The Oyster Shell, a much-loved chip shop on Moorland Road in Bath, has once again been named among the 50 best fish and chip takeaways in the UK at the prestigious 2026 Fry Awards. This marks the fifth year in a row that The Oyster Shell has earned this distinguished recognition, highlighting its consistent excellence in serving classic British fare.
The Fry Awards, now in their 14th year, involve a rigorous judging process. Mystery diners visit takeaways, fish and chip restaurants, and mobile outlets across the country, evaluating them on criteria such as food quality, cleanliness, staff knowledge, value for money, ease of ordering, and social media engagement. The Oyster Shell stood out as the only Bath venue to be featured in both the top takeaways and top restaurants lists.
To receive an award, participants must surpass demanding standards, with this year’s pass marks set at 97% for takeaways and 96% for restaurants. Some establishments even achieved perfect scores. The Oyster Shell’s continued success in meeting these exacting requirements underscores its dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.
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Celebrating the accolade, The Oyster Shell took to Instagram to share its excitement: “What a way to start the year! We’re delighted to be in Fry Magazine’s Top 50 fish and chip takeaways for the fifth year in a row.”
All entrants to the Fry Awards receive detailed mystery dining reports to help them maintain and improve their standards. Winners are honored with a commemorative plaque for their premises and, for the first time this year, a premium eight-piece frying utensil set sponsored by Hopkins, valued at around £200.