The Friary Fish Bar in Cardiff

Shocking behaviour from the cleaner behind the counter, Shop is open until 9pm but after getting cash to pay and 10mins waiting to get served (one serving the other was chatting on the phone). No we cannot cook you some fish can’t I see the small print on the menu? no food cooked to order after 8:15 yet the clock said 8:10 oh the clock is wrong she said I could only have what was in the hot plate - jumbo sausage or gravy …. . Where on earth did the owners find such an ugly foul mouthed heffer?! I’ve never been spoken to like his in a takeaway she did truly shocking, we’re new to the area they’ve just lost a new regular customer.

Food was lovely I call in here on my way to aunties house bys here fish and chips she loves them....

My chips were half cooked and still mostly raw. Also got my order wrong but didn’t know until opened at home. The curry sauce is disgusting and also has crunchy bits in. Disappointing after a long day at work. Cost over £8 for small chips a sausage (battered) and a pot of sauce..

Been going back here kateky as most others in the area are a bit rank tbh ..I strictly avoid queens ..Nice food ..onky qualm fir ne us the curry portion size..fish is cooked lovely and if a decent size . Good guys in here .

Lovely food and friendly staff, but sometimes the food takes too long which made me and my boyfriend miss our bus due to the waiting time. The fishcake and chips though were delicious and the staff were polite and friendly so would definitely recommend.

Excellent staff, and good quality food.

Such nice food. Especially Thier chips I can say that to me the nicest chips in Cardiff . Fresh , hand cut proper chips . Thankyou your food is lovely

Staff need to concentrate on customers and not stood around gossiping with each other. It’s an absolute rip-off in there charging £2.75 for a large sausage in batter, rock hard batter and an overcooked sausage in the middle. Avoid this place

Cash only so couldn't try it .. the world uses phones now so probably need to wake up and stop worrying about what they declare...

The owner needs to find her manners and learn about customer service. Awful place

Food here is EXCELLENT! So good in fact, that we returned a few days later. Genuinely beautiful fish and chips. Cooked to perfection. Fresh, thick, tasty white delicious fish. Even the batter was perfect. Ladies so friendly, helpful and polite. Best fish and chips in Cardiff! Way superior in taste and quality in comparison to Posh fish and chips. This is a genuine review. I felt compelled to share how great this place is.{I do not usually write reviews} We have no affiliation/ connection to this business.

Charging London Prices in Fairwater

Basic fish bar. Chips do really well reheated in an air fryer.

Passing through area spotted chippy. First visit but won’t be last. Excellent value for small chips and fish (& sausage for pooch). Good portion. Definitely will return. Many thanks 😊

Small fish, hardly any in a thick hard batter, chips were lovely.

How can a fish shop make money when they are so rude. You can only order what they have already cooked (we were in there an hour before closing). Blanked us when we walked in and then just grunts replies to us like they didn’t want us the. The smallest piece of fish I have ever seen and the rear of the food was not worth the customer experience. A first and last visit.

Delicious real potatoe chips. Will definatly be returning, they were the best chips I've had for a long time 🤗

Excellent food the staff are amazing go out of their way for you food cooked to perfection 👍🏻

Great food,brilliant service as always from the girls in the shop, always engage with me and my family. However i was concerned to see them carrying boiling water from the kitchen to servery this wasnt easy to watch for anyone and undoubtedly scary for the person carrying the boiling water.....look after your staff friary fish bar they do a great job of looking after us.

I’ve just popped into the chip shop on my way home from work and I would like to say that the staff was amazing and very efficient, chips were the best I’ve had in a long time and fish was perfect. One thing I would like to say was I noticed a health and safety issue , I noticed the staff was carrying boiling hot water in saucepans back and forth the kitchen and front of the shop with the gas hob on which looks to be on continuously. This a major safety concern for the staff especially with them working really close to the cooker other than that I would like to say they are very polite and helpful

The chips were putrid soggy and hard. I wasted £3.50 there today I gave them the chips back but no refund terrible chips. I lost my temper there today I’m sick of going to this chip shop and treat it like my experience doesn’t matter they’re just going to carry on the same as before.

