'I tried the top two chippies in Greater Manchester - and they're just three miles apart'

The best fish and chip shops in Greater Manchester have been revealed for 2025

Fish and chip shops are a cornerstone of the community. Chippy workers will know their customers on a first-name basis, some will engage in trivial chit chat as chips are submerged in a cauldron of piping hot oil, and others will know a regular's order as soon as they step over the threshold.

They're an institution of the high street, and despite the tough times they've endured over the last few years with skyrocketing prices, the pandemic and rates changes, they've carried on, reliably serving us week after week.

To show them a bit of love, it felt appropriate to launch our annual poll looking for Greater Manchester's best chippies in the run up to the Easter weekend.

It's the holiest day in the Christian calendar, and for some, Good Friday marks the beginning of a much-needed four day break. For many, it’s an excuse to break into their chocolate Easter eggs early, but for others it means one thing - chippy tea.

For Mancunians, queuing in line at teatime on Good Friday is a well-worn ritual.

Nothing beats hovering at the door, the smell of salt and vinegar wafting through the air and the hum of the fat fryer in the background.

And fortunately, we’re well served when it comes to chippies in Greater Manchester.

There’s the family run institutions where over years they've honed their craft. Then there's the new kids on the block, taking the traditional chip supper to new levels, and of course, there’s everyone’s local, where you know a crispy cod and chips swaddled in brown paper, with a side of mushy peas and a can of pop will always be done right.

Earlier this week, we asked you to tell us why your local fish and chip shop is the best - and what makes it outshine the rest.

We had a staggering amount of responses. What shone through was how deeply embedded these venues are in the communities around Greater Manchester.

After looking through all your submissions and totting up the scores, former champion Hill's on Oldham Road in Middleton took home the top prize, closely followed by Harry's Fish & Chips in Moston.

We quickly realised they're only an eight minute drive from each other, which meant that a comparison of the top two Greater Manchester chippies was on the cards.

Hill's, a traditional chippy on Oldham Road, has been run by the Hill family for over 20 years, and as you may have guessed, it’s held in very high esteem by its customers.

It was commended on pretty much everything it serves up, with cheese and onion pies labelled 'gorgeous', mushy peas muffin described as "fabulous", and their cod batter as 'soft and fluffy'.

Another customer told us: "I’m a chippy lover and tried so many places but nothing is like this chippy! From the friendly staff, immaculate clean shop to the best gravy there is.

"I could go on and on but if you haven’t tried it you need to and there will be no turning back."

But the entry I appreciated the most, as a seasoned queue-goer myself, has to go to this customer: "A well drilled fish shop operation.

"There is a reason why people queue up outside and even more so on Good Friday. To be in the outside queue and see people taking photos as they drive past looking on in amazement is a sight to behold.

"Hills chippy are dealing with Uber Eats and walk in customers. One part of the shop deals with Uber whilst the other side deals with the walk in. Both operate smoothly separately but also together as one in harmony."

Poetic.

And having visited before in 2023, I can attest to this slick operation. These guys are the masters.

Just over two years later, I'm back haunting their doors again, and ordering an unfathomably large amount of food. It takes less than five minutes for my portion of cod, chips, mushy peas to be served up and neatly packed up ready to take away.

A sausage, cheese and onion pie and Chinese curry sauce is packed up into the bag too. In fairness, a few of us at the office shared this chippy feast.

For the fish, chips and peas it's £9.40, while the large curry sauce is £1.40, cheese and onion pie £2.20, and jumbo sausage £1.90 and paper bag 10p.

Goods secured, it's a less than a ten-minute drive over to Harry's. I ordered over the phone on the drive over, the woman who took my order becoming increasingly more bewildered as item after item were added to the list.

By comparison, the cod fillet comes in at £5.50, chips £2, jumbo sausage £1.50, curry sauce £1.40, peas £1.40 and cheese and onion pie £2.20.

I'm used to eating fish and chips in my car, I'm not precious about it, but the lingering smell of vinegar does get old pretty fast, so it's a joy to be able to take it back and actually eat at a table for once.

Unpacked from their respective bags, dished up, and lined up side by side, they're markedly different. For one, the piece of cod from Hill's is huge.

Now we know size isn't everything, but if we're talking bang for your buck, then that ticks a lot of boxes. It's also sitting pretty on a bed of mushy peas and chips.

By comparison, Harry's is a little more compact, but with a bright golden hue. If you like your fish really crispy, this one's for you. Plus, if you don't like various parts of your dinner touching, then Harry's is served up separately.

Both pick up serious points for the quality of the fish, which is quickly torn from is crispy batter casing and thrown into my mouth. But the batter is harder to call.

While Hill's is golden and falls nicely off the fish, it's a little soggy in places, which is fair given its been transported. Harry's remains tightly wrapped around the fish, with crispy flecks like popping candy in the mouth, giving that unmistakable crunch.

Each to their own, and it's a close call but I think Harry's just takes the lead for me. The chips both have their strong points too, and both boast a nice finish.

At my request, they've been doused, or perhaps even drowned, in salt and vinegar so are by now a little soggier than others may like. Within, the potato is both fluffy and light, but I'd say Hill's have a bit more depth and flavour to theirs. There's almost an earthiness to it.

They're also plunged into two pots of Chinese curry sauce. The one from Hill's is mellow and light, like proper chip shop sauce, while Harry's has a lovely bite and hit of spice - there's some chilli knocking about and I think overall I prefer the tanginess of this one.

Mushy peas are scooped up. They fight for space alongside chips and fish when it comes to Hill's and are perhaps denser than I would usually like, but have a a sweetness the cuts through the savoury forkful. Harry's are more to my liking, with plenty of whole peas knocking about.

When it came to the pies and sausages, I was scratching my head a bit - the products from both takeaways were identical. Even taking sips of water to cleanse my palette - I take this very seriously - I struggled to see the difference.

The filling in the pies was rich and warming, and while not perhaps the standout of the meal, a nice accompaniment.

A sausage from a chip shop serves a purpose and both were fine but nothing write home about. To be blunt.

I've been wowed by Hill's before, and when we saw it had won again, it really didn't surprise me. This place knows how to knock out a really solid chippy tea.

The team there are also lovely and accommodating - something that is reflected in the hundreds of comments we received from readers.

It was a similar story for Harry's too. People shared personal examples of how the staff always make them feel welcome, and I think we can all agree that goes a long way.

Both are much-loved pillars of their respective communities, and it's a really tough call, but on the day I think Harry's just clinched it. But, if you fancy a chippy tea this Good Friday, you can't go far wrong with these top-tier chippies.