The Duke Of Duckworth

I tried the fish and chips at The Duke of Duckworth in St. John’s, and it was a treat. I had fresh cod: one perfectly golden-fried and the other gently baked. The fried piece practically melted in my mouth, that wide-eyed moment of pure delight. The tartar sauce, possibly house-made, was far better than the usual kind I’ve had. I also got a side salad, which was fresh and crisp. Overall, the meal was fantastic, and the whole place gives off a cozy english pub vibe that made the experience even better.

Down a narrow street, The Duke Of Duckworth is an iconic St. Johns bar that has been around for a while now. The first thing you will notice is the ambience. Basically, its your standard small bar with tapered history all along the walls. I decided to order their fish and chips with dressing and gravy. The fish was super moist, flakey, and fresh. While the batter was melt in your mouth, seasoned well, and had an airiness to it. The fries were also fresh and tasted even better with the gravy. I always cover my fish and chips with malt vinegar and tartar sauce for extra acidity to cut the extreme savouriness of the fried foods. Overall, everything was quite nice. The only downsides are the pricing. The fish and chips and quite expensive in comparison to a lot of other spots in the area. If you are a tourist, its a worthwhile visit for sure.

Down the steps; nearly always a queue - BUT worth it. Great atmosphere and great servers. Have Premier league football matches on multiple screens. Had the Newfoundland special of Fish and chips with a side of gravy and dressing (which is how locals eat their fish+chips Chips). I was skeptical but it was really good. RECOMMEND

Best fish and chips I’ve ever had. It’s light yet flavourful - definitely worth the hype. Decent portion size as well. I got gravy on the side (not pictured) which was good but I don’t think necessary as the fish is good on its own, or with tartar sauce+vinegar which comes free. They also take AMEX. I’d come back and will be recommending to friends and family! 😋

Great place! Went I walked in, I felt I walked in a pub in Europe. I had the pan fried fish & chip and it was delicious! Fish was well seasoned, tasty and perfectly cooked. Fries were also perfect. I accompanied my meal with black horse beer. Noah explained to me it is only brewed in NL. I remember the brand name from when I was a child and have not seen that beer for a very long time…. Noah came back after he served me to make sure everything was good.

The fish and chips were great, I was so full yet didn't feel sick. Definitely worth a try. Chicken fingers were a miss for me, not good, just dry. Did happy hour drinks for real cheap. Service was good, smiling faces the whole time. Got seated fairly quickly on a busy Monday night. Atmoaphere is cozy, loud, but what you'd expect by this pub. Would return.

This was the place recommended by everyone when we traveled across the city. The food was very good. We had fish & chips and hot turkey. Tge service was very good but their kitchen closes early which I found odd. There were still lots of customers. Be aware if you are planning a visit. The atmosphere inside was your typical pub. It looked like great fun. We were seated on the deck outside. The deck was a little shaky. Each time people went in or out it shook. The main reason for the 2 stars is the deck is built over the garbage not the inside. I find that disgusting.

A local favourite, and for good reason! This cozy spot has a fun atmosphere, great staff, and absolutely delicious food and beer. We both went with the fish & chips, and you can choose fried or baked — we went fried. Our server recommended upgrading the fries to Newfoundland style (bread crumbs and gravy on top), and wow… well worth it! The fish was super fresh and flavorful. For drinks, we tried the famous Iceberg beer from Quidi Vidi Brewery, brewed with 15,000-year-old iceberg water. While the concept is really cool and unique to Newfoundland, the beer itself was honestly a bit mid in my opinion. I’d recommend trying other brews from Quidi Vidi instead. Overall, we had a great time here — fresh food, cozy vibes, and a true local staple. Can definitely see why both tourists and locals love it!

Friendly staff, great service. Quite a few local brews on tap. The ambience is reflective of its stance as a traditional English pub. Also a good place to catch a football game. The spot has a reputation as the best place for fish and chips, and I have to say it's one of the best renditions of the dish I've had anywhere. The batter was light and crispy, albeit with a little grease. The fish was flaky perfection. Get it with dressing and a side of gravy, delicious.

