Britannia in Southend-on-Sea

Had a family meal here. Service was very good and staff friendly. The only thing that could do with a little improving is the curry sauce. It was quite thin.

We've tried most, if not all of the Fish and chip shops along the seafront of Southend, this one is okay but far from the best. You get very small portions served in big boxes. The taste of everything was fine, except for the cod (the most important) it was far too greasy.

Very disspointed, very low quality of food, cod tasted like dogfish not cod, a lot of chips make from rottened potatos. Processed tartare sauces in possible to eat

We found this place by chance and thank God it was worth it! Really good food made fresh and well mannered staff

Came for a family day out. Took away some chips, sausage, curry sauce and chicken strips. The chips had a really strong fish taste to them, and there was about 30 chips. A medium portion, i dont know why there were so little but it was a single layer in the box and we could see the bottom of it. The chicken was OK. The sausage was OK. The curry sauce was disgusting, it was a pot of water effectively. Based on this experience, I wouldn't eat here again. It wasn't cheap either. So.

Like others who have reviewed this place, I cannot believe the fish was as bad as it was. It was literally batter and chips with hardly any flesh in the so called cod. It must have been about half a cm thick. The fish flesh was yellowy in colour, watery and tasteless and at a guess about a desert spoon of flesh. The chips were overcooked. My girlfriend's daughter who loves chips left them as they were extremely dry and no amount of vinegar was saving them. Just wish had read the reviews before going in. If I had paid full price (we had a 20% discount from Sealife) I would have been more annoyed than I was.

Will never go back stone cold chips. Fish tasteless. Staff non complement when complained avoid so not to be disappointed

Worst fish and chips I ever ordered. Cod was a grey/yellow colour, rubber texture and tasted of nothing. Threw it in the bin, 33 quid down the drain, a disappointment.

We took some take away- 3 fish and chips without lemon because they run out, and 2 kids menu , spent £50.. we were hungry and have eaten a bit, but half of it was thrown in the bin. the worst we have ever eaten :(. Anyway, we went back and spoke to the manager about this and told that the food was tasteless. He said he couldn’t give us money back but offered some soft drinks to everyone. For sure they need some improvement if they want to stay in the business..

Fish and chips was awful please don’t go there fish must have gone through a slicer’s because I never seen fish that bad! Coffee tasted of washing up liquid they said it been. Clear out. lol lots of money for absolutely shocking food

The worst fish and chip shop I ever been in? Food was awful dish up by kids fish must have gone through a fish slicers because it was so thin coffee tasted like washing up liquid.please don’t waste your money

The chips were nice, however the fish was very watery. This is a sign the fish is not fresh and is instead frozen. If they used fresh fish it would massively improve the food.

Food awful……service awful…..waste of money and spoilt Mother’s Day. Our food came out in dribs and drabs. The curry sauce looked like wallpaper paste

Nice service but the chips were both oily and dry with a hint of flouryness, not dure if they were frizen chips. The fish was nice but the batter was greasy, and doughy inside . It was OK but won't hurry back

Worst chips in Southend … what a disappointment…. Last time I went they were awful thought it was a one off this time exact same awful … potatoes and oil a very poor quality and far too overpriced - YE OLDE CHIPPY JUST UP THE ROAD .. no comparison … kids screaming the whole time as well - definitely won’t go back and wouldn’t recommend

Great size portions, fair prices, great service!!!

Big portion for £3.50 in a box but really bland, dry taste? Even smothered in salt and vinegar they lacked something? Not sure if it's the potatos or the oil used but def not the best considering the competition. I'll stick to Van Loo'ys opposite the train station!

Went for an early dinner and was not disappointed. Nice clean welcoming restaurant and friendly staff. Food arrived quick and was lovely. Will go again!

Quite quiet when I went but that was perfect, friendly staff and great portions for price

Busy firework night. Expensive for a small portion of fish. Good portion of chips.

