Last Updated on 14 May 2026 by Dave King
Brighton has a lot of seafood restaurants, but most of them are average tourist traps serving frozen fish to people who do not know any better. The ones worth your time are the ones that source locally, cook well and have something specific going for it beyond being near the sea. This guide covers five seafood restaurants in Brighton and Hove that are genuinely good, from a coal-fired seafront restaurant due to reopen after a major refurbishment to a 20-cover tasting menu in a converted fishmonger’s in Hove and a shellfish pub that brews its own beer.
Table of Contents
Quick Reference Table
| Restaurant | Area | Style | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Salt Room | King’s Road (seafront) | Modern British, coal-fired | Higher | Seafront dining, special occasions |
| The Little Fish Market | Upper Market Street, Hove | Tasting menu, fine dining | Higher | Celebrations, serious seafood |
| English’s of Brighton | East Street (The Lanes) | Traditional, oyster bar | Moderate-higher | Classic seafood, tradition |
| Riddle and Finns | The Lanes and seafront | Oyster and champagne bar | Moderate-higher | Oysters, sharing, dates |
| The Urchin | Belfast Street, Hove | Shellfish pub, micro-brewery | Moderate | Casual shellfish, groups |
The Picks
The Salt Room
The Salt Room on King’s Road is due to reopen on 22 May 2026 after a four-month closure for a full refurbishment. The restaurant has been one of Brighton’s most prominent seafood restaurants in Brighton since it opened in 2015, and the refit has added a fully weather-glazed 60-cover seafront terrace, a new open kitchen and a reworked menu led by executive chef Kim Woodward, a Gordon Ramsay Group alumnus.
The cooking is built around coal-fired techniques. Fish, shellfish and meat are cooked over charcoal in the open kitchen, and the seafood is sourced through Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales at Shoreham Harbour, working with the inshore day-boat fleet. The daily-changing fish board features species like turbot, brill and John Dory, priced by weight. Oysters, whole grilled fish to share and shellfish platters are all on the menu.
The terrace has uninterrupted views of the West Pier and has been designed for year-round use. Book a sunset slot if you can. The Salt Room is part of the Black Rock Restaurants group, which also runs The Coal Shed and Burnt Orange.
Address: 106 King’s Road, Brighton BN1 2FU
The Little Fish Market
The Little Fish Market at 10 Upper Market Street in Hove is a 20-cover restaurant in a converted fishmonger’s opposite the old Victorian fish market. Chef-owner Duncan Ray, who previously worked at The Fat Duck under Heston Blumenthal, has been running it since 2013. It holds three AA Rosettes, is listed in the Michelin Guide and is consistently the highest-rated restaurant in Brighton and Hove across multiple awards.
This is tasting menu only. Dinner is a set six-course menu that changes every four to six weeks depending on what is landed fresh. Lunch is three courses. The restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday, with dinner sittings from 7pm and lunch from 1pm. You keep your table for the whole evening, and Duncan Ray is present in the dining room explaining dishes personally.
Book well in advance. It seats 20 people and fills quickly, especially at weekends. This is the best of the seafood restaurants in Brighton for anyone who wants a serious, chef-led tasting menu experience rather than a casual meal.
Address: 10 Upper Market Street, Hove BN3 1AS
English’s of Brighton
English’s of Brighton at 29-31 East Street is Brighton’s oldest seafood restaurant. The original oyster bar opened around 1880 and the Leigh-Jones family have owned it since 1945. It sits in the heart of The Lanes, and the combination of fresh oysters, classic fish dishes and a heated outdoor terrace on a bustling lane has kept it relevant for over a century.
The menu covers oysters (usually three or four varieties), dressed crab, lobster thermidor, seafood pie and a fish-of-the-day. It is traditional rather than experimental, which is the point. The oyster bar has roots going back to the 1880s and is worth sitting at if you are just having oysters and a glass of something. The dining rooms upstairs seat larger groups and are available for private hire.
English’s was voted among the best restaurants in Brighton and Hove at the 2026 BRAVO awards. It is not cheap, but it is reliable, and the terrace on a summer evening with a dozen oysters and a glass of Sussex sparkling is one of the better ways to spend an hour in Brighton.
Address: 29-31 East Street, Brighton BN1 1HL
Riddle and Finns
Riddle and Finns has two locations: the original champagne and oyster bar at 12B Meeting House Lane in The Lanes, and a second site on the seafront at 65 King’s Road in the Rotunda building between the two piers. The original Lanes restaurant opened in 2006, and the Beach location followed later. Both focus on fresh shellfish, oysters and champagne in a lively, social setting.
The Lanes site is the more intimate of the two, with candlelit tables and a predominantly walk-in setup, though limited reservations are available daily. The Beach site has sea views and takes bookings. Where possible, the seafood is local and comes from Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales at Shoreham Harbour, with mussels, langoustine and smoked salmon sourced from Scotland and oysters from Rossmore.
