Becky M.
Yelp
109 reviews, averaging 4 stars.. the Golden Hind must be doing something right! I've eaten here 3 times already (both dine-in and takeaway), and have never been disappointed in the fish.
Luckily, when I dined in, I was able to snag a table right away, but I've never been caught waiting in a queue. If you get there during prime time and its busy (as usual), expect to wait about an hour to get a table.
I tried the calamari and prawns + garlic - as Alex mentioned, very disappointing, I'm 99% sure they are pre-bought frozen stuff.. so avoid their appies altogether, don't bother wasting stomach space or money on this! Onto to good stuff: the fish!
There are a number of different fish offered, either fried or steamed. I opted for the cod all 3 times. The batter is light and crispy, not too greasy, and the oil didn't taste old. Unfortunately, chips are an add on, and you can't eat fish and chips with the chips... can you? Yeah, you can.. trust me! The chips are nothing to rave about. They've always been underseasoned (maybe its a London thing, where they don't salt the chips and leave it up to me.. if this is the case, then fine :) ), or incredibly mushy... a big disappointment there.
Size doesn't matter... does it?? In this case, not really! When you order takeaway, you can choose to have a small or large piece. If you're eating in, the fish you get is a very generous portion, so I'm assuming the large is the default when you eat in. I usually have a monster appetite, but even I have my limits when it comes to fried food. I could hardly finish off the small, so if you were to have a drink and possibly dessert / ice cream afterward, then you're set!
The difference comes down to pricing: its incredibly cheap to do takeaway here! £4.50 for small, £6.50 for large. £1.70 if you want chips. Otherwise, if you eat in, I believe you will be paying around £9.50 for (large) fish, £2(ish) for chips, and a side of mushy peas. Pretty steep! I've been doing takeaway - but where to eat? Don't be fooled by Manchester Square on Google Maps - its locked up and accessible by those who have keys to it. This might not be the classiest move, but if you walk down Thayer Street (at Hind street), there are 2 park benches on the corner. I usually plunk myself down there and chow down before the fish gets cold!
So all in all: grab the fish as a takeaway, and if you really need chips, just go to McD's and pick up fries afterwards. Its much more satisfying! Don't miss out!
*** Closed on Sundays ***
*** BYOB !!! ***