Everything was fine apart from I couldn’t see the hygiene rating sticker anywhere in your establishment I didn’t want to ask because of the other customers that were there but it looked clean too me

Total waste of money! Portion of chips £3.50 and barely a handful! Loads of small hard pieces. Cod was £8.75 small and flavourless Never going there again! Will stick to Kingfishers in the future. Lesson learned.

Had a lovely day out at the sea front waited till tea time just to be disappointed Fish was bland chips were dry toilet was filthy not happy

It's a self-service fish and chip shop that you have to go and get your own fish and chips which they serve in boxes and they have disposable knives and forks, only two choices of fish and for the price it was not good ...

Good food, clean toilets, normal staff. All we need from a fish&chips. Have coffee as well! Cheap then our local shop. Maybe 5min waiting for the food.

A bit expensive for the fish and chips

Driven by many times since open and always knew that I would visit one day as that is what I like to do, explore my choices. Here we go! As I walked in and approached the service area on this by tradition a Friday fish and chip evening, I immediately noticed that there was not an appetising piece of fish on display or mouth watering chip to be seen. Or anything else to be be honest. Well one just had to imagine what they were there for I suppose. No queue unusual too, for a Friday. First question ‘ Sorry are you open’ Yes’. On to the food. ‘Fishcake and chips please’ Apart from being expensive the fishcake was overcooked and dry as a bone so that’s out and the chips well! Having been eating them for many years I can say that on opening the box they were dull and tired looking and yes soft and dry. Oh well at least I now know don’t I.

Went by coach on a day trip to southend from heston british legion the food was good but a bit exspensive but enjoyable all the same

Overpriced fish was very small chips was overcooked will not be going back again

Absolutely shocking food, overpriced and tasteless - Fish and Chips rule - think they are having a laugh - the kids meals at £7 really !!! Would NOT recommend!

COD was off, very strong smell and taste. Was offered a sausage in replacement... Sausages were very cheap tasting, chips were OK. Very over priced for the quality.

Raw chips, you'd think a chip shop could get this right! This is why people don't holiday in England, a chippy in Southend can't even cook chips properly!

The quality of the food was good however dining inside you don't expect to eat from a cardboard box with wooden knife and fork, takeaway yes

Got a free kids meal voucher from sealife adventure when purchase an adult meal, food is great, service on point. Been here 3 times now, imo best chippy on Southend seafront

Not sure what the negative reviews are about here, the team looked after us and my cod and chips was freshly cooked to order. My partner had battered sausage, it’s on the expensive side but it’s on the seafront so that’s to be expected. Staff friendly, lovely food. I’ll be back again

Passed by several times from outside looks great, and I thought it was a proper restaurant ,so yesterday as I was on the sea front we decided to have fish and chips ,in this restaurant 😔 went in, was only another couple there 😕 found you have to order the food before you sit down and pay for it ,the fish and chips arrive in a box and you have to get the condiments and the wooden fork and knife from a side table .....the fish was ok, the chips was plenty but didn't taste great they were not as crispy as other fish and chips on the front ... the ketchup did not taste or looked like tomato 🍅 ketchup... however we ate what we can and lift ... don't think I will go there again as I can get better ones else where for the same price... sorry

Always come here when we visit Southend. Get off the train at Chalkwell and walk down along the beach. Lovely fish and chips all the time, friendly staff and you’re allowed as many ketchups as you want! Nice seated area outside and you can just watch the world go by. Seems to do a great trade anytime we’re in and I’d recommend the place to anyone.

Very disappointed, very poor food. I was looking forward to fish and chips with my family. Nobody ate all the chips and the fish was very poor. NOT recommended and we shall not return. Not cheep at over £30 for 1 fish & chips, 2 battered sausage with chip.

Tasteless Fish & chips very expensive , probably frozen didn’t enjoy it at all , the restaurant was clean and modern but the Fish was awful and let what could be a nice venue down .

