A spotlight on sustainability: Bertie’s

Dishing up ‘proper’ F&Cs, they’ve perfected walking the fine line between traditional nostalgic takeaways and a contemporary twist on an old classic. With 300 seats in their Victoria Street eatery (which are almost always all taken up), they’re a staple in the Edinburgh hospitality scene. And now, eating at Bertie’s is even better knowing the sustainability practices undertaken to keep their fish sustainably sourced.

Casually dining in the heart of the city makes Bertie’s one of the most accessible and reliable spots for all kinds of diners. Between family meals out, casual date nights, and catch-ups over a bit of comfort food, Bertie’s chic diner vibes are restful and snug.

The menu is aptly long for a chippy shop, offering all the classic delights like battered haddock, battered pork sausages, Whitby scampi, mushy peas, steak burgers and pies, potato fritters, onion rings, salt and pepper squid, black pudding scotch eggs, and fish pakora. As well as more modern takes such as their halloumi tacos, fish tacos, haggis spring rolls, and mac and cheese croquettes. Of course, the hardest decision of your visit is the choice between chippy gravy or curry sauce (but we suggest picking a mate to share with).

Bertie’s even offers a bunch of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, from veggie haggis and a vegan fish and chip combo, utilising the trusty ol’ aubergine to replicate a battered filet, to vegan burgers with vegan twice-cooked chips. Which brings us to Bertie’s commitment to the ethical and responsible sourcing of their menu.

At Bertie’s, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s their way of life. The team is eager to play their part in keeping our oceans full so we can continue digging into fish and chips for years to come. This is why they’ve taken solid steps to take into consideration, ways to keep their fish renewable.

Bertie’s says “When thinking about the fish frying industry, in terms of the core product to be sustainable, the fishery must be managed in a way that allows the target fish to be at a healthy enough level to naturally reproduce at a rate that allows fishing to continue indefinitely without exploiting resources”.

That’s why they’re working exclusively with blue MSC-labelled fisheries. Meaning they must be certified in keeping their catches wild, traceable, and sustainable, keeping to a science-based set of requirements for sustainable fishing.

And it’s not just the fish that keeps them green. The chippy is dedicated to sourcing the potatoes for their famous fries from local suppliers in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, areas considered to be the very best for chipping and frying. As well as sourcing seasonal potatoes year-round.

Keeping sustainability at the forefront of everything, know you can dine with confidence at Bertie’s, and keep on having your favourite fish and chips guilt free! You’ll find Bertie’s at 9 Victoria Street, EH1 2HE, which you can book right here!