UK’s best fine fish and chip restaurant is coming to the West Midlands

The best fine fish and chip restaurant and takeaway in the UK, The Cod’s Scallops, is opening on Harborne High Street in September.

The multi-award-winning fish and chip restaurant concept won the highly coveted ‘Best Fish and Chip shop of the Year’ at The National Fish and Chips Awards 2020 and with 11,000 fish and chip shops across the UK, it’s the highest accolade in the industry.

The new 40-cover Harborne restaurant and takeaway – which will be the brand’s fifth restaurant – will be next to Boots on the High Street and will be a welcome addition to the area’s vibrant food and drink scene.

Nottingham-based The Cod’s Scallops was developed by owner and chef John Molnar in 2011. Using his 30-year culinary expertise as a chef, John wanted to create world-class fish and chips and showcase a wide selection of fish and seafood that the UK coast has to offer.

After travelling the length and breadth of the country and spending time learning how to recreate Britain’s most treasured dish, he created his own version. The Cod’s Scallops provides world-class, fine fish and chips and seafood in a family friendly environment.

John said: “Harborne is exactly the right place for The Cod’s Scallops and my wife Helen and I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing our unique offer to the High Street and getting to know the local community.

“We have been looking for the right site in Birmingham for some time. We love the city and its surrounding areas and when my property consultant at Box Property showed me the site in Harborne, it ticked all the boxes.

“From its buzzing High Street with its strong retail and leisure offer and the great community feel, we are really looking forward to being a part of it.

“The Cod’s Scallops serve the best fish being caught around our isles in a fun and family friendly setting and we offer a huge selection of fish and shellfish which changes daily depending on what comes off the boat.

“Each of our restaurants differ in interiors but Harborne can expect something special. Aside from stylish and comfortable interiors, guests can enjoy fine shellfish with a chilled class of Picpoul de Pinet or our much-loved haddock, chips and peas, cooked to perfection with a cup of English Breakfast tea. The Cod’s Scallops really has something for everyone and for every occasion.”

Serving over 20 species of fish and shellfish daily – depending on the catch – all items are cooked to order be it baked, battered or naked. Seafood menu options include sea bass, king scallops, lobster, skate wing and of course favourites such as haddock, cod and hake.

The independent and family-run business has attracted a loyal following since its inception as well as many awards, and the Harborne restaurant is its first outside of the East Midlands, with restaurants in Sherwood, Wollaton and Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire and Market Harborough in Leicestershire.

As well as seafood, The Cod’s Scallops is also famed for its award-winning pies, light bites, salads, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and a range of tempting puddings such as warm sticky toffee pudding.

There’s also plenty to keep the younger members of the family happy with the ‘Little Tiddlers’ menu; which includes mini cod and chips, proper fish fingers and chips, chicken nuggets and chips and sausages and chips, and for those on the move, soft serve Italian ice cream to takeaway.

Eat-in diners can also enjoy a wide range of fine wines, gins, beers and cocktails, with the team on hand to suggest pairings with their chosen order.

The Harborne restaurant will provide 15-20 full and part-time jobs and John hopes to further grow the team in the next three to six months. He and Helen are planning further expansion and are actively looking for sites within 90 minutes of its HQ in Nottingham.

The Cod’s Scallop’s cod and haddock is MSC approved, one of only 90 fish and chip shops in the UK with the certification and John and the team work closely with fish merchants to ensure the fish is fully sustainable and responsibility sourced.