St John's Fish Bar in Tunbridge Wells

Absolutely amazing there was an issue with the order they acomadated and sorted the order out absolutely amazing would highly recomend the food it's the best in the area.

Large chips cost £4.95 extortionate. Also, chips were poor quality and over cooked and/or old oil and portion wasn't that big. Very disappointed.

Recently refurb has improved it considerably.

I've been going here for over 20 years and this latest iteration of the establishment is the best yet. The efficiency of the staff has to be seen to be believed, I've never had to wait long and they even manage to be polite to the Deliveroo drivers. Quality is excellent and portions are big.

This is under new management and is now definitely the best fish and chips in town. We've tried them all and wouldn't go anywhere else. Very friendly service and great food.

Quick and great service and really nice good. Fish wasn't greasy and they do great squid rings

Excellent. Chips properly cooked and a “fresh” battered Sausage. You should always cook them fresh or you may as well give it to the dog.. Really good food, would recommend

There's a reason this place always has queues going out the door. It consistently delivers on quality and it's all priced sensibly given the economy. There's space to eat outside too!

Visited here for the first time in about twenty years recently. I had battered sausage, chips and curry sauce. Couldn't fault it 👌

Great fish and chips, friendly staff, newly refurbished with seating

Good chip shop and traditional English. Extremely unsatisfactory sausage no colour no meat avoid if you like sausages . Why chip shops can’t offer you Lincolnshire or Cumberland as a sausage that is beyond belief I’m sure they could make a profit using proper sausages. Please change your ways. I’d pay an extra 50p for a proper sausage.

nice food easy lunch would use again

Friendly staff and the food is great.

Best in Kent! Probably even county or maybe country!

Only recently reopened June 2023. Freshly cooked haddock in light and super crispy batter. Was ready in 5 minutes. 2 fish with one standard chips was plenty for 2 people. Lovely sitting outside in the evening sunshine.

We went there last week for the first time since reopening. We were dissapointed with the food and found that it cost £4.00 more for the same order. Because it's a car drive for us to get there we'll probably not bother any more.

Very disappointing, as a regular customer before the recent closure and re build, I was very excited when a re opening date was announced. We have specific dietary requirements requiring gluten and dairy free and this was always catered for with the burgers, or fish being tailored to suit. Alas.. this is not the case any more, gone is the large airy shop, it's now a cramped wait in a rather odd shaped waiting/seating area, and if you glance up at the new look menus hanging over the counter you will see a lot of classic items missing, no OAP specials anymore despite there popularity, no small sausages.. no small medium large options at all! Just small and "standard" whatever that is? It's no standard to a fish and chip establishment that's for sure. Saddest of all..no gluten free burgers at all anymore, and the burgers they do sell are just plain typical fish shop style, 1 or 2 items in a bun.. no stacks, no onion rings in the burger, no bacon.. all there well known and very popular options gone, and a new beaming manager that's full of his own self importance to happily tell you that the classic St Johns menu you loved is now completely different. They do serve gluten free chips as standard, and the gluten free fish is still an option, although the serving staff do not understand the importance of keeping gluten free items segregated from wheat and gluten containing products in the same bag! And the fish is taken from a cabinet directly above the chips, allowing all bits of gluten containing batter to fall into the chips....they may as well say they don't cater for gluten free at all now, as there nothing certain about the serving and handling practises at all. I am struggling to find any good points about my visit, and sadly the only part of the old much loved st Johns fish bar that remains is the name.. the rest is a fraction of its former glory. I sincerely hope that if anyone in higher places see the new set up that they have the sense to re instate the old manager quickly, as he was a joy to deal with, ever efficient and extremely happy to cater for loyal customers needs, understanding his local customer base very well indeed. Until such a day, my visits here are now over, and my recommendation to others will be nil. One very upset and disgruntled long time customer.

Delicious haddock and chips - really fresh!

Great food, prices are OK sometimes the portion size can be hit and miss and the service is very slow, often I've seen orders missed. Great food, service needs work, alot of work.

