Ideal Fish Bar in Harrow

Great fish & chip shop, fresh fish all very tasty fish n chip👍🏽

If you look for fish and chips this is a good place to get it

I was really disappointed with my recent experience. It seems that ownership has changed and this time I received the thinnest, narrowest and saddest cod ever. It also had a very thin almost breadcrumb-like batter. It didn't taste great either. Previously you would receive a chunky, massive cod coated in crispy batter, which was almost four times bigger in volume! The chips were okay. Portion size was fine and the staff were lovely! But please bring back the quality fish we are used to!

Abdul charged me a lower price than advertised !

“ When Chris used to run this place, the food was amazing—big portions of cod and nice, fluffy chips. Now that Chris is no longer there, the quality has gone downhill. The chips are too oily and no longer soft and fluffy, and the cod isn’t as big as it used to be. I’m very disappointed!”

Always ove this place, been coming for years. Tried the other F&C shop in Hatch End but that meal lacked any taste. Ideal Fish Bar, Pinner is the winner.

So disappointed with our meal. Fish was dry, batter was chewy, admittedly the chips were ok. Definitely won't be coming back, such a shame as it used to be such a great fish and chip shop.

Really tasty food..Good portions. Very friendly service.

Excellent fish and chips and very kind staff. They went out of their way to accommodate us.

To the new owner!!! There is no chance to compare your fish with all food Cris was served, then his wife... You crashed damaged previously the best fish and chips bar in Whole Middlesex, as I never ever eat that tasty, fresh, beautiful fishes before (under previous owners, Cris Come back!!??).Under new ownership everything has changed - Fish portion size and cut much smaller and thinner. The large cod is half the size it used to be and not as fresh tasting - Staff, not the pleasant interaction of the previous team but concermed to see a young boy working there which can't be appropriate if legal. - Prices, increased I ordered today (two), 1 Cod fish absolutely disgusting, not good at all, not fresh, another one a little bit better...but still this is not the same cod like Cris's family was selling. Also chicken nuggets totally different, not tasty like before...this is unbelievable tragedy what you do now!! 😢 too be honest (for me and many other families) I am with Ideal Fish Bar over 17 years, always recommend that shop to others, but not anymore. New owners didn't deserve to keep the old name of the bar!!, This is something which shouldn't happen. Sorry maybe someone from Criss family can read this...you made big mistake to allow them (new guy) to use your bar name, ..it's crap. And to new owner: Don't even try to defend your self, I don't want to listen...as you doing this only to cheat people get quick money, and customers means NOTHING for you! I saw your answers to others who decided give 1 star, and read what they feel...it's all BS what you trying to say.. Don't dance with us, with people who every week since 15-20 years was buying there, as we all new what is the difference between old Ideal Fish Bar and this crap ,new bar under new ownership...We exactly knows... So, Strongly not recommend this bar in Pinner, stay away from them...bars like this are many in area, you can find them anywhere, but old Ideal Fish bar was UNIQUE, SPECIAL....it was big difference to others...but it will never back again, so sad...

With only 2 people in the queue, it took over 15mins to get a bag of chips, The service needs to get better

Terrible now with new owners! The only positive was that there was no one in the shop so no queue!

This is the best fish and chips I’ve ever had! Unforgettable from the first bite!

Yesterday I had the lunchtime special of fish and chips. The food was Cold despite taken from the hot server. Worse, this was the 1st time I have ever eaten fish that is cooked so tough. Under the previous owners who retired, the food was very good.

Most amazing xhips and haddock. Really friendly staff. Amazing quality and good portions!

The shop is in a great location, and the staff are very nice. I would recommend trying the fish and chips as they were tasty and freshly cooked

After the previous owners decided to sell up after delivering some of the best fish and chips in the area I was unsure if the new owners would live up to the standard and well tonight I took the plunge and gave it a go, and well I'm glad I did, the quality and standard are exactly the same, I enjoyed it that much I phoned them to give them my positive feedback which they were delighted in hearing.

