John Long’s — Restaurant in Belfast

Great place that should deserve a lot more attention.

A little difficult to find, and definitely need a second pair of eyes... The outside of this place was an industrial-looking building that nobody would have thought it's a fish n chips place. Parking was TIGHT! So be warned!!

The moment you walked in, it gave out an old harbor diner feel (not sure if that's how you describe it)... Tile flooring, straight 90-degree wooden booths. They have both takeout and dine-in service, so we decided to enjoy the moment and sat in for our fishy. Most of the items have both regular size or what they called a "supper" size, which just means more on the chips... or fries for us North Americans. We ordered the classic Fresh Battered Fish and a Pastie (huh?)

As you wait for the goodies, you could hear the sound of fish or chips being fried, that's really music to my ears!

The fish was LONG! Fried to perfection with minimal batter, just the way it's supposed to be to showcase the main character- FISH! Despite ordering the regular fish n chips, the portion of the fries was perfect for us... those fries were THICK CUT and the size of my thumb!! And then, our mystery Pastie arrived. My first thought was "a flatten ball of..." FISH PASTE and potato (pure guesses on the potato part, not 100% sure). It was a very interesting fried loveliness for us... it tasted a little like those Asian fish sausages with onions.

Overall, CHEAP and WORTH THE DRIVE! Both of these combined were only GBP 8 something (about CAD$13)! If you ordered the exact same thing back home, the fish n chips along already cost...

After recent fish and chips losses, such as classic chippies closing or standards going down, and hearing people of all ages talking about this spot, I decided to give it a try, thinking it would rekindle my love of fish suppers from my teenage years.

The decor inside was nice, like a throwback to an old fish supper cafe from the 50s, and the chips were amongst the nicest I've had since travelling to Belgium. Soft on inside, firm but not too crispy on the outside.

However, my positive comments end there, and this is why I can only give this spot 3 stars.

The fish fell apart when I lifted it which is a telling sign, and it didn't taste of the sea, it was 2-3 days old. However the batter was fresh, and fish wasn't frozen, which was a saving grace. And it was cheaper than most other places at £11.

Also, the service was poor. We had to wait for ages before our order was taken, and no water was brought down to the table despite requests.

Whilst I understand that spots like this may have more old people than a hospital ward or care home day room, spending their pensions to keep their childhood spots alive; to make matters worse, there was an old man sitting at the next table who stank of cigarettes and kept coughing over our conversation, which was a further let down. This isn't France!

I regret to have to give this review. Aside from the geriatric crowd, I understand the issues I've listed are common across lots of chippies with current economic pressures, and...

Absolutely the best fish and chips I have ever had—so good, in fact, that I’m already planning a return trip to Belfast just so my parents can experience the magic of this legendary chipper. John Long’s is, without a doubt, the finest in Belfast. From the moment you take your first bite, you can tell this isn’t just any fish and chips—it’s an institution.

The curry sauce is packed with flavour, thick and rich, the perfect balance of spice and savouriness. The chips are fried to absolute perfection—golden, crispy on the outside yet fluffy inside. But the real star of the show is the fish: beautifully moist, flaking apart with the lightest touch of a fork, all encased in the crispiest, most golden batter imaginable. Every bite is a perfect harmony of texture and taste.

It’s honestly ruined fish and chips for me back home—my local just doesn’t come close. I have no idea what I’m going to do on Fridays now! John Long’s sets the bar so high that anything else feels like a poor imitation. If you’re in Belfast, this place isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a must. 10/10,...