Fish n Chips remains one of my favourite take outs and it’s not a menu item I usually ever order when dining out but Vittoria Group have elevated the humble delicious fish n chips to restaurant status and it’s most certainly now a worthy choice when considering where to dine in Edinburgh.

Berties Proper Fish n Chips is found on the very picturesque Victoria Street and is sited within the former St Johns Church. It’s a handsome building split over 3 levels. Welcome desk downstairs, with dining and kitchen on the 1st floor and more seating on the 2nd floor. Bathed in light flooding in from the large windows with superb sea related artwork on the walls. It’s a very impressive space.

Service is friendly and efficient although there is a bit of a wait for your fish n chips – but believe me it’s worth it.

The menu is extensive and as per the name suggests it’s going to be a predominantly fish (seafood) based menu but it is also based on a chippy (chip shop) and you’ll find dishes such as Haggis Spring Rolls, the Steak Pies, Battered Pork Sausage and White Pudding but they also cater well for vegetarians with dishes like the Vegetarian Pie and Burger, for vegans try the Vegan Fish n Chips (which is aubergine) and for gluten freebies they will cook what they can in a separate gluten free area of the kitchen – you just need to ask.

We went solely for the fish n chips. It stands out in a box all of its own on the menu under PROPER FISH AND CHIPS and you can choose from the following

Battered Haddock or Cod served with twice cooked chips and tartare sauce.

Breaded Haddock served with twice cooked chips and tartare sauce.

Baked Cod served with lemon and herb butter with twice cooked chips and tartare sauce.

(They have a gluten free option for batter and breadcrumbs which will be cooked separately in vegetable oil).

You have to order sides or course and the ones that stood out for me where the pickled onion, pickled egg, bread and butter and curry sauce. We of course went for sides of mushy peas (garden peas or beans are also available).

A word of advice, arrive hungry; the portions are generous! The pale blue patterned plates laden with a battered fillet of haddock and a large pile of fresh chips is placed down in front of us and we let out a small sigh of delight whilst we take in the sight before us. There is a lot to get through but we can’t wait to get stuck in.

Chips are large cut and super fluffy on the inside. The tartare sauce is wonderful – it’s chunky and tart but quite creamy. The peas are lovely, hot and mushy but the fish is fantastic. It’s thinly battered but coats the fish sufficiently to allow you to break the batter and reveal the beautiful soft succulent white flaky fish. Gosh this is good stuff!

Believe it or not, I finished the lot. I did get half way through and declared that I was so full, but this is so scrumptious that you just keep eating. One chip after the next, dunked into the tartare sauce or the peas; and every single crumb of the fish and batter – eat until it’s all gone! No point in fighting it really.

I love Berties, and I cannot wait to take my mum here who is Gluten Freebie and a fish lover. I just know she’ll love this place too.

Berties Proper Fish and Chips restaurant and bar, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH12HE.

Tel : 0131 322 1000

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon Award 9/10

REVIEW : Berties Fish n Chips, Edinburgh