Very nice staff nd they treat in very well manners nd delicious food we like too much nd get from ur shop

2019 - Absolutely fantastic quality fish and chips!! Potatoes peeled and chipped on the premises, fish battered to order. Staff are great and always welcome you with a smile. Mug better than another well know long established fish and chip shop that have recently hiked their prices to cover the overheads of the new delivery service 2024 - Chris, why did you have to go?? Theyve decimated your hard work and reputation. How can be fish be tough and dried out but oily at the same time?? 100% believe someone looked at the business, though i can do that, its easy, got some funding and now realising they actually cant run a decent food business. Shame on you for destroying one of the best chips shops in the area

Best fish and chips i have ever tired beforere love itt👌🏻👌🏻

Best Fish Pinner, in the house!!👍🏿🙏🏾

It's super service and good behavior with delivery driver

even a management is new everything is same ..they are trying their best to maintain everything perfect in their own wayyy... love it .. mainly small fish and chips .

Best chip shop in Pinner by far would definitely recommend

Plaice was small and horrible - was shocked when I saw how different it looked from the times I used to go and buy one from before this new team took over - they argued with me over a ginger beer even though the man had charged me at the till and then another man came along and said it was not in the screen. Service was horrible - it was the best fish and chips shop from now the worst in Pinner.

For over 25 years this restaurant served the best fish and chips in the area and indeed better than many I tried around the country. Under new ownership everything has changed - Fish portion size and cut much smaller and thinner. The large cod is half the size it used to be and not as fresh tasting - Staff, not the pleasant interaction of the previous team but concermed to see a young boy working there which can't be appropriate if legal. - Prices, increased I moved away from Pinner several years ago but still got takeaway from here occassionally if in the area visting a relative. I won't be returning here again. The new owners are very short sighted to down spec what was previously offered, the business will suffer for it as a result as customers like me stop returning. Sadly nothing last forever in life, this fish and chip takeaway is another example.

I enjoyed our cod and chips from Ideal Fish Bar. And this is coming from someone who also ate here with the previous owners. The workers were very friendly.

Where to begin…walked in to an 8 year old boy serving us…very lovely boy… (but illegal??????)didn’t realise he would turn out to be the most competent one there.. from our order they had forgotten 3 battered sausages when we went in to ask for them the man straight away said we were wrong and had not paid for them and we had to go back and forth with them til they finally got our order up and saw we had…. A long wait after and a drive home… they’ve also forgotten a large portion of our chips… what a nightmare… well what followed was worse crucified barely battered sausages, curry sauce that could be held over your head it was that congealed!!!!! Portion sizes have halved!!!! Fish was paper thin and cold!!!!!!! Chris we miss you!!! Recommend-Any other fish n chip shop!

A chaotic and unpleasant experience at the shop. Waiting around for 25 minutes when I asked when I may be given my food I received a rude and confrontational response. The fish, sausages and chips had a very unpleasant taste. I will never return

I first entered this establishment in 2003, and bought a lunchtime special that cost me £3.00. I’ve been going there ever since, I travel 10 miles there and 10 miles back. As time went on, the prices increased (no issues here), but the customer service and most importantly the quality of the food stayed high. A few months ago I went here, and ordered the usual, as I have done for decades. New faces, no problem I’m here for the food. I got my food, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it tasted… different. The cod and its crispy fried batter were rock hard, the chips were I don’t know slightly over cooked maybe? I went back a few weeks ago, and placed my regular order. The fried batter on the fish was completely different. I’m so sorry but it was disgusting, it was flat, not crispy at all, and no thicker than 4mm. The chips had lost all familiarity and had a strong oily taste and smell to them. I’ve read the owners responses to previous (fairly recent) reviews about ingredients remaining the same and that zero changes on their end have been made. Truthfully, you could give me and Michelin restaurant chef the exact same ingredients and ask us to cook the exact same meal. I can guarantee you we will cook very different tasting food, albeit the same dish. I’m extremely disappointed and honestly a bit offended that this once great fish and chips institution has become what it has under new management. I’m sorry if I’ve caused any offence, but you have destroyed the legacy of Ideal Fish Bar, their food was something to look forward to, and it’s a huge shame that the food has become what it has under your ownership. You’ve ruined the great tasting cod, you’ve ruined some of the best chips in London, and the long queues (that have disappeared) that were a regular sight on Fridays and Saturdays should let you know that you are doing something very wrong. If the previous owners are reading this, please know that you are greatly missed and your years of service to your loyal customer base was very much appreciated. If you do decide to open up a new fish and chip shop please share your details here. After 21 years Ideal Fish Bar, thank you and goodbye.

