Harlees Fish & Chips Swanage in Purbeck

In Swanage for a brief visit - beach was blowing a proverbial - so retreated to find some food before heading back to steam train.. Harlees was spacious and bright and looked appetising. Food was ordered and we sat at a booth till our numbers were called. Fresh, tasty and not expensive - what more do you want.

Had fish and chips, vegetable burger and chips, all cooked well. Chips were nice. Just what you expect from a chippy. A bit expensive, but they all are nowadays

Lo vely moist haddock crispy batter and fluffy well cooked chips. After recent reviews was worried the fish and chips wouldn't be very appetising but really enjoyed an ample portion and as a bonus tea was yorkshire! Would happilly recommend to anyone

Had Cod and chips . It was absolutely disgusting. The Fish was dry to being overcooked a number of times. The batter was very hard and not edible. I should have complained but did not want to soil our day. Would have expected better from Harlees!!!

Poor quality. Off hand service. Soggy chips. Dry fish. Not recommended. Off hand service. Table not cleared. Quite expensive

Pop in for just a portion of chips the touch screens not working wanted a large portion to share but they only do regular £3.70. The worst chips ( tiny portion just covered the bottom of same sort of #rappy plastic tray )I every had and as for their so called vinegar and salt we added it ourself at the table and its like its been watered down I tried it neat and it's not vinegar and you need loads of salt as I don't think that proper salt never again. One of the staff came outside after they cleared away we where just finishing our drink stared at us then waved his hand as if to say move on. All foreign staff now different from last year don't waste your money

Staff don't seem to care. When half of our sit in order arrived and the other half didn't we had to chase them and there's no apology and it seems as if they think it's the customers fault. Fish was pretty good but the chips not so. The place has no character. When Harlees ran Number one the Parade in Swanage it was a lovely traditional and good quality fish and chips shop. Sadly they appear to have abandoned that business model. Go elsewhere for you fish and chips.

Worst fish and chips ever! Hardly any of the fish was edible and chips were stale. Served in a plastic basket. Won’t be returning here 😏

My friends and I visit Swanage at least once every other week for fish and chips and a drink and normally have very good fish and chips from Harlees but the the last two visits the fish and chips have been very average bordering on poor they seem to have changed most of the staff that had been there for a long time and this isn't for the better and the quality has really suffered we won't be returning the appeal of this place is its restaurant but if the quality is not there it's lost its appeal

If I could give it 0 stars I would!! Walked into Harley’s fish and chip restaurant and 19:05, and to my surprise I was the only person in there at the time placing an order. On doing so, you can add notes onto your order so no vinegar on one portion, and no salt on the other was added. My order was placed at 19:08. On waiting for my order, 5 different orders were placed previous to me and then served their meals. I then approached the counter to ask how long my order would be as I’d already been in there 20 minutes, to be told “they were just waiting on chips”. 10 minutes after I was told this, my order came out and I was asked if I wanted a bag. So before I answered I asked if salt and vinegar had been put on the order, to then be told that they are on the tables. Now surely if you order a take away, you shouldn’t have to go and take your food out of the take away bag, and put your own on?? I then spoke to the manager who did not seem bothered at all but proceeded to just say “sorry sir, sorry sir” to everything that I told him. No offer of “anything we can do sir, or offer of a part refund or anything”. I left there at 19:39 Do not approach this place. The customer service is atrocious and I will not be going back ever again.

Chips were unpleasant weird, really dry. Staff morose didn't even speak. Shame because its a nice spot for a chippy, just need to learn how to speak and fry chips.

Disappointing front of house / till staff; little effort to be pleasant or vocalise properly. Equally Disappointing is that "Eat In"customers are charged for TOMATO SAUCE....??? (So why not salt & vinegar too....?? At least be consistent) Fish........could've been called Fish Schnitzel, v thin slice of fish coated in batter. That's not traditional Fish & chips. Our thought was that an experienced manager would pick up on these issues & correct things.

With so many fish and chips outlets in Swanage I assumed all would be of a high standard due to lots of competition. With that in mind as we passed Harlees fish and chip restaurant and saw it was busy at noon we decided to return there for a late lunch at 3pm. On entering the shop we made our way to the counter to order, but the lad behind the counter directed us to an ordering console as used by all Mcdonalds restaurants. Even though the lad could see we were struggling with the technology, and we were the only ones ordering, he made no move to help us. Eventually we managed to order our food and drink. My wife went to choose a table while I waited for our order. After a few minutes I noticed a fruit juice and a cup of tea with the tea bag still in it waiting on a tray behind the counter. I asked if they were our drinks order and got a nod, so I asked if I could take them to our table, and got a nod in reply. I just managed to get the t bag out of the cup before the tea was completely stewed. The food arrived in baskets, with the fish placed on top of the chips so it was difficult to eat the chips as without a plate there was nowhere to move the fish aside to. The mushy peas came in a small tub which could not be put in the basket as again there was no room. At the end of the meal we felt very underwhelmed, and having paid nearly £30 for the privilige will not be returning.

