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First time in london and had to try this spot! Hubby and I tried to order as much as we could to the point the waiter was like "hold on hold on that's too much food" lmaoo It was very funny for us, we're from california and our eyes are absolutely bigger than our stomach.. I find it lovely how our server was like "how about this, if you guys still not full after eating everything you just ordered, then you order more?" HAHA Overall, the food did not disappoint!! It was a very chilly night but their fish and chips is SPOT ON. I literally want to fly back to london just to eat at this spot again lol And yes, we were full to the brim, we're glad our server stopped us from ordering more :D
Rock & Sole Plaice was a highly anticipated stop for my very first proper English fish and chips in London. Since we were only here on a long layover for the day, I wasn't going to have an opportunity to try out other places this time. We had made a reservation online just to be sure we would have a table waiting for us at lunchtime. We sat at a nice table outside and got a couple cold drinks ordered and our entrees. We added a side of curry sauce and mushy peas to try as well. It was a beautiful warm 80 degrees day in London the day we were there so sitting outside under a shady awning was the perfect spot. Our food came really quickly and it was all super hot and fresh. There was a choice of regular or large order and we just got a regular order which ended up being once piece of fish and then the chips. The fish pieces were huge so one was definitely plenty. We tasted the mushy peas first and after the addition of some salt, they were not bad considering peas are one of the few vegetables I do not like at all. The curry sauce for the chips was such a great flavor combo and I will be looking for this back home. The fish was amazingly light and so juicy. I've had fish and chips in many places at home but they just do it so well here. I'm sure my limited experience with fish and chips in the UK will get some argument from those that know of better elsewhere but so far, Rock & Sole Plaice is my favorite.
Friend brought me here for some local fish and chips. Rock and Sole Plaice was highly recommended by many of my friends. Location is awesome. There's nice outdoor seating and lots of space. Staff was super friendly and got us a table even though they were quite busy. I thought the fries were the best part - fish was a little bland but super crispy! I thought their Chicklen and Mushroom pie was better than the fish and chips. Creamy mushroom sauce made for a good balance with the oily-ness.
Solid fish and chips! We sat outside in mid November the weather was still nice, they also had heaters on. Quick and friendly service with delicious food. I had the haddock and my fiancé had the cod. I much preferred the cod, it was just a bit more moist. Chips was great, fried on the outside and fluffy in the center, best dipped in the curry sauce. An authentic and delicious place. Come check it out!
This is considered one of the best fish and chips in area. We didn't have reservations, we waited for about 5 mins for the table. But as I was eating the line grew longer and longer so I recommended reservations. We sat outside and we have a warmer next to us to keep us warm. The fish and chips are amazing. I went with Cod and my wife went with Haddock. I like both, but I think I will go with Haddock as it is thinner and more crispy. I know there are tons of fish and chips in London area, but I will recommend to come here if you are out of town for the experience.
Walking through Covent Garden, we stumbled upon Rock & Sole Plaice and were intrigued by the sign out front that claimed it was London's oldest Fish & Chips restaurant. There wasn't any seating available inside the restaurant, but we were able to get seated right away outdoors. Among the four of us, we split a couple of plates of fish and chips (with cod) and mushy peas for a light lunch. Our food was brought out quickly, which was much appreciated given that it was very cold outside (the heat lamps weren't very effective). The fish was perfectly crispy and flaky - and the batter didn't feel too heavy or greasy. The chips were served thick, crisp, and piping hot with just the right amount of salt. The mushy peas, while living up to their name, tasted of fresh peas (neither bland nor overcooked) and were delicious. After inhaling our food, we left very happy and full. It's no wonder Rock & Sole Plaice has become a staple over the past couple of centuries!
Claiming to be London's oldest fish and chips restaurant, Rock and Sole Plaice is a cute little shop with very friendly wait stuff and very good food. We ordered just the one large cod loin and chips between the two of us, which I highly recommend as the dish comes with two huge pieces of fish. And lots of chips. (I especially recommend it if you're a tourist like we were and you've got a lot of other foods to try to. The fish was so crispy on the outside, yet buttery and soft on the inside. To the point, that some parts of the fish got a bit mushy, while cooking, but honestly I enjoyed that. The chips were pretty classic, I kind of wished they were a little crispier. If I were to come again though, I might try one of the pickled vegetable sides as everything with the fried fish and the fried chips just made us feel so heavy. The one plate was enough for us.