I only ordered a portion of chips, got home and they weren't cooked. Still hard potatoes! Had to throw away as inedible. Won't go back

This fish and chip shop on it’s good day they serve beautiful chips. But on there bad day you get a bag full of undercooked chips some soft and some hard no crispy chips just soggy chips. I’ve bought this before and all they do is blame the potato. They are undercooked chips they’re not being cooked for long enough.

Parking is a pain and so often there's a wait but the food is good and plentiful

Always good value and tasty food.

Really nice fish and chips from this takeaway, the place is clean and well presented

3 chippies in my local area and this is the best one. That isn't saying much, the other 2 got 1 star because it doesn't go lower. Depending who you get, depends how good it is. There are 2 girls that may be sisters, usually runs well with them but recently there were some I didnt recognise. 3 people behind the counter, doing one order, I was 2nd in the queue, took 15 minutes for them to start taking the order of the guy ahead of me (the order they were doing was ordered ahead) I was in there for about 25 minutes, by the time I left, there were 9 people behind me waiting. I only tried these again because I had cash on me because for some weird reason they don't take card but I won't be risking it again.

Lovely fresh food and served with a smile

If you want fish and chips go here

Terrible avoid at all cost batter way to think and fish like a fish finger. Chips pale and undercooked. No customer skill

Lovely and clean, friendly staff, great menu, but when asked for a pensioners bag of chips, and took it home for my father, i was expecting more than 11 chips. As tasty as they were dad was a little disappointed, maybe they gave me the child size, and I should of checked in shop.

Good chips and very cheap, been here for years this place

We were visiting relatives locally so decided to buy everyone a takeaway from here. Big mistake. We wanted 2 chips, 2 cheesy chips and 2 fish and chips. They had only 1 precooked small fish and fish bites, and said it would take 15 MINUTES! to cook a fresh fish, so we went with what they had. The chips were a squashed slab of soggy greasy Potatoe - I don't know how a chips shop can be so bad. The staff really couldn't care less. When we got home only one of the chips had cheese on it. They got our drinks order wrong, but we spotted that. We won't be going back.

We were visiting relatives locally so decided to buy everyone a takeaway from here. Big mistake. We wanted 2 chips, 2 cheesy chips and 2 fish and chips. They had only 1 precooked small fish and fish bites, and said it would take 15 MINUTES! to cook a fresh fish, so we went with what they had. The chips were a squashed slab of soggy greasy Potatoe - I don't know how a chips shop can be so bad. The staff really couldn't care less. When we got home only one of the chips had cheese on it. We won't be going back.

Bought fish and chips, chips were soggt and greasy the fish was one of tge worst I've ever had the amount of grease in it was unbelievable its almost as if the oil they use isnt hot enough so the food boils in the fat rather than frying that or they are putting way to much in the fryers. I ended up giving the fish to my dog. I won't be using these again unless they get trained up how to cook decent food

This must be the worst fish and chips I've ever had, chips mushy and greasy and tge fish was actually un edible it was just soogy full of grease i tried using the paper to blot out the grease but way to mmuch so fed it to the dog. Its as if the oil wasn't hot enough so the food just boiled in the oil that or way to much food went in the fryers at the same time, definitely won't be using these again

Clean. Efficient staff, reasonable prices.

Chips and battered sausage were extremely undercooked, the batter on sausages was doughy and gross. The curry sauce was watered down and bland and the chicken was alright.

Large bag of chips will be enough for 3 dinners but a bit deer

Just picked up some chips, which were really good. There is a sign between the front of the shop and the back, saying everyone had to sanitise their hands before going past that point, no exceptions. A young woman came from the street, straight to the back with no sanitizing. She then picked up her apron, no washing hands and proceeded to get some bags of something out of the fridge in the shop. She needs some education in health and hygiene, particularly during these times.