Love this place, go there weekly. Great staff who are friendly and the nicest chips around Tunbridge Wells in my opinion. Would definitely recommend for a decent chippie.

Good, amazing, positive attitude with a roar! It's a busy place with vibes. Can get busy and please make sure you close the door ( freezing) ha ha

Tasty lovely food. Approaching staff and very clean place.

Always the best food and a bargain , fish goujons,chips and drink £4.50 lunch time special. Thanks to all

Really poor quality and really small portions. Large Cod was tiny and mostly batter like mash potato consistency. I keep hoping this place improves.

Great gluten free fish & chips. Definitely recommend

Be prepared for zero customer service and to wait a long time for your order to be taken. Guy with Bandanna was very rude! First and last time I’ll visit.

Excellent fresh fish and good service

This one of the better fish and chip shops. Plus you can eat in with a cup of tea at no extra cost and they also sell some of the less popular fish which is equally nice but cheaper.

Our local Fish n Chip shop. Always good and Grandma likes it.

What a awful experience tonight The owner is arrogant and rude A older gentlemen in his 70”s was waiting for ever , I chased it up for him The owner was so rude and aggressive I will never ever go back to this place and neither will the elder man It’s a disgrace to speak to our older generation like that I feel sorry for the young people working there

Large cod at £7.25 which is medium size at best and £3.25 for large chips which contained many burn't offerings at the bottom of the bag is less than honest with the customers. In this time of impending austerity measures, fish and chips for us is a family treat rather than a routine. We gave this business a two star rating because we did eat most of the food albeit all of the chip fryer dredges going to in the dogs bowl. We shall not be returning.

What is going on with my favourite chippy? Has it been taken over? Large cod and chips tonight and it was the worst I have ever had. Chips were chewy and tasteless as was the cod which had the thickest skin on it that even the cat had problems getting through it. Such a shame, it was so high quality previously that you didn't mind paying the extra few quid for such good food. Annoying.

Been a wile since i been here. Popped in twice this week and yes they are still amazing chips light and fluffy and delicious

Had chips today and found three hairs in them, was a take out portion, they where black hairs defo not my own, this is why hair nets exist!!

Love it here. Friendly staff. Fresh fish, hot tasty chips. Can sit in. Very satisfying.

Fish and chips were good and I have been a regular customer for years. But the service and disrespect to staff, has got consistently slower. This time lack of chips. Might give one more try as the food is good.

Really amazing chips. Under seasoned by a long shot and had to wait forever for a simple two small chips… but super fresh tasty ones

Never eaten from here before before, I can honestly say that I have been back. Freshly cooked food to order not a long wait at all. Very friendly service.

Excellent Fish 'n Chips! Thank you

Great fish and chips if they fried their chips separately from their fish it would be more vegetarian friendly….still 10/10

For the first time in 15 years they sold me chips completely sogged in oil and dark colored with residue of oil on them, stale smell and if you press on chip oil is pouring out of it. Would they or their family consume those chips they sold me ? Never ! So. Give me back my money. Not going to buy anything from it. What happened to this shop, used to be one of the best in Tunbridge Wells for many years ?? Btw, the person serving never seen him there before, not being judgemental but so people know (if I knew it got worse wouldn't have gone there and went somewhere more appropriate) man with bandana is just rude. Hope they sort it out whatever problem they have and restore their reputation and credibility soon.

Best fish and chips in Tunbridge Wells!

Fish is lovely reasonably priced

Best chips in tunbridge wells not the cheapest but I prefer to pay extra for quality items cooked to order not pre cooked but parking is an issue

Absolute shocking service tonight Tuesday the 28th December. The gent running the shop was speaking to me and other customers in a terrible manner. when I checked my order they had left out a portion of chips that was ment to go with my daughters plain jumbo sausage and chips which in its self isn't a big deal but they then put the sausage with the mince beef pie in the same packet and that's not acceptable when she has egg and milk allergies. She may not of had a reaction but we weren't prepared to take the risk.This has never happened before in the 15 years we have used the shop and I don't think it would of happened tonight if they had made the order up right. Then when I left he said it wasn't clear on the till roll. Well get it fixed.