The fish and chips were the BEST I have ever had. This place was recommended by many and it certainly did not disappoint. Service was great too. Brandon was very attentive.

With cruise ship traffic, this place fills up very fast. It is definitely worth stopping by. We were told the Duke had the best Fish and Chips in St. John's .... It was for us!! Gravy and dressing are a must on the chips and any of the local beers are good choices. The wait staff is incredible - and that was before I found out they had to go up and down stairs to get to the kitchen and bring us our food! A lot to look at in the place and I'm sure there are good stories behind every decoration!

Amazing food! Great service! And nice atmosphere! I will definitely come back again!

Fun pub vibe. Lots of loud people watching football on Sunday afternoon but the food was not good. The fish was soggy and the fries were cold. Very disappointing.

They charged me $4.50 for tap water !!!! I walked into the bar with my friend excited as we had great service the other night. My friend ordered a beer and I ordered just tap water (I drank several beverages the night before there and wanted to take a break). And the bartender asked us "together or separate" and we laughed bc we thought it was a joke bc it's water from the tap. And he said "nope water is 4.50$ same as soda". Wtf greedy and exploitative.

Best fish and chips in the city! The service is great and if you are looking for a pub with a real authentic atmosphere, The Duke is the place to go!

This spot is legendary for a reason. The fish and chips, legendary! The drinks are equally as great. Great ambiance and friendly staff

The fish and chips at Duke of Duckworth surpassed every positive review we had read. The freshness of the cod and the crispness were just perfect. We were also able to enjoy three different IPAs from Quidi Vidi brewery. Other places didn't have even one IPA. But the definitive highlight of the evening was our server, Aidan. His prompt and efficient service was above expectations, moreover his charming personality really won us over. Before departing St John's we will return for the perfect fish'n chips and hope to see Aidan once more

August 2024 - Great place ... the food is good, the service is excellent and the beer list is FANTASTIC ... try it, you'll like it.

This place is great. It is a restaurant and bar that has a seat yourself approach. If there is an open table grab it. Staff is always hustling and the place is busy, so be patient. They will take care of you. Ate here three times over a week. Tried a number of beers and my wife tried the White Russian. We were not disappointed. I sampled the cod chowder which was really good as advertised. I have to say though it was the fish and chips that kept us coming back. Really the best we have ever had including US and England trips to both fancy and dive spots. Light and not greasy fish that just tastes great. Really recommend this spot but pack your patience, slow down, and enjoy the experience.

Authentic Newfoundland bar with outstanding fish and chips! Large portion of 2 piece fish. Male server was quick and excellent and friendly, even though bar was busy. Wife had the chicken fingers which she said were processed and just ok. We would definitely go there again : cool down to earth vibe, best fish and chips, enjoyed the Iceberg beers, appreciated the service.

Outstanding fish and chips! Very popular place and we were warned that it's busy and we would probably have to wait. We tried something different and went early, well 5:20 we arrived. Still it was busy and we were able to be seated right away out back which was perfect for us. We both ordered fish and chips as we were told they are the best. Excellent they were. Nice light batter and tender fish. Server was excellent, service was excellent and I would have to say that it would be worth the wait to get in.

Wish I could say for sure. Was excited to try waited in line for 30 mins to be turned away because kitchen closes at 8pm.

Not great. Very old building. Fish and chips was okay. Soccer game on. Service was fine.

Great bar-staff, great fish and chips and draft. There's always a game on... especially football. The bar is a mood, the key spot is by the Jester so you can watch the crowd. The waitstaff were on the steely side but this may have changed in the last few years.