Horrible fish and chips...worst I have had in my 74 years. We were going to eat in but the radio was too loud and shouting adverts, so we took a takeout! We ate about 5% of it, it was so bad. The chips were pale and plastic-like, no flavour at all and no pleasure in eating them. The fish was thin and had a flat, yellow batter with no taste. The price was £12.25...a very expensive way to fill a Rubbish Bin. YUK! YUK! YUK!

A day out in Southend totally ruined by this terrible chippy. Suspect the fish was from frozen, certainly overpriced ( almost double what we would pay in London). The only plus was the place was clean. Would not advise others to visit, there must be better places nearby that sell FRESH fish and chips and do not overcharge.

I thought this Fish and Chip restaurant was excellent. I have put 5 stars. Obviously, it's not haute cuisine, but we didn't want that. We wanted freshly cooked fish and chips, in a clean and pleasant restaurant and that is exactly what we got. Nice people too. Highly recommended. You can even get a paper next door to read with a nice cup of tea.

Minden nagyon rossz volt! Az étel és a szószok, de még fagyi is! Borzasztó!

We were first in on Saturday lunch time, really nice "clean" Cod and chip x 2, you could tell the oil used was fresh. We both thoroughly enjoyed the meal and would certainly recommend to others and return ourselves. We found the cost to be reasonable and the meal represented good value for money. Just one slight niggle for me, I felt £2.40 for a cup of tea was excessive, we shared a cup. I do reckon if you got the price right for the tea you would sell a lot more of it. We look forward to our next visit. Thanks.

Disappointed got chips & roll & coffee waiting time long, small portions, not hot (food & drink) chips Was not nice Staff nice & polite

The chips here are great.👍 I know the seafront is buzzing during the season and the regular food huge money earners. The regular food being the same that was sold in the 19th century. It's a shame we haven't moved on. Plenty of people do their research before travelling. Southend Seafront is not a great place for vegan options. Adding alternative options to the menu would not only increase your repertoire but also add value to the town. Fancy that, a chip shop on the seafront with vegan options... You could run for Mayor 🙃 Off the top of my head, suggestions for a vegan dish are... Banana Blossom Fritters 😍 Fried mushrooms/courgettes Deep fried gherkins are fabulous. Fried capers have a wonderful pop. Potato surprise is fantastic for everyone. Just a few suggestions. Ok all suggestions are fried. But you are a chip shop! Maybe offer some juices too. So you think no-one would be interested ? You need to advertise. Once people know ..... You build it and they will come 👏👏

Fish was degusting smelt of bleach

We ordered 2 large cod 2 large chips, 1 small cod 1 small chips and a kids meal. We could not tell whose was whose small portions. Highest price I've paid for fish and chips and one of the worst. Other one was also in Southend. All cods were snapped to fit in boxes. No taste whatsoever batter was soggy not crispy. The soggy cod was on top of the chips but it couldn't even save them from being so dry they tasted like yesterday's reheated. Also get some different sauce sachets, they were so bad. I had to resort to putting bbq sauce on my cod just so I could taste something.

It's very, very rare for me to give a 1 star rating but this was a really disappointing fish & chips meal. Went for small Cod & chips and there was more batter than Cod. The chips were poor. The tomato sauce was definitely not Heinz. The best part was my bread roll, the drink and the staff were very polite and friendly. Maybe, I just caught them on an off day.

This has got to be the best fish and chips in Southend-on-sea, the battered cod and battered sausages are so nice, not too greasy, they are amazing. The curry sauce was perfect as well, always struggle to find somewhere with good curry sauce but this place has the best curry sauce. I loved all of it.

This is the worst chips savaloy I've ever had, the calamari was ok, how they can say its all cooked fresh I don't know the chips were as dry as hell and the saverloy was inedible wasn't cooked at all, there are loads of fish and chip shops on the front and I choose this one, avoid at all costs, £12 wasted, won't be back.

