Restaurant Brighton's guide to
Seafood Restaurant Brighton: Fresh, Local Fish and Shellfish
Best restaurants for seafood and fish in Brighton
Where to Eat the Best Seafood in Brighton, Hove and Sussex
If you are searching for the best seafood restaurant in Brighton, Hove or across Sussex, you have come to the right place. With the sea on the doorstep, this is a city built around fresh, local catch; locally landed crab and lobster, oysters shucked to order, daily specials from the Sussex day boats and indulgent seafood platters served everywhere from elegant fine dining rooms to lively seafront feasts. Whether you are after a romantic seafood dinner, a family-friendly shellfish boil or a quick plate of fish and chips by the water, this guide covers the very best of it, area by area.
A beloved institution, English’s of Brighton has been serving the finest fresh fish and seafood for generations. Their culinary focus is on preparing classic dishes like Lobster Thermidor, Dover Sole à la meuniere”, Dressed Crab with Lemon Mayonnaise to the highest standards. For comfort, there’s fish pie or Sussex ale battered fish and chips. Sit at the bar for oysters and champagne or share a generous platter of seafood with a friend. For the ultimate treat, order the catch of the day which is filleted table side for your enjoyment.
As a premier Brighton seafood restaurant, The Regency Restaurant offers an unrivaled selection of ocean-fresh delicacies. Located opposite Brighton beach, it is the perfect spot for an indulgent Extravaganza Shellfish Platter or a Grilled Seafood Medley featuring hake, salmon, and swordfish. Their extensive menu features everything from Jersey Rock oysters and Mussels Mariniere to luxurious Lobster Thermidor. Whether you crave grilled King Prawns, whole Dover Sole, or fresh scallops, the range of shellfish and fried seafood caters to every enthusiast.
Seafood and fresh fish are at the heart of The Salt Room, one of Brighton’s most impressive restaurants. Working closely with Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales and local day-boat suppliers, the kitchen celebrates fresh, seasonal catch from the Sussex coast and beyond. Expect oysters, shellfish, whole fish, daily specials and coal-fired cooking, all served in a redesigned seafront setting overlooking the West Pier. The weather-glazed terrace celebrates year-round alfresco dining.
If you love seafood, The Velvet Crab Brighton in Kemptown deserves a spot on your list. This lively Kemptown restaurant is all about indulgent seafood feasts, dirty martinis and getting gloriously stuck in. Expect piled-high seafood boils loaded with lobster, mussels, langoustines, clams and crab, alongside oysters, seafood platters, soft shell crab and house-made sauces packed with flavour. Whether you’re gathering friends around one of their signature sharing feasts or settling in for cocktails and smaller plates, this is seafood dining at its most social, playful and delicious. Just a few minutes from Brighton beach, The Velvet Crab brings bold flavours, lively energy and a dining experience that’s designed to be shared.
Sensational seafood awaits at Pearly Cow, a natural fit with the sea just steps away. Fresh fish from south coast day boats is cooked over flame or served raw on ice, alongside seasonal catches from further afield. Oysters from Whitstable, Lindisfarne and Jersey offer a delicious start, each with distinct flavour notes. Expect elegant seafood starters and showstopping platters featuring langoustines, scallops, lobster tails, octopus, red mullet and monkfish, all expertly prepared, beautifully presented, and guaranteed to impress.
IL Bistro’s coastal heritage shines through in its seafood selection, complementing its reputation as a top steakhouse. Housed in an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage, the restaurant serves freshly sourced seafood, from classic grilled fish to hearty Italian dishes like Riso con Frutti di Mare—a rich Arborio rice dish with clams, mussels, squid, and king prawn, cooked in Sicilian white wine, plum tomatoes, garlic, and chili. With a focus on quality ingredients and expert preparation, IL Bistro offers a true taste of the sea.
IL Bistro are winners of the Best Team BRAVOS 2024
Tinto Taperia serves up exquisitely authentic Spanish cuisine, many of the recipes have been passed down as family favourites and have stood the test of time. Paella is made fresh to order the proper way, containing the freshest local seafood and authentic Spanish ingredients delivering the traditional flavour that we love. Find Spanish classics like Fritura Mixa – white bait, prawns, calamari and codfish. Chipironis en Salsa – slow cooked baby squid in a tomato broth. Garlicky Gambas La Plancha plus regular seafood specials celebrating the season. Their location is to die for too, in the heartof the city overlooking Pavillion Gardens.
Seafood at Burger & Lobster is all about freshness and indulgence. Sourced wild, their lobster is served whole or half, grilled or steamed with lemon and garlic butter. For something rich and comforting, the lobster linguine is packed with prawns, cherry tomato sauce, chilli, and basil. The Connecticut lobster roll, with warm buttered lobster and old bay seasoning in a toasted brioche roll, is a true classic. Other seafood highlights include freshly shucked rock oysters, baked oysters with garlic butter, British scallops with miso yuzu butter, crispy calamari, and lobster croquettes with prawn and mozzarella. Don’t miss Oyster Hour, Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm.
