The story
Tucked away on Endell Street in Covent Garden, Rock and Sole has been frying fish and chips since 1871, making it the oldest continuously running shop of its kind in London. This no-frills spot holds a solid 4.3-star reputation, drawing locals and tourists alike who come for a taste of tradition. It’s a classic, batter-first experience where the supporting players often steal the show.
On a recent food tour, the Frama Twins noted that while the fish itself is good, “the batter and the tangy sauce make it,” and the thick chips are decidedly filling. Mark Wiens echoed the praise, calling the cod, rock, and haddock “all outstanding” with perfectly crispy batter and soft, flaky fish. For anyone seeking a genuine, historic fish-and-chip fix in London, Rock and Sole delivers exactly what it promises.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 6 dish mentions say about the food
The fish and chips earns near-universal praise for its light, crisp batter and flaky cod. The overall vibe is of a classic, unpretentious chippy that delivers comfort with consistent quality.
“The cod is very tender, but it's a bit bland on its own — the batter gives it that extra touch. The chips are cut really thick, big chunks. The sauce is a bit tangy, like a fast-food sauce, I really like it. The batter stays crunchy even after cutting, it's a good fry. With lemon it changes the flavour completely, it's much better.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Rock and Sole. Most active: Frama Twins, Mark Wiens
A historic fish and chips spot open since 1871, the oldest in London — the fish is good but the batter and the tangy sauce make it, and the thick chips are filling.
Dishes mentioned
Fish and Chips
The cod is very tender, but it's a bit bland on its own — the batter gives it that extra touch. The chips are cut really thick, big chunks. The sauce is a bit tangy, like a fast-food sauce, I really like it. The batter stays crunchy even after cutting, it's a good fry. With lemon it changes the flavour completely, it's much better.
The oldest continuously open fish and chips shop in London since 1871, serving fresh-to-order fish with a secret recipe batter — the cod, rock, and haddock are all outstanding, with perfectly crispy batter and soft, flaky fish.
Dishes mentioned
- Fish and Chips
Haddock and Chips
The haddock is a perfect fillet of fish. It's so big and still hot. The heat has stayed within the piece of fish, and it has this flaky texture. You feel the oiliness of the fish. When you bite down, you bite through the crunchiness and then just glide — your teeth glide through the silkiness and flakiness of that fish. Every piece of fish here is made fresh to order, never sitting there, always hot and fresh at your table.
Chips
The chips are nice thick cut, hand cut looking. When they're fried, they take on this crispy skin around them, but they're starchy and creamy on the inside, a little bit silky, and not only crunchy but almost like a little chewiness on the outside of each chip as well. Dipping them into the British curry sauce — it has a nice acidity, kind of sweet and sticky, not spicy, but with a nice curry powder flavor. What a combination.
Mushy Peas
The mushy peas are basically just mashed down peas, but you see the little peas as well. It's like a pea mash plus whole peas in there kind of mushed down. It tastes like peas, just a condensed intense flavor of peas. There's nothing else it could be but peas.
