This week, Ellie and Elyse loosen their belts in preparation for a deep fried edition of Nanu Maps. Wooden forks at the ready, the girls follow their noses around the Capital, sampling the best battered suppers Edinburgh has to offer.
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Newington Fish Bar
23 South Clerk Street
Mon-Fri lunchtime 12:30 – 14:30 ; Sun-Thurs evening 16:30 – 01:00 ; Fri-Sat evening 16:30 – 02:00
Living in Newington guarantees no shortage of chip and kebab shops, but Newington Fish Bar has managed to make itself stand out among the crowd. The quality and quantity of food on offer more than makes up for the high pricing at this establishment. Everything is cooked fresh to order, ensuring nothing dries out or gets soggy while sitting under the heat lamps on the counter. As well as your standard haddock, sausage or pie suppers, Newington Fish Bar offers a number of more unusual fish options – including an ever-changing “fish of the week”. Most importantly, their chips are a lovely mix of fluffy and crunchy, served in what could almost be described as a shoebox. Certainly worth a visit if you fancy splashing out on your takeaway.
Papponi
54a Clerk Street
Mon-Sat 11:30 – 00:00 ; Sun 16:00 – 00:00
Papponi is a relative newcomer, popping up this summer on Clerk Street. It has already gathered a considerable following thanks to its incredibly cheap prices: for example, a large portion of “proper” chips is only £1.80, virtually unheard of in the Edinburgh market. Thankfully, the low prices do not mean a compromise in terms of taste – their chips are delicious. There is a huge range of food available, from standard sausage and haggis suppers to freshly made pastas and pizzas. Meat-eaters also highly rate their selection of pies, both in terms of value and taste. As an added bonus, if you’re feeling lazy or just live a bit far away, Papponi offer home delivery through JustEat – so there’s no excuse to not give it a go.
Bene’s Fish and Chip Shop
162 Canongate
Open for lunchtime daily, Mon–Thur 16.30-00.00 ; Fri–Sat 16:30 – 02:00 ; Sun 16:30 – 00.00
Bene’s on the Royal Mile is so good, it’s Royal recommended. Framed newspaper clippings on the side of the bar tell the story of when the Palace sent a Royal trustee up the road to Bene’s for a fish supper. Prince Edward was apparently very satisfied. The traditional stuff is done really well, usually cooked while you wait. Pizzas are another speciality of Bene’s, always made to order with added TLC. Prices are moderate given the
quality of the food and there’s a few really cheap lunchtime options on offer too. With praise as high as it can get, enormous portions and friendly staff it’s definitely worth a trip to enjoy the crowning glory of chip shops in Edinburgh.
Clamshell
148 High Street
Mon-Fri 11.00 – 01.00; Sat 11.00-02.30; Sun 11.00 – 01.00
It says Pizzas and Kebabs on the outside but the classic fish supper is one of the best around. The flaky fish and soft yet crunchy chips are simple and delicious. There’s a few seats outside on the Royal Mile which are fantastic in the summer months for enjoying your freshly cooked supper al fresco. There’s also couple of spaces inside too for when it’s a bit chilly. Open until at least 1am everyday and in centre of the city, it’s ideal for a late night takeaway and also caters for the experimental deep fried market. Onion rings, mars bars and ribs are available in batter, to name but a few.