Reviews Hook Restaurant

This place has good fish and chips. I visited here from recommendation of a friend. The staff is also good. I would rate this place as a one time visit

super love the variety of fish menu they offer, the batter is crisp unlike any other places. it has variety of sauces too! i personally love the jamaican jerk 😍

We ate here twice while we were travelling in London. The fish was so beautiful when we ate here the first time, we simply had to come back for more! Beautifully decorated, and extremely close to Camden Town Tube Station. The staff are lovely and super friendly. Depending on what time or day you come in they don't always have the fish on the menu because the fish is always caught fresh everyday- How awesome is that?

TIP: Do try the Lemon & Basil Tempura Seabass with Garlic Truffle Sauce; it is divine! Don't order it without a side of Calamari & Spiked Homemade Lemonade- YUM.

Though this place had a simple menu but the quality of food and ambience was great. I can say it’s the best fish and chips I have ever had. Staff is lovely, place is big and spacious and service is even more great. Drinks, dips and sides are too good. I loved my first experience and I am definitely returning.

It’s been absolutely ages since I last had fish and chips. Usually I operate on a strictly by the sea policy. I like to be able to smell the salty air mixing with the vinegar-soaked chips and have the wind blowing my hair across my face and into my ketchup. It’s messy and annoying but the nostalgia and British romance makes up for it.
 I also like to be able to finish my fish, something that I find totally impossible when I’m not trudging along the beach concentrating more on maintaining an upright position along the cobbles than on what I’m eating.  

And another thing. I get cross when I’m refused a childs portion. Anybody who has stood next to me would understand how utterly ridiculous such a refusal is. In what universe could a girl hovering just over the 5ft mark (yes, I made it), polish off a box of chips the size of her face and a fish double those proportions. That’s right, no universe! With all that out of my system, now we can get back to business. Hook in Camden has finally inspired me to lift my ban on city fish and chipping and it's actually got me rather excited.

Minus Camden being all Camdeny outside, we might as well have been at the seaside. With the maritime decor, blue and white walls and simple bright furnishings, all Hook is missing is an atmospheric waves lapping against the beach soundscape. 

The menu is awash with exciting flavours and contemporary twists. None of this cardiac arrest inducing grease soaked batter and there’s not a soggy, flaccid chip in sight. Instead you’ll find a shoal of different fish, from Thai green tempura Sea Bream to Jamaican Jerk Haddock with Japanese Panko breadcrumbs all served with seaweed salted chips and one of the 6 different varieties of sauce.

We were given a taster box of each of the sauces and while I was totally sold by the garlic truffle and Thai green, my companions each had different favourites. The chips were less chippy more potato wedgy and were nestled underneath the fish which arrived to the table in its very own wooden branded box. None of us even came close to finishing the chips and I’m sure they wouldn’t have minded boxing the remains up for us to nibble on our way home were we not hopping over to Knowhere Special immediately after dinner

As usual I can’t go anywhere without commenting on the lighting and this time was no different. Claw – like fixtures hung from the ceiling over equally claw like chairs in keeping with the seaside feel.

From our table we could see a snapshot of the kitchen, well, a chest and a bowl for the main part which I believe belonged to Simon, half of the Hook pair. Childish brain engaged, I was thinking of various props I could bring with to create a live version of heads, bodies and tails .. but I digress.

Originally starting up in Dublin on a market stall with a ton of enthusiasm and some great quality local fish, business partners Barry and Simon have gone from strength to strength. Their first restaurant in Brussels was a huge success and now boasts over 50 different styles of Fish & Chips with 30 different homemade sauces. With this in mind, the pair have now sailed to London, bringing with them their seaside taste twist to give us city dwellers some much needed Omega 3.

Hook is a great spot for a casual evening catch up or a weekend fish and chip feast with your band of brothers, there’s talk of daytime DJ’s and brunch parties but I’ll keep you updated on that. They also do takeaway if it’s one of those days where the idea of straying any distance from your sofa fills you with dread. Either way, I'm hooked!