You are legally required to go here if you live in t wells

Great fish and chips but a cavalier attitude to mask wearing which is a shame

Superb fish and chips. Hot, tasty and really well cooked. Excellent service.

Best fish and chips in the area and the burgers are amazing!

Good service and wonderful fish and chips.

Lovely fresh food, lush service, knowledgeable staff, clean establishment. Could not recommend enough.

Quick, efficient service. Good banter. Delicious fish and chips

Ordered a takeaway and was pleased to see the cardboard packaging. The chips were great and so was the batter but was spoiled by the meal arriving cold.

Ordered three times so far using their own delivery service and the fish and chips have been great every time.

Not been here for awhile because it's off my route home but in the past it's always been good and my wife was passing by. Just had Cod and chips that was probably the best I've ever had .... Chips were perfect and the fish batter like a mini map of the Himalayas and just as epic ... Crispy magic ..... with the fish underneath fresh and tasty. Thanks guys you will become my weekly fish supper provider of choice .. 10 out of 10!

Ok fish and chips bar. Do a large menu of everything you would expect it to. Can be a bit more expensive than others around it but the food is yummy and the chips are huge. Staff are generally friendly like most places . They have a a great outdoor section where you can sit and eat 😋

The last two times I've been, I've felt queasy afterwards. It's not obvious they're doing anything particularly wrong; it may just be that large portions of fried food just aren't good for you. They do have a large menu for a chippy, not all of it fried, and they will grill it instead if you ask them. -- Post script: after five months the venue replied suggesting I had gluten sensitivity, but I've been fine with fried fish and chips from other places so I don't believe that's it. I'm hoping that their laughing faces were just intended to be friendly.

Lovely staff shop tidy and clean

This place is great from burgers to fish and you know what big portions for everyone.

Great fish and chips, our first time, and delivered to time, will definitely be back

The burgers are insanely good staff are great, don't sleep on them just cause they're not on the apps.

Great food and great service 👍 👌 fish batter just a bit thin for my liking 😀 me being fussy

A bit short on chips. Noce fish tho

This place has the most amazing fish. You can even ask for it grilled rather than battered and fried to be healthy. The burgers are great, particularly the banging bacon burger, which happens to be exactly as discribed. The staff are friendly and flexible when ordering. There is outside tables too for social distancing and if you fancy a pub lunch without the pub

The reason why I gave them one star is because the large cod isn't large the large chips were disgusting and the quarter pounder with cheese was disappointing

Cooked fresh good batter good chips was impressed. I would recommend 👌

Rude,no etiquette and 100% RACIST towards ethnic minorities! Was you there when the inncident occured? There is your side my side and the facts of the matter. Remember you run a BUSINESS and with that in future please remember the customer always comes 1st. It was around 16.23 and I walked into the shop and the door was open, so 7minutes is not going to hurt. Nobody was at the counter, I called to see if anyone is there after a couple of times the gentleman came out. He was preparing something, he said we are not open as yet this would have been around 16.25 I said can't you take my order?In an abrupt manner said "no we can't we open at 16.30". I sat outside and waited 2mins more before returning, I said "please can I have a coke?". 16.28, again still even more abrupt "sorry we are not open yet". Maybe he though I was going to not pay for the can??? Really? Did I look that desperate to rob a miserley coke can and not pay you???lol. So since his etiquette was not decent as a paying customer I asked him "Well if it is not 16.30 why are your doors open"? He replied "well it is for my staff". The genteleman could have taken my order before instead of cribbing for like like 5-7mins in total and gave me the can which I'd of happily paid for. His etiquette was not correct and should have politley replied "would you mind waiting a few mins outside please as we are not open"?Would have been more then happy if he changed his decorum. Or said "sure I can take your order". Maybe my face did not fit the picture and most def can gurantee if it was a cacusian person this would not have happended! This is the problem when you head to small towns and are willing to give YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY, and think that you are some alien! The gentleman who I had 1st contact with thought he was 'THE BOSS' when in fact he is just a fryer, so please know your position and etiquette on how to address people in future. When I called up the guy said "we have no noss here and is going on and on and email the boss". Unforutnatley there is no email. Your not doing me a favour and giving me FREE FOOD I am a paying customer. I come from Wimbledon to buy food from you as it is nice. I have more options where I reside but choose your shop. Do you think I will spend my hard earned money here again? Forget it! Other better options elsewhere! Lastly:- THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! 20.5.2021. You can see your etiquette by just reading your comments. You was not present, you just heard from your 'Fryer' who was carrying on like some BIG SHOT! You forget very clearly that:- THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! 5With that in mind I shall take my money elsewhere for better and who appericates it! 21.5.2021. Your food is nice, but on the other hand your attitude stinks to high heaven! 1 thing for sure is you will never get my money!

