The best seafood restaurants in Brighton

This one comes with cracking views of the sea and the remnants of the West Pier. The Salt Room is one of Brighton's most popular modern British seafood spots, home to a kitchen that smokes and grills sustainable local catch over coal. The menu changes with the seasons, so there's always a reason to return. Don't skip the cocktails, which follow the coastal theme with sea herbs and spices.

Over in Hove, The Urchin is a shellfish pub that takes their beer seriously, thanks to its own microbrewery in the basement. Classics like lobster, crab and scallops take centre stage on the menu, with a regularly changing specials board for the more adventurous. Sundays make room for huge pans of paella, best enjoyed with a pint brewed just steps from your table.

The Little Fish Market is a one-chef, one-menu, one-sitting affair run by Duncan Ray, hidden away on a quiet street in Hove. You won't find an à la carte menu here, just a straight-up tasting menu built around whatever seafood landed fresh that morning. It's intimate, refined and one of the hardest tables to book in town.

English's has been Brighton's white-tablecloth seafood standard since 1945, right in the heart of The Lanes and just steps away from the beach. Think silver service, oysters shucked to order, piled-high seafood platters, and fish cooked exactly how it should be. The outside terrace is a must when the sun is shining, but the cosy dining room is a lovely spot to settle in with a wine and a plate of Dover sole.

The seafront outpost of Riddle & Finns is all about just-caught seafood – think six varieties of oysters, Brighton-seared scallops, Scottish rope-grown mussels, seafood linguine, and more. Nab a table with a sea view and settle in with a glass (or bottle) of vintage champagne. At the original Lanes location, the same dedication to sustainable, seasonal seafood takes centre stage in a tucked-away spot. Expect the full list of oysters, seafood, pasta, and more, alongside the lively buzz of one of Brighton's busiest areas.

This family-run spot sits right on Brighton's historic seafront arches, with unbeatable views of the sea. The Copper Clam's menu is filled with fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and their speciality lobsters might even be the biggest in town. The menu ranges from moules marinière and lobster rolls to steak, fine wines, and cocktails. The best bit? Every table comes with a sea view.

The Regency Restaurant is one of Brighton's most famous seafood restaurants, located right opposite the i360. These guys have been dishing up fried calamari, grilled Dover sole, mountainous seafood platters and piles of chips for decades. It's big portions, fair prices and sea views with no frills and no pretence, just classic British seaside fare done right.

It may look like just another old rickety beachfront shack, but this Brighton institution is the real deal. This seafood gem, located just steps from the sea, smokes fresh, locally caught fish and shellfish on-site for maximum flavour. Local boats supply the catch, which is cured in pure sea salt before being smoked gently over oak, nut or fruitwood. The result is hot-smoked mackerel, thick slabs of salmon, crab sandwiches, cockles and more, all casually served along the seafront. 

Pearly Cow's menu is chock-full of Sussex beef, the freshest Whitstable oysters and just-caught seafood, cooked simply over flame or served raw on ice. Inside, the vibe is sleek and stylish with a cracking cocktail bar, but in summer, The Terrace is where it's at, set above the seafront with sweeping ocean views. Sundays are all about their iconic roasts with all the trimmings, while the rest of the week is all about seasonal South Downs and coastal ingredients.

Kemptown's Gothic Crab is home to the city's best Cajun-inspired seafood boils. Pull on a bib and get messy with lobster, crab and prawns piled high and doused in rich sauce. There are also shucked-to-order oysters and small plates, all made with fresh, sustainable local catch. The dining room itself is dramatic, with a moody vibe and sparkly chandeliers setting the scene.