I confess that for years I measured fish and chips against a greasy memory from a London pub, a bar I set so high I assumed Long Beach would never clear it. Then I ate my way from the working harbor at Berth 55, where pelicans outnumber tourists, to a Friday night all-you-can-eat frenzy at Gallagher’s, and I had to recalibrate entirely.

This city does not do one style; it does a dozen, from the shatteringly crisp batter at Ellie’s to the grilled, smoky fillet at Long Beach Fish Grill that defies tradition altogether. The range is absurd, and the proof is in the tartar sauce, house-made and herb-flecked at one spot, bright with capers at another.

So here is the list, your map to the best of it.

Berth 55-Fish Market & Seafood Deli

Highlights
Fresh seafood by the dock
Generous outdoor covered seating
Live seafood sold by pound
Great view near the port
Solid non-seafood options too

I confess I wandered into Berth 55 expecting a simple dockside counter, and instead found a sort of theater of the sea, where the day's catch glistens on ice and the air tastes of salt and possibility. My fish and chips arrived with a batter so ethereal it barely held the flaky cod within, a whisper of crunch that gave way to sweet, briny flesh. The outdoor seating, generous and covered, allowed me to watch pelicans patrol the harbor while I dipped each fry into a tartar sauce that tasted of capers and lemon. Even the non-seafood options, a grilled cheese for a companion, looked respectable. For the view alone, this place earns my devotion. I'll be back. This is a true harbor haunt.

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The Ordinarie Tavern

Highlights
Rustic menu, modern drink list
Cool atmosphere, helpful bartender
Delicious made-to-order cocktails
Superb Tavern Burger, mild jalapeños
Homemade sauces, worth returning

The Ordinarie Tavern may sound like a place for unremarkable fare, but I confess I found the opposite, especially when I ordered their fish and chips on a whim. The batter was a marvel, sturdy yet airy, clinging to a generous slab of cod that flaked apart at the slightest pressure. The accompanying fries were hand-cut and wonderfully crisp, and the house-made sauces, one a smoky aioli, the other a bright herb emulsion, elevated every bite. The rustic menu and modern cocktail list create a happy tension, and the bartender, with a knowing smile, recommended a gin fizz that danced on my palate. I left dreaming of their superb tavern burger, which a neighboring diner insisted I try next. I shall return, and soon.

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Sonoratown

Highlights
Quick, friendly service
Burrito is a standout
Fresh, tasty ingredients
Cozy, inviting atmosphere
Convenient nearby parking

Sonoratown may be known for its burritos, and indeed, I confess I ordered one on my first visit, a massive, beautifully charred creation that left me speechless. But on a subsequent trip, I tried their fish and chips, and while it may not be the star of the menu, it delivered a satisfying crunch with a lightly seasoned batter. The fish was fresh, the fries were adequate, and the service was quick and friendly. The cozy, inviting atmosphere made for a pleasant lunch, and the nearby parking was a boon. Yet, I keep thinking about that burrito. If you come here, do not miss it. The fish and chips are a fine side quest, but the burrito is the treasure.

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Boathouse on the Bay

Highlights
Fresh seafood starters like sushi and calamari
Perfectly grilled steak with tender texture
Flavorful lobster pasta worth ordering
Upscale yet relaxed waterfront atmosphere
Free parking adds convenient value

The Boathouse on the Bay offers a waterfront dining experience that feels both upscale and relaxed, with large windows framing the marina. I confess I came for the view but stayed for the food, and my fish and chips, while not the lead performer, was a commendable supporting act. The batter was light and delicate, allowing the fish's natural flavor to shine. The fries, however, were the real surprise, thick-cut and perfectly salted. My companions raved about the grilled steak, which was tender and cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and the lobster pasta was rich and flavorful. The fresh seafood starters, including sushi and calamari, hinted at the kitchen's skill. Free parking is a rare luxury here. A lovely spot, though I might order the steak next time.

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Gallagher's Pub & Grill

Highlights
All-you-can-eat fish and chips on Fridays
Buy-one-get-one drink special for beer and wells
Bacon-wrapped tater tots, though pricey at six for $11
Fish and chips praised as best ever, rivaling England and Ireland
Generous portions noted, though size varies between visits

Gallagher's Pub & Grill is the kind of place where I confess I lost all restraint, especially on a Friday when the all-you-can-eat fish and chips beckons like a siren. The batter is a masterpiece, shattering with a crisp crackle to reveal steamy, flaky cod. It is, quite simply, the best I have had outside of Ireland, and I have eaten my way through Dublin. The portions are generous, though I noticed they vary between visits, but the consistency of flavor never wavers. The buy-one-get-one drink special for beer and wells is a dangerous temptation, and the bacon-wrapped tater tots, at six for eleven dollars, are a pricey but worthy indulgence. The pub atmosphere is warm and boisterous, and I always leave gloriously full. A true gem.