Very rude stuff, even the boss rude, very bad quality of the fish and chips I prefer sea pablouse better then this shop

Very high quality fish; not a great fan of the thick cut chips. A pity you cannot book for pickup: UberEats crowding the system perhaps ?

Have been using the Fish and Chip shop for nearly two decades and it used to be one of the best around. Beautifully cooked fish with a crispy tasty batter and lovely chips. The portions of fish were great too. Had cod and chips delivered this evening. Fish looked overcooked in old oil and the batter was a dark brown colour. Neither the flakes of fish nor the batter was remotely like anything I have had from here in the past. Previously, I would have rated the fish a solid 9 out of 10 and the chips at least a 8 out of 10. What I had today would be a 1 out of 10 for the cod and a 3 out of ten for the chips. The only reason I am giving a 3 out of 10 for the chips was that it had a few nice chips in there amongst small bits that looked like they had been cooked in old oil. When you expect a delicious meal and instead receive that, it is so disappointing. What happened to this lovely fish and chip shop? I used to dream about the fish and chips here, now after this evening a nightmare! Dear Owner, thank you for taking the time to respond. The fish and chips I had today I can only compare with what I had many times there before over many years. It was not even close. I do however have empathy for you as it is difficult to follow a legacy. I know you are saying the same ingredients, conditions etc but the taste, crunchiness, colour, smell and texture was all different. Do not give up, keep trying and I will buy later this summer and if it has improved from tonight I will edit my review accordingly. I want you to have the fish and chips I used to have there which was delicious. I am sure you will get there. May I suggest you call a few former regulars one day before you open and do a taste sampling test eg the batter, the fish, the chips and ask them to compare with what we had before. That way you can take the feedback directly and know what is needed to get it back to the best. You spent 4 months with Chris and are using the same ingredients and not old oil so why is it so different? What about cooking temperatures and timing and also the mixing and temperature of the batter?

Seems it's been taken over by new people. It used to be really nice. The chips were great but cod was drenched in oil and really didn't taste great.

The food there is really good and is always good quality. I go here every so often and I always leave good food and get treated well. My only problem is that the line tends to be long but that’s not really the company fault. 5/5 would recommend

The new management seem lovely but after eating Ideal food for many many years and queueing up come rain or shine, the quality of food has changed. I can see from the other reviews that the business still use the same ingredients but the chips on the few occasions we have been back, have been hard, dry and not fresh tasting with lots of inedible bits. I would hate to affect a local business but the chippie has really changed. I really do hope that they can bring back the gorgeous crisp soft-in-middle chips that we have been eating for all these years!

A real disappointment. I should have realised when the queue was not half way down the street like it used to be. After going here for years this is the first visit in a while, they seem to have had a change of management. The batter was not a patch on how it used to be with the previous team. The batter was soggy and it stuck to the paper not the fish - it used to be so crisp and perfect. The fish just didn’t seem as good it didn’t seem as fresh. Having now looked at other recent reviews to see if we were just unlucky tonight, I see we are far from the only disappointed customers since the change of management. I expect the response to my review will state that they use the same suppliers etc as the previous team but somethings are more about how it is prepared and cooked rather than what the ingredients are. We had cod, haddock and fish roe and chips - the person who had the fish roe said it was inedible because it was not cooked. We won’t be back. Very sad as this used to be the best fish and chip shop for miles.

