The Fisherman's Wife - Headingley

There’s a famous woodcut by Hokusai depicting the dream of the fisherman’s wife. But in Leeds there’s a famous fish and chip shop that’s the dream of any lover of fresh seafood and the classic British battered repast. If you haven’t got friendly with The Fisherman’s Wife yet, and you happen to be local to Headingley, you’ll need to sidle up to this clean-lined restaurant at the Weetwood Lane end of Moor Road and get stuck in. Reserve a table in the air-conditioned, fully licensed dining room for a fish supper like no other.

The Fisherman’s Wife has been on the block in Leeds, for well over 50 years, but she’s still as fresh as ever. The focus remains the simple, humble British fish and chips, but The Fisherman’s Wife offers the possibility of elevating your next fish supper to restaurant-level, with a sit-down, air-conditioned dining room, a rang of beverages on offer, and excellent service. There are a couple of other Fisherman’s Wives in Yorkshire, and here in Headingley you can expect the same quality, sustainably-sourced fish from Icelandic and Norwegian fisheries, plus famously good hospitality.

The centrepiece of each and every Fisherman’s Wife is of course the simple fish and chips that have pleased generations of Yorkshire seafood fans since the restaurant set up shop in 1960s Leeds – haddock in a crispy, golden-brown batter plus chips made from locally grown potatoes and mushy peas. The Fisherman’s Wife Special is a good balance between the small fish and chips and the jumbo serve, but you can also get yourself smaller plates of seafood, or speciality fish like plaice, Scandinavian cod or Whitby breaded scampi. Moving up the scale you’ll find main courses of Scottish salmon, chicken, burgers and the chef’s vegetarian dish of the day. Get to know The Fisherman’s Wife in Headingley down Weetwood Lane.