Fisherman's Bay Wins PETA's Best Vegan Fish Award

A Whitley Bay chippy has picked up a national award for a dish that contains no fish at all. Fisherman's Bay on East Parade has been named Best Vegan Fish in PETA's 2026 Vegan Food Awards for its NO-Fish and Chips.

A seafront chippy among national brands

PETA announced its 15 winners on 3 November, and the full list is mostly made up of supermarket and national brands such as Beyond Meat, THIS and Ombar. Fisherman's Bay is one of the few independent eateries on it, which makes this a notable win for a family-run shop on the Whitley Bay seafront.

Dawn Carr, PETA's vice president of vegan corporate projects, said the dish "offers diners a delicious taste of the sea without harming a single fish", as reported by Whitley Bay News.

What's on the vegan menu

The award-winning NO-Fish and Chips sits in a "Vegan Catch" section of the menu, listed at £16, alongside vegan sausages and a vegan burger. The menu says vegan dishes can be cooked in a separate fryer on request, so it is worth asking staff when you order if that matters to you.

Fisherman's Bay is run by the Dhillon family, who have more than 25 years in the fish and chip trade, and offers both takeaway and a sit-down restaurant at 6 East Parade, NE26 1AP. Whitley Bay News also notes that the shop holds a 2026/27 Gold Seal from the Good Food Awards, given to venues that have won that award three years running.

Why it matters locally

Plant-based versions of the classic seaside supper have been harder to find than a good cod and chips, and households with a mix of vegans and meat-eaters often end up compromising. A recognised vegan option on East Parade gives everyone a reason to eat on the seafront together.

For more places to eat on the coast, see our guide to the best fish and chips in Whitley Bay. Opening hours can change through the winter, so check with the shop before making a special trip.