After not the best experience I went back as the owner offered me a free meal, and the food was SO much better. Happy I gave it another try, as food seemed to be back to how it was with the old owners. Will return!

I have been going to this fish bar for over 22 years. The fish and The chips have been excellent. It was a family-run business. The family was charming. Lots of time for their customers went there today. Fish was soggy. The chips were cold, saveloy cold. I won’t be going back. I was so disappointed I didn’t even think the fish was cod. I believe it was Coley.

Unfortunately it has gone down hill with the new owners. The fish was undercooked and batter soggy, sticking to the wrapping paper, basically inedible

The best fish and chips in the world,

Very good food and very good service

Went there after many months. Got large fish n chips. Chips were ok but not happy about the fish. Cod is cod but batter is also important. Sorry but the batter was nothing like as was with previous owner (Chris). Very bland…no taste to it. I wish new owners all the best and hope they can get batter recipe from previous owners. Shame as i really looked forward to eating fish from this place.

chips and curry sauce were not fresh. disappointed for the price

The new owner is very rude . Very rude behaviour with customer as well as delivery drivers.... Taking too long to making a single order. Every time doing arguments . I cant even give 1 star for their service ....i highly recommend other shops like sea pebbles and quay Northwood.

Sadly, the standard has dropped massively from 6 months ago. Has there been a change of ownership? Last time, the fish was very tasty and moist, and the chips were flavoursome and the right amount of oily. Yesterday, both the fish and chips were dry and tasteless. The chips were especially poor. So disappointing. It's put us off ordering again.

Batter not crisp, fish dry and chips like cardboard. I was very disappointed as I used to love fish and chips from Ideal Fish Bar.

Best fish and chips ... I am in love with their service

Best fish and chipssssss... Mainly lunch time ❤️❤️ everything is so nice..best fish and chips in whole London

Size of their fish ..wowowow .. price is nice .. service is nice .. friendly staffs... Great taste . Everything is nice .. best fish and chips in whole London .... Nobody can beat them ... Perfect 100%

Although this place has recently changed hands, I noticed the new owners working for some time with the old ones. This has paid off as I personally think the quality of the food is still amazing!

This a great fish and chip shop but not now. Went in lunch time @ 1.15pm and no food in the hot cabinets !!!! Asked the guy serving if he had any food ready and he said yes. So after 20 minutes waiting and other customers pushing in I said I was leaving. He then shouted abruptly that my food was nearly ready. I replied it's okay and I am not waiting any longer, and I reminded him that he told me 20 minutes ago he had food ready !!! He was more interested in cooking his lunch time deals. Never going back again there./ Real Shame - previous owner Chris was fantastic

Ever since management changed last few months the food has been appaling!!! Dried chips and fish very dry aswell as smaller portion!!!! Chris and co we want u back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall, it was nice fresh fish and and all round good chippy. Not cheap, but not too pricey. Staff are super friendly and make you feel welcome. There's always a queue for this place and it looks clean from inside so I had to try it. The fish itself was tasty. I did find the portion of fish they had was on the smaller side. Purely because the fillets of fish used were quite thin. This made the fresh crispy which was nice but not enough meat to the fish. Chips were decent. Entrance isn't the clearest, took me a while to figure out how to get in, I think they were sliding doors...

Ordered yesterday on uber eats. Alarm bells started ringing when all the packaging was different than normal. Chips were awful, curry sauce was awful and the sausage in batter was awful. I ended up throwing half of it away. Complete waste of money I have since found out it has now changed owners which explains the poor quality of food now. After using ideal for years I will never be going back there again. I'm sure I wont be the only one either!