Lovely chips and large helpings 😊

Good food - A bit expensive, but the staff are great

Don't often go out of my way to leave reviews, but tried the friary for the first time tonight and...well if you've ever seen the film Ratatouille and the scene where the food critic tries Remys ratatouille for the first time and gets reminded of his happiest time as a child? Well, this is what happened to me. Hands down the best fish and chips I have had in my adult life. PROPER chips, chunky fish, fab mushy peas. Authentic, tasty, perfectly priced. THANK YOU for bringing proper chippy teas back into my life.

Just popped by the chippy because I couldn't be bothered to cook. Food is an absolute treat. Not greasy. Hot curry sauce is AMAZING! I reccomend :) (Support local business!!!)

I have been coming here for 15 years and will likely still be coming in 15 years time. Consistently good fish & chips. Best around.

I thought the hygiene was shocking i watched 1 member of staff take money then take three pies out of microwave with out washing hands then the 2nd member went out side for a smoke and come back in and not wash hand and carry on working i can safely say i won't be going back

Appalling, inedible fish with such doughy batter. The inside of the batter was 1 inch thick of stodgy sludge. Chips very pale and not tasty. Staff very busy chatting and so got order incorrect. Only take cash payment. Very disappointed- total waste and ended up in the bin.

Lovely food. Good value and great staff 👌

I don't live far and have used this a number of times since it reopened least year under covid. I'm fussy about chippies and it's always been good. I don't think the fish and chips (what I typically get) are badly priced either. It's currently 4.95 for a decent-sized cod with loads of chips for one person (if anything too much for people who eat a lot, but that's south wales for you). Always been well cooked food when I've been there, and it's more than friendly enough too. So I'll give it 5 cos it's only a chippy and I can't see anything wrong with it. Don't forget your mask.

Terrible quality food. I have (foolishly) been quite a few times as I live close by and the fish is consistently terrible. Guess I was hoping it was a "one off". The batter is too thick and undercooked, in line with what other reviewers claim. Chips are often underdone. Go anywhere else.

Nice chips and curry sauces, fish had quite a few bones in it. Bit pricey.

Regreted wasting my money here. Chips were like crisp. Fish was colder than tge artic and the batter could of probably started to drip off. Staff were unwelcoming. I'd recommend finding anywhere but here.

Chips are nice, fish delicious, staff always look hard at work. Been using since 2007 and never had any problems at all.

Love this chippy. Always clean and staff are always pleasant. They don't sell saveloys though

I have visited this chippy quite regularly over the last few months. The chips have always been fresh and tasty like traditional chips. Not had fish here so cannot comment on this. The choice of pies are standard but generally fresh not had one thats been dry like I’ve had at other chip shops. Curry sauce really nice both mild or hot. Chicken is always nice here. The shop is always clean and the food is well displayed. The only thing I would say is the staff do not really match the appearance of the shop which is fresh and clean. They are to the point not much conversation or friendly greeting they dress very casual could be a bit more professional in appearance and approach, hence marking four stars.

Used to be great but the other day I got home and I had to cook my chips. They were big fat white and slimy. I had to put them in the oven. Everything else is always nice but it's just hit and miss with chips.

Awful service today no food cooked and ready and when asked for something to be cooked they point blank refused it was not close to shutting all they had to offer was one piece of fish and a fish cake not much choice especially if you dont eat fish. I wish I had checked the reviews before wasting my time going there.

Good food at a reasonable price.

Went in at a lunchtime to order food. Myself and mother waited outside then we were called in by a member of staff. I sat down whilst my mum ordered. The owner appeared from the back and said to me with the most horrible attitude to get up dont sit down and get outside. I said I didn't know I wasn't allowed to sit down and there was no need for the attitude. She then said not to come back in the chippy ever again, that I was common and then told me to piss off. Common !! She needs to take a look at herself dripping in gold and her creole earrings

Had the most disgusting beef and onion pie from there today, god knows how old it must have been 😬🤢

Went tonight and had to ask staff to clean their hands after emptying bin before they handled food.

