Penaluna's Famous Fish & Chips in Rhondda Cynon Taf

I’ll tell you what it’s famous for 1. Awful food 2. London prices in a run down Vlllage 3. Half asleep Staff 4. Owner who blows his own trumpet more than people with the flu blow their nose.

One of the top fish bars in Wales! Ha ha, you’re having a laugh. I’d believe if it was one of the Worst fish bars in Wales. Get real!

Called at this shop on Thursday 29 Feb 24 for some fish and chip and was extremely disappointed. The food has gone steeply down hill since I called last year. The chips were cold and must have been in the scuttle for some time as they also appeared dried out. The fish was very poor in taste mostly batter. We also had a small portion of sausage and chips which was as bad as the above. Never again a total waste of money. Go to the other chip shop on Brecon Rd nearby.

My wife called into shop after work to pick up a midweek chip tea . I wish she never bothered now as the chips was dry and no flavour and the battered sausage was certainly not crispy on the outside . I think the chips was most certainly not fresh and the sausage in batter has been in the warmer for some time . Avoid . I won’t be using this place again

Really friendly staff my order was take pretty quickly. Had to wait for fresh chips (absolutely no problem waiting). Prices are quite high- but I think at the moment that goes across the board with eating out. Battered sausage was nice, pie nice but the best bit was the Irish curry!!!

Very lovely food (gluten free can be even more pricey though). I've always ordered gluten free and loved it but found out that the reason for my allergic reactions hasn't been gluten but soya. I made them aware that I had a soya allergy and was told that everything apart from the sausages is soya free. I'm very glad that I then asked if they are cooked together because if I hadn't, I would have no idea that the reason I've had allergic reactions is cross contamination. So the gluten free things are all cooked together and without asking, I would have had no warning about the cross contamination with soya. No issue with that, but that information should be ready to hand to someone as soon as they say 'soya allergy'. This has been my only issue after years of being a customer, but it might be an important one for other allergy sufferers to know about. Sad that I'm unable to order from there anymore because the food is absolutely brilliant and I can't fault the gluten free standards.

I have been coming here for many years. The staff are friendly and helpful. The fish is always freshly cooked and the chips are always a golden colour and not overcooked.

Fish and chip from the Penalunas van last night at a special occasion Service and food outstanding what an amazing team well done to you all. I would 100% recommend This van for any special occasion. Thank you all xx

Always excellent food and brilliant service for customers with allergies. Good vegetarian options also. Would highly recommend.

I've been wanting to visit Penaluna's for some time due to the plaudits they've won. I found a chippie that really doesn't stand out from the crowd. The staff were smart and pleasant. Service was reasonably quick. Freshly cooked fish & chips; the portion sizes were adequate, the batter was soggy, the chips were badly peeled with a lot of the skin still left on making them visually unappealing. There was no 'Wow factor' here at all. They're relying upon their inflated reputation to charge more than you'd expect to pay in this neck of the woods. It is to their credit that they sell products from the Victoria Park Pie company, (Claaarksies). It seems that Penaluna's is better at self publicity about being exceptional than actually delivering the exceptional! My visit to this establishment was informed by the food hygiene rating of 4/5 (Good).

You can not get better customer service than at this establishment. We were warmly welcomed as tourists and the food was delicious

We love Penaluna’s fish, chips and other menu ingredients and after an impromptu stop on Friday, we were the lucky last customers and were treated to stunning fish and chips, fish bites and sausage in batter and they did not disappoint!! We love trying other chippys on our travels and nothing compares! I love how conscientious the team are with their food sourcing and this just makes a huge difference. As always, we look forward to popping in next time and despite the roadworks, it’s always worth heading there and supporting local.

The best fish and chips you’ll eat. Light batter. Beautiful Cod. Friendly staff and owners. I wish fish and chips was like this where we live! One not to miss if you are in the area.

We initially thought that the shop was shut as two of the three windows had steel shutters down and locked. Then someone came out of a door so we knew it was open. It was a very clean place with two nice female assistants. We had fish and chips, sausages and chips with gravy; spring roll and chips and finally a pie and chips. Everyone enjoyed their food and all said the quality was excellent. The only downside were the prices. I suppose with inflation we must now pay top dollar.