Worst bar experience I've ever felt as a foreigner, the lady bartender tonight was very rude, made me pay in advance for a few drinks as soon as I ordered them, nothing out of the ordinary I think at the time, she never asked me if I'd like anto pay later or nothing which I thought was reasonable I guessed cause I came their to patron and had money, but she then proceeded to serve the next to lighter skinned men next to me in quick succession while giving them the option to pay afterwards: I understood what she implied and I saw the look on her face when she saw I noticed. I had never felt more uncomfortable in my life as I hadn't even meant to step in the bar, and was only in there for my friend to use the bathroom and thought it only fair to buy a drink and look around while I wait. Never again!!!!

It's been a while since I've been here, I came in for a drink with a friend of mine and had the best time. Jack the bartender recommended some great local beers, we ate the Cod chowder and had their spicey fries we met some locals who were friendly and shared great conversations.

The fish and chips is to die for!!! The best I have tried in St. JOHN!! The coating us extremely thin yet crispy. Just note their kitchen closes early and if you want to the get food be sure to order early!

Best fish and chips of life!! It wasn't at all what I expected. I had fish and chips in England and in Montreal but this was so different! First of all the fish melts in your mouth. It doesn't taste overly greasy at all. The chips are crunchy nd salty. They top it all off with stuffing and the best part is the side of gravy! I'm from the province of Quebec so it was like eating a fish and chips poutine without the squeaky cheese. Omg it was amazing! It was so much better than I expected! I ordered two pieces of fish but I could have been good with just one. It's so filling! I brought the rest back to the hotel to eat later. I washed the fish and chips down with some Belgian moon. The staff was very friendly and the service was good. It's a must in St. John's!!

While I've not had another restaurants fish and chips in St. John's, I'm almost certain it is impossible to beat the fish and chips here. I never thought I'd describe fish as melting in your mouth, but it certainly does! We're in town for a week and it is on my list to eat again before I leave. Food was hot and fresh. Atmosphere is perfect, lots of cool signs, stained glass light fixtures, etc.

This has always been my father's favorite pub in St. John's and mine as well! Da came over from Dublin in 58 and always said it was the only place in St. John's that could pull a proper of Guinness! Always had a great chat with Terry when he went down there...I think it always made him feel a little part of Ireland! Great Tap selection, awesome pints and the best Fee & Chee in town. I love the place and always feel at home when I go there! Don't ever change and please don't ever close!

Gotta love this place. Hidden down an alley and frozen in time, the red velour barstool realness only added to the ambience. We stopped in after dinner for a couple of pints of Iceberg and were not disappointed!

Best Fish and Chips in town! Very friendly service. We came here one night and had brews and watched hockey. Very nice atmosphere. Traditional. Worthwhile, and recommended.

Best fish and chips in the city! Great spot to watch any sports games and friendly staff

We came for the show, we came back for the food, we'll be coming back for the experience! Lovely pub on Duckworth street. Had some cocktails last night and trying the food tonight. & are stellar.

The best fish and chips in the world! I travel a lot and try them everywhere I go. All who love fish and chips should make the trip to St. John's to enjoy these.

Great fish and chips! Also one of the greatest places to catch a soccer or rugby match in town. A must to see in st. Johns!

best fish and chips i've ever had! all the staff were very friendly as well. glad i went!

In a six day visit to St. John's I stopped by The Duke three times. That's how much I fell in love with it. The Duke is purported to be a Newfoundland version of "Cheers"...in that everybody knows your name. Newfoundland celebrities are known to congregate here and rub shoulders with the locals and everyone is treated as an equal. The beer that flows is amazing - be sure to sample the local Quidi Vidi Brewery "1892" - it is impeccable. Also a must have while at The Duke is the fish & chips with dressing and gravy. Did you catch that last part? Dressing and gravy. It is almost a sacrilege to order fish & chips without it here. Having never eaten dressing with my fish and chips before I was a skeptic but one meal made me a convert. I'll admit I also didn't think I'd enjoy codfish in the fish portion of the fish and chips but I was converted on that count as well. Being used to the white and flaky haddock back home in Nova Scotia I reluctantly decided to give it a taste and was sold immediately. I honestly would never have known the difference. The Duke has become a little bit more famous in the last couple of years thanks to Allan Hawco's brain child TV show "Republic of Doyle". A set was created on the sound stage that is an exact replica of this downtown pub and so visitors from far and wide feel the need to drop be The Duke for a pint like Hawco's character, Jake Doyle does after a hard day on the job. When Republic of Doyle airs on Wednesday evenings, many can be found tipping a pint while watching the show on the flat screen TVs around the pub. For those who prefer some fresh air there is also a small patio. The Duke should definitely be on everyone's "must visit" list for St. John's. OH YEAH!