If you want oysters and fizz in a buzzy, unpretentious setting, this is the one. The Lanes location is better for couples and walk-in spontaneity. The Beach is better for groups and views. Both are solid seafood restaurants in Brighton for anyone who wants quality shellfish without the formality of fine dining.
Address (The Lanes): 12B Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB Address (The Beach): 65 King’s Road, Brighton BN1 1NA
The Urchin
The Urchin at 15-17 Belfast Street in Hove is a freehouse pub with a shellfish-forward menu and a micro-brewery on site. It is tucked away on a residential street rather than on a main road, which means most tourists never find it. That is part of its appeal.
The menu is built around shellfish: oysters, mussels, scallops, lobster and prawns, sourced from Fish Galore, a local supplier. Whole lobster is priced on the board, so check the current price when you visit. The pub also brews its own beer under the Larrikin brand, and the beer list is strong enough that you could come here just for the pint.
The atmosphere is pub first, restaurant second. There is a small dining room and a covered heated garden. The kitchen is closed on Mondays, and midweek visits are easiest for getting a table without booking.
This is the pick for anyone who wants great shellfish and craft beer in a relaxed pub setting without paying seafront restaurant prices.
Address: 15-17 Belfast Street, Hove BN3 3YS
How to Choose
For a special occasion: The Salt Room for seafront views and coal-fired cooking, or The Little Fish Market for a multi-course tasting menu that is among the best food in Brighton and Hove.
For oysters: English’s for tradition, Riddle and Finns for a livelier champagne bar atmosphere.
For groups: The Urchin in Hove for shellfish sharing and craft beer at fair prices. Riddle and Finns on the Beach for a seafront group meal.
For a date: Riddle and Finns in The Lanes with the candles and walk-in atmosphere, or The Salt Room for sunset on the terrace.
On a tighter budget: The Urchin offers the best value for quality shellfish. English’s has set lunch and pre-theatre menus that bring the cost down.
Practical Tips
Book ahead for The Salt Room and The Little Fish Market. Both fill up at weekends. The Little Fish Market only seats 20, so booking well in advance is essential. The Salt Room’s new terrace tables are in high demand.
Walk-ins work at Riddle and Finns (The Lanes), but limited reservations are available daily. Arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Check opening days. The Little Fish Market is only open Thursday to Saturday. The Urchin’s kitchen is closed on Mondays.
Seasonality matters. All five of these restaurants change their menus based on what is landed fresh. Fish-of-the-day and daily specials are usually the best things to order.
Getting there. Most of these restaurants are within walking distance of Brighton Station. The Urchin and The Little Fish Market are both in Hove and about a ten-minute walk from Hove Station. If you are driving, check parking before you go.
FAQs
What are the best seafood restaurants in Brighton?
The Salt Room on King’s Road for modern coal-fired seafood with sea views. The Little Fish Market in Hove for a tasting menu experience. English’s of Brighton in The Lanes for traditional oysters and classic dishes. Riddle and Finns for champagne and shellfish. The Urchin in Hove for casual shellfish and craft beer. The best seafood restaurants in Brighton depend on whether you want fine dining, a traditional oyster bar or a relaxed pub.
Do I need to book in advance?
For The Salt Room and The Little Fish Market, yes. The Little Fish Market only has 20 covers and fills up fast. Riddle and Finns in The Lanes is predominantly walk-in, with limited reservations available daily. English’s and The Urchin take bookings but you can sometimes walk in midweek.
Where can I get oysters in Brighton?
English’s of Brighton and Riddle and Finns both specialise in oysters. English’s has the original oyster bar dating back to the 1880s. Riddle and Finns pairs them with champagne in a livelier setting. The Urchin in Hove also serves oysters alongside their shellfish menu.
Is Brighton good for sustainable seafood?
Yes. The Salt Room sources through Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales at Shoreham Harbour and works with the local inshore day-boat fleet. The Little Fish Market builds its menu around what has just been landed. English’s uses accredited suppliers. The Urchin sources from Fish Galore, a local supplier. Look for fish-of-the-day and daily catch specials as a sign that the kitchen is working with fresh, seasonal produce.
Are these restaurants family-friendly?
English’s has a children’s menu for under-12s. The Urchin has a relaxed pub atmosphere that works for families. The Salt Room welcomes children. Riddle and Finns on the Beach has a children’s menu. The Little Fish Market is better suited to adults due to the multi-course tasting format and evening sittings.
Final Thoughts
Brighton has a genuine advantage when it comes to seafood: short supply chains from landing to kitchen, restaurants that take sourcing seriously, and enough variety that you can choose between a tasting menu, an oyster bar and a shellfish pub depending on what you want. The Salt Room, The Little Fish Market, English’s, Riddle and Finns and The Urchin cover the full range of what the best seafood restaurants in Brighton have to offer. Book The Little Fish Market well in advance, walk into Riddle and Finns when the mood takes you, and do not overlook The Urchin in Hove for the best value shellfish in the city.
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