Disability friendly, very good fish. The chips were disappointing however. The chips seeming quite stiff? Which I’ve not experienced with a chip before but it’s a new experience. Despite the prices it’s worth it (chips were probably a one off) the fish was lovely very big and the drink was a decent size also very yummy curry sauce

Terrible. Possibly the worst fish and chip shop I have ever been to. Do yourself a favour and lick a pavement, it would taste better and probably make you less sick.

Worst fish and chips we have ever eaten. Disgusting food. Poor presentation and terrible customer services. Please check my pictures below to see I’m not lying. We had paid for 4 full meals. None of them came with chips. They told us to buy the chops apart £3 each. That is STEALING from customers. The fish was cut out and sausage burned. When I tried to speak with the response person in the shop, he was condescending and didn't give us any solution. I work as a Customer Service Manager myself and I found this service TERRIBLE. I definitely don't suggest anyone going to that place to eat. I should have my money back.

Really bad serving! The chips was not hot at all, the scampi instead was burned! Never again!

Excellent Fish N Chips as usual - Visit each time we visit the City. Last visit very small portion of fish, dry chips and overpriced small drink - shame its a let down on usual !!

Terrible fish & chips. Chips had been reheated several times and were hard with no flavour. The fish was cod ar £7.50 a piece, I appreciate cod is in short supply but my piece and my wifes was so thin of fish it was almost non existent. We had a curry sauce which was hot and taste. Asked for latte coffee, told machine not working. Building looks like 4 * but is a 1* place to eat. Wooden knifes and forks and food served in cardboard boxes, and I paid £26 for this meal. RUBBISH meal avoid the Britannia fish restaurant at Southend.

Initial tried to order at the window, but was completely ignored by the staff, so went into be served instead. Food quality is good, but the portions are tiny. To small to justify for the price. Order to go, missing condiments in the self serve area so had to chase down staff to restock. This place need to work on its customers service and portions, shame otherwise as the food tasted lovely.

Lovely fish n chips. Nice and fresh and place is tidy n clean.

Very nice food and a free kids voucher from Sealife

Food was nice, portions were generous and were reasonable priced. You also get a discount if you have annual sea life passes.

Shocked at the quality, was really nice! Not massive cod and fairly high priced but, if you have a sea life membership you get 20% off.

OK food but why serve it up in a box with plastic cutlery? Surely there would be less waste if they served it on proper plates with proper cutlery. Quite expensive.

Good service, large portions, tasted good and was hot. Great value

Good cooked fish and chips. Ideal portions for kids as well. Great place to eat after a visit to the sea life centre.

Lovely fresh cooked fish, beautiful batter. Nice clean place, ivwould recommend

Being a local residental dementia care home it was Absolutely lovely, the staff they were friendly and accommodating ,the food was freshly cooked and it is always nice for our residents to enjoy a bit of reminiscing about getting fish and chips from the seafront with their friends . Keep up the good work folks

Good place and good price. Great food.

Food was ok, quick service. Chips seemed a bit undercooked though.

The staff were lovely and welcomed a large group of older people with additional needs with care assistants really nicely, it was a really positive experience. They allowed them time to make choices, even tho some people had their own special food with them, the party was welcomed and enjoyed their visit. It’s a chippy not a restaurant so the prices are appropriate. The food was ok but the fish seemed as if it had been pre-prepared rather than freshly battered which was disappointing for a chippy at the seaside. Quantities were good though and the actual dining room and facilities were good.

