The sign above McGinley's reads; 'McGinley's World Famous Fish and Chips'. Now, I'm not sure about…read morethe 'world famous' bit, but I know that this particular fish and ship shop is pretty well known in Cardiff... and I guess that this is all that matters... I can't imagine that fish and chips travel so well! I guess that the 'world famous' claim has got more to do with appearances than anything else. It certainly lends this really well presented fish and chip shop an air of superiority, and is in keeping with the look of the place. Unlike so many of the other fast food outlets in the area, McGinley's have opted to paint their shop front in black gloss, as opposed to the really bright colours that are often chosen by the others. There are no flashing lights, neon signs and a plethora of signs and notices here! Inside it's a similar story. McGinley's have opted to keep things simple but classy. They have a state of the art stainless steel serving counter and a tiled waiting area where you can stand and watch your dinner being made. All of the fish is cooked to order, and so is always really crispy and fresh. McGinley's is a popular choice for families and students. They do a Jumbo Fish option that is a particular favourite. The pieces are so huge that they can be shared, making the prices eminently affordable.

Since this chip shop has been under new management the food has been fantastic and the service is…read morefast and friendly too! Prices are reasonable and the portion sizes are excellent making it great value. I will definitely be using this chip shop as my regular now, even if I do have to travel past other chip shops - it is worth it.

I'm drooooooooooliong thinking about this place. Good got chips from here is like being sent a box,…read moreyes a box,from heaven. Once, upon opening the lush smelling bag, my life literally flashed before my eyes! I thought i had dies. Award winning, Amazingly perfect Albony fish shop holds a dear place in my grease covered heart. The one bit of beef i have with this place is the sheer amount of people, day in day out have exactly the same idea as myself to get their supper fix here. You've always got to queue but my bloody god is it worth it! (Like i said a piece of heaven in a box!) There's something super special about having your fish and chips in a box, like your getting a gift, which is pretty much what you are getting. Go on treat yourself, i'll see you there!

Horrible experience here. The staff are very rude and insulting. Also very unsanitary conditions…read more Food was OK, but would never go back.

I had to visit Dorothy's after several locals recommended it, claiming "the best fish & chips in…read moreCardiff." It is located on what is known as Chippy Lane, where there are countless take-aways lining the street. The fish was HUGE and served lava hot. Loved the mushy peas - I could seriously eat mushy peas every day. Chips needed a bit of salt and vinegar (or ketchup... yes, I am from the US) but they were nice and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The portion size was insane, more than enough to share. I would love to return to Cardiff and compare to the rival chippy. Until then, I do recommend Dorothy's if you are in the mood for fish & chips while in Cardiff :)

All of the locals said to go to Dorothy's. Why not, I live in Kansas and it's fitting to see where…read moreshe ended up after that tornado. But I digress. Fish N chips were huge! They serve a massive amount of chips. The cod was crispy and not greasy. They staff were nice, it was low key, and they even gave me some mushy peas to try. It was the perfect spot to fuel up before the brew pubs.

Tony's is a classic city centre fish and chip bar, located on Caroline Street - which was always…read morereferred to by locals as 'Chip Alley' until it was tarted up a few years back (around the time when Brewery Quarter opened). Caroline Street is the top spot for Cardiff clubbers to congregate in the early hours to soak up some of their alcohol and cure their late night munchies. Tony's and Dorothy's both do the job well, and generally have queues snaking out of the door during their peak periods, but Tony's is best known for its chicken curry and chips - a hot favourite. They also have pies, battered sausages, fish cakes, battered plaice, kebabs, and even falafels for vegetarians. One other thing about Tony's is the fact that the staff deal so well with all the drunken people they face night after night! I guess they've built up a thick skin, but still they always manage a smile even on the rowdiest of nights.

I feel bad for the other companies on this street; when faced with the dual juggernauts of Tony's…read moreand Dorothy's, they don't stand much of a chance. Sure, most of them have managed to survive for a sizeable amount of time by picking at the scraps these two have left behind, but at 4am, there's really no competition. You walk up Chippy Lane and the only question is "Dorothy's or Tony's?" In fact, the only reason any other chippy on Caroline Street gets any business is because those two often end up so packed with customers, potential punters give a disheartened sigh and "may-as-well" their way to one of the lesser shops. And it's a reputation that's well deserved. At 4am on a Sunday morning, a chippy could get away with serving chips made of wood shaving and cutting kebab meat off a rotisserie pigeon and most of the punters would be none the wiser. Tony's doesn't do this. Instead, they serve some truly excellent fish and chips (I don't speak this highly of artwork; clearly I have issues). They are very proud of their chicken curry off the bone, and they should be; it's good stuff. It's their sausage and batter in chips that is where it's at, though. Getting that in your stomach is the perfect ending to a wasted evening.

