Batter up: 9 Philly restaurants and bars serving fried fish, fish sammies, and more during Lent

Between Fat Tuesday and Easter, Philly Christians observing Lent commonly give up meat on Fridays. During the 40-day abstinence, crispy fish and fries are a favorite.

This Lenten season, shake up your routine at these restaurants and bars, where solid seafood offerings are not hard to find. Whether they serve classic platters of golden, deep-fried fillets or luxe sandwiches stuffed with swordfish and sardines, you won’t miss the meat.

While this Ninth Street Italian Market fishmonger is known for its fresh seafood, it also offers takeout. From basa fish to smoked salmon BLT, there are fish sandwiches aplenty. They also come with slaw and fries (add $3). Platters of fish and chips, whiting, and more are available. Prices range from $8 to $28.

📍 1039 S. Ninth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 📞 215-462-0550, 📷 instagram.com/anastasiseafood 🌐 anastasiseafood.com

If beer-battered haddock is your thing, head to this Irish bar in Old City. The crispy haddock comes with lettuce, tomato, and onions as a sandwich ($13) or fish and chips ($19) — both with homemade tartar.

📍 123 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106 📞 215-733-0300, 📷 instagram.com/theploughphilly/ 🌐 ploughstars.co

Sink your teeth into Huda’s house-baked milk bun slathered with kimchi tartar sauce and stuffed with grilled swordfish and napa cabbage slaw ($16.75).

📍 32 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 📞 445-544-8025, 📷 instagram.com/hudaphl 🌐 hudaphl.com

From brunch to dinner, this sophisticated British pub in Rittenhouse serves ale-battered cod with triple-cooked chips and tartar sauce for $27. Breaded skate with gem lettuce and tartar sauce on toasted ciabatta ($15) is available at lunch.

📍 124 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 📞 215-558-2500, 🌐 thedandelionpub.com

At Booker’s Restaurant, a buzzy mainstay off Baltimore Avenue, the salmon burger comes slathered with chipotle honey glaze plus a side of salad or fries for $22. Hungry for more? Three fried crispy white fish sliders with a lemon dill aioli is $19. If you’re dining at brunch, skip the bread for the $24 fried fish and grits with classic étouffée sauce and sunny-side up eggs. (You can always opt for classic fish and chips for $20, too.)

📍 5021 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143 📞 215-883-0960, 📷instagram.com/bookers.westphilly/ 🌐 bookersrestaurantandbar.com

Order the fish and grits at one of Philly’s remaining diners. At this cozy corner spot in Northern Liberties, feast on a plate of Cajun fried catfish, a cup of microgreens, creamy roasted pepper sauce for dippingm and a grilled lemon for sprinkling $17.

📍 800 N. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 📞 215-925-1150, 📷 instagram.com/honeyssitneat/ 🌐 honeyssitneat.com

Ever heard of a sardine slider? At this Point Breeze gastropub, the seeded hoagie roll is packed with canned olive oil-soaked Spanish sardines, pickled egg gribiche (cold egg-based sauce), shredded lettuce, and a Zayda’s hot pickle slice, only $3.

📍 1800 Federal St., Philadelphia, PA 19146 📞 215-334-2337, 🌐 americansardinebar.com

Grab a seat at the dark wood bar at Moriarty’s Pub and Restaurant, and munch on beer-batter fried golden cod filets with crispy fries for a classic fish and chips feast ($18).

📍 1116 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 📞 215-627-7676, 🌐 moriartyspub.com

Fridays are for fish and chips at this East Passyunk Avenue restaurant that’s named after a fish pie from Cornwall. From noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays, chunky pieces of fried fish are served with crispy fries come, mashed peas, tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and lemon. Pre-order online to reserve the weekend special — walk-ins accepted, too.

📍 1838 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148 📞 215-309-2761, 📷instagram.com/stargazyphilly 🌐 stargazywastaken.com