Has got to be the worst ever fish and chips and a complete RIP OFF….. Asked for 2 Cod and Chips…… standard portions. Got home to Cwmbach to find the fish( Basa not Cod ) was the size of a piece of mackerel and over cooked . Cost £20 and definitely not worth the trip over a complete Rip Off. I know my fish and it definitely was not Cod………

By far the best chip butty I’ve had since leaving Scotland 6 years ago!! Excellent service good chatter and the best food ever will defo be back soon xx

Visited the take away on our way out to a show. Ordered 2 sausages in batter and chips I got 1 sausage in batter and chips twice, my friend wanted a rissole it was hard and dry. The chips I think had been sitting around...

Great food, probably the best Fish and Chips I've had. Staff are really friendly and the place is modern and very clean. Been here a few times now.

Called over today after a trip to Breacon. ordered fish,chips and fish cake. After only a short wait which was to be expected as the shop was busy, we were served a most delicious meal. I have to say the best fish achips i`ve tasted....

Heard about this place winning awards and had to go! Staff were lovely and friendly and very chatty. Food was freshly cooked, good portion sizes and good price.

Nice little fish and chip shop, not the best batter in the world but the fish was very good. Helpful staff but not the most smiley! Good value with an extra bit of fish and a slice of lemon.

We have had numerous take ways from Penaluna's fish and chips in Hirwaun and every time it has been great. Pricing and portions are reasonable.

I went there twice. The first time was last year when I called in for fish and chips - there were no fish as they were cooked to order so I had pie and chips...they were nice, not many chips but they were ok, but pretty expensive.

We are exceptionally pleased with this Restaurant we go there once every week . Staff are very friendly and helpful. Portions are large, the batter is superb and the fish is from sustainable sources. No wonder they win awards. They even have Vegan Pies which...

I was so looking forward to my visit to the fish shop I had pie and chips gravy had to take it back but they gave me another but was not the same not nice chops were very nice gravy was salty but was very...

Here in Hirwaun - a small South Wales valleys village, we are blessed to have an award winning Fish and Chip shop. Deliciously cooked food, with a friendly service that is well worth a visit... You won't be disappointed!

Lovely fish but they not fussed on giving you chips. Coed fish shop lot better and nicer👏👏👏 you pay for large bag of chips and it is like a child’s bag of chips won’t see me again

So pleased to have found a coeliac-friendly fish and chip shop. Batter is exceptional, chips average. Need to phone half an hour beforehand to allow for separate frying. Staff were well informed about gluten free cooking; impressive and refreshing! Definitely recommend.

Lovely food friendly staff even driving home food was still hot with crispy batter on the fish and mushy peas to die for, keep up the good work

Second visit still AWFUL!!! I give up on this place ...... £15 price tag for a tiny portion of tasteless food .. who’s rating this dive as a1 as

There is no wonder why Penalunas fish and chips have won many awards and rank amongst the best in the whole of Wales. We visited recently and we were not disappointed. The fish and chips were out of this world and the service was fantastic.What...

Found this gem on Wednesday on route to Merthyr, absolutely delicious I had the large cod and chips, cooked freshly when ordered,well deserved award ,I’ll be returning soon, plus the staff were really pleasant ,couldn’t find one fault to be honest.

I love this place. Been going for 6 years since I became the local vicar. Just about to leave now, but just want to say how impressed I have always been. The owners have always been amazing. They have always been welcoming and have had...

Small cold portion of fish and clarified chips with London prices , miserable owner and staff. who’s rating this as excellent ? My be your taste buds have been removed stat well clear

Very mean portion of chips not nice at all, didn't have corn beef pasty so settled for chicken instead again awful, too costly and only went here for convenience but always disappointed

We all had fish & chips which was spot on! Fish was cooked to perfection. Crispy batter throughout with tasty chips!

In the area with my Grandson who wanted a portion of chips!

Can’t fault the service or the food at this chippy. One of the best I’ve been to and believe me I’ve been to hundreds over the years !

customer service as lacking as the portion sizes. Expensive family meal and far from the quality we were expecting, will be kicking this one into touch

Fish and chips here is absolutely lush. Batter is gorgeous and well cooked. A must if you are in the area.

We were staying nearby (on holiday from London) and made trip to Hirwaun for large cod and chips. Quite simply the best I've had in my life - everything fresh, crispy and delicious...if we'd found it earlier we'd probably have been in every day!

Called in for Breakfast we are not local but found it on Trip Advisor, O how I wish I had listened to the bad reviews. I waited, standing at the counter for 18 minutes before someone acknowledged me as there were only 5 people there and asked for breakfast, only to be told that they stopped at 11.30 and it was 12.30 now. I understood and ordered something else, only to see while I was sitting, a local couple who ordered before me, get delivered a full breakfast.

I called in last Friday 21/06/19 just for a bag of chips for my wife before she started a night shift.

