What I Found Inside a Fitzrovia Fish & Chip Shop - Warung Nusantara

When I heard about Warung Nusantara in Fitzrovia, I was surprised. An Indonesian restaurant there? Back when I first moved to London, I actually lived just two blocks away on Warren Street for three month. I must have walked past it dozens of times and never noticed it.

But then a follower messaged me saying I had to check it out. I looked it up on Google, saw all the raving reviews, and knew I had to go.

A Taste of Indonesia in a Chippy

Warung Nusantara isn’t trying to blend in. It’s quietly reshaping what a fish and chip shop can be. The sambal is pounded fresh in-house, the fish cakes are handmade, and the fried chicken is marinated before hitting the oil. It’s food made with intention, not shortcuts.

That’s what makes it so British, though. This country has always taken in new flavours and made them part of daily life. Whether it was curry, kebabs, or chicken tikka masala. Warung Nusantara fits right into that tradition. It’s not replacing fish and chips, it’s just adding another layer to what “British food” can mean.

Not everyone is open to this kind of change. There’s always pushback. For example, people who worry that immigrants are “taking over” or that British food is being lost. But spots like Warung Nusantara show the opposite. They’re places where you can sit down, try something new, and realise that food is one of the most genuine ways we learn about each other. In a city that can feel divided, these little restaurants are what bring people closer.

The Disguise

At first glance, this looks like any neighbourhood fish and chip shop in London. Fluorescent lights, fryers buzzing, plastic menus. But for a fish and chips shop, you see mostly all Asians entering / exiting the restaurant.

And if you look closely, you will see a small sign on the window saying "Warung Nusantara - Indonesia Street Food."

And when you go in, it feels a bit like a rundown fish and chips shop. old furniture with a dingy vibe. The menu has your typical fish and chips shop menu.

But on the walls, you will see some sign of Indonesia with pictures.

But if you ask for an Indonesia menu, they’ll hand you a second menu.