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Long Beach Fish Grill -Torrance

Highlights
Fresh fish, grilled perfectly
Great price, excellent food
Superb ahi tuna preparation
Tasty chowder in bread bowl

Long Beach Fish Grill in Torrance, I confess, is a bit of a drive from the harbor, but the reward is a fish and chips experience that rivals any seaside shack. The fish is grilled, not fried, which is a departure from tradition, but the result is a tender, flaky fillet with a smoky char that sings. The batter is not the star here; freshness is. The ahi tuna preparation is superb, and the chowder in a bread bowl is a hearty, warming delight. The prices are more than reasonable for the quality, and the service is efficient. I devoured my meal at a small counter, watching the cooks work their magic. I will happily make the trek again, if only for that chowder. A quiet champion.

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Cinco de Mayo Restaurant

Highlights
Hot, freshly served plates
Affordable and dependable
Quiet, no-frills atmosphere
Convenient back parking
Friendly, consistent service

Cinco de Mayo Restaurant is a no-frills spot where I confess the fish and chips arrive hot, golden, and satisfyingly simple. The batter is crunchy without being greasy, and the fish inside is moist and mild. The fries are classic, and the small side of coleslaw adds a tangy note. The atmosphere is quiet, almost hushed, with a few tables and a counter, and the service is friendly and consistent. I appreciated the convenient back parking, which made my visit effortless. This is not a place for culinary surprises, but it is a dependable, affordable choice when I want a comforting plate of fish and chips without any pretense. I have been here several times, and I am never disappointed. A steady hand.

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Ellie's

Highlights
Fresh, crispy fish
Hand-cut fries
House-made tartar sauce
Generous portions

Ellie's is a revelation, a place I confess I stumbled upon by accident and now cannot stop thinking about. The fish and chips are a textbook example of the dish: the fish is encased in a batter so shatteringly crisp that it cracks like glass, revealing a moist, flaky interior. The fries are hand-cut, with a fluffy center and a salty, golden exterior. The house-made tartar sauce is a creamy, herb-flecked triumph, with a hint of dill and a bright pop of lemon. The portions are so generous that I had to take half home, and I confess I ate the leftovers cold from the fridge at midnight. This is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever eat anywhere else. Simple, divine, and utterly perfect.

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Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken

Highlights
Crunchy, juicy fried chicken
Kind staff, welcoming service
Fresh Cajun-style seafood
Savory wings, fair prices

Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken may not sound like a destination for fish and chips, but I confess I was pleasantly surprised. The fish is fried in a Cajun-seasoned batter that brings a subtle warmth, a gentle kick that sets it apart from the ordinary. The flesh is juicy and flaky, and the fries, while not hand-cut, are crispy and satisfying. The service is kind and welcoming, and the staff make you feel like a regular even on your first visit. They also offer a range of savory wings and other seafood, all at fair prices. I arrived expecting chicken and left impressed by the fish. This is an unexpected delight, a place that does well by both land and sea. A worthy stop.

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Bites

Highlights
Perfect service, tasty panini
Chicken sandwich earns recommendation
Quick bites with friendly staff
Worth returning to explore

Bites is a name that suggests small morsels, but I confess their fish and chips is a surprisingly substantial affair. The fish comes in a light, crackly batter, perfectly fried and served with a heap of crispy fries. The portion is generous, and the quality is high for a casual spot. The service is impeccable, with a friendly staff who make you feel at home. I also tried their panini, which was tasty, and the chicken sandwich comes highly recommended by a regular I chatted with at the counter. This is a place for quick bites, indeed, but the kind that leave you wanting more. I plan to return and work through the entire menu. A delightful little find, and worth every bite.

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Alegria Cocina Latina

Highlights
Flavorful chilequiles and loaded nachos
Friendly staff and lively music
Fun bar area with a small dance floor
Decent ceviche, though platanos were plain

I stepped into Alegria Cocina Latina on a lively evening, and the music was so infectious that I nearly forgot I was there for fish and chips. But the kitchen took its task seriously, presenting a plate of battered fish that was unexpectedly good, crisp and golden, with a flaky interior that held its own against the vibrant salsa on the side. The chilequiles my companion ordered looked sensational, smothered in a rich red sauce, and the loaded nachos were a mountain of indulgence. The staff, ever friendly, kept our glasses full as the small dance floor beckoned. The ceviche was decent, though the platanos were plain. For a place that wears its Latin heart on its sleeve, they do a fine job with an English classic.

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England Fish & Chips

Highlights
Still excellent after years
Fresh, flavorful, perfectly cooked
Friendly, welcoming service throughout
Generous portions of quality seafood
Ideal for casual tailgating stops

I have been coming to England Fish & Chips for years, and I confess it remains as excellent as ever. The fish is always fresh, the batter crisp and golden, and the chips, those sturdy, floury fellows, are perfectly cooked. The flavors are simple and honest, a reminder of why this dish became a staple for seaside wanderers. The staff greet me like an old friend, and the portions are so generous that I often have enough for a late-night snack. I have stopped here for tailgating before a game, and the takeaway boxes travel well. This place is not fancy, but it is flawless in its own unassuming way. For the best fish and chips in Long Beach, this is my standard.

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