The Vibe

An urban steeple-chase through the food stalls of Camden Market with its litany of greasy noodle bars and the mystical all-you-can-eat buffets is usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking Camden Town. Resist the bright lights of fake Dre Beats headphones and hilarious cheap t-shirts of Harry Styles taking a selfie and take the short stroll down Parkway to the newly opened Hook. An ‘anti-traditional’ fish and chip shop going for the hipster carpenter cum fisherman’s cabin look. Stripped back tables with steel chairs sit under hanging bulbs in wire cages that wouldn’t look out of place on the HMS Belfast. Communal tables hum with communal ‘oooos’ and eclectic music soundtracks your evening. Take pleasure in your fellow diner’s faces as you curiously watch them receive wooden boxes filled with generous portions. Order a drink and enjoy the maritime atmosphere.

The Order

Cast your preconceptions aside as this isn’t your stereotypical fish and chip shop. Steering clear of the usual fish shop tropes, Hook sources all its fish daily from Cornish fishing boats and the menu is dictated by what sustainable, fresh catch is landed that day. Although it may sound like a law firm, you can expect Pollock, Whiting and Gurnard to be popping up on the menu along with numerous other sustainable fishies. The fish is then cooked in bespoke recipes of either panko breadcrumbs or tempura batter, mixed with specific herbs and spices to give incredible depth of flavour. Share one of each to get the true Hook experience. The Classic Panko Crusted Cod with Seaweed Salted Chips and Homemade Tartare is a delicious entry-level fish for those testing the waters, whilst the Lime, Mint & Wasabi Tempura of Sea Bream with its crispy, spicy batter provides a kick for those looking for some heat. Specials pop-up on the menu and the Ethiopian Berbere Spiced Ling, as tender and delicate as a first kiss, needs to find a permanent place on the menu. Hook’s own Sea-weed Salt and Sherry Vinegar served in an atomiser (nice touch) season the chips perfectly and is a talking point. The chips are ergonomically shaped for dipping and the sauces are where Hook takes it to even greater heights. Sell your granny for a serving of the amazing Garlic Truffle Mayonnaise (this is not advisable on a first date, mind). Local brewers are showcased monthly, and there’s a strong wine-list to keep you suitably moist whilst enjoying the fantastic food & date chat.

The Game

In the summer head for the Edinboro’ Castle for its expansive beer garden which has the sun blazing down on it all day. If the weather isn’t kind, head over to the happy hour at Bar 55, lasting 3 hours (obviously) with a cocktail menu that is similar in length to the Yellow Pages, but be sure to get there early to snag a table before the rush descends. FUN FACT: Camden is actually an ancient Latin word which means ‘late night boozing’ and there are plenty of options to keep you going into the early hours. After enjoying the amazing food at Hook, mosey on down to the Blues Kitchen on Camden High Street where late night Rock and Jazz gigs, served up with the finest Bourbon Whiskeys will make you feel like you are in the Deep South. Alternatively, head up towards Chalk Farm, take a pair of seats at the bar in Q Grill and order the Honeycomb Old Fashioned and chat late into the night. Camden is high energy so with the 24 hour weekend tube chugging over the horizon dance until the early hours at Joes 78 where you can practice your best Lindy Hop and Hand Jive!

Sex Factor

3. Higher points for the panko and tempura ensuring you don’t have the usual post fish and chips regret.

Hook knows how to cook a proper "new age" fish and chips. Panko breading (original/cajun/lemon & basil) on white flaky fish (cod/haddock) is a new take on the traditional coating. Once you have this version I doubt you'll go back. But oh man the CHIPS are too good. Each is a different shape, nicely salted, crispy on the exterior and soft inside. I have to mention I showed up before opening and the employee saw me waiting outside on a cold London day and was nice enough to take my order. He brought out the piping hot meal within a few minutes. Cheers to my new fish and chips mate. I'll be back again and again. Don't miss the mushy peas either, some of the best I've had on the whole island. After working up an appetite walking around Regent's Park definitely stop by for takeaway.

Came here and had the fish and chips of the month, a tempura battered fish served with a side of like chili and curry sauce which gave it a unique Indian flavor. Overall the sauce was a bit more than I was expecting, but the fish was served very crispy and was very good. The chips were served on the softer side than I preferred, but the main star of the dish was so good I could overlook that. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area. Also the lime and mint lemonade was superb!!