In our trip to london a local reccomended we come here for our fish n chips experience. The people here are really nice and if you come on the right day you'll get seated super quickly. The food wasn't bad, I just feel like the fish was more on the brand side. If it had more seasoning I feel like I would've been in love lol. Aside from the the fish was crispy on the outside and super tender on the inside, perfectly cooked. Come give it a try and let me know if you feel the same :) .
This spot was on many lists for some of the best fish and chips in London. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype, not even a little bit. The fish is absolutely flavorless and so greasy the batter is mushy. The chips were decent and service was fine but I do not recommend if you're visiting London. The shrimps rolls were much better than the fish. The tartar sauce was good and about the only way you could enjoy the fish. The space was clean and there's outdoor seating in addition to the two levels inside.
Since I was visiting London, one dish that I knew I absolutely had to try during my trip was the iconic fish and chips. After looking through various options, I set my sights on Rock and Sole Plaice which touts itself to be one of the oldest fish and chips restaurants in London. I didn't have a reservation when I got there, but I was able to be seated relatively quickly at one of the tables outside. For the food I decided to go with the Crispy Camembert and the Cod Loin for the fish and chips, which were both excellent picks. The camembert was very crispy on the outside, but was extremely rich and gooey on the inside. It paired well with the berry sauce that came on the side with it. For the Cod Loin, it was also really crispy on the outside but still tender and buttery on the inside. I don't get fish and chips that often, but I have to say that this is up there in terms of quality for the ones I've had. Overall I enjoyed my experience here and I don't think you can go wrong trying this place out!
The photos don't do justice to the immense size of the pieces of fish. 230 grams for a regular and 300 grams for the large. We got the regular, and for Americans, a half pound of fish that gets battered and fried is massive. We arrived just as they opened, so the frying oil was fresh and our batter was crisp and dry, zero greasiness whatsoever. The fish was the best I've ever had anywhere compared to the states. The chips however were disappointing and neither of us ate even half of them. The mushy peas were more hearty than I expected and brilliant green in color... but they need some seasoning. The curry was tasty with the chips, but the chips weren't very good so we didn't eat much of the curry. Perhaps I should have tried it on the fish. I prefer lemon and malt vinegar, along with tartar sauce. The tartar sauce was excellent but the vinegar was mild compared to brands we have in the U. S. Overall a great first intro to the city that reigns supreme with Fish & Chips. We will be back for more on a future visit.
My first fish & chips experience in London at The Rock & Sole Plaice did not disappoint at all. The fish was so fresh and piping hot, with perfectly crispy batter, so good and very satisfying. Service is fast and great! The ambience is lovely too; we sat outside with the heaters on, cozy and warm. Highly recommend this spot if you're in London! read more
5 months ago
Established in 1871, now London's oldest Fish & Chips Restaurant, Rock & Sole Plaice resides at the center of Covent Garden and continues to welcome guests across two floors plus an Al Fresco patio started at 12h00 daily. Still based on the Fenner's old recipe, a light batter offered across several different Fishes plus Calamari, Prawns and Sausage, guests are welcomed with smiles before a choice of seats including small tables inside. Cozy but not crowded, the menu unchanging but presenting Pies and Sides for those seeking something else, most tables find themselves soon enjoying a Filet of Cod or Haddock plus fried Potatoes that are golden, hot and mostly oilless. Well priced by British Standards, enough Fish and Chips to share roughly £25, don't sleep on the Appetizer platter featuring good Prawns and clever "Twists" or the Sticky Toffee Pudding served hot next to melting Ice Cream. read more
noted to be the oldest fish and chips spot in london!! we got a regular cod fried fish with chips on the side (i lovvv lemon) and a platter of appetizers i lov the squid and we also got a curry dipping sauce and it was lovely read more
10 days ago
First time in london and had to try this spot! Hubby and I tried to order as much as we could to the point the waiter was like "hold on hold on that's too much food" lmaoo It was very funny for us, we're from california and our eyes are absolutely bigger than our stomach.. I find it lovely how our server was like "how about this, if you guys still not full after eating everything you just ordered, then you order more?" HAHA Overall, the food did not disappoint!! It was a very chilly night but their fish and chips is SPOT ON. I literally want to fly back to london just to eat at this spot again lol And yes, we were full to the brim, we're glad our server stopped us from ordering more :D read more