CrabShack in Worthing is a renowned fish and seafood destination in Sussex that has big flavour at an appetising price. This coastal eatery presents an exquisite selection of locally caught fish and seafood, the fresh catch dictating the small but perfectly formed menu each day. Expect classic crowd pleasers such as Crispy Squid, Crab Cakes or Lobster Bisques. Co-owner Andy is a wine buff so expect some delicious pairings for your meal, or a cocktail if you’re feeling cheeky. The atmosphere of this Worthing gem has charm in abundance, so get booking your trip to the seaside!
Moshimo is one of Brighton’s most popular eating destinations – their menu excludes endangered fish and places a massive emphasis on sustainability through their Moshimo FishLove campaign. The eating experience at Moshimo offers an authentic taste of Japanese cuisine and the Opticon building, resembling a traditional Japanese house, is an architectural icon in the Brighton Lanes.
The Urchin craft beer and shellfish pub is a wholly unique concept. Dedicated to shellfish, matched with craft beers. The Urchin also has its own basement brewery, Larrikin and resident brewers. Their dishes combine European and Asian influences and utilise the freshest seafood on offer, garnering them national and Sussex wide praise. At their heart though The Urchin remain a dedicated team of fun-loving enthusiasts of good beer, food and company, and it is this that makes them a firm favourite among locals. We cannot praise this Brighton fish restaurant enough for what they are doing, a totally unique style and concept which is part and parcel of this Hove pub.
From late 2024, The Coal Shed restaurant unveiled a more elevated menu in their new stunning venue. While the over-fire beef cooking remains a core feature, The Coal shed team have expanded this technique to other meats, hearty vegetables, seafood, lobsters and vegan options. These are served alongside robata oven-cooked fermented breads, snacks, and small plates. Embracing its coastal setting, the new menu also boasts an impressive selection of fish and seafood, both raw and flame-cooked, as well as a premium Sturia caviar menu, offering a truly refined dining experience. Pictured: half a Sussex blue lobster.
Stem in Hove brings a seasonal British bistro approach to seafood dining in Hove, with regularly changing dishes that celebrate the best local and coastal produce. Expect beautifully prepared plates such as native oysters, cured chalk stream trout and Cornish mackerel, alongside a menu built around quality ingredients and thoughtful cooking. Pair your seafood with a recommendation from Stem’s expertly curated wine list and enjoy a relaxed dining experience in one of Hove’s most exciting neighbourhood restaurants.
At The White Horses in Rottingdean, the seafood dishes are as impressive as the sea views that stretch over the undercliffs and chalky cliffs of the area. The vibe is relaxed yet elegant, perfect for enjoying the best of coastal cuisine. Their standout menu item is ‘The Signature Platter’ which includes: Arënkha® caviar, king prawns, Severn & Wye® smoked salmon, dressed crab,
mussels, clams with a Marie Rose sauce, sherry vinaigrette, warm
Guinness soda bread and samphire butter. Other sustainabily caught seafood dishes are Calamari, Scottish Mussels and classic Haddock and Chips and more.
Seafood lovers are in for a treat at The Fountain Head, where Boysterous Burgers brings bold flavours and fresh coastal flair to the menu. Enjoy oysters shucked to order, served with your choice of accompaniments like Bloody Mary ketchup or Jalapeño cucumber granita. Fancy something indulgent? Try the Hot Oysters – cooked in beef fat and finished with a bacon crumb. Or go all in with the Marry Me Dirty Fries, topped with prawns, garlic butter and plenty of punch.
Seafood lovers will find plenty to enjoy at Bohemia Brighton. Highlights include Moules Marinière served with crusty bread, Thai-style Tiger Prawns with a punch of spice, and Crispy Calamari cooked to golden perfection. Their menu combines classic British comfort with international flair, ensuring there’s something for every palate. With a focus on fresh, flavourful ingredients, Bohemia is an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy quality seafood alongside cocktails and a lively atmosphere in The Lanes.
Arguably the highest rated fish restaurant Brighton and Hove have to offer.
The Little Fish Market is a real gem of a venue. Ranked in the National Restaurant Awards top 100, it is one of the elite few Brighton Restaurants to hold 3 AA Rosettes and was crowned Brighton’s Best Restaurant in the BRAVO 2020 Awards. Head chef Duncan Ray runs a tight ship with just 20 covers dining each night. The single tasting menu changes with what’s been freshly landed and runs to some 12 plus courses.
There are many things that the Italians do well and their commitment to the art of dining is one of them. At Tutto Brighton, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of the country’s cooking served as small plates, paired with great company and wine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The seafood food offered here is exciting. While balanced, the menu is notably generous to seafood dishes. You’ll find crudo fish, as well as shellfish and delicate grilled fish dishes to choose from. As with all the food at Tutto, the seafood is fresh, beautifully prepared and inspired by the cuisine of Italy.
Al Duomo in the North Laine is an authentic Italian restaurant that has been serving Brighton for over 30 years. They make everything fresh and in-house and, as Italian food should be, things are kept simple so that the quality of the ingredients can shine. All their seafood is locally landed, ensuring freshness and quality. The menu is positively teeming with delicious seafood dishes. There are antipasti dishes to get your mouth watering, like fresh seafood salad with pickled vegetables, dressed in lemon, parsley and extra virgin olive oil. And mains including melt in the mouth, homemade, paccheri with mixed seafood in a white wine and tomato sauce.