We shared a menu plus another main dish between the three of us and we loved it! My first fish and chips and it was a pure blessing - the starters (calamaris and fish tacos) were super delicious and so were the fish and chips! The pretzels dessert is probably one of the best desserts I've ever had and I'm looking forward to come back one day!

A stone’s throw from Camden’s Jazz Café is Hook Camden, a fish & chip restaurant promising a “new school” take on the Friday night favourite. With a stylish industrial feel interior, warmed with low lighting, florals and a few nautical nods, Hook Camden has booth sofa style seating or smaller tables for a more intimate meal. We ordered the Calamari Hot Rings (£7). They were light and coated in crispy batter. We could have eaten a few bowls but were trying to save our appetite for mains. The starters selection had a good range from fish tacos to a charred octopus salad we might just have to pop back for. Mains options at Hook Camden included a range of fresh fish – salmon, tuna and whole fried seabass and the option of ribs for meat lovers. Hook offer seasonal variety so change up the menu occasionally to showcase fresh produce at its peak! There is a fish and chip menu offering a classic fish and chip option for purists as well as a jerk (in panko) or Thai and lemon/basil fish in tempura. All come with seaweed salt chips and sauces thoughtfully paired to each dish. We chose the Jerk Fish & Chips (£12) and Tuna Steak (£17). The jerk fish was hake in panko breadcrumb, which was not overly spicy but a more subtle taste that didn’t overpower the fish and had the smoky aftertaste you will know if you have had good jerk. Panko meant the fish was brilliantly crunchy, no soggy batter here! We loved the chips, fluffy and sizeable for dipping into the mango spiced ketchup– a nice touch. I ordered the optional extra of tartar sauce to try with the fish and it did not disappoint. This definitely had all the elements of a traditional fish and chips (down to the paper it is served on) but very much restaurant standard. The tuna steak was melt in the mouth and buttery soft, served with cannelloni beans, wild garlic, spring veg and salsa verde. The dish was light but filling. The wild garlic is a current seasonal special, so it was great to try it at its best – milder and sweeter than regular garlic, it had a real pop of flavour. Hook Camden make their very own lemonades in house so we tried a tasty rhubarb and ginger. The cocktails are also all their own concoctions – I opted for the Mista-biscus (vodka, hibiscus, jasmine and grapefruit), decorated with dried hibiscus flowers which was a light, summery, fresh drink that was not overly sweetened and accompanied the mains really well. We indulged in the Salt Caramel and Pretzel Pie which totally lived up to its promising name. With oozy caramel in a pretzel base accompanied by vanilla ice cream, a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of (more!) caramel the whole dish was a delight. Save space for this little number on your visit. to Hook Camden! A traditional Italian affogato or ice cream were alternative options at a very reasonable £3. Hook Camden is a relaxed restaurant with a serious approach to food and great for a twist on fish and chips. Vegetarians take note, there was one veg starter and main option. The service was friendly and relaxed – a great spot to pop into if you are in Camden or looking to try something familiar with a fresh take.

Great fish & chips. We had the ‘ standard’ and Cajun and both were cooked to perfection with panko crumb goodness. Hand cut chips were great too. And was surprisingly not very oily. Credit to the chef.

Good fish and chips, however it's nothing too special and it's not ultimately amazing. The panko crumbs didn't make it overly special, although the combination did work pretty well. The chips portions were pretty small for my taste, although that's me complaining because they were pretty good. The garlic mayo was also one of the best I've ever had! Keep up the good work!

this is for the moment the best fish and chips I've ever tried in UK. perfectly dry, without liters of oil and sustainable sourced. The Lemon and basil it's a good choice.

Quite possibly the best fish and chips in town. Got even better after redecorating and tweaking the menu between 2017 and 2018My favorite (as of now) is the Lemon and Basil Tempura (Cajun Spice Panko coming close), with the classic combo. of slaw and peas on the side. Skip the beers, go for rhe incredibly refreshing homemade raspberry-thyme lemomade.

Nice place, really great fish and chips! Best fish and chips i tried so far ❤