The best fish and chips locally. Reasonably priced, properly cooked, good portions. They do the usual chicken, saveloys, pies, curry, etc. The staff are friendly and obliging and do a great job. The only negative - for me - they don't do 'pensioner portions' - smaller portions for us oldies - after 16:30. Otherwise it's a great place. They sell wet fish, too, if you ask for it. I can't understand the poor reviews, unless it's a rival business trying to get the Friary's customers. It really is good. My sister has lived here since 1963. I don't know when the Friary came into existence but I have been using them for a VERY long time. Always good.

Good too have been served by mum and daughter as some of your staff are not so nice food is good when you are always on and likes to call in when one of you are they as I meet some staff that makes you feel like you should not come in and buy like it's too much keep up the good work girls you keeps the shop going

A chippy open 7 days a week. What's not to like 🙂

It seems our first mistake was ordering what we wanted in meal format (sausage in batter with small chips for this one, just a sausage for this one, rinse and repeat), our second mistake was thinking it would be edible, but the big mistake was thinking service would be at least passible. Unfortunately the real mistake visiting the place. Only go there if you fancy poor quality food spiced up with a good dose of a surly attitude.

Called into this chip shop and I have to say staffs attitude was disgusting, customer service is not their forte. Mince pie was vile, cold and hard lumps inside.. sausage and batter also cold and inedible. We will never go there again.

We have been going here on and off for a few years but noticed the food has decreased in quality last few times as others have stated the prices for the quantity and quality is not matched as in the food fir it's worth should be cheaper I had 1 large to share and one small chips they were same portion size to each other our 1 year old had a few chips and later threw up my partner felt sick and me too our oldest seemed ok of 2 year old mild curry again as others stated was very bland had no true taste I can assure we wont ge using this fish bar again it's gotten dreadful over time again as well as portion size being the same for small and large the chips fir the price were not great better chips at batry island message to owners sort it out or you will soon be out of business

First time that I have bought fish and chips here and the last. Unfriendly staff. The chips were cold and dry. I have never had such heavy thick fish batter. Inside the batter was a thick uncooked layer of batter. It was inedible. Worst of all there were six large fish bones which is inexcusable. Very poor all round.

I’ve just had food from the Friary for the 1st time in years and I can tell you I will never go there again,I had a small fish,a pastie,chips and curry sauce and it was all foul,the pastie was dry and tasteless,some of the chips were undercooked and some were over cooked,my fish(if you can call it that) was mainly batter and bones,the curry was also tasteless,all in all it was the worst £13.80 I have EVER spent

Friendly staff and well cooked chips.

Just had large fish and chips. Go if you like any of the following: Freshly undercooked chips which resemble mash, covered in burnt ‘bits’ for flavour. Oily battered batter mush and ‘fish’. Half of which wasn’t even there, must have fallen off when being served out of the counter. Don’t think I’ve ever had a less enjoyable example of fish and chips.

I have been a customer of this chip shop for many years ! Recently visited on 2 occasions on a Sunday ! The food is poor and servings are small! At £2.90 for a large chips you would expect it to be enough for 1 adult and 1 child ! The chips were mushy , undercooked and the portion was tiny! If you complain they get very defensive! The only saving grace is the tasty sausages ! The curry sauce was watered down and very bland ! I’ve decided I will not be eating here anymore !

Vile. The food was sickening. Absolutely foul. Avoid this dump. 😃

Probabaly the worse fish and chips I've ever had. Not even any lemon juice for the fish? The batter used for the fish is mushy, plain horrible.

After my poor review of this establishment some months ago I thought that I would give it another try to see if any improvement in the quality of the food. Well, that was a mistake as the food that is certainly not cheap is awful based in Fairwater Cardiff with no close competition they just serve poor quality food and charge a high price for the privilege. Really a place to avoid

Fish rock hard went back in another piece of fish the same. Sorry not for over fiver

Brilliant.i phone for my fish to cooked as it's fresh and takes a while to cook. Lovely people

By far the best fish and chip shop in Cardiff

Staff are not welcoming and food is average.