Rock & Sole Plaice was a highly anticipated stop for my very first proper English fish and chips in London. Since we were only here on a long layover for the day, I wasn't going to have an opportunity to try out other places this time. We had made a reservation online just to be sure we would have a table waiting for us at lunchtime. We sat at a nice table outside and got a couple cold drinks ordered and our entrees. We added a side of curry sauce and mushy peas to try as well. It was a beautiful warm 80 degrees day in London the day we were there so sitting outside under a shady awning was the perfect spot. Our food came really quickly and it was all super hot and fresh. There was a choice of regular or large order and we just got a regular order which ended up being once piece of fish and then the chips. The fish pieces were huge so one was definitely plenty. We tasted the mushy peas first and after the addition of some salt, they were not bad considering peas are one of the few vegetables I do not like at all. The curry sauce for the chips was such a great flavor combo and I will be looking for this back home. The fish was amazingly light and so juicy. I've had fish and chips in many places at home but they just do it so well here. I'm sure my limited experience with fish and chips in the UK will get some argument from those that know of better elsewhere but so far, Rock & Sole Plaice is my favorite. read more
Friend brought me here for some local fish and chips. Rock and Sole Plaice was highly recommended by many of my friends. Location is awesome. There's nice outdoor seating and lots of space. Staff was super friendly and got us a table even though they were quite busy. I thought the fries were the best part - fish was a little bland but super crispy! I thought their Chicklen and Mushroom pie was better than the fish and chips. Creamy mushroom sauce made for a good balance with the oily-ness. read more
18 days ago
Solid fish and chips! We sat outside in mid November the weather was still nice, they also had heaters on. Quick and friendly service with delicious food. I had the haddock and my fiancé had the cod. I much preferred the cod, it was just a bit more moist. Chips was great, fried on the outside and fluffy in the center, best dipped in the curry sauce. An authentic and delicious place. Come check it out! read more
This is considered one of the best fish and chips in area. We didn't have reservations, we waited for about 5 mins for the table. But as I was eating the line grew longer and longer so I recommended reservations. We sat outside and we have a warmer next to us to keep us warm. The fish and chips are amazing. I went with Cod and my wife went with Haddock. I like both, but I think I will go with Haddock as it is thinner and more crispy. I know there are tons of fish and chips in London area, but I will recommend to come here if you are out of town for the experience. read more
Walking through Covent Garden, we stumbled upon Rock & Sole Plaice and were intrigued by the sign out front that claimed it was London's oldest Fish & Chips restaurant. There wasn't any seating available inside the restaurant, but we were able to get seated right away outdoors. Among the four of us, we split a couple of plates of fish and chips (with cod) and mushy peas for a light lunch. Our food was brought out quickly, which was much appreciated given that it was very cold outside (the heat lamps weren't very effective). The fish was perfectly crispy and flaky - and the batter didn't feel too heavy or greasy. The chips were served thick, crisp, and piping hot with just the right amount of salt. The mushy peas, while living up to their name, tasted of fresh peas (neither bland nor overcooked) and were delicious. After inhaling our food, we left very happy and full. It's no wonder Rock & Sole Plaice has become a staple over the past couple of centuries! read more
Claiming to be London's oldest fish and chips restaurant, Rock and Sole Plaice is a cute little shop with very friendly wait stuff and very good food. We ordered just the one large cod loin and chips between the two of us, which I highly recommend as the dish comes with two huge pieces of fish. And lots of chips. (I especially recommend it if you're a tourist like we were and you've got a lot of other foods to try to. The fish was so crispy on the outside, yet buttery and soft on the inside. To the point, that some parts of the fish got a bit mushy, while cooking, but honestly I enjoyed that. The chips were pretty classic, I kind of wished they were a little crispier. If I were to come again though, I might try one of the pickled vegetable sides as everything with the fried fish and the fried chips just made us feel so heavy. The one plate was enough for us. read more
1 year ago
In our trip to london a local reccomended we come here for our fish n chips experience. The people here are really nice and if you come on the right day you'll get seated super quickly. The food wasn't bad, I just feel like the fish was more on the brand side. If it had more seasoning I feel like I would've been in love lol. Aside from the the fish was crispy on the outside and super tender on the inside, perfectly cooked. Come give it a try and let me know if you feel the same :) . read more
1 year ago
This spot was on many lists for some of the best fish and chips in London. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype, not even a little bit. The fish is absolutely flavorless and so greasy the batter is mushy. The chips were decent and service was fine but I do not recommend if you're visiting London. The shrimps rolls were much better than the fish. The tartar sauce was good and about the only way you could enjoy the fish. The space was clean and there's outdoor seating in addition to the two levels inside. read more