Lunchtime visit. Ordered Scampi & Chips and small Cod & Chips - eat in. Place was reasonably clean and not busy. Ordered at counter and food served in boxes (like a takeaway). No proper cutlery (wooden fork, plastic knife). I guess I expect, when dining in, to be served food on a plate with metal cutlery, perhaps just me? Food itself - Scampi, hot, crispy and fresh - nice! Chips however were not very good, not particularly hot and just not very nice. Of the few I ate, at least two were hard in the middle. Cod - the piece was sort of 'catering' offering and not the best quality. Batter was greasy and soggy, and the fish was grey, not white as one expects with fresh fish. Perhaps I was unlucky, but I wouldn't go here again.

it was clean and the food was not very nice it was a lot better in november

Food is very nice. Unfortunately the waiting time is too long. Was told it would be a 20 min wait if we sat in to it which was not a problem to us. 2 people in our party got their food in that time but for the rest took 40 mins. By the the time it came everyone else had already eaten their food, which wasn't very nice considering we wanted to share curry sauces

Good fish and chips, good customer service, nice place to eat in out of the cold

We went there with a group of 10 people and two toddlers. Never easy to find something with such a group on lunch time. They had a big table left and plenty of high chairs. The food was served quickly which is always a plus with toddlers. I agree with some other reviews that the fish was a bit mushy but the fries and calamari’s were very good. Definitely not a place for a romantic dinner but it is good enough and functional.

Warm chips soggy batter. I threw away more than I ate. We normally go to bailys but it was closed. What a waste of £25. 1 star is for the tea

Vegan options and very nice food. Good value for money and used sealife discount

Undercooked chips and battered cod with little fish under batter

Freshest Fish and chips about love this place. Never too busy

It was a little disappointing, we had cod and chip. The batter on the cod wasn't that nice, but the actual fish was lovely, and the chip were hard and luke warm like they'd sat there for a very long time. Needs a better recipe for the batter and fresh hot chips.

Chips are lush, freshly prepared

I had fish and chips here with my family. The chips were awful tasteless dry either warmed up from previous day or the oil they cooked them was not hot enough , the fish was tasteless and small for what you order. And expensive. Would never eat here again.

Great Food Great Portions !!! Had I known how big the large chips were I’d have opted for the medium !!

Ordered through Deliveroo, the whole, order was lukewarm, the battered sausages were incinerated, the chips were just bits of hard potato. We had a small and medium cod, both of which were tiny. Extremely overpriced. We had a pie and curry sauce missing from the order. I called to complain and was told by the manager there was nothing they can do and contact Deliveroo for either a full refund or the missing items to be delivered. I did contact them, at first I was told I could have £18.90 as a refund, I disputed this and was refunded in full. Never will I order, or go there again, if it continues this way I hope it closes down. Giving Southend seafront a bad name for inadequate food!

Lovely hot tasty chips, nice cod fish too. And seaside seating

avoid this place as its the worst fish and chips we have ever had , and the mushy peas have seen better days. battered sausage was not any better, we walked in without knowing what it was like but left saying never again and left...

I wouldn't recommend there was more batter than fish .

Friendly Staff and fish and chips was good enough. Good they have seating to sit inside, and was clean.

Owned by Adventure island and surprisingly good fish and chips, staff were very happy which is lovely to see.

Had fish and chips today at the Britannia. Lovely food with friendly staff.

Fish very poor. Obviously frozen fish and not fresh. Poor service.

The chips were inedible and asked for a refund, it was filthy inside.

I had a look at the negative feedbacks maybe they was having an off day but we had a lovely fish and chips and good service, so will definitely return.

First and last time visiting this place

The fish sizes from small to large don't exist the are the same size disgusted with this fish restaurant 😑

Lovely food and friendly service in a clean and light restaurant... I did smile at the mushy peas served in the coffee cup 🙂

The calamari here is very good. Chips are pretty good too, will come back here regularly!

Super bland fish, the price for fish and chips was only for the fish, chips were separate. customer service was poor. They refused access to the toilet to women, even though there was a sign “toilets”.

Really grate service and fish and chips for lunch was fantastic I would give 10 stars if I could

Fantastic piece of haddock, calamari and battered sausage. Perfect service. Thanks!