Have been going here for years. With previous owners the food was top notch. Excellent battered sausages and fish. The new owners have no idea how to make battered sausages and fish; the batter is overcooked and burnt, the fish (and pie) are not heated through properly - could have easily got food poisoning. My advice to new owners is that this is not the profession for them. Will be taking my business elsewhere to people who know how to make proper British fish and chips. A tradional happy "Friday fish and chips" day has been ruined by these new owners. On a positive note, the curry sauce was heated properly in the microwave. Note that all the five star reviews have been for the old owners who built up their reputation. Thank You

Didn't know this was under new management was the best fish and chips in Harrow before not now chips cold and not nice won't go back

Filling of my pie was cold and pastry undercooked. Won't be using them again.

After waiting so long the fish was overcooked and burnt. not happy at all. the new management for 3 months and already the difference is obvious. the old management new what they where doing.

I’ll rate it 4.5/5 Very good food and service. Served 3 skinless haddock without an excessive wait. Fish very nice and chips tasty. I’m an old customer and was somewhat hesitant in light of the change of ownership but will go back as we were impressed with the quality all round.

lovely fresh food as always great delivery to!

The food was cold and the driver went in the wrong direction so the food arrived late.

Always clean, pleasant welcoming team, quick service, fresh fish that tastes great! Thank you and see you soon.

We came to the new management last week 2nd visit hoping it was to be better but no🥴 still not up to scratch batter to hard or overcooked chips very dry and for large chips a very small portion. We will give Ideal one last try and hope it has gone back to normality after that we will go looking for another fish bar!!

Been coming here for the past 10 years and each time the fish and chips were spot on, full of flavour, crispy and steaming hot but not anymore. Even the usual wait to get served was not there! Had the worst fish and chips in years, Luke warm, soggy, oily and tasted burnt. The chips weren't any better. I'm surprised the new owners never decided to have a full handover of how the batter and frying was done, shame as I won't be wasting my money here again. Another good food place gone to the wind.

This place used be excellent, however, noticed change of management. Waited in the queue for half an hour, for a pie and chips. The chips were okay. The pie wasn’t cooked properly. I was violently sick all night. Would have given zero stars if I could. Will never eat from this place again.

Ideal fish bar was the go to place in the area for take away fish and chips. I haven’t been recently post Xmas. However unexpectedly , I wasn’t presented with the queues outside the door. First red flag. The realisation was this business has obviously changed hands when entering the door. Not wishing to be bias, it was only reasonable to give the new owners an opportunity to show the quality of their food. would it be equal if not better than would normally be expected. This is were, unfortunately I feel obliged to report the quality of food and service is nowhere near the quality of the previous owners. I did not tell my children of the obvious change of ownership/management, within minutes the children were suggesting I had not been to the Ideal Fish bar and had purchased the take away from somewhere else! Sorry to report, I can’t see myself returning or recommending this place anymore. Shame as I have lived in the area for nearly 20 yrs and have directed people there since my first visit, when viewing houses in the area!

Have been a customer for years but it seems that the management has changed ? Not the same slick, welcoming service. Fish overcooked, guess my quest has been restarted to find my “Ideal fish bar” again ….,

Won’t be back such a shame. 17 years we have been using this previously excellent Fish and chips shop . Standards were maintained throughout . Went tonight for a Friday take away first time since Xmas . Saw the change of ownership but willing to give them a chance . It will be our last . Batter awful and fish quality poor with a smell to it , chips okay. Mushy peas tasteless and watery taste . Chaos behind the counter with 8 staff! Fish frying is a total skill learned over many years of practice . Will see if they around in another five years . Will have to do home style from now on. Upset .

App wasn’t updated with times the food arrived cold over cooked and very queasy and one of the orders was wrong, over all not the best and disappointing.

I ordered haddock, the restaurant called me and said they didn’t have any haddock so i said cod is fine which is £3 cheaper and i ordered a regular chips tab £4.20 and there were barely enough chips for once person when normally you get a nice big portion enough for 3 people. So basically paid for haddock and got cod and nowhere near enough chips and the order was 30 minutes late but I understand it’s a Friday night. Meant to be 6.35pm and was delivered at 7.05pm.

Take it the place has changed hands, never before have l had such a tasteless piece of fish and horrible chips from here in the 14years l have used the take away, definitely won’t be back

Great fish and chips, really fresh.