2 years ago
Since I was visiting London, one dish that I knew I absolutely had to try during my trip was the iconic fish and chips. After looking through various options, I set my sights on Rock and Sole Plaice which touts itself to be one of the oldest fish and chips restaurants in London. I didn't have a reservation when I got there, but I was able to be seated relatively quickly at one of the tables outside. For the food I decided to go with the Crispy Camembert and the Cod Loin for the fish and chips, which were both excellent picks. The camembert was very crispy on the outside, but was extremely rich and gooey on the inside. It paired well with the berry sauce that came on the side with it. For the Cod Loin, it was also really crispy on the outside but still tender and buttery on the inside. I don't get fish and chips that often, but I have to say that this is up there in terms of quality for the ones I've had. Overall I enjoyed my experience here and I don't think you can go wrong trying this place out! read more
7 months ago
This is 5-star fish and chips. Don't over complicate it. Order the basic regular cod fish and chips, a cold beer, and enjoy. Can't go wrong here! read more
1 year ago
The hostess was extremely helpful and attentive. We were seated almost immediately. We went to the second floor and ordered our food. Without a doubt this has been the best fish and chips I have ever tried. The fish was extremely crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside. read more
8 months ago
The photos don't do justice to the immense size of the pieces of fish. 230 grams for a regular and 300 grams for the large. We got the regular, and for Americans, a half pound of fish that gets battered and fried is massive. We arrived just as they opened, so the frying oil was fresh and our batter was crisp and dry, zero greasiness whatsoever. The fish was the best I've ever had anywhere compared to the states. The chips however were disappointing and neither of us ate even half of them. The mushy peas were more hearty than I expected and brilliant green in color... but they need some seasoning. The curry was tasty with the chips, but the chips weren't very good so we didn't eat much of the curry. Perhaps I should have tried it on the fish. I prefer lemon and malt vinegar, along with tartar sauce. The tartar sauce was excellent but the vinegar was mild compared to brands we have in the U. S. Overall a great first intro to the city that reigns supreme with Fish & Chips. We will be back for more on a future visit. read more
1 year ago
Great service, nice decor inside just a little tight. Fish was fresh and chips were great, with some of the best tartar sauce I've ever had. read more
1 year ago
Dinner at the oldest fish and chips restaurant in London. Fish was fresh and tasty but it wasn't anything special. We ordered the regular size portion. You need reservations unless you will have to wait. read more
1 year ago
Good food and the ambience s great. There is outside and inside seating... the only thing is the price is more if you eat inside versus carry out food. They charge more for seating in the restaurant to eat read more
The food, phenomenal, the service, attentive, the price, affordable! I know some people called this place a tourist trap but we tourist had an amazing visit here this past week. We had a group of 3 who didn't have a reservation but we're able to get a seat relatively quickly. Our servers were super quick and answered all of our questions. We got a large haddock and chips and a regular cod and chips. Both were fantastic, huge portions and super crunchy/juicy. We also got the sample platter and the hummus and chips as well. Definitely a must have for me. read more
1 year ago
A classic fish & chips spot that seems to have been in place for hundreds of years. The haddock was good, perfectly crispy and went nicely will their dill heavy tartar sauce. The chips were alright, could've had a bit more texture to them but were solid nonetheless. Overall this place was worth a try but is on the pricier side for fish and chips. read more
Had came here for dinner on a recent trip to London (Nov 2022), on a Monday evening. I don't recall where I saw this as a recommendation but I had saved this place as a place to try as one of UK's things to try (fish & chips). Rock & Sole Plaice is located in Covent Garden, conveniently, it was almost a straight across walk from my hotel in Waterloo, across the bridge and straight up to this restaurant. They have indoor and outdoor seating. The weather was coincidentally pretty nice so we opted to sit outside, as we never really had the chance during this entire trip. Outside seating has a nice big covering so if in cases it does rain, you are covered (it did sprinkle later on) They have about 6 different fish options available along with calamari, wholetail scampi and king prawns. Had asked the waiter what the most original/traditional fish was and he recommended cod, so we each got a large cod (about £25 if i remember correctly) with a London Bohemia Lager. Food didn't take long to show up and the fish was HUGEEEE !!! Probably give or take 12in/30cm at its longest ! Fish was PIPING HOT and fresh and delicious. They give you a small cup of tartar sauce which isn't enough but they are happy to give you more if needed. Beer was definitely a great addition. The chips were a little dense and not as crispy as expected on the outside nor as soft on the inside but the fish was definitely the main star. Service is friendly and quick. Would recommend ! read more
