As a lifelong travel and food enthusiast, I’ve eaten my way through dozens of coastal towns—but few places have left such a lasting impression on my palate as Brighton. Nestled along England’s southern coast, this lively seaside city not only charms with its iconic pier and pebble beach but also offers some of the freshest, most inventive seafood I’ve ever tasted.
Whether you’re craving classic fish and chips or refined oyster platters, Brighton has something for every seafood lover. Below, I share my personal top 10 seafood restaurants in Brighton that made my tastebuds dance. I’ll include where they are, what they cost on average, and the dishes that made me fall in love with them.
📍 Location: Kings Road, facing the seafront, just a short stroll from the Brighton i360
💷 Average price: £45–£60 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Charcoal-grilled whole seabass with brown butter and capers
📞 Reservation: Recommended via phone or third-party booking platforms
The Salt Room sits proudly opposite the beach, offering unbeatable sea views alongside an elegant, modern British menu. What struck me most was the balance between simplicity and depth of flavor. The seabass, cooked over charcoal, had a beautifully crisp skin and a delicate, buttery interior. Their raw bar is equally impressive—I tried the scallop ceviche, and it was as fresh as the breeze coming off the English Channel.
2. Riddle & Finns (The Beach)
📍 Location: Lower promenade, between Brighton Pier and West Pier
💷 Average price: £40–£55 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Champagne and oyster platter
📞 Reservation: Walk-ins accepted, reservations possible via phone
I still remember the first time I sat on their sea-facing terrace with a glass of white wine and a dozen oysters. The ocean was just metres away. There’s something incredibly indulgent about slurping down oysters while watching the waves roll in. Riddle & Finns offer both East and West Sussex oysters, and the champagne pairing was absolutely divine. It’s romantic, elegant, and relaxed all at once.
3. The Urchin
📍 Location: Belfast Street, Hove (around 20 minutes’ walk from Brighton Station)
💷 Average price: £30–£45 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Thai crab soup and grilled langoustines
📞 Reservation: Strongly recommended via phone
Tucked away in Hove, The Urchin is a gastropub that feels like a secret. It’s cozy and low-key, but the seafood is anything but ordinary. The Thai crab soup was rich, aromatic, and layered with spice, while the langoustines were grilled to juicy perfection. The beer selection is also outstanding—they brew their own in the back!
4. English’s of Brighton
📍 Location: East Street, in the heart of The Lanes
💷 Average price: £35–£50 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Lobster thermidor
📞 Reservation: Bookable by phone or through table-booking apps
This place oozes heritage—it’s been serving Brighton since the 1940s. The ambiance feels delightfully old-school, but the food is consistently excellent. I went for their classic lobster thermidor, and it did not disappoint: cheesy, creamy, rich, and utterly satisfying. If you want a quintessentially British seafood experience, English’s delivers on all fronts.
5. The Little Fish Market
📍 Location: Upper Market Street, Hove
💷 Average price: £65–£85 per person (set tasting menu)
🍽️ Must-try dish: Varies, but the turbot with brown butter was unforgettable
📞 Reservation: Essential—must be done via phone or dining platforms in advance
For a refined, Michelin-quality experience, The Little Fish Market blew me away. It’s a one-chef show run by Duncan Ray, who cooks an evolving tasting menu for a small number of guests. Each dish was artfully plated, with precise flavors and textures. The turbot was silky and perfectly seasoned. It’s an intimate venue—perfect for food lovers who want an experience, not just a meal.
6. The Regency Restaurant
📍 Location: Kings Road, near the British Airways i360
💷 Average price: £25–£40 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Traditional fish and chips with mushy peas
📞 Reservation: Walk-ins welcome, but bookings accepted via phone
The Regency has that quintessential “Brighton by the sea” feel. It’s lively, a bit retro, and absolutely buzzing with locals and tourists. I came here for the classic fish and chips, and they nailed it. The batter was light and crisp, the cod flakey, and the portion generous. The sea view from the big windows added to the charm. It’s a no-fuss favorite that always hits the spot.