Really nice fish and chips - the irish curry sauce was very decent too - been to some great F&C; restaurants round the country - the food here was right up there - great to see a place that really cares about the quality of their food

Have had takeaway from here many times but this time not to the usual standard. Even though it was late it was busy and as a result the chips were a little raw in places.

Quite a while since I reviewed this establishment. Well over a year.

The best fish and chips you will ever taste. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Parking is on the road outside, however, there is a carpark about 100 yards down the road.

The fish and chips were very good although there was nowhere to sit inside. The staff were helpful and service quick.

Me and my partner walked the cynon trail and called into have fish and chips, this is the third time we have been there. The fish and chips were perfect, the batter was light, airy and crispy, chips were beautiful and not greasy. Best fish and chips ever, also we sat in to eat them, it was spotlessly clean and the staff were lovely and polite

Really very good chippy. We only visit occasionally as don't live near, but it does live up to the best in our local area. Worth a visit.

Not that good to be honest fish shop and cafe gone down hill food left in the range too long and hard

Staff really friendly, help moved tables as it was a group of us going for breakfast, the breakfast was out standing for £3.25 you had everything, coffee and hot chocolate it's amazing, will defo be returning very happy :)

While out and about fancied fish and chips so i went to puluners fish and chip shop. Had fish and chips and it was the best food I have had in a while so I will be returning in the near future to have more food.

We needed a company to cater for our works Christmas party and were recommended Penaluna. We corresponded via email, it was all quickly and easily arranged. On the night of our Christmas party, they arrived on time and prepared to serve 40 hungry staff! The staff were friendly with excellent customer service, the food was fresh, hot and tasty. I would highly recommend a visit to the restaurant or consider using them to cater for any occasion.

I used to live in Hirwaun ,I had very good fish and chips here.It is getting out of hand when people write reviews which is after all their option .Seeing the pingo review and written communication from other establishments in the area accusing this establishment of writing that review,I found appalling. One public house not in Hirwaun ,but it's not far away ,they very rarely say thank you but God help if you post a bad review .Their replies I find offensive .Keep up the good work .I always had lovely food here.

Had a "large" chips for me and my partner to share, luckily he wasn't hungry!!

I have a take away here at this award winning shop at least one a week and have done for years. It serves top quality fish and chips. I have eaten in top restaurants nationwide and across the world including other award winning shops. This outlet never disappoints. This place is far better quality and much cheaper than pretentious rip off pubs and restaurants nearby including Ty Newydd and Red Lion. The Food and customer services here is always 5 *****.

+ Batter on fish is light and crispy.

This has to be one of the best fish and chip shops around, great friendly staff and perfectly cooked food every time. A pleasure to visit this little gem in hirwaun. Keep up the good work guys. Alun

We visited for a family lunch, fish and chips all round including one gluten free order. Was perfect! Light crispy batter and super tasty. Highly recommended!

We arrived at Penaluna's with no money (classic Londoner move) and were delighted to hear they accepted contactless payment, meaning we could pay with our phones. Amazing!!

A lovely little chip shop, however, after the hype and awards i was expecting a little more from our food. Just my personal taste but failed to see what was special about our fish and chips.

The fish here is nice but is suffering with shrinkasion seems every time you visit its getting smaller. Think its time to find another fish and chip shop

Great fish and chip shop, everything cooked fresh to order by helpful and friendly staff. Does get busy, particularly on the weekend but well worth the wait for fresh food every time. Our fish and chip shop of choice.

We came in for a take away to feed 5 adults and 2 children. This was Easter Saturday at 7pm so the place was pretty busy. We were visiting from London and had heard great things about Penaluna.

I have visited here a few times but it's a flick of a coin if you have a decent meal.I've even had under cooked chips. It's not worth the risk at the prices they charge.the best time to visit must be when the best chip shop review must be due.

We had take away from here on the evening of 9th February. We ordered a gluten-free fish and chips which we were told could take half hour because of the fryer they use for gluten free food needed to be switched on which we thought was fine, but the food don’t take as long as that, I think we waited 20mins tops. I had a standard fish and chips and we also ordered sausages and chicken nuggets plus extra chips. Everything was awesome. The portions were ample we were all stuffed after.

Over rated fish shop , rude staff , mediocre food , small portions , large price tag , won’t visit again

How can you possibly put your prices up just an hour ago and not update your price board , This is false advertising.

This is the second time I have been here!

We visited on 13/01/18, quite simply, the best fish and chips we have ever eaten. Staff friendly and helpful as always.

