Anstruther Fish Bar

A photograph of the bar, taken in 2007.

The Anstruther Fish Bar is a fish and chip shop in Anstruther, a fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland.

The Bar is situated on Shore Street, the harbour front in Anstruther, and is particularly popular with tourists. It sells take-away fish and chips, which are often consumed at the public seating area opposite the shop, where local fishermen land crab and lobster.[1] Unlike many Scottish fish and chip shops, it also has a restaurant; the Bar is nautically themed with 52 seats and views over the Firth of Forth.[1] It also hosts an ice cream parlour and sweet shop and employs over thirty staff. The most popular order is haddock and chips although trout, halibut and lemon sole are also served.[2]

Public seating area, opposite the Bar

The Anstruther Fish Bar has won the ‘Best Fish and Chip Shop’ in Scotland accolade on four occasions in the last six years. It was also named ‘Café of the Year 2005’ for Scotland by Les Routiers and won the Seafish Friers Award for Excellence every year between 1996 and 2006. In 2007, it was second in the U.K. 'Fish Shop of the Year' competition,[3][4] described by the owner as "the Oscars" of the industry. In 2009 it finally won the competition, beating 1,000 competitors to become UK Fish & Chip Shop of the Year. Alison Smith, the owner, said: "Claiming the national title has always been our ambition, it's the ultimate goal in our industry. The title is a great reward for our hard-working staff and a great way of reminding our customers and fans throughout the UK where to buy the best fish and chips."[5]

Mushy peas are a speciality.

In 2007, it was one of the six Scottish finalist in UKTV Food's "Local Food Hero", assessed by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes.[1] The Anstruther Fish Bar has also featured in national television programmes such as 'Scottish Passport', 'The Holiday Programme', 'Scotland's Larder' as well as BBC Radio Scotland. It has also enjoyed international recognition. In 2004, 'Talking Island Productions' produced a feature on the business for Japanese television, and part of an episode of 'The Wandering Golfer' for 'The Fine Living Channel' (USA) was filmed from the kitchen and restaurant of the Fish Bar. It also featured in American Magazine Bon Appetit.[6]

It has served Prince William, Tom Hanks, Tim Hinkley and Robert De Niro.[3]

Since 2003, the shop has been operated by Argo Fish, a small local firm owned by Robert and Alison Smith of St Monans, Fife.[2] The owners work "hands on" in the restaurant,[2] employing their two sons and almost 40 staff.[7]

See also

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 3 "Anstruther Fish Bar: Local Food Directory". UKTV Food. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 "Scots chippie looks to UK success". BBC website. BBC. 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  3. 1 2 Robertson, Rob (25 January 2007). "Silver salver for Tom Hanks's chip shop". The Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
  4. ↑ "UK second place for Fife chippy". BBC News. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
  5. ↑ Meikle, James (22 January 2009). "Scottish fish and chip shop used by royalty and film stars is best of British". Guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
  6. ↑ Visit Scotland (Scottish National Tourist Board) official site (URL accessed 3/05/07)
  7. ↑ "We Got Catch Of The Day". Sunday Mail. 15 Mar 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2009.

External links


Coordinates: 56°13′23″N 2°42′11″W / 56.223°N 2.703°W / 56.223; -2.703

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