We came here 3 days in a row and was finally able to have some fish and chip on the 3rd day. 1st day we came restaurant was closed due to Queen Elizabeth's funeral. 2nd day the restaurant sold out by 7 pm ( thy open till 11 pm). 3rd day was the charm and I'm glad we persisted. The staff were friendly and service was quick. The fish was fried to perfection and very fresh. The coating was crunchy even after the fish had sat a while. It didn't have the greasy taste to it at all. The garlic shrimps were good. I personally didn't care for the calamari though. This was a recommendation from a tour guide. Glad we gave it a try. read more
i was lied to by google reviews. the 3,000+ reviews averaging a 4.2 star rating for this establishment was promising, which is why i chose rock and fish plaice for my introductory fish and chips meal in london. although the fish was fresh and battered well, the cod filet and chips had scant seasoning (like salt literally left the room) and the chips were cooked unevenly. some were hard, more starchy and some soft and fluffy; i want consistency please. £2 for a side of 5 pickle slices is also just... why? like why isn't it free i don't understand ): the service was okay, food took a while though and we sat outside. ambiance was very traditional, casual and had cute decor although didn't get the full interior dining experience since we'd dined outside. i'm pretty disappointed and won't be coming back because i'm adamantly sure that this isn't the best spot to grab fish and chips. read more
3 years ago
This is a full and delicious fish and chips restaurant that I was recommended. The service and food was delicious. I ordered the regular size and the fish was delicious. I sat outside with heaters on, however the main restaurant was so vintage and vibrant. Go visit, I had my late lunch /early dinner at 3pm. Support this small business. read more
At the edge of Covent Garden is a pretty hyped up fish & chips joint. As it was a typical rainy day in London, we couldn't enjoy the patio but had to wait for one of the few indoor tables to open up. Not too long of a wait and we snagged a spot eager to try this establishment's famed fish & chips. We ordered two fish & chips (one haddock & the other cod), a kids version of the same and a steak & ale pie. Fish had a good batter, not super light but also not too dense and the actual meat was pretty flaky. We liked both fish versions. Chips were fine, not too memorable. I'd say pass on the pie; the steak was not very moist and I've had better pastry on a savory pie. Was the fish & chips mind blowing enough to make me crave it when I'm back home? No, but if the wait isn't too long and you're in the Covent Garden area & want fish & chips, this spot satisfies the craving. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Crispy, flaky hot from the fryer classic fish & chips. I ordered the small cod and it was plenty...large would've been too much. Service was good. This spot was a recommended to me by a local and was a great pitstop on my way to the British Museum. Some reviews mention their fish was bland or underseasoned. I actually preferred it's lighter seasoning so it didn't feel as heavy and I could actually taste subtle flavor of the fish. read more
This is the oldest Fish and Chips restaurant in London. It was a very cute place to take the family. We ate outside and had fish and chips. We also had an order of chicken. All of it was deep fried and wonderful. The chips were also amazing. When we arrived, shortly after 5pm, the place was already packed. They also do a very brisk take-out business, so there is a lot of activity out front. The servers were amazing, and she took care of all our needs. Food arrived quickly and exactly as ordered and we all had a wonderful dinner. It was really a great representation of British Fish and Chips. I would most definitely go back. read more
2 years ago
All of the reviews are right! A classic fish and chips spot with great food/ambience! Neat history too and desserts are a must try! read more
2 years ago
Unfortunately, I would say it was a tourist trap. Our hotel recommended it and we went with it. Located in a very quaint area. The restaurant itself was great, very clean, lot's of nice tables outside. The food however, not so great. I've had better fish and chips in random US places. The fish was completely lacking any seasoning. The chips, worst I've had in my life. Mushy and pale. Overall, I would think you can do better in London. read more
3 years ago
The Secret New England Larry's Special Fish sandwich. The servers are excited to make this off the menu item for you without any fuss, only if you asked for it correctly. Be patient, you may have to ask for multiple times due to its secret status. It is a local tradition to ask up to three to five times for the special sandwich even though the server will tell you it does not exist. Don't worry you're not really upset... it's just part of the tradition. "Please may I have the Secret New England Larry's special fish sandwich....""whisper" it's on the secret menu " Be patient, Sometimes the servers cannot hear you whisper.... It is completely worth the wait, just keep asking. A five star sandwich at two to star prices. Please don't be discouraged. Once in a lifetime experience. read more
2 years ago
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Rock & Sole Plaice - fishnchips - Updated May 2026
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