You want good Fish n Chips?!? Come to the DoD and enjoy the environment along with amazing FnC's. Can't wait to come back!

Enter through a door on a narrow stepped alleyway. Has a classic pub atmosphere. Good for a pint and fish and chips. The fish and chips may be the best in town. I go for the pan seared fish cakes. They're very light, made of cod and potatoes with savory. No other filler. The fried onion rings get rave reviews, but may be the most caloric food invented. They usually have at least two dozen on tap options. Lots of steps getting to the front door from the street and down to the toilets. Can be challenging if you've had a few.

Sometimes you need terms like aromatic, farm fresh, sous vide, etc., on your menu and sometimes, you just need basic, down to earth food without all the frills. For those occasions, The Duke does just that and does it very well. Recommended by a waitress at another restaurant on our quest for fish, chips, dressing and gravy we headed here around 11:40 on a Friday. There was already about 8 people waiting and we were lucky to snag a table before the rest of the rush came in. Sticking to the basics we ordered a clubhouse, a chowder and fish and chips with dressing and gravy. This, was hands down the best fish and chips I've had in St. John's, if not all Nova Scotia as well. Very lightly breaded with a perfectly fried batter, the pieces of fish were big, juicy and oh-so-fresh. The chips accompanying it were seasoned well and when topped with the dressing and homemade gravy - WOW. The clubhouse was equally as good with thick strips of bacon, thick cuts of roasted turkey and a hearty garden salad on the side. We absolutely got what we came for and would absolutely come back. Don't let the lines deter you, it's worth it and it moves quickly!

Great service on all fronts, very extensive draught beer selection (only in Canada can I find Guinness and Murphy's Stout)... renowned for the fish 'n chips, rightly so, batter just right and the cod was so flakey, my small ceaser salad was tasty and not small. Dinged a star as it's a bit pricey. Well worth the stop.

We had been told that The Duke had the best fish and chips and we think that was pretty accurate. We had to have it Newfie style so ordered the dressing and gravy along side of our fish and chips and there was enough to cover the chips of all 3 of our meals! Definitely recommend!

Cute little pub in downtown St. John's! You enter through this alley that is on a hill so there are steps, many steps. I didn't see an alternate entrance so if you can't so steps, forget it. Inside is cozy pub feel, pretty clean from what I noticed but we came right at noon. FYI this place opens at noon with a lineup to get in so keep in mind the busy lunch rush! When you the seated at lunch and you look at the other tables, you can't help but notice that everyone orders the same thing. A pint of beer and fish and chips. Even with what looks like an extensive menu with lots of selection, everyone still orders the fish and chips! Had to order the 2 piece fish and chips and a pint of Guinness. Beer was excellent. Fish was good, crispy, flaky, fresh tasting. Fries were ok, not as crispy as I prefer but good for "chip style" fries as I like to call them. Tarter sauce was only ok. Not very flavorful, I like the pickles in my tarter but it was still weird to see the sauce that shade of green. Big portion for someone hungry at lunch, but not overwhelmingly huge. All in all it was a good experience but just can't call the fish and chips excellent. I'd definitely go back, the rest of the food in the menu looked really good too so Id definitely want to try that!