We went here the other day for breakfast, it was lovely, nice think bread for the toast, coffee was really nice too.

I am a regular at this chippy and despite the expensive price on fish and smaller than average portion of...

Well, my husband and I just made a detour en route to Swansea from West Midlands to visit Penaluna's after...

I had cod and chips and it was absolutely delicious .A plus for me is the fish is skinless which...

My Wife, Daughter and I were in the area on business and as it was lunchtime we decided to visit this highly recommended place.

Great chip shop this. Really enjoyed it. Great tasting chips. I had sausage in batter which was lovely too. Highly recommend this chip shop. When I’m passing again I definitely going to try the fish!

We love fish and chips but not often have them. More recently been on the hunt for good fish and chips and now found it after a recommendation. Cannot believe the quality , flavour and enjoyment over a large plateful. Cod and batter had a distinct flavour, something I have missed over the years. Last time was 35 years ago in Tunbridge wells Kent and never forgotten. Now found it. Certainly be back. Nice friendly service, good varied menu and prices. Wife an exchef was over joyed.

We called here half an hour before closing on a Friday evening, with a large order for 9 of us. We were given a warm welcome while the fish and chips were freshly made. Without exception we all thought they were the nicest fish and chips we had ever had. Also impressed with it's 5 star food hygiene rating and value for money.

We go here a lot and seeing the other reviews on here makes me question these peoples motives (are they rival shop employees trying to ruin the competition online which is so easy to do these days behind a faceless computer). The quality of the food we've had from there has always been outstanding and the staff are always friendly. Let's address some of the comments left previously. First of all the waiting times, this shop is always busy (a good sign in my opinion, how many bad shops are busy all the time?), so unfortunately if you want great food you have to wait, they're trying their best for crying out loud! Secondly, portion sizes. It's all very well and good having loads of chips and a huge fish, but if the fish is full of bones, badly battered and the chips are soggy and greasy, then what's the point. Unfortunately, Penaluna's fish and chips are so good they do leave you wanting more, that's not their fault! Thirdly, the prices. We can all sit and reminisce about when we could get fish and chips and still have change from £2, but these days that just isn't realistic! If they are more expensive it really isn't by much, and as I've said, if you want quality you will pay that bit more. Why complain?! Go there, get your fish and chips, enjoy, and laugh at the bad comments here with questionable motives.

Called in for food on way home service excellent as always even though i hadnt seen this server before not sure when he started. The food was beautiful as always and enough for the 3 of us no complaints

Buy our supper from here regularly. The owner Lee sets high standards and this is reflected in the friendly, hard working staff and the quality of the food. Have never been disappointed, good portion sizes and all freshly cooked. Love their Irish curry sauce and ham and cheese fritters! Regarding reviews mentioning parking, most people risk parking outside on the yellow lines but there is a big, free car park just 2 minutes walk away!

On entering the shop I heard the fish fryer say to the girl taking orders I have all the fish. I ordered a large cod with large chips and a haddock with chips when I ordered the haddock the young polite young lady asked the fish fryer if he had haddock he said yes 15 minutes later when she was putting my order together she then announced there was no haddock now 15 mins waiting with 2 hungry small children is not a funny matter When I asked why I wasn’t told earlier that there was no haddock so I could put the reason on tripadvisor the fish fryer said to the girl that she had only asked him for FISH come on there is difference between all the fish advertised when he realised that excuse hadn’t worked he reverted to she’s new to the job tonight The same answer as the last time I called into the shop about a year ago and the same girl .i do have to add that the girl serving was very polite and helpful but unfortunately she was used as a scape goat for the fish fryers errors The fish was by no means fresh fish yes it was cooked freshly but not a fresh tasting fish and portion size terrible , fish size disguised by the heap of chips thrown on top See picture attached by no means a large potion of cod No doubt this review will get removed as all other bad reviews of this chippy seem to vanish

My negative but true review of this fish & chip shop has been removed !! why is this ? can't the owner take constructive criticism it's called famous ,Famous for what it's just a mediocre shop with extortionate prices .

Nothing famous about this place just run of the mill chip shop , travel 5 miles more to Trefechan fish bar and be impressed. Rude management as stated by last reviewer , small portion and London prices !!!!!

Travelled for 15 minutes to go to his fish shop as it is "award winning" - what a joke! The food was quite tasty but standard and same as any other fish shop, however the portions are a quarter of the size you'd get anywhere else, a large chips is one scoop and would just about pass as a small, the standard cod is £4 and you could get a larger cod in the frozen section of a super market, ended up asking for a refund for the cod as it was disgraceful that someone would charge that for what you get!! Would definitely not return and would urge others not to go there, management were extremely rude and defensive when I questioned the portions, however I just could not see where the £11 I had just spent had gone! Absolutely ridiculous and there's much better food places around! Such a shame!!