Not the best chips but on the plus side though you don't get many chips saves chucking them away

Fast, tasty and proper good portion size, just a shame theres no card paying facilities.

Super tight portions... not even 2 potatoes worth for £1.95 ... what a joke...total rip off!!!

Quite good fish and chips. Not always cooked fresh, often left in warmer

Lovely food never had bad food from this chippy by far the best in cardiff

Ce traditionnel "fish and ships" propose d'excellents poissons très frais et gouteux.. La cuisson est parfaite. Il vous est servi enveloppé dans du papier comme le veux la tradition. Les portions sont très très généreuses pour un prix imbattable.S'abstenir si on est au régime, (un peu) gras...En revanche il ne faut pas compter manger sur place. A emporter!!

great grub, great service, been using for years, best in town!

Excellent as always, Don't be fooled by others!! I don't usually write reviews but my sister who lives in Fairwater showed me the reviews on here and that prompted me to write this review. Our club has been using the Friary for years for its orders since one of our members recommended them to us. We've never had any problems whatsoever, We just had a order for 20 last week and everything was perfect as always, I cannot understand the reviews, My sister and her family eat there every week (More than she should truth be known) and she always says it was excellent. All I can think of these reviews are just nonsense (I don't usually write reviews as I think people use it to try to destroy businesses) So in short, Don't be fooled, Go try them for yourselves, They've been there for over 20 years and owned by the same people according to my sister, There's no way they could have lasted that long if these so called reviews are to be believed.

Frequently use The Friary for a fish and chip take away! Great value, fantastic food and service with a smile! Would definately recommend and will be back!!

Esta debe ser la tienda de pescado y papas fritas más terrible, no solo en Cardiff sino en Gales. Es conveniente para muchas personas, por lo tanto, está bastante ocupado. Pero, nunca decepciona. El pescado que sirven son trozos grasientos y grandes. A veces pienso que es malo simplemente porque ha estado sentado durante horas, pero incluso si lo sirven directamente desde la freidora, sigue siendo increíblemente malo. Evitar.

Hace algunos meses escribí una reseña sobre este establecimiento que se encuentra en Fairwater Green, en Cardiff. Estaba disgustado con la comida servida como de mala calidad real, pero pensé en dar otra oportunidad, ya que podría haber sido un mal día. Bueno, no fue porque la comida volvía a ser horrible, no es barato, tienen un área de captación y parece que lo saben, así que sirven mucho menos de lo que cabría esperar. Evitaría e iría a un par de millas de distancia para obtener pescado y patatas fritas decentes

Unfortunately have to give a star for the rating should be a minus attitude of staff was unbelievable so was the food enter at your own risk

fairly good fish and chip shop the chips are nice but nothing amazing about it its also slightly inpatient

Probably the most disrespectful staff I have ever come across, ridiculously expensive please avoid! Absolute garbage

Para ser honesto, este debe de ser uno de los más pobres tiendas de pescado frito con patatas fritas en Cardiff, Realmente he estado allí varias veces, era conveniente, pero la calidad de la comida es muy pobre, parece saber que en esta parte de Cardiff no hay competencia y se muestra realmente. El personal es bastante agradable, pero realmente si quieres una buena comida para llevar de pescado y patatas personalmente evitaría si es posible, también bastante caro para la comida que sirven, si puedes evítalo

1st impressions, staff outside smoking with door open, chips big portions but not cooked , fish batter to thick and greasy, very expensive

The staff were lovely and the food was amazing!

Pros: big potion sizes, chips usually fresh Cons: fish sometimes a little overdone, batter is quite thick

Dried out and barely warm. Must have been sat out for quite a while. Won't be going there again, not a great first i impression!

Overpriced,dearest fish shop in fairwater