Topaz Hotel

Great Location AND Good Fish 'n Chips

by johngayton about Harry Ramsdens

Harry Ramsdens doesn't claim to be the "best" fish and chips in the World but simply the "most famous". It certainly is famous and whilst perhaps not the best of the best this outlet here in Bournemouth is pretty darn good.

This is a huge set-up with a sort of formal dining room upstairs and a traditional takeaway with informal formica-style seating downstairs. The location on the beachfront, within spitting distance of the town pier, couldn't be betterred for either sitting-in or noshing on the hoof.

The company's unique selling point is that every meal is freshly-cooked to order which is actually a little bit of marketing licence in as much as that at busy times everything is batch cooked but none the worse for that. During quiet periods the meals are cooked individually and the staff, when unharried, are pleasant and chatty as you wait. For me it has to be the standard takeaway Cod, Chips and Mushy Peas, with a good splash of vinegar and with a touch of salt this is ideal for wandering along the beachfront with and enjoying the pretty girls.

Not the cheapest, nor the best, but very good nevertheless (and very famous ;)).