A Warm Northern Irish Welcome
Fish Friers Review | Annual Issue, June 2023
Written by Caroline Murphy
The NFFF's Caroline Murphy took a detour on her break to Belfast to visit the award-winning Fish City!
John and wife Grainne have built the foundations of their business at Fish City, Belfast based on four core values, health, sustainability, quality and education and it is the demonstration of following these values that lead to the success at the National Fish & Chip Awards this year. On a recent trip to Belfast, I joined them at Fish City to see just how good they were and how these core values are clearly represented every day within the business.
Located on Ann Street, Fish City is a lively seafood and fish & chip restaurant & takeaway specialising in sustainably sourced and award-winning seafood dishes. Recognised as the UK's Fish & Chip Restaurant of the Year at the NFFF National Fish & Chip Awards 2023, Belfast's Best Eatery, and Northern Ireland's Seafood Establishment of the Year.
Fish City serves classic dishes such as fish & chips as well as an extensive menu of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes using the finest local ingredients and produce. Focusing on seasonality and sustainable produce they regularly introduce new menu items, recent innovations include cod tacos, prawn tacos, lobster roll, Fish City Kiev, and fresh sushi and sashimi. Guests can enjoy an extensive wine list and wide selection of local craft beers, ciders, gins, whiskeys, and cocktails. With a casual vibe and nautical themed interior, Fish City has three dining rooms and outdoor terrace. Large group bookings, events, and private dining can be accommodated. Family-friendly, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
With a passion for sustainability, Fish City were also recognised as the UK's Environment & Sustainability Champion at the National Fish & Chip Awards 2023. At Fish City all seafood is sourced sustainably; all their cod, haddock, and hake are Marine Stewardship Council-certified. All other species of fish are responsibly sourced and rated 1-3 according to the Marine Conservation Society Good Fish Guide. Other practices include measuring their carbon footprint, all waste and oil is recycled, and food waste monitored. To support the global effort to reduce the use of single-use plastics, they only use biodegradable straws and takeaway cutlery, as well as recycled paper products for takeaway packaging. Also, they serve glass bottled beverages only in restaurant and for takeaway. They were the first business to join Ulster Wildlife's Sustainable Fish Cities Nl environmental campaign. A member of the Good Food Ireland® collection, they ensure full food traceability, working with local food and drink producers wherever possible to offer guests a menu that is flavoursome and healthy.
They extend their advocacy through a Kids Club and a range of educational initiatives aimed at 11-12-year-olds, a visit to the local fish market to talk to the local fisherman and see the days landings is followed by a workshop at Fish City in the purposed built training room where the children are taught about sustainability, the MSC eco label and the importance of protecting our oceans. They then get to eat award-winning, sustainably sourced fish & chips.
A busy Friday lunchtime we were greeted with a warm Northern Irish welcome. Grainne and her team were busy serving fish & chips to a party of 60 visitors from South Africa. Spoilt by choice on the menu, to start with we shared mussels, oysters, gyozo and salt and chilli squid. The fish and chips that followed didn't disappoint; I chose the hake from the specials board as my choice. Washed down with bottle of Picpoul which paired excellently with the fish!
All in all, a superb meal, with great service in wonderful surroundings thoroughly enjoyed by myself and friends. It was a pleasure and indeed an educational experience to see the ethos of Fish City in full action. If you get the chance to visit, then I really do recommend it. Dining in or taking away, you will be warmly welcomed in their contemporary, fully licensed restaurant.
John Lavery. Fish City owner, said, “It was great to have the support of NFFF vice president Caroline Murphy on her recent visit to our restaurant. It can sometimes be difficult to adequately describe ourselves and the restaurant through dialogue and photos, so it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to share what we love doing in person. We encourage not only NFFF members but any others in the industry to call in for a warm welcome and a chat on how we do things here in Belfast."
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