So my mum and her friend came for lunch with me .Having driven from London to visit me we thought we would have fish&chips .The chips were green and the fish tasted rotten had chicken sandwiches which must of been cooked for an hour in fish oil as it was disgusting.The man at the front desk taking orders was rude and of no help .There other fish&chips shops are brilliant but the one in swanage is disgusting the tables weren’t clean ,when asked if we could have a cloth to clean it we were look at like it was our fault,the food hadn’t even come by then .

Chips inedible threw the vast majority in bin, ate the fish being hungry but was not good tainted taste, so bad I complained was offered a refund but declined, thought it better if head office know how bad, as its not the money, not interested in that, its a a lack of lunch and a spoilt day. Very arrogant response, plenty of other chip shops to go to, just right it off never go again. Yet they reckon they have won awards. And unfriendly staff

The chips were awful. They looked like yesterdays chips that had been recooked . Staff were pretty unfriendly and not the most welcoming place. Definitely won’t be going back there.

Chips were dry and gnarly, chicken nuggets were not bad and the sauce was tasty but way overpriced, at 60p per sachet, as was the meal as a whole with a very small portion for the money. With touchscreen menus to order from it is consistent with this establishment being one just there to make money and not provide value nor quality. I have lived all over Dorset, London, and frequented the North and never have I had such awful chips. Give a miss.

On a day trip from Weymouth i came in for fish&chips and very pleased with the fish &chips i had and the food and service was excellent hopefully when i come to Bournemouth i will make a return vist

The food is really good but the service is not great, a friendly smile would be nice! Served by someone who didn’t seem happy to be there!!

Average chippy (with indoor seating). Food was pretty good (good size helping of chips). Service was mediocre; doors opened at 12:00 noon, but nothing seemed to have been prepared. Fortunately, we were not in a rush.

Odd place - planned to visit on a Tuesday for lunch and was waiting outside at 11:55 for a 12 opening. Once 12 hit doors remained closed with no lights on. Opened the door to check and asked if it was open, woman behind the counter looked as if I'd just crashed landed through the window for asking, despite it looking still closed. However, though better of it as floor and tables looked filthy.....and didn't fancy eating in a dark restaurant. Nip down to the Ship Inn for some great food instead.

It is a few months since we attempted getting lunch in here (actually we didn’t order in the end). The reason for this review is reading the recent reviews has made our minds up not to visit today when coming to Swanage. We thought we would give it another chance, but seeing from a review, you have to order from a touch screen like in MacDonalds (cannot understand this format after recently going through a pandemicafter everyone else has ordered this way), and also on our visit the staff seemed very rough and ready which was not very welcoming. It’s a shame as when Harlees had the little restaurant in the square where you could overlook the sea, it was an amazing place with amazing food. So sorry Harlees, we will not be frequenting any more.

There is a far busier and better chippy going back towards the pier. The Harlees at Poole and Herston are also much better. We ordered 3 medium Haddock, 2 large chips, sauces etc. Two haddock were acceptable as medium, had the third been the same then no problem. But it was half the size. The manager wouldn't have it and spouted stuff about minimum weight ranges. All bollocks. We gave back the small portion for a refund. In most places they would have said sorry, given the cooked fish to us and done a refund. Here? No. In the bin. Then it turns out the supposed refund is another charge, so we've paid twice for for we didn't have. The doors are locked shut now due to staff shortage. Not surprised. Will be in there tomorrow to sort out. In mean time on to the bank for fraudulent payment. Will not be buying anything from here again and strongly advise anyone reading this not to either. Usual policy should have applied, no queue, no eat. The decent chippy is still open, with staff. I'll review separately as don't want to tarnish thier excellent reputation by including here.

Popped in late afternoon and the place was empty. Ordered 2 cod and chips And when they arrived both hubby and I were pleasantly surprised. Freshly cooked cod with crispy batter, chips were just lovely not at all greasy, can honestly say some of the best fish and chips we have eaten,!

We enjoy the Station Rd Swanage Harlees about once a month for decent fish & chips at a fair price in a nice location. However, please ask your staff to give out correct closing time information, and update your website ! Whilst in Swanage on Sunday 17 I called in to ask what time closing ? The assistant said “7 pm”. We made a special journey arriving at 17:20 to find it closed 😡 Please ask your staff to give correct information !!! Thus we had a meal at “The Fish Plaice” instead, so you have lost custom.

Don't go here. The food is rubbish. My local village chippy blows this one away. It's weird as you can't work out whether you order at the counter or its table service. Order at the counter (but really, dont). For is completely underwhelming, small portion...

Sadly the chips were not very nice. Tasted over cooked and soggy. Also had the jackfruit in batter. Tasteless but glad we tried it anyway.

Poor service, hardly anyone in but took ages to make a relatively simple order. Expensive for what it is and then wants to change an exorbitant amount for a sachet of sauce, not worth the money, go elsewhere.

This fish and chips restaurant was the worst I’ve ever been to…. Unhappy staff, dry chips, 60p for a sachet of sauce and wooden cutlery only if you ask for it! You would think this place is well run and has good food but you...