I followed the recommendations here and got the fish and chips with dressing and gravy and it was amazing! The fish was perfectly done; unlike most overcooked offerings that swore me off of ordering it 20+ years ago. Service, food, and atmosphere were all exactly what I was in the mood for, so if you're looking for a pub with good food and company while watching a game...you can't miss here.

Love this place! Great atmosphere. It has a bit of everything. Drinks, food, pool table, sports viewing, bar (counter), table seating w/ captain's chairs, etc. Have always met the best people here. This summer when I was here, it was during the FIFA World Cup, so the place was PACKED in the middle of the afternoon. But that's OK -- I enjoyed the covered outdoor seating on the little deck I'd never had opportunity to discover before! Enjoy the Old English/Irish decor and the trademark Newfoundland charm.

Food was good but the fries poutine were served shredded cheeses not cheese curds like they should be. Beer was $8 per glass which is very high but the 1892 was good. Fried cod was good but a bit over done. Atmosphere was nice. Not a bad place overall to enjoy a meal and company.

This is my absolute favourite pub in the world. Warm, dark atmosphere and the best fish and chips in the effing world. I can't find the words to describe how much I love this place. You want a traditional pub? This is it. Beer, darts, fish and chips. Done.

Best F&Chips in town! Nice English Pub atmosphere! Then see some "jelly bean row houses on Gower Street.

(3.5) ~ good neighborhood bar to get a beer and watch sports. My only recommendation would be to upgrade their Credit Card machine to the 21st century as I haven't seen the manual sliding ones in 20 years;)lol BEERS TRIED: ** Duke's Own = (4) very good * Quidi Vidi Iceberg Beer = (3.75) Good

Great pub. Traditional, old school type of place away from that George St scene. This can be good or bad depending on one's tastes. To me it is a great break from the entertainment district. Great selection of beers and perhaps the best fish and chips on the go - no kidding.

Small dive pub with super-friendly staff and AMAZING fish n chips. Be sure to get them with dressing and gravy, a total win all around.

Excellent place. I had a very short stay in St. John's, but my Airbnb host was quick to recommend The Duke of Duckworth for food when I arrived. I went for the famous fish and chips, and it did not disappoint. Two large pieces of fish, fried to perfection, and a nice helping of delicious chips. Gorgeous! Like the entirety of St. John's, The Duke of Duckworth is a friendly and welcoming pub right in the heart of the city. I tried several Canadian beers during my stay as well, and the bartenders are nice people to chat to. It's a charming and unique place, that's very "Newfoundland", if I can use that as an adjective. If you ever make it to St. John's, you must try out the Duke.

Food here is amazing. I absolutely love it whenever I come here it's almost a tradition when I come to Newfoundland to visit my family; I only recommend their famous fish it's incredible, the world needs more fish like this!

This place was a total letdown. Judging from the advice I received and previous reviews on this fine website, there was supposed to be some great fish & chips here. And I was craving some fish & chips. The pub itself was ridiculous hot, so we wandered onto the patio. Which is a dirty little space with a tarp for a roof. Our waiter didn't seem to concerned with us, so I can't say the service was spectacular. The fish was almost dripping with oil. Which took over the taste and texture of the dish. But I will say that the tartar sauce they had was superb.

Don't even get me started on the Duke of Duckworth. What an amazing place! It is the first pub I have ever been in that you actually feel 100% comfortable and relaxed, almost as though you're visiting at an old friend's house. My first trip to the Duke, my boyfriend and I had a few pints and relaxed. The next day we came back again to escape the cold and have a bite to eat. We shared a clubhouse sandwich and the seafood chowder. The portion size is out of this world - we were both stuffed to the rim after sharing the two dishes. We finished off with some more beers and ending up staying at the Duke for a total of three hours. I'd give it a 99.9% satisfaction rating, only because Allan Hawco and the gang from Doyle didn't make an appearance ;)

Lots of beer on tap and the best fish and chips I've had in town so far!