Absolutely the pits the chips were soggy and all mushed and the batter on the fish was under cooked not to mention my partners food the onion rings were under cooked and the burger was cold would definitely not be going here again I'd rather eat nothing!

Very good food cooked fresh. Efficient polite staff. Good packaging.

Lovely fish and chips could even sit outside in the sun to eat them on their benches ...will visit again.

During the Pandemic was going to get our meal but was shouted, ordered in an abrasive manner, Not Requested to put my mask on. Found later many had same experience. As I now go to the Kebab place two doors up, who I might add are always helpful, even under pressure.

Good pleasant service. Good value.

Seems like they are struggling to get to grips with the new covid rules. Total chaos in the queuing set up and got my order wrong for the second time.

Not as good as usual,batter not cooked but chips were good.

First time ordering from St John’s Fish Bar, brilliant service! Called up and was advised to use the website which was very easy to use, and was great that gluten free options are available. We picked a delivery slot and got our delivery bang on the time at the beginning of the a lot. Box was marked up which was gluten free. Food was great and a lot less greasy than other places we have tried. Will definitely be ordering again!

I have been getting food from here for over a decade. Great food, good menu.

Great chippy although need to wait a while.

Very Rude Customer Service!I phoned my order through and before entering the shop, I read the big poster which clearly stated that customers must not wait in shop after placing their order.I therefore gave a member of staff my name and preceded to walk outside and await for my name to be called.However, I was then told in no uncertain terms by I can only imagine was the manager, to stay in the shop and wait! Another lady was then told to go to the counter, and again I was going to go outside, as my order was not ready yet, there ate signs everywhere in the shop sayingDO NOT WAIT IN SHOP!Again the manager called me back to go to counter, he made a sarcastic remark ti me in front of other customers that I need to go to counter to pay, even though no one had called me forward to pay!This is not the first time have heard the manager being rude to customers!!! He has very abrupt and rude way of speaking to people! The food is good, but I for one will not go back to be belittled by such a very rude manager! Also other customers were commenting in his horrible attitude!!!!Change the confusing signs!!!!!

Ordered covid secure process with waiting outside whilst order prepared. Took no longer than normal and fish and chips as good as normal.

Good fish and chips. Service can be a little slow as most things are cooked to order.

Standing outside waiting was a bummer when the takeaways opposite had customers indoors... Won't go again in the winter

This is the third time we have ordered takeaway cod and chips from this establishment. They are delicious, and still hot when they arrive. Happy to recommend.

This used to be the best FC place around. However recently popped in to get Haddock and Chips for lunch in lock down to take over to my mum in Mount Emprian. I really noticed a change, the person serving and cooking was so 'laid back' and I felt that he wasn't that bothered. Maybe because of COVID things have been harder, but when the owner was there is was 100% different. Mum and I agreed, that the FC were ok but but not the best. So, conclusion is, get back on course and do it like you did before, otherwise you will lose business.

The best fish and chips in town

Its fantastic that this shop does gluten free, BUT WHAT A SHAME THEY DON'T MARK THE BOX TO SAY WHICH IS GLUTEN FREE! after paying £ 44.00 3x fish and chips and 2x mushy peas. I'm highly disappointed

St John's was always a favourite of ours, but it's been a real hit and miss affair for about a year now. Food tonight deliverooed almost cold, more very crunchy batter than fish, and there were just as many crunchy chips than decent ones. Not very enjoyable or cheap. Now seriously considering alternatives. It's a shame because I used to recommend St John's to everyone. Not any more I'm afraid.