We recently visited Swanage and Studland on holiday for 3 nights with members of our Ukraine support group. We were 8 families, mostly women and children fleeing the war and now living in the UK. We didn't have much money for the holiday but were...

was in the que late lunch and the man stood next to a kind mixed race girl who served me and there was another family behind me and he said to her look at the monkey family which i thought was very racist baring in...

A great establishment which allows dogs which was great on our holiday here. The food was of an average portion and plenty. The food was very nice, not greasy or oily. Would recommend this place.

Nightmare to order food on the screens as it kept on crashing. Asked if they had a menu "No take a photo" , it cost peanut in the grand scheme of a restaurant overheads. A fish and chips shop that doesn't sell pies. Plastic plates...

Food excellent, Hospitable Staff friendly helpful, spotlessly clean. Recommend home made tartare, mushy peas

Visited a few years ago when it was a Harry Ramsden’s where the service was much better. This is what I found on this visit Slow and difficult to use touch screens used for ordering. Expensive prices, no plates or cutlery. Lots of staff standing...

Must be the worse cod and chips I have ever purchased. Also the most expensive - fancy London suburb prices. The cod was dry, thin and very little of it. I thought we might have struck unlucky but it looked like other customers had a...

We all had really lovely food I had Scampi and Chips, Mum had Chicken Burger and Chips and my Hubby had cod and chips on a very rainy evening. Got a table straight away no waiting a lovely guy walked straight over and cleaned the...

A wonderful portion of haddock beautifully cooked with a very adequate portion of chips at reasonable prices. Downside was no plates, napkins or cutlery. Worst aspect was the manner of one particular staff member; rude to the point of being offensive and sufficient to spoils...

The fish had obviously been kept warm as it wasn't fresh or very hot. No plates or cutlery, it was served in a plastic tray with wooden knives and forks.

An afternoon on t#he beach demanded a seafood supper and as this restaurant was close by, looked clean and inviting we decided to try it out. Not disappointed for not only was the place presentable but the service and freindliness equally so. We ordered a...

Delicious, very quick and easy service for delicious take away fish and chips by the beach. Also not too pricey

Visited on a Tuesday afternoon and there was a few people in. Didn’t have to wait long to get served and the prices were very reasonable. We did have to wait a bit for the food to come but that’s cos it was all cooked...

Went in for a takeout meal. Cod and chips twice. Ordered, waited whilst it was freshly cooked. Came quickly, very pleasant service. Got back to our holiday house and opened the boxes. Wow! Never had such fantastic chips. Large, non greasy, bit of crunch and...

Sat in the restaurant as we speak. Fish and chips OK but staff disinterested in helping customers. Staff member watching the clock to leave at 6pm we discovered having ignored us in a not very busy queue for 5 minutes. Staff then locked the door...

We do not have fish and chips often, as I dislike fat, however with little else to choose from we went in today for fish and chips. The service was nice and pleasant, but the fish was dreadful. So dry and flavourless. Despite being told...

I ordered 14 meals for a get together early December to be collected a a specific time. When we got there it was all freshly boxed up and each meal was marked with its contents to make it easier to give out. All piping hot...

Nice freshly cooked plaice, scampi, chips and stuffing balls. Spotlessly clean, pleasant staff, clean toilets. Virtually empty Friday teatime, prior to trip on the railway. Lots of seating.

The worst fish and chips I have ever had. Chips were greasy and stale, fish was soggy. Wooden cutlery even though we were eating in. Staff were leery and kept sniggering at us. Won’t be going back.

Excellent service friendly staff very clean and tidy inside or outside seating fish and chips were lovely and hot came out in a basket with wooden cultery

The food here is excellent, they have done so well. Yes, it is on cardboard, but that adds to the charm. The thing is, Mummy and I can sit at table in comfort without being jammed in. The staff were kind and helpful and did...

Friendly cheerful welcome, decided to eat in due to the cold weather. Food came quickly. The fish was delicious, light crispy batter and lovely white flaky fish . Plenty of chips and a fair size portion of tasty mushy peas . Nice clean environment. Sadly...

The food was delicious and service quick despite it being the height of the season and them being busy. We ate in, the interior is really nice, there's plenty of space and we had no trouble finding a table each time we ate there.

Fish and chips at Harlees Swanage was awful 😖...chips were hard and cold with a green look to them ..tasteless ...4 30 pm and an empty restaurant should have warned me off ..but gave it a go anyway . .fish was soggy and not pleasant...chips...

Lovely fish and chips but have to pay by card.How can they refuse to take cash, it's legal tender so should be accepted.Will not be back as other Fish shops nearby take good old money.

Plenty off room to sit down very clean restaurant friendly staff and the fish and chips were very nice next time we are in Swanage we will go again .

Pretty ordinary chippy. There were ordering points like those in McDonald's which felt a bit impersonal. I can imagine it's useful in peak season months. Good fish and chips but definitely more of a takeaway than a restaurant. Convenient for the beach.

We visited here whilst out for the day and the fish and chips were great with excellent sized portions. There was plenty of seating and toilet facilities. You could order food via a touch screen ordering station which would give you your order number and...

Awful food staff look uninterested! This is an overpriced takeaway not a restaurant everything is on cardboard.