7. Terre à Terre (Seafood Options for Vegetarians & Flexitarians)
📍 Location: East Street, just a few steps from Brighton Palace Pier
💷 Average price: £30–£45 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Seaweed and sesame-crusted tofu with oyster-style mushroom “scallops”
📞 Reservation: Can be made by phone or dining platforms
This isn’t a traditional seafood spot, but it deserves mention. Terre à Terre is a pioneering vegetarian restaurant with creative dishes that mimic the sea’s flavors. I was skeptical at first, but their seaweed-infused plates genuinely surprised me. It’s ideal for flexitarians or anyone looking to experience seafood flavors with a plant-based twist.
8. The Watershed
📍 Location: Brighton Marina, above the waterfront
💷 Average price: £30–£50 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Grilled octopus with saffron aioli
📞 Reservation: Strongly suggested—call ahead or book through apps
The Watershed is one of my favorite hidden gems. Located in the Brighton Marina, it’s far from the crowds but offers a cozy, nautical ambiance and creative cooking. The grilled octopus was exceptionally tender and paired beautifully with a delicate saffron aioli. I lingered here for hours with a cocktail, watching boats bobbing in the harbor.
9. Sea Haze Fish Bar
📍 Location: Waterloo Street, Hove
💷 Average price: £15–£25 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Freshly fried calamari and homemade tartar sauce
📞 Reservation: Walk-in only
For something casual and budget-friendly, Sea Haze Fish Bar was a real find. The place looks modest, but don’t let that fool you—the quality is top-notch. Their calamari was crispy, not greasy, and the tartar sauce had just the right tang. It’s the kind of place locals swear by, and now I do too.
10. Brighton Shellfish & Oyster Bar
📍 Location: On the lower promenade near Brighton Palace Pier
💷 Average price: £10–£20 per person
🍽️ Must-try dish: Crab claws and jellied eels
📞 Reservation: Walk-up only—seafront takeaway stand
No tablecloths, no reservations—just the sound of gulls, crashing waves, and fresh seafood served with zero pretension. Brighton Shellfish & Oyster Bar is a beachside shack serving crustaceans and mollusks straight from the sea. I loved picking up a paper tray of crab claws and finding a bench with a view of the pier. It doesn’t get more Brighton than that.
Exploring Brighton through its seafood was more than just a culinary journey—it was an adventure of the senses, a celebration of the ocean in every bite. Each dish told its own story, whether it was the refined elegance of a charcoal-grilled turbot at The Little Fish Market or the nostalgic comfort of flaky cod and chips at The Regency. I found myself constantly surprised by how this compact seaside city manages to offer such a broad spectrum of seafood experiences.
What stood out most to me was the sheer variety—not just in flavors and styles, but also in atmosphere and approach. One moment I was sipping crisp white wine alongside champagne-laced oysters at Riddle & Finns, feeling indulgent and refined; the next, I was perched on a bench with a paper tray of crab claws from the Brighton Shellfish & Oyster Bar, licking salt off my fingers and watching the sun dip behind the pier. That’s the magic of Brighton—it never takes itself too seriously, but it never compromises on quality either.
I also appreciated how accessible it all was. Whether you’re a budget traveler seeking a satisfying seafood fix under £20, or a gourmet enthusiast chasing precision-tuned tasting menus, Brighton welcomes you with open arms and a full plate. Even lesser-known gems like The Urchin in Hove or the vegetarian-leaning Terre à Terre impressed me with their creativity and dedication to fresh, local ingredients. It’s clear that this is a city that respects its coastline—not just as scenery, but as a source of daily inspiration.
Of course, it helps that everything in Brighton is walkable or just a short ride away. I could go from a stylish marina eatery to a beachside shack within the same afternoon, all while soaking in sea air, listening to street musicians in The Lanes, or browsing vintage shops between meals. It’s this blend of food, culture, and coastal charm that makes Brighton so unforgettable.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Brighton and you’ve got a love for the sea—and a healthy appetite—I can’t recommend this seafood journey enough. Dive into the flavors, savor the freshness, and whatever you do, arrive hungry. And trust me: stretchy pants are not optional. They’re essential.