Did waterfall walk just north of penderyn but wanted food after. No cafes or pubs serving in penderyn that I could find but was directed to Hirwaun. Tried the corn beef rissoles and chips with gravy . Delicious. The latter kept warm all the way the the Brecon visitor centre

We have been customers for 2 years - see my review 8 April 2015 - and have almost always been very happy with the quality of the food you serve. The long wait can be tedious but is no cause for complaint because the fish is cooked to order. However, what is not acceptable is allowing people to jump the queue. This evening, while we and others were waiting to place out orders, a man joined the queue and called directly to the fryer asking "Slip a large cod in for me" and the fryer did so. The result was that by the time the queue jumper arrived at the server, his fish was ready, he was served immediately and left - leaving us and the lady in front of us waiting for our orders (also large cods) to be cooked.The only thing which stopped us from walking out was that we didn't want to waste the more than 20 minutes we had already been in the shop.This happened between 8.30 and 9pm. The fryer was the man with the pony tail.Advance orders should not include orders shouted by ill mannered people from the back of the queue.

crispy batter and lovely white fish and tasty chips.Fish is freshly cooked while you wait and additional information is shown as to where the fish was caught and where the potatoes are grown.

We are regular visitors to this establishment. Usually, as other reviews state, the quality of the fish and chips is very high. On a recent visit, after ordering 3 portions, I clearly heard the cook stating that these 'Were the last three portions'.After returning home, all the fish was tough and inedible. A few days later I reported the bad experience to a senior member of the establishment, who told me that 'There is noting she could do'. It is disappointing because this is a once a week treat, and every visit to this shop costs in excess of twenty pounds.

Just been here for fish and chip omg the best fish and chips around friendly staff asked for my fish to be cooked a bit more and they happly dun it for me will definitely be returning a*

Excellent service and a good price coupled with good potion sizes, also very variety and clearly displayed on the menu board.

No complaint about the quality of the fish and chips from this establishment they are the best tasting in Aberdare.We eat fish and chips once there every week. We bought 2 senior citizens portion of fish and chips at £4.60 each on a Saturday rugby international day recently. When I opened the boxes to serve them up on a plate the portion sizes were tiny. Both fish could have been mistaken for Cynon bullheads if they had not been battered and each serving of chips numbered 16 and 19 respectively. Now I know the owner lost 7 stone eating his own fish and chips and I have a fair understanding now on how he might have achieved that.However my old man is 88 and we are trying to keep his weight up, cmon John you can do better than that.

Just simply the best fish and chips around. Fresh fish cooked as you wait.Friendly and helpful staff

Excellent fish. Batter is gorgeous and very moreish. Award winning fish fryer so it really lives it to the awards it has been given.

This is the second time I have been there, long wait for breakfast once again, very disappointed that the breakfast only contained sausage, bacon, egg, beans and toast. For £4.95 would expect mushrooms or black pudding etc. We was told our toast was coming just after our breakfast arrived, for the second time they remembered our toast after we finished our breakfast. No apology from staff again! Won't be coming a third time.

Hidden Gem. Very polite service and rewarded with a glorious portion of fish and chips. Beautifully cooked. Cannot comment on anything else as I never eat Pies, Sausages etc. Only Fish. To that end lived up to it's reputation.

We were pretty starving - and didn't know where else to eat. So, naturally, being vegetarians, we wandered into a fish and chip shop, right? We asked for one of the only veggie options (spring rolls) and they weren't available.. So we asked for chips and two onion bhajis instead.The bhajis were black and tasted pretty darn burnt. One looked like it had been sat there all day, the other they quickly started cooking from the freezer. Both were black. How?!The chips weren't even that great, unfortunately. It didn't really have that much salt or vinegar on!The only thing that was pleasant was that the staff were very friendly and polite.

THE best fish and chips around.We have fish and chips regularly from here.Senior citizens are catered for and the potions are perfect for myself and my wife.Wouldn't go anywhere else

Popped in on way home from Merthyr, mainly because I'd heard so many good things.Firstly - Chips AwesomeLastly - Pie must have been left in warmer for days (Chicken and Mushroom), have never had a crust on a pie so hard and dryChicken potion - Microwaved so much it was thrown in the bin when we got home,Thank GOD we didn't have it deep fried!!!!!!Very poor experience - Won't be returning