Had a bad experience here on our first visit, was given chips and told they were gluten free which they weren't. Caused my girlfriend considerable pain.We've given it another couple of chances since then and not had a problem. Probably just caught them on a bad day. The quality is great, the best chips in town. However the prices are slightly high, especially considering they are very small portion sizes.

"Avoid, overpriced and served us "gluten free" chips that have left my girlfriend in agony. Plenty of better options in town."* *Given it another couple of tries since the above review and not had a problem with the gluten free. Best chips in town but a little pricey and very small portion sizes.

Really good fish and chips. Probably the best in Tunbridge Wells

Top class chips each and every...

I went in here to get fish & chips for my family on 25 Sept at about 7.30pm. Have visited many times before. The food’s lovely and it was good this evening too My issue is with one of the cooking staff today. While I was sitting waiting for our stuff a woman who had pre-ordered came in & clearly not being sure of the ordering system, looked confused & then after waiting some time very politely asked how long her order of 4 specials was likely to be . The guy behind the counter bit her head off completely without provocation ticking her off roundly for not following the queuing rules and my daughter said “well that was unnecessarily rude!” As the woman stood where she had been told looking upset, still waiting, the guy added after a while “As well as being rude I have added the wrong thing to your order “ or some such. Not sure if this was supposed to be a joke, an apology, or just another fit of aggression. Felt like the guy was a bully, behaving like such a prima donna especially when it wasn’t even that busy - and probably made the customer feel bad, she certainly looked upset & said “I don’t know the system, haven’t been in before, sorry” Such a shame as the lady taking orders was so nice & friendly. If the rude guy at this chip shop has a moment spare (which he might if he carries on putting off the customers like this) I suggest he makes a laminated notice explaining how the queuing system works @ pins it up in the window. Then people like me, and the customer he told off, might have a clue what they are supposed to do. If they bother going back. Which I won’t be. And probably neither will the other lady or the other 2 or 3 people in the shop at the time

Great little chippy who do a nice gluten free fish and chips.

We ordered for the first time (Saturday 29th August) 2 x medium cod and chips....they were delicious. The fish was perfect, and I'm fussy about my chips. They too were perfect, golden and crisp, fluffy inside. Delivered quickly too. Thoroughly recommend, only downside is we may get into bad habits!

My girlfriend is on the floor in pain from the "gluten free" chips we had from here.Ordered over the phone for collection, the guy initially asked if he can do it in the normal fryer because he didn't want to turn the other one on. I explained she's celiac and cannot have any gluten to which he responded "fine" very curtly. I went to collect and the chips weren't ready, it felt like they cooked them once I arrived. They've obviously just done it in the same fryer because as I said, she's now in agony. A shame because the girl serving was really friendly. There are better chippys in town and I would highly recommend going to one of them.

Great meal: properly cooked fish & chips and speedy, courteous service.

Very poor service tonight I ordered then was waiting for about 20 minutes as it was busy not a problem then get told that they hadn't even started cooking my order. Not impressed and this is not the first time this has happened. Wont be going there again

Popped in here on Monday evening as I really fancied good proper fish and chips. After being recommended by friends I went to visit. Really friendly staff with lots of choice on the menu. I went for the battered sausage and chips, the staff cooked it fresh to order and few of the regulars came in and the staff made extra time for them. The food itself was everything I was craving, the batter on the sausage was nice and crispy, the chips were chunky and perfectly cooked. I will be back sooner rather than later. They also have Deliveroo. Can’t highly recommend this enough if you want good traditional fish and chips!

Best fish and chips around - kids meals are great value and great size - chips not too soggy / perfect

I have coeliac disease and these guys serve gluten free fish and chips and its really tasty and reasonably price.

we were a little disappointed we ordered large cod and chips . and the fish not large a medium. got charged for large. otherwise quick delivery and food were lovely.we would recommend this fish and chip shop.