After a 30 minute wait for pie and chips when there was only three people in front of me the pie was crust was rock hard the meat inside was Luke warm the chips were cold and the service was disgusting

Best fish and chips shop ever! They fried the fish in separate oil for me to make it halal, super friendly and accommodating. Couldn’t recommend them more!

Brilliant fish and chips. For non fish eater go for chips. It is fresh cooked with hit of fish which is common to other chip shop. Service is great and menu reasonably priced. I drive long way just to havre chips.

Ideal Fish Bar is now my favourite place to go for Fish and Chips! Yesterday I had the lunchtime special which had a very generous portion size, the price was incredibly reasonable and both the fish and the chips were delicious. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back! Thank you :)

Nice chips great staff bit on the expensive side for a portion of chips in today's market and definitely portion sizes have reduced. Please also read your delivery notes

…. fish 🐠 and chips 🍟… perfect sized and amazingly tasty 😋.

An absolutely superb fish n chip shop. Staff are always polite and friendly despite being incredibly busy. Fish and chips are the best I've ever had. Been going here for over 20 years and have tried others but always come back here. None of the rest match up!

I had the best fish and chips ever at this place! I even invited a friend to join me, and he loved it even more than I did. The portions were generous, and the fries tasted amazing. The cod was cooked to perfection, you know the food here is made with love. I will definitely be coming back for more!

Ridiculous that this place is closed on Sundays & Mondays😂

I've never had anything go wrong with this place. But today I ordered for pick up through Uber eats. Ordered about 4 45-5 o'clock for a 6 o'clock pick up. Once there took me half an hour to be seen and they let the driver behind me cut the queue and served him before me. Once it was my turn they said that they don't have my order and I have to reorder to get my food. Which would've been another half hour to an hour wait. They wouldn't make my food there and then even me showing I have paid for the food.

Amazing cod and chips huge portions great quality

It was my mother in laws 90th birthday yesterday. We asked her what she wanted for a celebratory meal and she replied 'fish and chips'! The family came over and we ordered our lunch from Ideal Fish Bar in Pinner. The service was friendly, the food was terrific and this lovely old lady, who's lived in the same house in Pinner for almost 70 years, wore a beaming smile. Thanks to everyone at Ideal Fish bar for being an important part of Hilary's big day.

Best fish and chip shop Around Harrow, pinner , Eastcote and Ruislip Great value for money Exceptional food .

Such good fish and chips!!! Owner was super friendly and efficient, affordable food and clean place

Very tasty fish n' chips. Generous portion. Fantastic staff.

One of Londons very best Fish and chip shops.

Nice and freshly cooked. Reasonable prices. Friendly staff. I would recommend.

Always get a smile and fabulous service at Ideal fish bar! The fish, chips and sausages all cooked fresh to order and are excellent. Pick up an order regularly now and would recommend it!

Beware the queues. It will always be the chippy i tell everyone to go too. Fresh chips, the fish perfect everytime. Great curry sauce. Great battered sausage.

My daughter will not eat chips from anywhere else and I live in N14! So we go to Pinner park and will have the chips as well.

Had to wait over 30mins , the fish was large, perfectly cooked and moist, chips excellent, all cooked to order. It is obvious why people come from far and wide

This is the best chip shop in Pinner. They have chicken nuggets made with real pieces of chicken. Their fish is tasty, and their chips are scrumptious. Portion sizes are generous, too. All served with a smile. Highly recommend buying your fish and chips here.

Freshly cooked and a very tasty good sized portion

Still great fish and chips. Never had matzo before, worth a try. Support our local businesses.

Best fish & chips ever ,can't beat them and very reasonable priced

Went there in the evening, food as great as always ....one persob serving people on queue and rest serving online orders...I think they should prioritise people on queue first ...hence only 3 stars for service

Very good quality fish n chips, definitely worth the wait on a busy friday evening. Thanks for the extra crispy chips request as well. Top service 👍