Wingrove House is a premier Alfriston destination, perfectly positioned for exploring the South Downs and River Cuckmere. The restaurant specialises in modern British cuisine with a strong focus on seafood sourced directly from Newhaven boats. Featured dishes include pan-fried local cod loin with mussels and cider cream, pan-fried scallops with ‘Nduja, and king prawns in a cherry tomato and chilli sauce. Guests can also enjoy traditional Sussex afternoon teas, Sunday roasts, and luxury stays in a dog-friendly, 19th-century setting.
Riddle and Finns serve only the finest quality fresh seafood, in a relaxed stylish surrounding with friendly and knowledgeable service. They buy almost all their fish and seafood from the BNFS market at Hove Lagoon where the fish are caught just off Brighton beach. Think sharing tables, candelabras and very decadent dining. A Champagne and Oyster Bar located in the Brighton Lanes and above Shelter Hall on Brighton seafront.
Seafood Restaurants in Brighton and Hove | Brighton's Rich History
Brighton and Hove’s rich history in the fishing industry has deeply shaped its seafood dining scene. The city’s fishing fleet dates back to the 16th century, and that maritime heritage is still visible today in the sheer number of restaurants serving fresh, locally landed catch along the coastline.
Whether you are craving succulent prawns, flaky cod or plump oysters, Brighton’s seafood scene reflects this coastal legacy at every turn. Located just a stone’s throw from the seafront, Brighton and Hove continue to deliver on fresh fish and seafood, with many venues sourcing sustainably, meaning your dinner may well have been caught and landed just hours before it reaches your plate. Many of the restaurants featured here also appear among the top 20 best restaurants in Brighton.
You may also enjoy our guide to lobster restaurants in Brighton.
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For seafood with genuine sea views, The Regency Restaurant sits directly opposite Brighton beach, and The Salt Room overlooks the West Pier from its redesigned seafront setting, complete with a weather-glazed terrace for year-round alfresco dining. Pearly Cow is just steps from the water, and The White Horses in Rottingdean offers some of the most spectacular coastal views in the area, looking out over the undercliffs and chalky cliffs east of the city.
For an impressive seafood platter, The Regency Restaurant offers the Extravaganza Shellfish Platter, while The Velvet Crab in Kemptown builds its entire concept around generous sharing boils loaded with lobster, mussels, langoustines and crab. The White Horses in Rottingdean serves the showstopping Signature Platter, featuring Arënkha caviar, king prawns, smoked salmon, dressed crab and mussels, all paired with sea views over the South Downs coastline.
Brighton and Hove are home to some of the best seafood restaurants on the South Coast. For seafood fine dining, The Little Fish Market by Duncan Ray serves contemporary dishes with sustainably sourced fish and shellfish. English’s of Brighton, a historic seafood restaurant in The Lanes, is known for oysters, crab, and lobster. For Mediterranean-style seafood, Il Bistro offers classic dishes with fresh daily catches.
English’s of Brighton is famous for fresh local crab and lobster, often sourced from nearby Sussex waters. The Urchin in Hove specialises in shellfish, with a focus on crab and lobster platters. Crabshack in Worthing offers a relaxed setting with freshly landed crab and lobster straight from local fishermen.
The Salt Room champions sustainably sourced seafood, working with trusted suppliers to protect marine life. Moshimo, a Japanese restaurant in the city centre, is a pioneer of the Fishlove campaign, promoting sustainable fishing practices. Pearly Cow also focuses on ethically sourced seafood, with menus designed around seasonal availability.
Yes — English’s of Brighton is one of the city’s go-to destinations for fresh oysters, often served with classic shallot vinegar. Pearly Cow offers oysters on ice as part of its raw bar selection, while Burger & Lobster pairs oysters with its signature lobster dishes for a decadent seafood experience.
For a seafood boil-style feast, The Urchin is the place to go, offering shellfish platters loaded with crab, lobster, mussels, and prawns. The Velvet Crab brings a fun, informal take on seafood dining with hearty portions and bold flavours, while the multi-award winning Crabshack in Worthing delivers generous sharing platters perfect for groups.
Seafood fine dining can be found at The Little Fish Market, known for its innovative coastal-inspired menus, and English’s of Brighton, where elegant seafood dishes have been served for over 150 years. Pearly Cow brings a modern twist to luxury seafood dining with refined plating and premium ingredients. See all the Brighton seafood restaurants on Restaurants Brighton.
Yes — Tinto Taperia blends Spanish tapas traditions with seafood classics like gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns) and grilled squid. Moshimo offers Japanese-style seafood including sushi and sashimi, using sustainably caught fish. For a taste of Americana, Burger & Lobster pairs fresh lobster with gourmet burgers.
For laid-back seafood dining, Crabshack offers a relaxed beachfront vibe with sharing platters and daily catches. The Urchin combines a neighbourhood pub feel with a focus on shellfish, and Velvet Crab delivers hearty seafood in a quirky, informal setting.