Splott Fish Bar has graced Splott Road for about thirty years, but in that time it has changed…read morehands more than once. It was recently acquired by Mansoor Tariq, (about three years ago), who decided to go into business with his brother after completing his degree, and having a baptism of fire in the business world in Pakisthan. This experience left him and his brother feeling as though they 'didn't want to work', and this is why they opted to buy a couple of business to manage. (They also own the Londis shop on Clifton Street). When Mansoor, a charming 25 year, mentioned that he didn't want to work, I interpreted this as meaning that he didn't want to managed by someone else, and instead wanted to be his own boss. It seems that the Tariq's are an ambitious and progressive family. Mansoor's sister owns Fusion, a large fabric shop on City Road, with its unmistakable trademark bow that sprawls across the shop front like a cluster of billowing turquoise sails. As for the Splott Fish Bar... it essentially does 'what it says on the tin'. It is neither innovative or in any particular way expresses a desire to achieve a rare level of excellence, but it is good enough to have seen off the short lived competition in the area. Prices are reasonable and the service is good, and its certainly popular enough amongst the locals. They also serve pizza and kebabs as well as the usual fish and chip options.

The reason for ONE star is because the food is alright. You can get the same elsewhere! Other than…read morethat I am disgusted with how they think they can get away with short changing people. Not once but twice they have short changed myself and my partner. Tonight topped it. Short changed by £10. Absolutely disgusting. Talk about daylight robbery! They should be sacked. Please check your change from these grotty splotties!! I won't be going here again!

Open from 8am until 10pm, Broadway Post Office is a lifeline for those living in the area. It's got…read morea cashpoint outside and sells everything from newspapers and magazins, to food stuff, lots of drinks, alcoholic and soft, and does a nifty line in seasonal goods. I once picked up a super cool halloweeny witches hat for £2 - barryargain! Oh, and there's a post office counter and a small stationary bit at the back of the store.

Five Star Fish Bar is next to the Salt N Pepper Grill at the city centre end of City Road. Although…read morethey clearly like to establish the fact that they are a fish and chip shop by defining themselves as one, they also sell Doner and Shish Kebabs, burgers, jacket potatoes, pizza and Balti meals as well. They also do great snack foods like pakora and samosa. There's something that I love about the better fish and chip shops in Cardiff, and that's the fact that they offer an OAP special deal. I'm a long way off being an OAP myself, but this consideration for people who often live alone, (and are therefore presumably more disinclined to cook), who struggle by on a pension, and find the physical challenges of life a little more arduous, warms the cockles of my heart. Five Star Fish Bar do a smaller portion of fish and chips for £2.20 for the senior citizens of this area, which to my mind means that they've earned the 'Five Star' title that they given themselves. This is a great little take-away with really friendly staff. I wouldn't buy my fish and chips from anywhere else along this road.

This most satisfying chip shop serves chips with curry sauce, as an antidote to excessive alcohol…read moreconsumption is a must. As with most of the other fast food takeaways they have a range of fast food that is not implied by the name above the door; pizza, kebabs and burgers. I cannot say I would make any diversion to eat here, as there are much better out there. By specializing in fish & chips they may have carved out a spot in the city road, but the choice is clearly to walk by to Albany Fish Bar.

I'm sorry, but this is perfection. The night before, I went out planning on fish & chips, but the…read morethree well-rated places next to one another Yelp led me too looked really lacking. The fish looked thin and tired sitting in big heat-lamp metal housing. The fish were clearly depressed. The few people who were ordering anything were ordering chicken, or just chips. Seriously - - these chippies looked like places where the inebriated go in the wee hours, only to chunder up the cod into the kerbside shortly thereafter. So I gave up on fish & chips and went and had a burger (Wagyu beef - - out of this world delicious). But today down on Queen Street Parc Lane beckoned like a siren's call. Me: "A regular cod please. No chips." Clerk: "It will take 8 minutes. I hope that's OK." Me: "That's great. It means it's fresh." Clerk: "That's the only way we do it. Otherwise it gets soggy." And? Perfection. Fork into it, and it looks like the flippin', flakin', glistenin' white cliffs of Dover. Done with just enough batter and oil to give it added richness and crunch - - coated and heated to perfection, so it is light and zaftig and super, super tender. They focus energy and technique on having fresh fish; fresh oil; perfect temperature; perfect timing). It does not get better than this. I do like battering that is big and blistery and lumpy - - like a volcano of batter exploded over the fish - - but this is thin, light and delicate - - but still crunchy - - a perfect accent to the fish, while making the fish clearly the main feature. I can't stop thinking about it (and, also, writing about it, as you have probably figured out by now).

The cod was exceptional, hot and juicy. The chips were cold and stale. It was filthy in this…read morerestaurant and the woman behind the counter taking the order was just grumpy.