Celebrity chef and ITV presenter James Martin has pinpointed what he believes to be the absolute best fish and chips in the United Kingdom, and it's found in his native Yorkshire.
The Pinnacle of a British Classic
Speaking on LNER's Routes podcast with host Jenni Falconer, the Saturday Morning star was asked about his essential Yorkshire destinations. Without hesitation, Martin championed the Magpie Café in the coastal town of Whitby. The Malton-born chef didn't just recommend the venue; he provided a detailed blueprint for the perfect meal.
His ideal order is a large haddock, served with mushy peas, lemon, tartar sauce, Sarson's vinegar, and salt. Martin described the visceral experience of eating it by the sea, even humourously noting that a combination of the steam and the wind could lead to a "little drip of snot" landing on the fish, which he jokingly declared was part of reaching culinary "nirvana".
More Than Just a Meal: A Sensory Experience
Martin's praise for the Magpie Café was effusive and evocative. He painted a picture of unwrapping the meal in blustery weather, with the steam carrying the aroma directly to the diner. "You sit there and the wind's howling a gale, you sit there and you open up this pot of gold," he said on the podcast, recorded on 10 January 2026.
He concluded his vivid description by stating, "then you're in nirvana, heaven, you're in the pinnacle of fish and chips." The seafront café is a renowned institution, boasting an impressive average of more than four and a half stars from nearly 9,000 Google reviews.
A Lasting Love for Yorkshire
This endorsement is not the first time James Martin has expressed his deep affection for Yorkshire. In a previous interview with Food and Travel Magazine, he reminisced about York and the North Yorkshire moors. He highlighted the scenic road from Pickering to Whitby and the historic charm of locations like The Shambles.
Despite now splitting his time between Manchester, Hampshire, and the Cotswolds, Martin hinted at a potential return to his roots. "I'll get lynched if I don't end up in Yorkshire. I really do love Yorkshire," he admitted during the same podcast conversation. His show, James Martin's Saturday Morning, continues to air on ITV at 9.30am.
For food lovers and travellers seeking an authentic taste of the British seaside, Martin's unequivocal recommendation makes The Magpie Café in Whitby a destination in its own right.
