New England does a lot of things well at the table, but fish and chips might be the most underrated of all. Done right — fresh cod or haddock, a light crispy batter, thick-cut fries, a cup of tartar sauce — it’s one of the most satisfying meals you can eat on the coast. These are the spots along the Maine and New England coast worth seeking out.
🎯 What Makes Great Fish & Chips
The fish matters most. In New England, haddock is the traditional choice — it’s sweeter and more delicate than cod, with a flaky white flesh that holds up beautifully to frying. Cod is excellent too and more commonly available. Either way, it should be fresh, not frozen, and cut thick enough that the inside stays moist while the outside crisps up.
The batter should be light — thin enough to hear the crunch when you bite in, not a thick doughy shell that overwhelms the fish. The fries should be real: thick-cut, hand-cut if possible, not frozen shoestrings. And tartar sauce should be housemade. These are the small details that separate a great fish and chips from a forgettable one.
🍽️ Best Fish & Chips on the New England Coast
1. The Gloucester House, Gloucester, MA — North Shore Classic
Gloucester is a working fishing city, and the seafood here is as fresh as it gets. The Gloucester House has been serving fish and chips for decades — fresh haddock, light batter, good fries, and the kind of no-nonsense New England seafood atmosphere that feels exactly right. Cape Ann makes an excellent base for a fish and chips crawl of the North Shore.
2. Woodman’s of Essex, Essex, MA — The Institution
Best known for fried clams (they claim to have invented them), Woodman’s also does outstanding fish and chips. The haddock is impeccably fresh, the batter is the classic Essex County style, and the setting — a sprawling seafood shack in the clam capital of America — is quintessential New England. If you’re doing a North Shore seafood tour, Woodman’s is a mandatory stop.
3. Billy’s Chowder House, Wells, ME — Southern Maine Staple
Billy’s is one of those places that does everything well. The fish and chips use fresh Maine haddock, the batter is perfectly light, and the portions are generous. It’s a great family restaurant near Wells Beach with a full menu that covers all the New England seafood classics. The chowder is also excellent — see our full chowder guide for more.
4. The Clam Shack, Kennebunkport, ME
The Clam Shack on the bridge in Kennebunkport is best known for lobster rolls, but the fish and chips are a sleeper hit. Fresh haddock, well-executed batter, crispy fries. The location on the drawbridge over the Kennebunk River makes the experience — eat on the bridge railing and watch the boats go by. A perfect casual lunch.