the scampi perfectly cooked with a crisp outer layer. Home-cut style chips and a richly flavourful curry sauce are the customer favourites here, and the staff are friendly enough to make it a warm place to sit in. It is a good shout if you want a proper chippy meal without the fuss.

Chris's Fish Bar in Great Barr is a classic family-run spot with a real community streak. It is highly rated by takeaway fans and has raised over £3,000 for local schools and charities, so your dinner does a bit of good as well. The menu is built around value, with a medium cod and chips at £12.35 served with peas or curry in a pot, and a range of smaller, cheaper options if you are not that hungry. There are gluten-free and meat-free meals too, which is not always the case at a traditional chippy, and it holds a top food hygiene rating. It is a reliable, no-nonsense option for a midweek takeaway.

Bedder's Fish and Chips on Coventry Road is the no-frills local favourite of the bunch, a modest and cosy spot with helpful staff. A classic fish and chips with batter, chips, curry sauce, mushy peas, gravy and pickled onions is the order here, and it is praised for its freshness and unique atmosphere, though a few people have noted the portions can be small for the price. It is open Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 2pm, with a second session on Fridays, so it is more of a lunchtime haunt than an evening one.

And if you are after something quick and cheap, Atlantis Fish Bar in Wylde Green has a modern takeaway at the front and a pleasant restaurant area at the back. A bag of golden, crispy chips with salt and vinegar starts at £2.90, and you can add a potato scallop for 90p or a scallop in a bun for £1.90, so it is an easy place to grab a snack rather than a full meal. Between the lot, Birmingham has the chippy covered at every price point, from a couple of pounds to a full evening out.